Alex Volkmann joined the Degnan Design-Build-Remodel team in 2025. You might recognize his last name, because he is son of Office Manager Amy Volkmann. With practical skills and leadership learned in the military, maintenance and management, he joined DDBR with his eye on earning a Lead Carpenter position. Time for an introduction!

Alex, what are your hobbies? I absolutely love athletics. I played in the Wisconsin Junior PGA as a kid and was the captain of my high school golf team at LaFollette HS. I also played football in high school as well. I love the Packers, Bucks, and Brewers like any good Wisconsin sports fan. Every day I check scores, watch highlights, and I am forever a student of the games.

Where did you grow up? I was born and raised on the east side of Madison. Growing up in Wisconsin has solidified my love for the state and the people here. While I was in the Marine Corps, I was fortunate to live in Pensacola, FL, Jacksonville, NC, and San Diego, CA. Wisconsin will always be home.

What are you proud of? In 2017 I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I was a 6153 – Airframe Mechanic on CH53E Helicopters. I have had many experiences in life, but my four years in the Marine Corps were truly special. Some of my proudest moments have come from this period of my life. I was meritoriously promoted, earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and became a CDI (Collateral Duty Inspector) which is a high qualification in my field. I will forever be grateful for the experiences and the relationships I formed during my time.

What’s a favorite quote from a "famous" person? Two of my favorite quotes come from Horace Mann.

“Ignorance breeds monsters to fill up the vacancies of the soul that are unoccupied by the verities of knowledge.”
― Horace Mann

The older I become, the more I value knowledge. The more I learn, the more I realize just how little I know. I enjoy learning about new topics, skills, and people.

Another that I believe pairs well with the first is:

“Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.”
― Horace Mann