Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Honors “Employees Of The Year”

The Milwaukee NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for 52 years, honored three member company staff people as “Employees of the Year” at the association’s monthly membership meeting on Tues., March 18.

The Awards recognized employees of Milwaukee/NARI member companies who not only perform admirably, but also go above and beyond their job description day after day. The three winners were (with content from their nominations provided) as follows:

Dave Deblitz, CLC, Foreman, Quality Remodeling Specialists, Inc., Pewaukee: “We hired Dave in February 2010 and his vast knowledge of exterior work immediately contributed to our company on several additions and other exterior work. We noticed how well he was able to communicate with customers, subcontractors, and other employees, plus he was able to meet our standards of jobsite organization and cleanliness. He quickly picked up very aspect of interior remodeling that he was taught, often researching different tools and installation methods to allow for a faster, higher quality installation. Dave started running his own projects after one year, and we were impressed by how well he could lead a job and keep everyone working on task. In 2012, we started using Dave on high end jobs, and he showed a wonderful way of making customers feel at ease while in their home. Dave has become a family member to several customers, bringing in the morning paper or moving cars for them. Dave became a NARI Certified Lead Carpenter in November 2012, and earned his own company vehicle. Quality Remodeling Specialists would not be able to tackle the amount of high end work it is doing without Dave’s attention to detail.”

Samantha Moehling, Designer, Renovators, Ltd., Elm Grove: “When we hired Samantha in the middle of 2012, it was to fill a news position within the company. Our company was growing, and we needed an assistant for various clerical tasks. Samantha had a degree in interior design, but was willing to start at the bottom, where she immediately learned the necessary tasks to fulfill the job description, including answering phones, data entry, filing, and other typical office duties. Soon after, Samantha showed her eagerness to learn more about the industry, and her training and education gave her the ability to develop print advertising layouts and other marketing materials, plus she embraced work for the company website and social media endeavors. Her diligence in social media was responsible for the company earning a gold award in the 2013 Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year marketing category. While performing her office assistant duties and advancing the company’s social media marketing, Samantha continued to look for ways to further her industry knowledge by updating our showroom samples and doing research for other company designers. Within a short time, she was doing cabinet orders and creating “as-built” drawings. At the end of 2013, Samantha was promoted to her current designer position and transferred to our other office location, where she continues to impress with her design talents and can do attitude. She has hit the ground running and embraced this new position, often working extra hours and taking on roles that are new to her. Samantha should be recognized for her accomplishments, attitude, willingness, and measurable performance.”

Jim Zastrow, Service Manager, Quickflash Heating & Cooling Services, Milwaukee: “Jim believes in the concept of giving customers value. He is the first to arrive and is usually the last to leave. When his technicians have questions on the job, Jim always answers his phone. If he cannot help them over the phone, he meets them on site. Jim has an unmatched knowledge base, and he spends countless hours on the phone or meeting directly with customers. He is fair and caring, and customers know that his word can be counted on. Jim is a truly valued Quickflash ambassador.”

“We congratulate the 2014 Employee of the Year winners, and recognize their commitment to the home improvement and remodeling industry,” said David Pekel, MCR, UDCP, CAPS, Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council president. “Dave, Samantha, and Jim have demonstrated the necessary qualities to allow them to rise above other service providers, and are but three of the thousands of outstanding employees of Milwaukee/NARI members that offer southeastern Wisconsin homeowners quality and dependable remodeling assistance.”

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 the 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.