Lauren Sustek

President & CEO

Lauren Sustek (nee Bartkowski) founded Bartkowski Life Safety in 2010 after working with a General Contractor for several years prior. She brought a new vision to the life safety industry that focused on customer tailored solutions. Lauren has assembled a team of like-minded individuals, and together they have grown Bartkowski into an industry leader.

When Lauren is not working, or strategizing her next venture, she lives for spending time with her husband , her two lovely daughters, and their beautiful son. She enjoys attending sports games, concerts, and any event that is craft, art, food or wine related.

Kris Sustek

Project Executive

Kris joined the Bartkowski team in 2013. Prior to that he worked as a Stationary Engineer for 15 years and remains a member of Operating Engineers Local 399 to this day. Kris earned his Associate's in Engineering from Tritan College. Kris quickly became an asset to Bartkowski.

When Kris is not working with Bartkowski he enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters and son, attending sports games (Go Sox!), camping, ‘working’ on his cottage in Door County, and attending concerts.

Bill Nelson

Company Superintendent

Bill Nelson (aka the Firestop Remediation Guru) has 21 years of Firestop experience. Bill has been involved with and led projects that range from high-end residential, to healthcare, to industrial, and everything in between. Bill is the true example of professionalism and continues to mentor up and coming technicians. Bill's constant keen eye for detail and unwavering support of BLSC's overall vision positions him as a key asset in our day to day operations. Bill's spotlight project includes the 250,000 sq ft renovation of the University of Chicago Medicine Center for Care and Discover.

Jinjer Schnaedter

Office Manager

Jinjer joined the Bartkowski team in July 2019. After 30 years of working for a local grocery chain, she decided on a change and landed at BLSC. Her duties include reception, office upkeep, and assisting her fellow associates.

Her many non-work loves include gardening, crocheting, scrap booking, and card making. She also spoils her dogs with daily walks.

Mike Bartkowski

Business Development Manager

Mike joined us in 2023, bringing 40 years of construction experience, specializing in firestopping for 30. His experience includes roles in distribution, firestopping, territory management, healthcare management for STI Firestop, and manufacturing representation for 3M.

As our leader of Business Development, Mike's wealth of knowledge is an immense asset to our team. He collaborates with hospitals across our region to implement life safety programs and is a natural mentor for our team.

Deanne Piunti

AR/AP

Deanne is our in-house Accounting Expert Extraordinaire. She has been involved in the industry for nearly 20 years and always brings her investigative eye to every situation. Deanne oversees all of the AR and AP functions for the entire company and ensures that everything stays on track. When Deanne is not thinking about numbers, she enjoys working out, spending time with her family and dogs, or unwinding with a glass of sparkling wine.

Lori Nelson

Project Manager

Lori rejoined our Operations team in 2023 as Assistant Project Manager. In construction since 2011, Lori’s leadership is an asset to our team. She is skilled in customer relations and accepts challenges head-on, having implemented many of our longstanding programs and processes.

Lori lives in Portage, Indiana, with her husband and two Rhodesian Ridgeback babies, Savi and Cici. In her free time, she loves to read and relax with her family.