www.wisbuild.org
March/April 2009
Doug Scott 2009 President
Ready to Lead Team WBA
Builder Profile
Progressive Homes Inc.
Heads Up On Administrative Rules Changes Delivered to you as a benefit of membership
features
March/April 2009 Volume 26 • Issue 2
Capitol Corner...................................................................... 6 Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D) takes an honest look at the challenges we face in 2009 and the pivotal role of the economic stimulus package.
The Embodiment of Team Spirit......................................... 8 Doug Scott, incoming 2009 president, ready to lead “Team WBA” through a challenging year.
Builder Profile.................................................................... 14
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Tracy Royer of Progressive Homes Inc. values the importance of quality construction, excellent customer service and a superb reputation.
departments President’s Perspective................................................................................. 3 Why a Super Bowl? Executive Viewpoint...................................................................................... 4 Membership Is Our Number-One Challenge On Course....................................................................................................... 7 Heads Up on Administrative Rules Changes News & Events.............................................................................................. 10 Local Happenings........................................................................................ 12 Photos and details of WBA local association events around the state.
14 Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization recognized as the building industry’s professional authority, dedicated to the creation and preservation of safe, affordable, quality housing opportunities for the people of Wisconsin.
Vision Statement
Wisconsin Badger Builder, (ISSN 004-232) is a bi-monthly publication of the Wisconsin shelter industry. It is the official publication of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and is published by WBA, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI 53701 and additional mailing offices. All advertising is subject to acceptance by the Wisconsin Badger Builder editorial review committee. The publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered. The contents of all material available in this publication are copyrighted by WBA unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved by WBA, and content may not be reproduced, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Builders Association®. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Badger Builder, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions available through membership in the Wisconsin Builders Association®.
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
WBA’s role is to drive good housing policy at the state government level, and assist with it at the local level as needed, and to promote membership, education, public relations, and the sharing of information among locals while supporting their varying needs.
Motto
“Dedicated to preserving and promoting the American Dream”
Senior Officers 2009 President: Doug Scott, Janesville (South Central WI) President Elect: Jim Kubasta, Oshkosh (Winnebago) Treasurer: Don Esposito, Madison (Madison Area) Secretary: Gary Roehrig, New Holstein (Mid-Shores) Immediate Past President: Jason Steen, Osseo (Chippewa Valley) Associate Vice President: Julie Meyer, Racine (Racine-Kenosha) Associate Advisor to the Senior Officers: John Anderson, Appleton (Winnebago)
Area Vice Presidents 2009 Southeast Area Mark Benkowski (Metropolitan) Darryl Spang (Racine – Kenosha) Northwest Area Clint Doege (Heart of the North) Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis (Chippewa Valley) Southwest Area Tom Thompson (La Crosse Area) Steve Treu (La Crosse Area) Northeast Area Mark Bootz (Brown Co.) Scott Browne (Brown Co.) South Area Brian McKee (Madison Area) Greg Schaffer (Madison Area) East Central Area Ed Schmidt (Valley) Stan Martenson (Valley) North Area Pam Jewell (Golden Sands) Mike Richie (Wausau Area) East Shore Area Sean Kelly (Mid-Shores) State Representative to NAHB Wayne Foster (Metropolitan)
Why a Super Bowl? by Doug Scott, WBA President ave you ever wondered why we are so competitive in sports? We play them at a young age, practice countless hours and expect coaching to become better. If we really excel, we might even get to play in college and get an education. There are also the select few who get to play professionally. That leaves the rest of us weekend warriors to cheer and support our team. Some take this job quite seriously! Here in Wisconsin, we have mostly Packer fans. While there are a few brave Bear and Viking fans, why do we all feel so differently? Is it nature or nurture? Did it start with a favorite player, and we then always cheer for their team? Perhaps it was a winning team that we followed when we were kids and we continue to follow no matter where we live. In any case, we want “our” team to win. The players, coaches and owners all want a winning team, and their ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl. Is it just for the money? We always hear how much players and coaches’ contracts are worth. Team values are estimated and occasionally sold for unbelievable amounts. Do the owners want to win so they can sell the team for a higher amount? Being a fan can even be quite expensive. Team clothing is the least expensive way to show your team spirit, and actually has somewhat of a practical value. Tickets to games and other game-day related costs can be quite expensive. If our favorite team goes to the Super Bowl, we have all heard of the outrageously expensive ticket prices. Even if we don’t go to the game, there are parties and team paraphernalia to purchase — perhaps even bets or pools in which to participate. Why do we do all this? Pride. People have pride and want to be a winner or support a winner. Players have pride because they want to be the best.
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President’s
perspective
While the money is nice, how many players do you think would play for free for one year if they were guaranteed a Super Bowl ring? I’ll bet there are more than a few owners that would agree to give their bonuses to a charity if they were guaranteed to get a Super Bowl ring. Most of us spend our time engaged working for our own business or helping the business we work for be more successful. During challenging times like these, some are just trying to stay in business. While we have our family and business team established, how does our association team fit into our life picture? How much pride do we take in the success of our association? I’ve met many members and EOs, as well as staff, that feel a lot of pride in the association. However, there are many, many more that don’t feel this way. I’d like to see pride in our association grow this year. The cost of our association dues is about what it costs to take a family of four to a football game. And we get so much, much more for our money. I’m not going to try to list what you get for your dues here. You should know. This year I’m going to focus on Team WBA. You are a member of this team. This team is how we all make our living, and our success as an association impacts our businesses. How does Team WBA compare against other state associations? Can we compare Team WBA against Minnesota or Illinois? Should we care? I think we should care. I am going to try in future articles to share some specific information why. In my next article, I’m going to focus on our offensive team. You can be a member of our offensive team, and I will tell you how. X
Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
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Membership Is Our NumberOne Challenge
WBA Staff
4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704 • (608) 242-5151 Executive Vice President: Bill Wendle, ext. 11 bwendle@wisbuild.org Director of Government Affairs: Brad Boycks, ext. 16 bboycks@wisbuild.org Director of Political Affairs: Kate Easton, ext. 15 keaston@wisbuild.org Director of Development Council: Pat Stevens, ext. 22 pstevens@wisbuild.org Director of Membership Services: Jane Witt, ext. 17 jwitt@wisbuild.org Director of Safety and Education: Cindi Gruebling, ext. 18 cgruebling@wisbuild.org Director of Communications: Annie Rubens, ext. 19 arubens@wisbuild.org Director of Accounting Services: Kathy Johnsen, ext. 12 kjohnsen@wisbuild.org Accounting Assistant: Mark Nelson, ext. 25 mnelson@wisbuild.org Administrative Assistant: Kimberly Fay, ext. 10 kfay@wisbuild.org
WBA Insurance Services Chief Operating Officer: Karl Johnson, ext. 23 kjohnson@wisbuild.org Sales & Service Associate: Megan Taylor, ext. 24 mtaylor@wisbuild.org
Editor...............................Annie Rubens
Published by
Publisher............................ Kevin Naughton Supervising Editor............ Jennifer McDermitt Graphic Designer...................... Jason Gabel Advertising Sales Manager........ Brenda Poe Advertising Sales........................Jeff Pinwar
(800) 935-1592, ext. 118 jpinwar@printcomm.com
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Executive by Bill Wendle, WBA Executive Vice President know from our new president, Doug Scott, that membership is his priority during his term as WBA president. WBA lives, breaths and functions in accordance with the vitality of our membership. The simple measure of our vitality is the number of members we have. We all know that the decrease has affected numbers locally, statewide and nationally. However, I am convinced of two things: one is that new members are out there, and two is that now is the best time to capture them, so we are strongly positioned when the economy recovers. Our current members possess the one thing that in these times cannot be had for money — that is contacts and personal knowledge of prospective members. I look to some of the small locals as a model; they are having the same hard times that all members are experiencing yet three of them actually experienced an increase in membership: Golden Sands, Heart of the North and South West WI. Congratulations to the EOs and members who made this happen! These locals are a great example of the value of retaining close relationships with their members and actively working to recruit and retain in tight times. This fall, I was been fortunate to visit with many locals, and I learned a lot while sitting in on meetings of locals of all sizes. The simple key is buy-in. If you as a member know the value of membership in your local association, you can be part of the deal to bring in new members. Just talk about it! This simple effort will go a long way to making sure WBA and your local are on the way to recovery. Your state association, WBA, is fighting the battles in Madison to preserve and enhance a strong, vital and robust recovery of the housing market. The higher our numbers, the louder our voice and the more we are heard, so be a part of growing that number back to where we have been.
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
Viewpoint
The higher our numbers, the louder our voice and the more we are heard, so be a part of growing that number back to where we have been. Concentrate at this time on new members or former members who have not been a member for three years or more. They will be eager to be a part of the coming recovery and the revitalized housing industry. I know it may take more effort to get that category of member, but the time is very important. Sales people have a saying, “ … if you are not moving forward, you are losing ground … ” It applies to your local, too. If you are not adding members, you will move backward. Hand in hand with this effort is retention. WBA and our family of locals need to make retention a high priority. We need to continually remind members of the value of membership and how that value is obtained at not only the local level, but also through the efforts at state and national level. We all expect a recovery. I am confident that when the recovery comes, building will be stronger than it was when we entered the downturn. I also know that WBA and its family of locals need to be there before the recovery begins, with strong numbers of members continuing to fight to fix housing first. The member brought in now will experience the great value of membership as WBA, NAHB and each local work together to get through the downturn to the recovery. It is the strength of our support of each other now that makes us stronger than any of us can be individually. X
Looking Ahead Capitol
corner
by Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D) n November, Democrats took back the Assembly for the first time in 14 years. Now we face the unenviable
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MARKETPLACE
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task of guiding our state through the worst economic times in two generations. That means balancing a $5.4 billion deficit; a feat that will require deep cuts with no agency or program being spared the cleaver. Additionally, our communities face rising unemployment and underemployment, slowed growth, a housing crisis, and depressed consumer confidence. While the situation looks bleak, we aren’t without hope. There is a one-word solution to all these problems: jobs. The only way out of our current crisis is to bring and keep good-paying jobs to our communities. In the face of cascading job losses across the state, that solution is easier said than done. So what exactly can your legislature do? The legislature is poised to play a pivotal role in implementing the upcoming federal economic stimulus package. These investments will put thousands of people to work while repairing our crumbling infrastructure — not to mention help close the budget deficit with an infusion of new revenue. Last month, I met with U.S. House Appropriations Chairman David Obey and members of President-Elect Obama’s transition team to discuss the economic challenges facing our state and the role of an economic stimulus package in helping turn around our faltering economy. Their understanding of the problem, based on their questions, buoyed my hopes. It was encouraging to be asked “How can we help you streamline red tape to fasttrack projects and investments?” Recently Congress effectively put the fate of the stimulus package into the hands of each of the 50 governors and legislatures. News accounts report that members of Congress would be “taking cues from state and local officials on how to divvy up federal stimulus cash.” No doubt Chairman Obey’s key leadership role and that of our entire congressional delegation will ensure Wisconsin receives its fair share of federal dollars. But that only satisfies one side of the equation.
Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
Leadership from Madison must be equally up to the task. Legislative leaders and the governor must work closely to ensure we have the programs and projects in place that can put those dollars to work fast, creating jobs while rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and providing critical health care services and job retraining. This isn’t a Republican or Democratic budget deficit. A bipartisan approach is the only solution. In the weeks leading up to the budget, I will continue working with Governor Doyle and other legislative leaders — Democrats and Republicans — offering my assistance and support in preparing our state for the economic stimulus package. While we are not alone in this fiscal mess — 41 states face a deficit — responsibility lies squarely at the door of the legislature to make the tough decisions to cut unneeded spending while maintaining core services, like schools and emergency response services. As daunting as the challenge may be, I can’t help but see an opportunity. I’m reminded of a saying by Thomas Edison: “Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Now is not the time to shy away from a little hard work. State Representative Thomas Nelson was first elected to the Assembly in 2004, representing Northeastern Wisconsin in the 5th District. He was elected Majority Leader in the 2009 session. He was awarded the WBA “Friend of Housing Award” in 2007 & 2008.X Capitol Corner is a regular feature for Badger Builder. In this space, a Wisconsin legislator will provide perspective on an issue. Each guest columnist is offered the opportunity to select their primary issue of concern and present their views independent from any guidelines imposed by the Wisconsin Builders Association®. The views expressed by the columnist are solely their opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA, NAHB, the locals, or the members. The Badger Builder editorial department welcomes reader feedback to the issues featured in this section in the spirit of promoting continued discussion on the important issues affecting our daily lives. To submit comments, please send them to Badger Builder Editor Annie Rubens, arubens@wisbuild. org. Only comments in writing will be considered for reprint.
Heads Up on Administrative Rules Changes On
by Cindi Gruebling, WBA Director of Safety and Education ere is a compilation of proposed rule summaries posted by the Wis. Department of Commerce, Safety & Buildings, regarding changes to administrative rules that will affect how you build. When the revised codes are ready, download free PDFs from the Safety & Buildings Web site, www. commerce.wi.gov/SB. To learn more, attend Commerceapproved continuing education workshops, including WBA’s four-credit UDC Training 2009 at 10 sites across Wisconsin. Go to www.wisbuild.org and click on “Builder Education” and then “WBA Continuing Education” for more information. Monitor the Safety & Buildings Web site for updates and bulletins. Attend your local and state Building Code committee meetings. Volunteer to serve on state code advisory councils. Your involvement is critical to help us influence future code changes.
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Comm 16 Electrical The primary revisions to chapter Comm 16 are to adopt the most current edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). In addition to bringing the state electrical code up to date with current technology, the proposed revisions clarify or supplement the electrical standards contained in the NEC 2008 edition. The proposed rules contain a number of modifications to the technical requirements within these standards, reorganization of current requirements and editorial changes. Major proposed changes include: a. Adopt by reference the most current edition of the NEC and include correct cross-references to these standards. [Comm 16.014] b. Require tamper-resistant receptacles and arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection for all new dwelling construction. [NEC 406.11 and NEC 210.12 and Comm 16.210 (2) (a) and (b) and Comm 16.210 (4)] **
Dept. of Commerce Contact: Joe Hertel, Program Manager, joe.hertel@ wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-5649. Go to http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/ SB-CodeDevComm16AdptDrft1208.pdf for the complete final draft of the Comm 16 changes. We expect these rules to take effect March 1, 2008. Requirements for arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection and tamper-resistant receptacles take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Comm 20-25, Uniform Dwelling Code The vast majority of these proposed rule changes are intended to clarify current policies and requirements. • Sections Comm 20.02 (1), 20.09 and 20.10 relating to scope of the code, permit issuance and inspections, respectively, have been reformatted and expanded. • Section Comm 20.24 on adopted national standards is updated to include the latest editions. One standard on duct construction is dropped and two new ones on fire sprinkler construction and log home construction are added. • Section Comm 21.24 (4) has new requirements for water-resistive barriers under the exterior covering of the dwelling. • Section Comm 21.25 (7) has new requirements for the construction of short “cripple walls” on top of foundation walls. • Sections Comm 21.25 (8) and (9) has new requirements for wind bracing of wood frame walls that bring the Wisconsin requirements in line with national standards. • Chapter Comm 22, containing the energy conservation requirements, is repealed and recreated to bring the Wisconsin requirements in line with the national model energy code. There are new prescriptive component requirements as an alternative to the traditional total envelope heat
course
loss requirements. [Note: Comm 22 is entirely new.] These rules shall take effect on the first day of April 2009. Dept. of Commerce Contact: Duane Hubeler, UDC Consultant, duane. hubeler@wi.gov, (608) 266-1390 Go to http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/ SB-CodeDevComm2025AdptDraft1208.pdf for a downloadable copy of the final draft.
Comm 81-87, Plumbing The proposed revisions to Chapters Comm 81 to 84 clarify existing rules and bring the state Uniform Plumbing Code up to date with current technology and nationally recognized standards. The proposed rules contain a number of modifications to the technical requirements within these standards, reorganization of current requirements and editorial changes. a. Allow the recycling of wastewater discharged from water closets and urinals. [Comm 82.34 (3) (a) 1.] b. Create code language to recognize alternate standards that have been used by the department. (e.g. Pressurized sewer systems and water treatment device sizing). [Comm 82.30 (11) (f) 2. and Comm 82.40, Table 82.40-3e] c. Use the term “manufactured home” in place of the term “mobile home” in numerous places as referenced in s.101.91 (2), Stats. [Comm 81.01 (152), (153), and (154) and Comm 82.51] d. Change the calculation of the load factor on drain piping so it reflects national model plumbing code requirements. [Comm 82.30 (3)] e. Modify the triggers for the installation of stack vents serving drain stacks from two to five or more branch intervals. [Comm 82.31 (4)(a) and 82.31 (5)] f. Modify the requirements for secondary roof drains so they more closely follow national standards. [Comm 82.36 (11)] Continued on page 11
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The Embodiment of Team Spirit Doug Scott, 2009 President, Ready to Lead “Team WBA” Through a Challenging Year by Jennifer McDermitt eadership always comes with its share of challenges, but it’s always tougher to be a leader when times are challenging. Doug Scott, the incoming 2009 president of the Wisconsin Builders Association®, views it as an opportunity, however, to show members and nonmembers alike the true value of membership in this organization. “So many people are struggling in our state, and across the nation right now, but you don’t have to go through this alone,” said Scott. “I think of our association as ‘Team WBA,’ and when you are on our team, you have a strong support network that will help you get through these challenging times.” Scott’s association involvement dates back to the 1980s, when after starting one of his companies, Advantage Homes, Scott joined the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association (SCWBA) and entered a home in their Parade of Homes. Since that time, Scott has entered a home in the parade every year and has also served as state director since 1991, president in 1995, and was awarded Builder of the Year in 1994. His other companies, Amwood Custom Homes and Windsor Building Systems, belong to three local associations: the La Crosse Builders Association, the Madison Area Builders Association and the Metropolitan Builders Association. He is a lifetime state director, lifetime Building a Better Wisconsin trustee and is looking forward to leading the WBA as its 2009 president. “We are still a strong association with nearly 8,000 members, and that gives us
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great representation,” said Scott. “We are a driving industry for our state’s economy, and once we recognize that, we can reach our full potential.”
Leading a Company Into the Next Generation The history of Scott’s family business, Amwood Homes, dates back to 1959, when it was founded as a retail lumber company in Lake Mills, Wis. In 1965, Doug’s father, Gene Scott, purchased the company. He had been active in the lumber and home building business in southern Wisconsin since 1953, and under his direction, the company expanded into residential home construction and initiated home building operations in southern and central Wisconsin, building 50-75 stick-built homes each year. Scott started helping his father as a teenager and learned many areas of the business while also pursuing his educa-
Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
tion. “My dad would drop me off at a job site before I had my driver’s license, and I would install wall insulation,” said Scott. “My dad had a home center too, and I learned the retail side of the business working there during high school. Later, during college, I spent my summers framing homes, laying brick or finishing concrete.” Education has always been a priority for Scott. Early on, he earned a degree in construction administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and later earned an MBA from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Scott started working full time in the business after earning his undergraduate degree from college in 1974 but left in 1986 to go out on his own. Prior to his father’s passing in 1988, however, Scott came back to the family business — this time for good. Today, Amwood Homes has three building component plants and serves customers in five states. Scott continues to run Amwood Homes along with key employees Virgil Waugh, president, Dave Dorn, general manager; John Koorson, general manager of Iowa; and Steve Plenty, CFO. As a second generation business owner, Scott has experienced the many highs and lows of this industry, which helps him keep his perspective. “I grew up in this business, and I went through several recessions, so I know things are going to turn around,” he said. “So many people feel hopeless right now, but that’s just because we had such a long period of success. It always turns
around. The best part of an industry downturn is the upturn.”
Ready for Any Challenge In addition to his experience as a second generation business owner, Scott hopes his life experiences and ability to face challenges will aid him in leading the association in such troubling economic times. At the age of 40, Scott was not exactly the picture of health. Scott was a lifelong smoker who didn’t exercise and who was approaching middle age. However, always up for a challenge, Scott was not about to let his age — or a bad habit — get in the way of pursuing a new hobby: running. Scott quit smoking and started running in smaller races, and he eventually worked his way up to marathons and even ultra marathons, finishing nearly 60 longdistance races in a 10-year period. Scott has felt the sting of the economic slowdown in his businesses and can sympathize with other builders in the state. “We are doing half the business we were doing just a few years ago,” he said. “We’ve reduced our staff by 50 percent, and with the General Motors plant closing in Janesville, we are concerned that things will get even slower for Advantage Homes.” Scott says he is encouraged by recent activity in Washington D.C. and hopeful for the future. “I, like so many others, have some high hopes for this new administration, and I like what I have seen in the last few months. Our quoting activity in the last few months has been pretty good, too, so hopefully that is an indication,” he said.
passed and bad legislation is prevented. That’s what is going to help us win the game,” he said. Scott’s “team spirit” extends not only to his association and business activities, but also to his family life. Scott recently married his longtime companion, Mary, and as a business owner, Mary brings a lot to the “team.” “I am very fortunate to have her on ‘Team Scott,’” he said. “Because she owns her own business, we can relate on that level, and she is always willing to lend a hand in my business when I need it.”
For Scott, it’s all about surrounding yourself with good people, maintaining a positive attitude and thinking toward the future. “I always make decisions that will ensure the future of my business for the next generation, and I think that makes a big difference,” said Scott. “Too many business owners only live in the present, but if you’ve worked hard to build your business, all that work isn’t going to mean anything if it falls apart after you are out of the picture. That’s the same attitude I have for our association, and I hope our members do too!” X
Spreading the Team Spirit Like any good team leader, Scott knows that “Team WBA” needs a good plan of action, and Scott feels that WBA’s offense and four-pronged defense make it one strong team. “Our offensive team is our Spikes,” Scott said. “They don’t score points; they score Spike credits. Spikes create our membership, which is the core of our organization. “On the defensive side, with our Development Council, Government Affairs staff and committee, Building a Better Wisconsin, and Building Industry Council, we have the all the tools we need to make sure that good legislation is Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
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Local Association
Parade of Homes
Brown County
Showcase of New Homes March 7-8 & 12-15, 2009
Central Wisconsin
September 11-13, 2009
Chippewa Valley
June 6-14, 2009
Door County
Home Show
Golf Outing
Installation
Auction May 12, 2009-Swan Club at Legends
July 15, 2009
Wisconsin Rapids: March 14-15 Marshfield: March 21-22
BBW
November, 2009
General Membership Meeting March 10, 2009 - Stadium View April 14, 2009, Breakfast Meeting - Midway September 22, 2009 - Rock Garden November 10, 2009 - Ramada
2nd Tues.
Home & Garden Show - Feb. 2022, 2009
July 9, 2009 Home Builders Invitationallocation TBD
2nd Tues.,
May 8-9 & 15-17, 2009
March 27 & 28, 2009 Stone Harbor Convention Cntr Sturgeon Bay
Sept. 2009 TBD
2nd Thurs.
HBA of Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties
Parade of Homes July 15-19, 2009
March 27-29, 2009
August 28, 2009 at Camelot
Sept. 16, 2009
Golden Sands
June 5-8, 2009
Feb. 28 & March 1, 2009, Holiday Inn & Convention Center
July 21, 2009
Sept. 15, 2009
3rd Wed., no July, Aug. April 21, 2009
3rd Tues.
Headwaters
2nd Tues., Wed., Thurs.
Heart of the North
2nd Thurs.
La Crosse Area
June 20-21 & 24-28, 2009
March 13-15, 2009
Lakeland
July 25-26, Aug. 1-2, 2009
Home Expo March 28-29, 2009
Madison Area
June 13-28, 2009 Parade of Condos April 25-May 3, 2009
March 6-8, 2009
Manitowoc County
June 18-21, 2009
March 27-29, 2009
Metropolitan
Aug. 22-Sept. 13, 2009 Spring Tour of Homes & Condos April 18-May 3, 2009
July 22, 2009
Sept. 15, 2009
3rd Tues. 3rd Wed.
July 2009
1st Mon. 4th Thurs.
June 15, 2009
Mid-Shores
2nd Tues. May 21, 2009 Cold Water Canyon, WI Dells
Mid-Wisconsin Northland Area
Showcase of New Homes June 6, 2009
Racine-Kenosha
Sept 5-6 & 12-13, 2009
Sheboygan County
Sept. 11-13 & 18-20, 2009
2nd Tues. January 6 (Webster, WI) Febuary 3 (Hayward, WI) March 3 (Cable, WI)
June 11, 2009
3rd Wed., no Dec., June March 18, 2009
April 3-5, 2009
June 17, 2009
Feb. 27-28, Mar. 1, 2009 Holiday Inn Express
June 19, 2009
4th Tues., no June, July, Aug.
St. Croix Valley
Spring Tour of Homes Feb. 28-Mar.1, Mar. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 2009
Home & Remodeling Show - March 14-15, 2009, Hudson Sports & Civic Center
July 20, 2009 New Richmond Golf Course
Last Tues.
Valley
Winter Wonderland of Homes Feb. 21-March 1, 2009
Oct. 2-4, 2009
South Central Wisconsin
3rd Wed.
South Western Wisconsin
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
April 7, 2009
First Tues.
Local Association
Parade of Homes
Wausau Area Winnebago
Home Show
Golf Outing
Installation
April 17, 2009
April 18-19, 2009 April 17-19 & 23-26, 2009
Wolf River
BBW
June 23, 2009 April 3-5, 2009
General Membership Meeting 3rd Thurs. 2nd Wed.
October 13, 2009
2nd Tues.
rev.12/22/08 Local Association
Local Board Meeting
Other Events
Education
Brown County
1st Wed.
Annual Seminar Series
Central Wisconsin
2nd Tues.
Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s
Chippewa Valley
4th Tues. every other month
See calendar at www.cvhomebuilders.com
Door County
1st Wed.
Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s
HBA of Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties
1st Tues., no July
Golden Sands
3rd Tues.
Headwaters
2nd Tues., Wed., Thurs., before GMM
Heart of the North
1st Thurs.
La Crosse Area
3rd Tues.
Lunch n’ Learns Feb. 19, April 30, July 30, Aug. 27, Oct. 29, 2009 Education Days: March 26, Nov. 4, 2009
Lakeland
2nd Wed.
Lunch ‘n Learn-last Tues. of month
Madison Area
3rd Wed.
See calendar at www.maba.org
Manitowoc County
2nd Thurs.
Metropolitan
2nd Wed.
Mid-Shores
2nd Tues.
Mid-Wisconsin
3rd Tues.
Northland Area
3rd Wed.
Racine-Kenosha
1st Wed.
Sheboygan County
1st Tues.
South Central Wisconsin
2nd Tues.
Homes of Our Own April 28-May 1, 2009 Clay Shoot April 25, 2009
March 25, 2009 Associate Night and Contractor Education-AmericInn in Minocqua
Bowl-a-Thon, Feb. 2009. Build PAC Auction May 28, 2009
March 5-6, 2009 Builder Education initial qualifier and continuing education, April 9, 2008 UDC Training Quality Inn, Rhinelander
Awake to Learn seminars the 2nd Wed. of month Commerce Approved 12-Hour Course DVD available. $130 for HBA members, $225 for non-members at MBAonline.org.
Education opportunities for credit follow GMM meetings dinner Bowling for Scholarships, Feb. 2009
Monthly Monthly
South Western Wisconsin St. Croix Valley
Bi-monthly, one week before GMM
Valley
Last Tues.
Wausau Area
3rd Tues.
Winnebago
2nd Wed.
Wolf River
4th Tues.
Various -- visit vhba.com for schedule
Clay Shoot May 21, Elections May 13, 2009
rev.12/22/08
on course
Continued from page 7 g. Upgrade the requirements for water conserving fixtures to more closely correspond to national standards. [Comm 84.20 (3)(b)2.]** Dept. of Commerce Contact: Lynita Docken, Program Manager, lynita.docken@wisconsin.gov, (608) 785-9349. Proposed changes to Comm 81-87, Plumbing Code, were adopted Dec. 17, 2008, and are expected to be effective Feb.
1, 2009. See adoption draft http://commerce.wi.gov/ SBdocs/SB-CodeDevComm818461AdptDraft1208.pdf and updated appendix. This is just a sampling of recent changes. For information on other standards, go to www.commerce.wi.gov/SB and click on the topics of interest to you. **due to space constraints some material was deleted from the comprehensive list.X Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
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Local Happenings Central WI HBA CWHBA Raised more than $6500 for toys for tots. Pictured (L to R) GySgt Shawn Siebert, Jeanette Ostrum, CWHBA President Jack Skibba
HBA of Fond Du Lac & Dodge Counties The women and children from the Beacon House were “adopted” by the HBA again this year. The Christmas Committee was able to buy gifts for nine women and 10 children (ages ranging from five months to 14 years of age for the children).
St. CroixValley HBA Builder of the Year was awarded to Jesse Smith, J & A Custom Homes (pictured with 2008 President Tony Nasvik and 2007 Builder of the Year Mike Dockendorf ).
Valley HBA VHBA Member Center became Santa’s workshop for several days as more than 6,000 toys came through the doors. As Local Coordinating Office for the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program, VHBA coordinated 180+ toy collection locations and the receipt of 10,500 toys distributed by the Salvation Army to 2,900 children in the Appleton area.
Headwaters Builders Association The Headwaters BA hosted their annual Christmas Party at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain. In keeping with the tradition of making a contribution to a charitable cause, members made generous food pantry donations, which were divided and distributed to four local area pantries.
Madison Area BA Mike Vilstrup (TimberLane Builders LLC) was installed as the Madison Area Builders Association’s 2009 president at the December Holiday & Installation Dinner.
Northland Area BA President Jon Jaderborg, Jon Jaderborg Designer Builders, Jennifer Johnson, NABA EO, and Kevin Miller, Northland Recreational Homes, 2008 Builder of the Year
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
Sheboygan County HBA Congratulations to Builder Member of the Year Brad TenPas (TenPasHoftiezer Construction LLC) and Associate Member of the Year Kate Holfeltz (Community Bank and Trust).
RacineKenosha BA The RKBA congratulates U-B Builders of Kansasville for achieving the 2008 Builder of the Year Award and the Bank of Elmwood of Racine for achieving the 2008 Associate of the Year Award.
Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
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Builder profile
Sanderson Photography, Green Bay, WI©
Tracy Royer, Progressive Homes Inc. Quality Construction, Excellent Customer Service and a Superb Reputation by Marie Grogitsky t may be a unique approach to business, but Tracy Royer, owner of Progressive Homes Inc., shares every cost, every written bid and the exact percentage he charges with every customer. He is quick to note that there are no surprises in terms of costs when Progressive builds someone a home —customers control their dollar. It is this “no-nonsense” approach to business that Royer believes is key to the success of Progressive Homes. This approach has the company building for fourth- and fifth- generation clients. “Our customers get copies of the actual written bids from my subcontractors,” explained Royer. “They know exactly what they are getting and what I charge, which happens to be the same percentage whether I’m building an 800-square-foot cottage or doing a 10,000-square-foot light commercial project.” Royer’s first involvement in the industry came in 1989 when he began working as what he called, a “Jack of all trades” for home building. “I did fram-
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ing; I did plastering. You name it, I did it,” said Royer. “I guess you could say I was sowing my wild oats when it came to residential home construction.” He did that until 1991, when he then entered the sales end of the industry: real estate. From 1991 to 1993, he worked full time selling homes and gaining a working knowledge of what people were looking for in the purchase of a home. He earned his broker’s license during that time and still proudly maintains that license. “I do dabble a little in real estate. I still sell our properties and buy the tracts of land we develop.”
The Birth of Progressive Homes Inc. It was in 1993 that Royer, along with two partners, started Progressive Homes. Through quality construction, excellent customer service and a superb reputation, the business flourished. In six short months, Royer bought out those partners and become sole owner of the successful business. “I am a oneman show, but I am nothing without my subcontractors. Eighty-five percent of
Wisconsin Badger Builder • March/April 2009 • www.wisbuild.org
them have been with me for a decade or more,” he stressed. Royer also credits part of the business’ success to the fact that he was fortunate enough to mirror building trends in Wisconsin. For three years following the start of Progressive, Royer dealt 100 percent with individual residential construction. In the late-1990s, he entered into project development and began purchasing small tracts of land to divide into lots and build. In 2001, at the request of several of subcontractors, he got involved in building and remodeling some light commercial projects. He has worked on malls, apartments, condos and duplexes. “We’ve been lucky. We took on some of the light commercial work, and home building began to slow. The opportunity came up, and we took it,” said Royer. “We still do residential home building and remodeling. I think any builder out there who isn’t taking anything and everything that comes their way won’t be in business for long.” It’s that positive attitude and cautious optimism that Royer hopes home builders in Wisconsin and across the country will
work toward. “I’ll tell you what. The sun is going to shine tomorrow, and we have to work to solve our problems today.”
Embracing Technology While Providing Quality Workmanship Another factor in Progressive’s success is what Royer calls both a “hands-on” and “forward-thinking” approach to home building. He said that he loves to work with the customer from concept to completion, making changes when necessary. “Once that hole is dug, we do everything we can to make sure that customer gets what they envisioned.” Royer is proud to say that Progressive Homes still does all of the finish and trim work on their homes. While relying on that quality workmanship Progressive has become known for, Royer also works hard to embrace new technologies and changes in the industry. He is a Master Builder and heavily involved in the Valley Home Builders Association (VHBA) Green Building Committee. “I am like a sponge. Education is important. It’s everything.”
A Leadership Role Royer joined the VHBA in 1994 when two past presidents of the association solicited his involvement and future leadership. “I was chairman of the Parade of Homes that first year and for two more,” said Royer. “I then became the president-elect. I have been on nearly every committee the association has. I truly enjoy it.” He said it’s difficult to quantify just how important association membership is, pointing to educational opportunities, charity work, networking, exposure and friendship as just a few reasons to join. “Association members are really the highest quality people in this industry,” said Royer. “The friendships I have built over the years are so valuable. I have to say work has also come to me. At least 20 projects have come my way from members. I tell people, don’t get involved to increase your business. Get involved, do a good job and the work will come.” Royer and his wife Susan have been married for 20 years. The two have two sons; Jacob, 18 and Taylor, 14. X
Business Quick Facts Progressive Homes Inc. • Years in Business: 19 in the industry, 16 as Progressive Homes Inc. • Local Association: Valley Home Builders Association, Outagamie County • Association Involvement: Has served 10 years on the Valley HBA Board of Directors and was president in 2000. During the past 10 years, he has been a member, and chairman, of several committees within the Valley HBA. He has also been the chairman of the Building Codes Committee and Web site Committee at the state level and is completing his sixth year as WBA area vice president. He was recently named life director for WBA and NAHB. • Awards: 2002 Builder of the Year for Valley Home Builders, 1998 Presidential Award and nominated for Wisconsin Builders Association Hall of Fame (2009) • Fun Fact — three tools Royer won’t go to a building site without: tape measure, level and BlackBerry • Web site: www.progressivehomes.net
Advertise Your Business in Wisconsin Badger Builder Call Jeff Pinwar: (800) 935-1592, x118
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