MBA Presented Builder and Associate of the Year

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MBA Presented Builder and Associate of the
Yearand Associate’s Choice Awards at Installation
Dinner on November 8th

(Waukesha, WI) – November, 2007 – Every year the Metropolitan Builders Association presents the Builder and Associate of the Year Awards, and the Associate’s Choice Award at their Installation Dinner. These awards are the highest commendations given to the MBA membership. Builders and Associates are recognized for their dedication not only to the MBA, but also to the building industry as a whole. Ethical standards, faithfulness to state laws and MBA bylaws, activity in civic life and community are all factors that are considered when selecting an individual for these awards. Associate members of the MBA vote on the winner of the Associate’s Choice Award each year. This award was created to honor an MBA member builder, remodeler, or land developer who is loyal in his use of MBA member suppliers, subcontractors, and others.

Builder of the Year
Craig Rakowski, James Craig Builders, Inc., Wauwatosa

Rakowski has been a member since 1998 and served as President in 2005. He chaired practically every MBA committee before he climbed to the top of the leadership ladder. Rakowski takes particular pride in the work he performed as Chairman of the Education/Contractor Certification Board where he worked for 2 – 3 years to mandate that builders have continuing education that includes business classes as well as construction classes. Now that the state requires builders to take part in continuing education in order to maintain their contractor license, he has seen the efforts of this Committee come to fruition.

Rakowski looks forward to chairing the Political Affairs Committee in 2008, where he will put his talent for understanding the big picture to work for the MBA. Outside of the MBA, Rakowski has won the praise of his customers and the community at large. His company just built two homes at cost for two different causes. The first was built to help fund a trust set up to aid an employee and his family with the costs associated with his transplant surgery, the second was built to provide a home for a family after a fire destroyed their home. This outreach to the community is typical of the man who knows dollars and cents like the back of his hand, but understands family and the power of compassion even more.

Associate of the Year
Lyn Schulz, Signature Lighting, Waukesha

Schulz has been an MBA member since 1988. Schulz not only supports the MBA through her work with the Associate Advisory Board, the Direct Member Benefits Task Force, the Political Affairs Committee and the Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz, but is also Chair-Elect of the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce and has Chaired and Co-chaired their Annual fundraiser - the Chamber Ball for many successful years. She also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Pregnancy Support Connection in Waukesha. Her unwavering support of MBA philanthropic events is both inspiring and appreciated.

Since the death of her mother and mother-in-law, tonight’s winner has her father and father-in-law over for dinner at least once a week. In 2006 our winner and her father sponsored Thanksgiving dinner for a group of about 60 homeless people in Waukesha and they hope to do a similar event at Christmas this year. Schulz has earned the love and admiration of her employees and has been described as amazing, fair, honest, hardworking, dependable, committed, and very close to her family.

Associate’s Choice
Rod Demlang, Demlang Builders, Inc., Sussex

The Associate’s Choice Award is given to the MBA member who has established himself as a great business partner to the 1147 Associate members of the Association. All MBA Associate members are allowed to cast a ballot for this award. Demlang was chosen because he has demonstrated a commitment to working with the MBA Associate Membership. Demlang celebrated his 25th year in business with a Parade Home that won multiple awards, thanks in part to the effort of many MBA Associate members. Outside of the Parade as well, Demlang has demonstrated a commitment to working with the MBA Associate Membership and the MBA as a whole. He has served on the Construction Arbitration Board, the Parade of Homes Committee, the Parade of Homes Site Selection Committee, the Finance Committee, the Government Affairs/Developers Council, and two terms on the Board of Directors. Outside of the MBA, Demlang is involved with Cops & Bobbers and Gutter Busters, two programs for kids that are run in conjunction with the Pewaukee Police Department. He also serves on the Board of Directors of a local community bank, and his company supports local food pantries, high school athletics, elementary school summer athletic teams, and Shots for Meningitis.

The MBA is a non-profit and non-partisan association which represents the building industry in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. The MBA develops and offers education for consumers as well as members. By establishing business ethics and industry standards, the MBA has earned a reputation as a trusted resource. Consumers enjoy our promotions for housing and housing products, while members take part in our professional and social activities throughout the year. The MBA has a long standing tradition of giving back to the community through a variety of philanthropic ventures.