News Releases

MILWAUKEE/NARI HOME IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL ANNOUNCES 2010 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
December 16, 2009

MILWAUKEE, WI - 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 48 years, announced the election of the following officers and directors for 2010:

Executive Officers
President: Diane Ausavich, CR – Carl Krueger Construction, Inc., Milwaukee
Vice President 1: Kevin Anundson, CR, CKBR – The OAR Group, Elm Grove
Vice President 2: Tony Rink, CR – Renovators Ltd., Brookfield
Vice President 3: Dave Amoroso – Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Inc., Milwaukee
Treasurer: Dan Riedel – Woller-Anger & Company, LLC, Elm Grove
Secretary: David Pekel, CR, CAPS – Pekel Construction & Remodeling, Inc., Wauwatosa
Immediate Past President: Thomas Weiher, CR, CKBR – Carmel Builders, Inc., Menomonee Falls

Ausavich, who will be the first woman president of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., has nearly 15 years experience in the home improvement and remodeling industry with Carl Krueger Construction, an award-winning design/build firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that specializes in insurance restoration. She has served in a number of roles for the family-owned business headed by her father, including coordinating marketing and sales activities, before assuming a leadership position with the company’s cleaning division that focuses on disaster restoration projects.

Earning her Certified Remodeler (CR) designation in 2000, Ausavich served as the chairperson of the Milwaukee/NARI Fall Home & Remodeling Show from 2002 - 2007 and was Chairperson of the association’s Seminar Committee from 2003 - 2006. She also has served as the co-chair of the Milwaukee/NARI Marketing and Spring Home Improvement Showcase Committees, and has been a member of the association’s Executive Committee since 2003.

Ausavich has assisted the association’s Certified Professionals program by serving as an instructor during the rigorous training program coordinated by the chapter. She has participated in Certified Professional “alumni” nights to recruit prospects, and has successfully worked with several of her company’s employees to achieve NARI Certified Professional status. Since 2005, she has served as a professional liaison at the Milwaukee Area Technical College’s downtown campus for classes relating to home improvement and remodeling, providing guidance and suggestions on course offerings.

The following individuals were elected to three year-terms to serve on the Board of Directors:
•    Scott Cline, J&B Construction Company, Inc., Germantown
•    Thomas Kammerait, CPA – von Briesen & Roper, s.c., Milwaukee
•    Nick Kerzner, CR, CKBR – Kerzner Remodeling & Construction, Oconomowoc
•    Susan Montie, CSP, CAPS – Advanced Communication Specialists, Waukesha
•    Jim Pitzen – Pitzen Design Ltd., Brookfield

In addition, Bill Wandsnider of Wandsnider Landscape in Menomonee Falls was elected to fill the remaining two years on the term that David Pekel is vacating to serve as the association’s Secretary.

These new board members will join the following association members who will be continuing their service on the Board of Directors:
•    Wayne Abendschein – 1st Choice Heating & Cooling, Inc., Waukesha
•    Mark Brick, CR – B & E General Contractors, Inc., Glendale
•    Tom Callen – Callen Construction, Inc., Muskego
•    Eric Erickson – Advantage Flooring, Delafield
•    Tom Feiza – “Mr. Fix-It,” New Berlin
•    Thomas J. Hagner, CRS – Better Bldg. by Weather-Seal, Ltd., Racine
•    Dean Herriges, CR, CKBR – Urban Herriges & Sons, Inc., Mukwonago
•    Jill Liptow – R.C.I. Design Build, Pewaukee
•    Ken Skowronski, CR – KS Remodelers, Inc., Franklin

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 900 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.