Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Recognizes Five Industry Advocates

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, recently announced the recipients of its annual President’s Awards.

Created to recognize members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc. who’ve demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community, education, and support of the association’s goals, the President’s Awards are presented annually at the association’s holiday party.

Association President Dan Riedel, WiSC, with Woller-Anger & Company, LLC, presented the awards to five individuals in recognition of their efforts on the association’s behalf.

“The Milwaukee/NARI President’s Awards allow the association president to provide formal acknowledgment and a appreciation for a group of people for their contributions during the year,” Riedel said. “Those that were recognized embody what the association seeks to offer area homeowners – quality contractors that follow the NARI credo of ethical conduct, sound business practices, and professionalism.”

The 2013 Milwaukee/NARI President’s Award recipients, with Riedel’s remarks included, were as follows:

Chris Egner, MCR, UDCP, owner of Four Seasons Sunrooms/Chris Egner Design-Build-Remodel in New Berlin: A President’s Award is being presented to an individual that has recently come on the Milwaukee/NARI leadership scene. Over the past several years, I have begun to get to know him and look forward to working with him further in the future. We served together on the Website task force, for which he served as chair. His guidance is enabling the association to provide a one-stop forum for consumers to connect with chapter members and to provide members with an enhanced presence on the Internet. He has also been an advocate for NARI certification, recently himself becoming one of only seven Master Certified Remodelers in the chapter. His quest to generate the next generation of NARI certified professionals has led him to work with other Certified Professionals on the CRPM study group.

Dean Herriges, MCR, CKBR, owner of Urban Herriges & Sons, Inc., Mukwonago: This President’s Award is presented to not only a role model to me, but to many association members. In the past several years, he has had many challenges placed before him and has shown strength, character, and determination in overcoming these challenges. His leadership has not only impacted our chapter through service to the Personnel, Education/Certification, Office Building, and Executive committees, but he has also impacted the national association, including a term as NARI National president. He lives and breathes NARI, whether it’s in how he runs his business or the countless hours he has spent volunteering for the organization.

Lori Voight, Milwaukee/NARI Show/Membership Coordinator: This President’s Award goes to an individual that I was able to get to know very well over this past year. I call this person an unsung hero, one who goes above and beyond and takes initiative without being asked to do so. And it goes much further back from these past 12 months. During times of transition in the Milwaukee/NARI office, this individual took a leading role to ensure that everything with membership and the communications with NARI National went without interruption. Whether it was calling members with gentle reminders to renew or making sure new applications were processed for the Board to approve, this individual helped keep Milwaukee/NARI’s stature as the largest organization in NARI.

Bill Wandsnider, RLA, CLP, Milwaukee/NARI Treasurer and owner of Wandsnider Landscape, Menomonee Falls: A President’s Award is being presented to an individual that has taken on responsibility to ensure the chapter’s success. As a chapter delegate to NARI, he has demonstrated his willingness to learn from others in the industry to bring back ideas and concepts that can enrich our organization. While working on the chapter’s Finance Committee and Office Building Committee, this individual asks the tough questions that need answers. His desire for the organization to perform at a high level, while managing the chapter’s investments, has been paramount over the past several years in his role on the Board and as the Chapter Treasurer.

Tom Weiher, MCR, CKBR, owner of Carmel Builders, Inc., Menomonee Falls: A President’s Award goes to an individual that I have learned from over the years. Early on in my volunteering in NARI, this individual pulled me aside and suggested I join the Finance committee. I recall that conversation very clearly and I can say it helped determine my direction and role as a NARI member. He has demonstrated his leadership over the years and has selflessly guided the organization forward. Whether it was certification, the chapter’s strategic plan, or his willingness to remain as co-chair of the Office Building committee to help shepherd the upcoming office building remodel, he has demonstrated an unwavering desire and passion to make the association great. I know that I’ve become a better leader because of what I’ve learned from him.

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. With over 740 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the largest in the nation.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, sound business practices, and professionalism in the remodeling industry have led to the growth of the remodeling industry nationwide and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry.

For more information on the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI’s Remodeling Guide,” call 414-771-4071 or visit the Council’s website at www.milwaukeenari.org.