Hildebrandt Makes 2012 "20 Under 40" List
For Nick Hildebrandt, architecture
might seem a natural fit, since he's been building a successful career through
experiences that might shake others to their foundations.
Hildebrandt, 33, a native of Tripoli,
was a budding architecture major in 2001 at Iowa State University when his
then-girlfriend and now his wife, Jacque, suffered a stroke while playing
basketball.
He stayed by her side through the entire
ordeal.
Only a month later, his father was
killed in an accident.
He calls that year "my most
valuable life lesson."
He still had a year of college to get
through, but with the support of Jacque and family members, he would endure and
grow.
"Not just letting it define me as
a person but have it kind of motivate me and be a part of me as I moved forward
was probably the biggest defining moment," he said.
Hildebrandt landed an internship with
StruXture at its Des Moines office and worked there full time for several years
after his graduation from ISU in 2002.
The company eventually moved
Hildebrandt to its Waterloo headquarters. He became a registered architect in
2008 and earned accreditation in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
the next year. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and Iowa
AIA.
Hildebrandt gradually moved into an
associate position and was offered a partnership at StruXture three years ago.
With all that, Hildebrandt makes time
to give to the community. He's a member of the Waterloo Downtown Rotary Club,
serves as group leader and Sunday school teacher at Heartland Vineyard Church,
was secretary of the board of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and served
on a number of community-betterment boards. Hildebrandt also is a graduate of
Cedar Valley Leadership Institute.
"His interest in service is not
based on resume building but rather in making a difference in a community in
which he plans to live and raise his family," said Geoffrey Grimes, a
partner at StruXture.
Hildebrandt, who lives with Jacque and
their three daughters in Denver, said several factors guide his philosophy of
giving back to the community.
"One would be my family, my
parents, the work ethic I learned growing up on a farm," he said.
"Another would be my faith. I believe in giving back and not just getting
promoted and using them. Ultimately, those are probably the two biggest driving
forces and also leaving this place a better place for my kids. I have three
girls at home."
Hildebrandt said winning The Courier's
20 Under 40 Award reminds him that he has a duty to serve the community, but it
brings no more pressure than he applies to himself.
"I strive to be the best that I
can be in everything that I do, so putting more pressure on as being in an elite
group does not feel like any different pressure than anything else that I put
upon myself," he said.
Jane Miller, a colleague at StruXture,
also nominated Hildebrandt for the award.
"People are drawn to Nick's great
personality and good business sense; he leads by example and always has time
for everyone," Miller said.
By JIM OFFNER