Special Events

The 2007 WRA Awards

2007 Local Achievement Award Winners

Gordy Ziglinski “Spirit of Education” Award

This award recognizes excellence in training and education in the industry in general, and Milwaukee/NARI in particular. A member of Milwaukee/NARI for more than a decade, this person is a Certified Remodeler who has assisted the Certified Professionals program by serving as an instructor during the training program and he has successfully worked with several of his company’s employees to achieve Certified Professional status.  He is also a member of the association’s Government Affairs committee, and serves as an officer.  He participates in panel discussions at area technical colleges and visits area high schools to make presentations.  He now serves as the association’s Treasurer after serving one year as Secretary.

Tony Rink, Certified Remodeler of Renovators Ltd. in Brookfield

Marvin Johnson Meritorious Service Award

This award honors a member who has shown exceptional leadership, devotion, dedication, and accomplishment on NARI’s behalf.  The recipient is a key component of one of the association’s supplier members.  She has been involved in the association’s membership committee, serving as an ambassador to bring in new members.  She is a former board of director, is currently Treasurer for the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation, and is coordinator of the silent auction at the Foundation’s annual golf outing.

Mary Kay Siemann of Rundle-Spence Manufacturing Company in New Berlin

Professionalism Award

NARI now salutes a member who has shown exceptional devotion, dedication, and accomplishment to the home improvement and remodeling industry through his efforts to promote NARI as a professional organization on the local level while at the same time serving as a tremendous resource for the community.  With more than 19 years experience in the home improvement and remodeling industry, he specializes in structural design and project management.  He earned his Certified Remodeler designation in 2001, receiving the chapter’s “Superstar” Award, and he was in the first class of Milwaukee/NARI members that earned the Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler designation in 2003.  He has played a key role in the Certification and Education committee, teaching sections of the program, and he has also taken NARI’s Green Building course.  He has served on panels at area technical schools, spoken to technical education classes at area high schools, and served as a spokesperson on behalf of the association with local media, appearing on local radio and television programs.  A member of the chapter’s Finance Committee, Home Improvement Show Committee, and Ethics Committee, he previously served as the chapter’s Secretary and Treasurer and was recently elected as a Vice President.

Kevin Anundson, CR, CKBR, The OAR Group in Elm Grove

Mary Fox-Hagner Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes the association’s executive director from 1993 – 2005, who passed away in June of 2005 after fighting a valiant battle with cancer.  This award is bestowed on a person who has been in the remodeling industry for at least 20 years and a member of NARI for at least seven years. This year’s recipient easily meets both these qualifications!

This gentleman, a Certified Remodeler Specialist, has played an active role on the Home Improvement Show Committee, providing his expertise on constructing the outdoor living area display on an annual basis, as well as the stages used at the event.  He is a former board member and a tremendous resource for members, always willing to share his wealth of experience with those that ask for his input.

Milt Charno, CRS, Milt Charno & Associates in Wauwatosa

Certified Professional "Superstar" Awards

Recognizes individuals who recently showed their commitment to the home improvement and remodeling industry by taking part in the Certified Professionals training program.  The award goes to the person scoring highest locally on the written certification exam.

Certified Remodeler “Superstar” Award: Louis Weiher, CR, Carmel Builders in Menomonee Falls.

Certified Lead Carpenter “Superstar” Award: Phil Krueger, CLC, Carl Krueger Construction in Milwaukee.

Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler “Superstar” Award: Christian St. Antoine, CKBR, of Wooden Thumb, in West Allis

Government Affairs Award

The Government Affairs Award goes to a member who has actively participated on the Government Affairs committee.  This person has more than 45 years experience in the home improvement and remodeling industry, having held positions of leadership including President and Vice President and membership in numerous committees, as well as the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation Board.  He represented Milwaukee/NARI at a state Department of Commerce hearing regarding a proposed rule that requires continuing education as part of the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification.  He is chairman of the Franklin Economic Development Commission and a member of the City’s Planning Commission since 1973.  An alderman for Franklin since 2004, he has assisted with persuading the Secretary of the DNR concerning not having a landfill cross a local street and that a conservancy area be created for passive recreational purposes for the people of Franklin and the citizens of Wisconsin.  Working within local governing bodies, he has promoted the remodeling and building profession as a member of the Vocational Planning Committee, Franklin School District #5; promoted carpentry trade through Franklin High School by donating carpenter tools to the outstanding construction skills’ student; is a former 4-H leader for construction skills; and is a member of the Milwaukee Public Schools Vocational Advisory Committee.

Ken Skowronski, CR, of KS Remodelers in Franklin

Certified Professional of the Year

This award recognizes a person 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 recipient became a Certified Remodeler in November 2003.  He has taught Certified Professional classes over the last few years, and helped two of his employees earn their Certified designations in 2007.  He was recently named to coordinate the Certified Lead Carpenter portion of Milwaukee/NARI’s education program.

John Nehmey, CR, Nehmey Construction in Oak Creek

Distributor of the Year

The Distributor of the Year Award recognizes a member company that has demonstrated a strong commitment to NARI, to the remodeling industry, and to our community.  This company has taken an active role in the association for many years, providing support through participation in the associations various business activities, including donating materials for events and supporting other members in their endeavors.  This company has also been a contributor to the annual Milwaukee/NARI Foundation Rummage Sale.

Bliffert Lumber & Fuel Company

Media Outlet of the Year

This award recognizes a media organization that assists Milwaukee/NARI in its effort to provide home improvement and remodeling resources to consumers throughout the area while enhancing the association’s image and community presence.  This media outlet is a strong industry advocate, working with the association’s marketing committee to produce an annual home guide to recognize May as National Home Improvement Month.  The publication also provides the association with complimentary ad space to promote events, and regularly uses Milwaukee/NARI news releases in its various publications.

Conley Media of West Bend

Affiliate Organization of the Year

This honor is presented to a member company – not directly in the home improvement and remodeling industry – that has supported the local association in its business activities and has enhanced its operations.  This year’s recipient has assisted the association by sponsoring the automotive display area at the February Home Improvement Show for the last several years, plus serving as a resource for members looking to enhance their fleet of business vehicles.

Schlossmann’s Dodge City in Brookfield

Peter H. Johnson Image Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed to the enhancement of the industry’s image.  This year’s winner is known throughout Milwaukee/NARI as its biggest proponent to prospective and new members and is one who leads the association in a number of ways.  He has been a highly productive and an extremely involved participant in the chapter’s affairs and its development, the national office’s growth, and in the community as a whole.  He moved up the rungs of the organizational ladder and his work had a strong impact on the chapter’s growth and success.  He has committed time and energy to the Government Affairs, Membership, and Marketing committees, served on the board of directors and as president of Milwaukee/NARI and the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation.  He regularly leads the chapter in bringing in new members, and he has helped complete a number of community projects on behalf of Milwaukee/NARI.

Mark Brick, CR, B & E General Contractors in Glendale