The outstanding accomplishments of 13 members of the residential construction industry were recognized by the Builders Association of Minnesota Friday February 24, 2012 at the fifth annual Minnesota Builders Convention in Minneapolis, MN.

Congratulations to the 2011 Award Winners!

(Click on a photo thumbnail below to see a larger version)

Rick Kot, R.A. Kot Homes
Advocacy Award
With Keith Kylmala 2012 BAM President

Kot has been a member of the builders association for over 20 years and a very active leader. He currently serves as a member of BAM’s Executive Committee, the BAM GR Committee and the Legal Action Committee of which he’s a founding member. Kot actively advocates for the industry at  both the state and national capitols and has served on multiple task forces put together by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

 

 

George Cundy, Cundy, Santine and Associates Architects LCC
Advocacy Award

Cundy has been a member for over 20 years and very active in the association. He currently serves on BAM’s Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee. He’s been a strong voice advocating for the association and industry and the state and national capitols and has served many years on both the BAM GR Committee and his local association’s (Builders Association of the Twin Cities) GR committees.

 

 

Rochester Area Builders
Local Association of the Year Award
Pictured: Rory Lenton, President of RAB & John Eischen, Executive Officer of RAB

The local association of the year award is presented to the local association that’s proven exceptional in membership growth, retention and participation the past year. RAB has, in the past year, expanded the number of networking events they provide to members in an effort to continually improve on their programs, events and services. RAB has over 30 working committees involving close to 400 members.

 

 

Knutson Construction Services of Rochester, MN
Distinguished Business of the Year Award
Pictured: Mike Larson & Nick Leimer of Knutson with presenter Donna Herriott, Ferguson Enterprises 2009 Distinguished Business

Knutston was presented with the distinguished business of the year award because they’ve been an active member of their local association, RAB, for almost 10 years and in that time the company has had several active employees participating in 10 different association committees and in leadership roles as well. Knutson says it believes involvement in the association, “Is great for our industry, our community and our employee’s personal and professional growth.”

 

 

Bryan Schoenberger, Modern Living Concepts
President’s Award
With 2011 BAM President Todd Bjerstedt

Schoenberger has been a member of the association since 2008 and in just four years has served as president of his local association, Lakes Region Builders Association, and currently serves as a director of BAM’s board. Schoenberger also served on the 2011 Unlicensed Contractor Task Force. Bjerstedt said, “Because of members like Bryan I know there is a bright future for the association and the industry.”

 

 

Rosemary Brenden, Hawkinson Companies
Rising Star Award
With Nick Leimer 2009 Rising Star

Brenden was presented with the Rising Star Award given to a member who has committed themselves to the service of BAM or their local association at an accelerated level in the past year. Brenden attended the 2011 BAM Leadership Conference and filled many leadership roles the past year at her local association, Northern Minnesota Builders Association (NMBA). She brought in several new members and actively participated in six association committees. “Her spirit and enthusiasm make her an excellent leader for the association,” said Larry Curtiss, president of NMBA.

 

Keven Dunlap, Liberty Savings Bank
Associate of the Year Award

Dunlap was presented with the prestigious Associate of the Year Award given to an associate member based on their service to the local, state and national associations and the community. Dunlap has been a member of the association for 24 years and is very involved in the association and his community serving on several local organization boards including the Salvation Army. “Keven has proven to be an invaluable board member through his experience and leadership skills,” said Nick Preusser, president of the Central Minnesota Builders Association.

 

Kathe Ostrom, CN Ostrom & Son
Remodeler of the Year Award
With Ron Nesvold 2010 Remodeler of the Year

Ostrom has been a member of the association since 2000 and has served on the board of directors and numerous committees of her local (BATC), state and national builders associations. She’s held many leadership positions including 2008 BAM President. Remodeler of the Year is given to a remodeler based on their service to the local, state and national associations and their involvement in the community.

 

 

Terry Hammack, Anderson Hammack Construction
Builder of the Year Award

Hammack was presented with the prestigious Builder of the Year Award because of his service to his local (Arrowhead Builders Association), state and national associations and his commitment to quality construction. Hammack has been a member for over 10 years and has been very active serving on numerous committees in addition to the board of directors of BAM and his local association. “Terry is a supportive and practical voice for the association and industry and is respected by his colleagues and fellow association members,” said Pam Perri, BAM Executive Vice President.

 

Larry Cramer, L. Cramer Designers + Builders
Hall of Fame Inductee

Cramer with inducted into the Minnesota Building Industry Hall of Fame, the highest honor BAM can bestow on a member of the industry. Cramer has over 40 years of custom home experience and has been a member of the association for 25 years. He sat on the Minnesota State Building Code Appeals Board, was president of the Minneapolis Builders Association, and is a senior life director of the National Association of Home Builders.

 

 

Sandy Friend, Retired Executive Officer of Rochester Area Builders
Hall of Fame Inductee

Friend was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her significant and lasting contribution to the housing industry in Minnesota. Friend served the industry for nearly 25 years and committed countless hours of her time and energy to the advancement of the association. “Sandy is widely respected by all in the association statewide. As retired executive officer, her legacy lives on with the successful association she managed,” said Todd Bjerstedt, 2011 BAM president.

 

Kathe Ostrom, CN Ostrom & Son
Hall of Fame Inductee

Ostrom was inducted into the Hall of Fame because, “Kathe has a strong voice and is a strong advocate for the industry. She is dedicated to the remodeling industry at the local, state and national levels, and she’s personable, knowledgeable and does outstanding work,” says Todd Bjerstedt 2011 BAM president. Ostrom has earned numerous awards from industry groups. And she’s served on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s Construction Codes Advisory Council, Warranty Task Force and Employee Misclassification Task Force.

 

Marvin Windows & Doors
First Company to be inducted into the
Hall of Fame
Pictured: Jake Marvin, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Marvin Lumber and Cedar

Marvin is the first company to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and was chosen because it has consistently supported Minnesota’s home building industry and builders associations. With well respected representatives across the state such as Daryl Doehr, John Taylor, and Tom Sinning, Marvin has volunteered countless hours in support of the association and industry.

The 2011 Minnesota Builders Convention was a blast.  From the leadership training on Friday to the final farewell breakfast Sunday morning, members were kept busy networking with peers, introducing themselves to prospects, education, political talk, meeting new friends, and having a great time. Check out the pictures on BAM’s facebook page.

On Friday members attended the NAHB Leadership Training and the BAM Government Relations Committee meeting. The new Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Ken Peterson and Assistant Commissioner Jessica Loomens talked with the committee. The fun and games started with Casino Night and the hospitality suites sponsors threw a great party Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The BAM Board meeting was Saturday morning followed by keynote speaker Kit Welchlin. The evening events started with a cocktail reception and silent auction, which, in addition to the Wine Wall Raffle and Heads or Tails game, raised $4,800 for BAM-PAC! The Saturday evening Awards and Installation Banquet saw nine members honored and 2010 President Mike Gohman step down as 2011 President Todd Bjerstedt, of McDonald Remodeling, was installed. Bjerstedt gave a powerful speech after bring sworn in along with the 2011 Executive Committee, and the Convention ended on a high note with band Killer Hayseeds who put on a great show. Members danced until past one o’clock in the morning.

Congratulations to the State Award winners:

Associate of the Year – Mark Traut, Mark J. Traut Wells

Builder of the Year – Quentin Johnson, Quentin Johnson Construction

Builders Employing Associate Members (BEAM) Award – Warren Anderson, Anderson Construction

Distinguished Business of the Year – Greater Insurance Service

Excellence in Service Award – Colleen Faacks, Executive Officer, Mid-Minnesota Builders Association

Local Association of the Year – Central Minnesota Builders Association

President’s Award – Kathe Ostrom, C.N. Ostrom & Son

Remodeler of the Year – Ron Nesvold, Ron Nesvold Construction

Rising Star Award – Mike Allen, Mike Allen Homes

Thank you to all 2011 Convention Sponsors:

Event Sponsors:

Marvin Windows & Doors
Menards

Activity Sponsors:

Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC)
C&D Granite
Center For Energy And Environment (CEE)
Conco Paints
Continental Western Group with Reynolds & Reynolds
Crowne Plaza Minneapolis North
Gislason & Hunter LLP
Lamperts
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren
Menards
MN Local Associations: ABA, BATC, CMBA, HBA-FM, HBA, LRBA, MMBA, MRBA, NMBA, RAB, & VBA
Minnesota Truss Manufacturers Association
ProBuild
The Builders Group
Thermo-Tech Windows, Inc.
Xcel Energy