2025 Industry Recognition Brochure

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Recognizing companies, teams and individuals for achieving excellence in the building industry

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MBI MEMBERS

Held each year during the MBI Annual Winter Conference, the awards programs are a celebration of the Iowa commercial construction industry and everything that has been achieved over the past twelve months. The awards recognize companies, teams and individuals that deliver outstanding results in the industry through collaboration and innovation. These prestigious awards provide one of the most effective platforms for leading companies to maximize their industry exposure for excelling in the Iowa construction industry and recognition can help attract new clients, bolster existing relationships and raise overall company morale.

MBI takes great pride in recognizing individual and organizational achievements in the Iowa construction industry. Through MBI’s annual awards program, members can receive recognition for excellence in construction. The annual awards are presented at highly visible events and all members are encouraged to submit nominations. The award presentations continue to break attendance records elevating the profile of the companies involved. In order to be awarded for all of your efforts, you MUST take part in the awards process. Plan now to submit for one or multiple awards!

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Be sure to include all the items outlined in the application. Review your materials carefully to ensure they comply with the criteria before submitting.

A clean page layout increases readability, and using bullets allows the judges to easily learn about your project, company and/or employee.

Be sure your writing is free of grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and other typographical errors.

Include a narrative. Use this format to boast about why your submission should be considered ahead of the rest. Consider using subheadings and accompanying photos within the text to draw attention during the judging process.

Photographs can be an important element to an entry’s success. Judges see a better story when submissions include photographs that accompany the narrative and reason for submission.

The panel of judges is made up of a variety of professionals from the industry, including general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and owners. Project submissions will be judged on the following: innovation in construction techniques, equipment, materials and state-of-the-art advancements; meeting the challenge of the project; excellence in project management and job site supervision; and responsiveness to client needs.

RECOGNITION

Recipients of each award category will be presented a stunning award, at the most prominent and well-attended event of the year – the Annual Winter Conference. This is a great honor and highly respected tradition and we want to make sure everyone knows about these well-earned achievements. In addition to this presentation, recipients will also receive the following:

• Announcements of your honor are posted on multiple social media platforms.

• A press release is created and sent to the local media outlets in your geographical area.

• Dedicated pages with pictures that are taken of you receiving the award are placed on MBI’s website for that entire year.

• A professional film crew will come to your location of choice for filming of a video segment that will be shown during the Annual Winter Conference ceremony and after the event you will be given that footage to use in all your company marketing efforts.

• All recipients in each award category will be highlighted in this publication for the year after receiving the award.

• All recipients will have a prominent place in MBI’s headquarters recognizing their achievement with a signage and photo display where hundreds of industry personnel will be able to view.

BUILD IOWA AWARD

Skill | Integrity | Responsibility

The Build Iowa Award was initiated in 1989 as a way to honor MBI members and to bring public attention to excellence in the construction industry. Each year, the Build Iowa Award is presented to an individual who best exemplifies the tenets of our organization; Skill, Integrity and Responsibility. The nominees are judged on how they have performed both within the construction industry, as well as in their community.

A nominee can be an active or retired member employee, but company membership within the organization is required. The panel of judges is made up of a variety of member executives. Nominees will be judged according to contributions to the industry, contributions to the community, professionalism in business dealings and construction projects.

Build Iowa Award Recipients

Fred W. Weitz, The Weitz Company, Des Moines, Iowa

W.A. Klinger, W.A. Klinger, Inc., Sioux City, Iowa

Ken Gethmann, Gethmann Construction Inc., Marshalltown, Iowa

Orville E. Crowley, Ringland-Johnson-Crowley Co., Des Moines, Iowa

Reuben Schaefer, Henkel Construction Co., Mason City, Iowa

Bob Gleeson, W.A. Klinger, Inc., Sioux City, Iowa

Bill Seedorff, Seedorff Masonry, Inc., Strawberry Point, Iowa

Woodrow “Woody” Buck, Story Construction Co., Ames, Iowa

Ralph E. Emerson, Cardinal Construction Co., Waterloo, Iowa

Louie H. Kuepper, Carl A. Nelson & Co., Burlington, Iowa

Robert Maddox, Sr., Allied Construction Services, Des Moines, Iowa

David Ward, Breiholz Construction Co., Des Moines, Iowa

Robert M. McCline, Chris Hansen/McHan Construction, Sioux City, Iowa

Norman Riis, Story Construction Co., Ames, Iowa

Mike Conlon, Conlon Construction Co., Dubuque, Iowa

Dave Holtze, Holtze Construction, Sioux City, Iowa

Gerald Friauf, Rinderknecht Associates, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dick Bulkeley, Oakview Construction Co., Red Oak, Iowa

Darrell Ball, Ball Construction Services, West Des Moines, Iowa

Richard Johnson, Story Construction Co., Ames, Iowa

Jack Taylor, Taylor Construction Group, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa

Ron Sande, Sande Construction & Supply Co., Inc., Humboldt, Iowa

James Grabau, R.H. Grabau Construction, Inc., Boone, Iowa

Dave Peters, Peters Construction Corp., Waterloo, Iowa

John W. Gleeson, W.A. Klinger, L.L.C., Sioux City, Iowa

Thomas F. Werderitsch, Selzer Werderitsch Associates, Iowa City, Iowa

Marshall G. Linn III, Neumann Brothers Inc., Des Moines, Iowa

Gene Leonhart, Cardinal Construction Inc., Waterloo, Iowa

Jim Simmons, Russell Construction Co, Davenport, Iowa

Tim Conlon, Conlon Construction Co, Dubuque, Iowa

Craig Hansen, The Hansen Company, Johnston, Iowa

Kent Pilcher, Estes Construction, Davenport, Iowa

Mike Tousley, The Weitz Company, Des Moines, Iowa

Jim Russell, Russell Construction Co., Inc., Davenport, Iowa

Max Bowman, Star Equipment, Ltd., Des Moines, Iowa

Steve Skold, Skold Construction Services, Des Moines, Iowa

Mike Simpson, Neumann Brothers, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa

Scott Friauf, Rinderknect Associates, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

BUILD IOWA 2024 AWARD RECIPIENT

The Build Iowa Award is the industry’s highest individual achievement and it is presented each year to a builder in Iowa. The 2024 recipient, Scott Friauf has over two decades of service on his MBI resume. He served on the MBI Board of Directors from 2010 to 2016 while leading the Association as Chairman of the Board in 2014. Scott has served on numerous MBI Committees such as Iowa Construction Industry Forum, Board of Regents Committee, PAC Fundraising Committee as well as Convention & Travel Committee serving as Chair for multiple years.

Scott’s community service is equally impressive. He has served as a member of Rotary since 1995. His volunteer service to Rotary has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local schools including scholarships for elementary students to attend college. In 2003 Scott joined the Board of Community Corrections Improvement Association where he worked to help develop programs that would break the cycle of family dysfunction and address the causes of criminal behavior. He also partnered with the University of Iowa to create a program with student athletes serving as summer program counselors for at risk youth. His community involvement continues today as he serves on the Board of Directors Freedom Foundations. Since joining the Board, Scott frequently volunteers to serve veterans lunch where he truly enjoys getting to know them and thanking them for their service. Some of his favorite projects include the Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Swisher, IA; National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, Cedar Rapids, IA; and Involta Data Centers located all across the country.

Congratulations Scott!

Scott Friauf Rinderknecht Associates, Inc. Cedar Rapids, IA

MASTERS AWARD

Recognizing the Construction Team

We want to recognize the exceptional efforts of construction teams. The Masters Award does this by recognizing the exceptional efforts of a construction team in executing the process of completing a project. Although an aesthetically pleasing and functional design is always part of a successful project, it is not a criterion for selection of this award. This award is meant to recognize the role of the project team. As such, projects should reflect exceptional management skills, imagination, perseverance under unusual and challenging conditions, and/or innovative construction techniques.

The Masters Award was created to bring a sharper focus to the high degree of professionalism and skill in our industry. The Masters Award is presented in four different financial categories. For 2025, the categories will be changed to reflect the following $0-$15 Million, +$15 Million to $40 Million, +$40 Million and Over. There will also be a Master Builders of Iowa Award of Excellence that will be awarded to the “Best of the Best” of all submissions received.

Only one submission per project will be accepted and must be submitted by an MBI member. Submissions are limited to one entry per company, per year. All projects submitted for the Masters Award need to have been completed in the year 2024.

The panel of judges is made up of a variety of professionals from the industry, including general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and owners. Project submissions will be judged on the following: innovation in construction techniques, equipment, materials and state-of-the-art advancements; meeting the challenge of the project; excellence in project management and job site supervision; and responsiveness to client needs.

The winning projects in each of the three categories will be recognized at the Masters Award Luncheon. This luncheon typically attracts over 600 of Iowa’s top industry leaders and provides a great audience in which to showcase the efforts of your project team.

2024 MASTERS AWARD RECIPIENTS

OUTSTANDING COMPANY

SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Recognizing Company Safety Efforts

The Outstanding Company Safety Achievement Award is an Iowa OSHA and Master Builders of Iowa sponsored award that has become one of the most prestigious safety awards in the state of Iowa for the construction industry. The overall goal is to encourage and recognize significant achievements in workplace safety. The process solicits the best practices in accident prevention and promotes the sharing of the industry’s best achievements to advance safety at all levels. The award is presented in two categories: General Contractor and Specialty Contractor. You must be a member of Master Builders of Iowa in order to submit for these awards.

The panel of judges is made up of a variety of safety professionals from the industry, as well as representatives from Iowa OSHA. The judges will be looking for demonstration of company management commitment; active employee participation; safety training; work site hazard identification and control; and safety program innovation.

General Contractor Category

Elder Corporation

Graham Construction Co.

Subcontractor Category

SAFETY MVP

Recognizing Individual Safety Efforts

Every successful team has an MVP, this award highlights the leadership, passion, and effectiveness of an individual either directly leading the safety program or influencing the program in an indirect role within an organization. Safety, like other discipline recognizes an individual who stands out for their positive efforts in exceptional performance and for leading others in their commitment to excellence on the job. The panel of judges will look for an individual that goes above and beyond the call of duty in regards to safety, through their devotion to preserving the quality of life in the workforce. This award spotlights the most dedicated and innovative safety MVP and their achievements in safety both within their company and in the construction industry.

Nominees must be an employee of a Master Builders of Iowa member and who have been employed with the member company for at least one year. A nominee may not have received an individual safety award from MBI in the past three years. Third-party safety consultants whose clients are MBI members are not eligible for either of these awards. The panel of judges is made up of a variety of safety professionals from the industry, as well as representatives from Iowa OSHA.

SAFETY MVP AWARD 2024 RECIPIENT

Scott Lewis - Elder Corporation Des Moines, IA

WORKSAFE Project of the Year Award

Recognizing Company Best Safety Practices

The WORKSAFE Project of the Year Award highlights projects in Iowa that have been enrolled in the WORKSAFE program. Annually approximately 80 projects are enrolled and can range from $5 Million to $100 Million projects. Each is unique and enrolled for very different reasons. It could be an owner requirement; the General Contractor is seeking additional safety support for the project; or an overall enhancement and desirability for increased focus on safety for the specific project.

Projects are nominated based on a site that reflects proactive safety measures; safety procedure buy-in from all trades; safety pre-planning with communication; and adequate documentation of certified and competent level accreditations. The contractor that is awarded this distinction is one where ultimately – they have gone above and beyond compliance while pursuing safety excellence by all trades on the project.

These nominations are made by CSSI professional staff, outside recommendations from OSHA consultation, and the Iowa Board of Regents. All nominations are reviewed and selected by a selection committee of industry experts.

WORKSAFE Project of the Year Award 2024 RECIPIENT

Graham Construction Co.

Des Moines, IA