Spotlight on Sam Breidenbach
Sam Breidenbach
Sam Breidenbach is a returning board member and we are thrilled he has decided to join us again.
Sam has been a Madison resident since 1985 and is married to Jeannine Ramsey with two daughters; Richie and Mia. In January 2021, he retired from TDS Custom Construction to enjoy time with family and friends.
Sam has been involved with Citizens Climate Lobby and League of Women’s Voters. He loves most silent sports: eg. Cross Country Skiing, cycling, kayaking, hiking. He also has a love for travel, gardening, photography, Ukulele (Novice) and reading lots of books.
A long-time partner of the Madison Trust, Sam owned TDS Custom Construction for 35 years and sold Business in January, 2021. At TDS, they specialized in remodeling and restorations of pre-WW2 homes and businesses. TDS has received several historic preservation awards from the Madison Trust over the years.
Sam has also been a member of the Madison Trust since about 1994! Over that time, he has served as a Madison Trust Board Member (2010-2016) and Board President (2014-2016) while also serving on various committees throughout the organization.
1. What three traits define you?
Good Listener, Passionate, Loyal
2. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My bicycle (and coffee)
3. What are you listening to/reading these days?
Listening to a variety of music depending on my mood
Reading lots of non-fiction
4. What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
4th stage cancer
5. What is the one thing you cannot resist? (food/dessert/candy/etc.)
A cold beer at the end of the day
6. What is your greatest fear?
Human-caused climate change and the overall degradation of the environment.
7. Where is your favorite place to be?
Outdoors with friends
8. What is your favorite thing to do?
Cross Country Skiing
9. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
India and Nepal, because of its rich culture and natural beauty.
10. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Picking rotten cherries (from the good ones) off a conveyor belt in a canning factory (I lasted 3 days).
11. Who is your biggest inspiration?
My Dad
12. What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see today?
The emerging worldwide green energy transition
13. What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
Immunotherapy for all types of cancers
14. What would you do (as a volunteer) if you weren’t doing this?
Working at Habitat for Humanity.
15. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Not picking rotten cherries…..
16. What inspires you and why?
People who fight against injustice because it's the right thing to do
17. What’s your favorite building in Madison and why?
The Capital because it is so iconic and because it is the “people’s house”
18. What do you think people should know about the Madison Trust?
The Trust is a mature organization managed by passionate individuals dedicated to protecting our cultural and physical heritage while ensuring that ordinary Madisonians have a seat at the table with the powerful interests shaping the future of the city’s landscape.