Hometown Heroes: James Steinbrink, Joe Nueman and Brady Dockendorf

For politicians, the State of the State address is a pep rally. It is a time for people to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of our state, examine our failings and look to the future. But this year for me, the State of the State was a chance to recognize three individuals from our community who are working hard to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities and who are bringing a smile to all of our faces with their friendly service at Features Bar and Grill in Holmen.

This week’s Hometown Heroes are James Steinbrink, Joe Nueman and Brady Dockendorf who all work at Features Bar and Grill. Features was recently honored by the Governor at  the State of the State for their continuing work providing jobs for students with disabilities who work and train at the restaurant as part of the transitions program through local high schools. Former Hometown Hero Lori Volkman runs this program at Holmen High School which helps students transition from school to the community through work placement programs.

James has been the General Manager at Features for over seven years. He says his favorite part of the job is interacting with the customers each day. James says getting to know them and interact with them is very rewarding. There are a lot of regulars at Features (I’ve been known to stop in there from time to time and for the record I usually order the fish), sometimes 2-3 times a week and they become part of the Features family.

The most challenging part of James’ job he says is that he is constantly training new employees. Part of the thing about the restaurant industry is the revolving door of workers who come in and out of the business every year. Finding workers and training them well takes time and dedication. Many employees frequently move on to other jobs either in other restaurants or in another field entirely. Once a restaurant finds a good employee, they want to hold on to them.

That is where Joe and Brady come in. Joe has been working at Features for 6 years and Brady for 3. They started in high school working through the transitions program. Both boys began as volunteers but within about a month, James knew that they could do the job fulltime. As busers, Joe and Brady do the many dishes that come through Features every day and clear the busy tables as customers come and go. They are now highly valued members of the Features’ team. James says he has really enjoyed watching them grow into their fulltime positions. Last year at Take Your Legislator to Work day, I learned just how hard their jobs are.

When they got the call from the Governor’s office, James was not expecting anything fancy, “just a meet and greet.” But when during the speech the Governor pointed up to the gallery where all three sat and honored them for their great work, James says he got “goosebumps.” He says it was amazing to see everyone turn and clap and give them a standing ovation. As one of the people on the floor who stood up to applaud them, I was incredibly proud to have them representing my community.

James says he has gotten quite a lot of local attention after being featured so prominently at the State of the State address. Every day, people come up to him and say how they saw him on TV, but James tries to stay out of the spotlight. For him, it was all about the guys and seeing them honored for their hard work. He says it was a once in a lifetime experience for them all, not only to be a part of the speech but to come to the Governor’s mansion as well.

In addition to Joe and Brady, Features has provided training and a start in the workforce for many other students with disabilities transitioning to the workforce. Most recently, one of their workers got a job with Kwik Trip. For James, that is what it is all about: helping people to find meaningful and rewarding work and giving them a foundation for future success.

So congratulations to you, James, Brady and Joe. It was truly an honor to have you represent our community at the State of the State Address. I eagerly look forward to your continued hard work and to seeing you the next time I come in to Features.

Keep up the good work and continue to be Hometown Heroes.

Hometown Hero is a regular feature put together by Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska). If you have any suggestions of a Hometown Hero, send a short description of why you think this person should be a Hometown Hero and contact information of both you and the nominee to rep.doyle@legis.wisconsin.gov.