Jeff Roznowski: 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award recipient

BSIE ’80 (MBA ’85, UW-Milwaukee)
Longtime telecommunications leader, public servant

An industrial engineer, telecommunications industry leader and public servant dedicated to elevating people and improving his community.

Ask Jeff Roznowski about his career, and you’ll need to clarify because he’s had two distinct ones.

During the first, he spent 27 years in the telecommunications industry, working in leadership positions for Wisconsin Bell, Ameritech Cellular, Cumulus Wireless and NextWave Wireless. In 2007, he made a very intentional pivot to public and community service. He’s served as a city alderman in his home of Wauwatosa, co-founded the Wisconsin Wireless Association and worked as an adjunct faculty member at Milwaukee School of Engineering.

“After a lot of self-reflection, I learned my passion was people, community and making where I live and the lives of the people around me a little better,” he says.

Roznowski has also devoted considerable time and energy to advocating for his alma mater. As one of the leaders of the coalition for the Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center, he spent four years helping to drum up statewide support, including testifying in front of the Wisconsin state legislature several times, for the now-approved building.

Roznowski also regularly speaks to students in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering’s introductory course and provides feedback for junior and senior design team presentations.

“I like to say that’s my thank you to the school for everything that I’ve been able to do with my career and my life,” he says.

Which engineering professor made the greatest impact on you?

Professor (Emeritus) Steve Robinson. I had him for ISYE 313, which was Engineering Economy. He and that course instilled an economic, financial focus in me that stayed with me in every job I had. A lot of engineers will put new technology in because it’s new and it’s fun. My emphasis, individually and with the teams that I’ve led, was always, no, we’re going to put technology in where it makes sense, where it’s economically viable, where there are customers that can use that.

What do you enjoy about your career?

It starts with people. That has always driven me, and what I’ve learned over the years is you accomplish absolutely nothing without the help of people. Building relationships with people is so critical. Also variety: One day I’m an engineer, then I’m the treasurer of a billion-dollar company, then I’m a politician, then I’m a teacher at MSOE. I could not do the same job for 20 years. The other thing is the sense of accomplishment. I’ve been fortunate to be a part of some big projects, and to be able to look, see, feel, touch things that my career has been a part of is very satisfying.

Which do you prefer?

Camp Randall, the Kohl Center, or the UW Field House?
It’s the Field House, the old barn. It even goes back to having the old high school state basketball tournament there. I have to admit we skipped school a couple of years so we could go in the old barn and sit on the bleachers and watch that place rock.

State Street or Lakeshore path?
When I was going to school and wanted to relax and let my hair down and party a little bit, it was State Street.

UW Arboretum or Picnic Point?
Definitely the arboretum. I’m a longtime runner and my running started at UW-Madison, through the arboretum and along Lake Wingra. And my wife and I got engaged in the arboretum, so I would be remiss if I didn’t say that was my favorite.

Flamingoes or Badgers?
I’m going to say flamingoes. The tradition of filling the hill with plastic flamingos started when I was an undergrad in the late 70s by the infamous Pail and Shovel Party. And I’m a regular Fill the Hill donor.