Milwaukee/NARI Members Earn Master Certified Remodeler Designation

The Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 52 years, announced that Kevin Anundson, co-owner of Owner Assisted Remodeling in Elm Grove, Wis., Mark Brick, owner of Glendale, Wis.-based B&E General Contractors, Inc., and Dan Klappa, president of jdj builders, inc. in Greenfield, Wis., earned Master Certified Remodeler (MCR) designations through NARI.

The MCR designation recognizes NARI Certified Remodelers (CRs) who have stood the test of time and continue to be successful in the remodeling industry. MCRs have demonstrated commitment to the remodeling industry through support of their local NARI chapter, NARI National, and/or their local community and have consistently upheld the “NARI Code of Ethics.”

In order for NARI to consider candidates for the MCR designation, individuals must be a Certified Remodeler for a minimum of 10 consecutive years and hold at least one additional NARI Certification (i.e. Universal Design Certified Professional – UDCP; Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler – CKBR).

Anundson, P.E., MCR, CKBR, CAPS, is a former Milwaukee/NARI board member and executive officer, currently serving as the NARI National President Elect. He earned his NARI Certified Remodeler designation in 2001, receiving the chapter’s “Superstar” Award for scoring highest in the group on the exam, and he was in the first class of Milwaukee/NARI members that earned the Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler designation in 2003.

He has been a long-time member of the Certification/Education committee, as well as the Ethics and Finance committees. Anundson received the Milwaukee/NARI 2006 President’s Award in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the entire organization, the association’s Certified Professional of the Year Award in 2004, which recognizes an individual who’s been a Certified Professional for at least three years and has continued to excel in the field, while sharing professional experience and expertise with other association members, the Professionalism Award (2007), and the Gordy Ziglinski “Spirit of Education” Award (2011). His company has won several remodeling and marketing awards in the annual Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year Awards competition.

Brick recently earned his Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP) designation, which identifies professionals who differentiate themselves through work that promotes the highest standards in universal design and remodeling. He had previously earned the Certified Remodeler Designation in 1996, along with Certified Green Remodeler, Certified Green Builder, and Certified Aging in Place Specialist designations.
He served as a Milwaukee/NARI board member for 15 years, as well as the association president for two years in 1999 – 2000. In addition, he has served on several association committees, and he currently serves as a board member of the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation, Inc., previously having served as its president for five years.

During his time with Milwaukee/NARI, Brick has lead a number of community projects on behalf of the association, working with several members to complete a variety of work, including constructing a playroom for a young girl with severe physical limitations and building cooking carts for a YMCA program.

For his participation within Milwaukee/NARI, Brick has earned the association’s Marvin Johnson Meritorious Service Award (2002), Professionalism Award (2005), Bill Bobrowitz Image Award (2007), and Mary Fox-Hagner Lifetime Achievement Award (2011). His company has also been a multiple award winner in the areas of Remodeling and Marketing since 1995 in the annual Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year Awards program.

Klappa started working for jdj builders in 1991, becoming president and co-owner in 1998. He earned his Certified Remodeler designation in 2000, becoming active in the association’s Education/Certification Committee, and he recently received the UDCP designation.

He and the company have received several Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year Awards and in 2003, jdj builders received QR Magazine’s National Award for Klappa’s Italian villa styled basement remodel on his own home.
All three contractors have both served on panels at area technical schools and spoken to technical education classes at area high schools, sharing their experience with those looking to pursue a career in the industry. Each has served as a spokesperson on behalf of the association with local media, appearing on local radio and television programs as well as being interviewed by print reporters, plus participating in panel discussions for consumers at the Milwaukee/NARI office. They have answered inquiries from consumers in question and answer columns that appear in local print publications. Anundson and Brick have also represented Milwaukee/NARI at presentations to area service organizations, providing an overview on the remodeling process and the benefits of using NARI members for home improvement and remodeling projects.

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council. In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry. With over 740 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.

For more information or to receive a free copy of the Milwaukee/NARI Member Directory or a list of Milwaukee-area NARI Certified Professionals call 414-771-4071 or visit the Council’s website at www.milwaukeenari.org.