Builders News May 2019

2 ICAHBA Builders News | May 2019
Message from the President
Dear HBA Members,
Spring sales are is in full swing and homes are starting
to fly off the market. The 30-year mortgage interest rates
are below 4 percent once again, and the local economy
continues to grow
adding new businesses,
restaurants, grocery
stores and entertainment
venues. Growing up in
Iowa City it was easy
to take for granted how
fortunate I was to live
in an area with such
great education, low
unemployment and
low crime. Even while
attending and graduating
from the University
of Iowa, my goal was always to move away to find
employment and achieve “success.” Today, with proper
perspective after all these years of living in the greater Iowa
City area, I am thankful for the multitude of opportunities
I have had. Now, it’s my turn to impress upon younger
generations what a terrific community we have in which to
live and work.
On the board, and in many of the member meetings, a
main topic of discussion is how to recruit new workers --
including ways to educate students about and encourage
students to enter the building trades. Hard work and long
hours are what people see, without fully understanding
how personally and professionally rewarding construction
work can be. I painted houses every summer during high
school and part of college with John A. Cress Painting.
At that time, most trim (and many wood windows) were
stained and finished on site after framing. That meant I was
able to watch the construction process from beginning to
end and see the various trades working together as a team
despite their different jobs. I saw everyone’s role, including
how the general contractor orchestrates the entire project.
Our Vocational Training Council, the Student-Built
House leaders and various Kirkwood programs are to be
commended for their efforts to educate and drive more
young people into the homebuilding trades. The recent
Build My Future event is a perfect example of this (see
pages 4-5). There is no better way to learn than hands on.
No matter how smart or talented you are, everyone can
learn from a mentor. Not only are we fortunate to live in
the area that we do, but our organization is fortunate to
have many members sharing their time and knowledge.
For that we say “Thank You!”
Sincerely,
Mike Bails
Urban Acres Real Estate
2019 Greater Iowa City Area HBA President
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Mike Bails
Urban Acres Real Estate
PAST PRESIDENT
Adam Hahn
Watts Group
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Glenn Siders
Siders Development
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
GT Karr
Sueppel’s Siding & Remodeling
SECRETARY
Kelly Manning
Sobaski Abbey Carpet & Floor
TREASURER
Marty Tunning
RSM US LLP
Patrice Carroll
Tracey Achenbach
HBA-Linked Professionals Named
Women of Influence Winners
One Greater Iowa City Area HBA member and another close ally to our association
have been named two of 10 honorees for the 2019 Corridor Business Journal’s Women
of Influence awards during a dinner ceremony April 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton
Cedar Rapids Convention Complex. The recognition identifies women who have
made a difference in the corridor and are representative role models as leaders in their
fields and community.
HBA-member Patrice Carroll is President and CEO for ImOn Communications. She
launched the company in 2007 and has grown it from 35 to 115 employees and more
than 17,500 customers. Patrice also serves on multiple boards and committees for
community organizations focused on her passion for the arts, education and local
economic development. Among them are the Theatre Cedar Rapids Board of Directors
and the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Regional Executive Board.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a 2019 Woman of Influence. I would not
even have been noticed, let alone been selected for this honor if not for ImOn’s
success and the amazing people that played a role in that success. Their passion and
commitment to serving our customers and communities are what allow me – and
inspire me – to do the things I do.”
Tracey Achenbach is housing director for the East Central Iowa Council of
Governments and an HBA friend. She was instrumental in securing a grant for our
2018 Student-Built House initiative. As a community developer and housing planner,
Tracey has administered a variety of federal and state grants and worked with many
different communities in assisting them with the development of affordable housing
or writing housing plans.
“I do what I do, because I love it and not because I want to be recognized,” said Tracey.
“I am honored to have received this award with so many accomplished women.”
DIRECTORS
Mike Pugh - Pugh Hagan Prahm, PLC
Art Floss - CBI Bank & Trust
Chad Keune - Advantage Custom Builders
Rory Triplett - Insurance Associates of Iowa City
Todd Helle - Terry Lockridge & Dunn
Andy Martin - Martin Construction
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Aaron McGlynn - Cabinet Works
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Tim Ruth - McCreedy-Ruth Construction
WOMEN’S COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Melissa Schooley - Great Western Bank
REMODELERS COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Kevin McCreedy - McCreedy-Ruth Construction
2019 COMMITTEE CONTACTS
PARADE OF HOMES
Mitchell Manning - Sobaski Abbey
Carpet & Floor
THE HOME SHOW
Katy Stutsman - McCreedy-Ruth Construction
Maggie Gehrls - PSC Distribution/Studio H2O
The Greater Iowa City Area
Home Builders Association
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Karyl Bohnsack
karyl@hbaofic.org
MARKETING AND
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Michelle Moore
michelle@hbaofic.org
PO Box 3396, Iowa City, IA 52244
Phone: 319.351.5333 • Fax: 319.358.2443
Website: iowacityhomes.com