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We have welcomed five new team members in the past couple of months; Lead Carpenters Rick Chapman, Tom Paine and David Mossberg; and Carpenters Jesus Calderon and Tyree Lewis. These skilled employees bring considerable experience to Dakota builders, Inc. We continue to grow wiser. My responsibilities at NAHB (National Association of Home builders) meetings increased in January at the annual Builder's Show (Jan. 17-22). I attended an congress of local builders' associations as a Director of SAHBA (Southern Arizona Home Builders Association). As a board member of SAHBA, I feel it is my duty to keep in the forefront of policy making, much of which takes place at the national meetings three times a year. Installation ceremonies for SAHBA were held January 24, at which time I took over the position of Second VP. Building activity remains high in Tucson, but the responsibilities and challenges to the industry grow more and more complex. Our industry is continuously concerned about getting new workers into the pipeline and qualifying them for specialized tasks. On February 20, we will offer a Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) prep course through SAHBA. Anyone with two years' experience is eligible to complete a profile form that determines what areas of further study an individual will be required to invest in to earn certification. Please call for more information: 792-0438. My new NRC (National Remodelors™ Council) committee work is Public Affairs. I have agreed to work with other members of the NRC and chair this group. I will continue as a Trustee of the NRC, which convenes at all NAHB conferences. The Sonoran Institute's new Tucson Community Design Academy welcomed its first class of "design ambassadors" on January 14. The training takes 12 weeks. I will be talking to the group of 28 - developers, designers, attorneys, planners, social workers, neighborhood activists, and communicators - on February 4. My topic is the "again-in-place" phenomenon. For more information about the academy, see www.sonoran.org. Aging-in-Place is the topic for my presentation to the City of Tucson Commission on Disabilities, on March 17. See www.dakotabuildersinc.com for more on this subject. The SAHBA Spring Home & Patio Show (April 16-18) provides a great, bustling backdrop for learning whether you are a homeowner or someone who serves homeowners through our related building industries. My course for professionals on Customer Service will count toward CGR training. Come in to our headquarters and learn more. We continue to develop a "library" at 4861 E. 29th St. (east of Swan) for customers to research remodeling ideas and products. We have some samples, website resources, and lots of pictures. Make an appointment with Cindy and she will prepare a customized CD for you in advance, with photos of our projects that match your interests. Call 792-0438. Don't forget to let us know if you wish to receive out newsletter on a continuing basis. We will publish Dakota Report three times in 2004, but if you aren't on our permanent DBI mailing list, you will not automatically get it in 2005. Make your request by calling 792-0438 or email gam@dakotabuildersinc.com. An expanded "Remodeling 101" on February 14 at the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Club has rapidly filled. We are collaborating with business partners NOVA Home Loans, Durazzo & Eckel PC, The Home Depot, and Herrington DAP to help homeowners prepare for their projects with facts about finance options, contracts, new materials and the design and permit process. Call 792-0438 if you are interested in the event or in a small group "Remodeling 101" on Saturday, March 20.
Me, Gregory Miedema, CGR This excerpt from our quarterly newsletter is the only newsletter portion we provide online. We are happy to provide you with a no-strings-attached FREE subscription to our newsletter containing tips and trends for home remodeling. |
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