Builder Profile: Harpe Development

Activating Grassroots Activity

for Campaign 2010

September/October 2010www.wisbuild.org

Delivered to you as a benefit of membership

Today’s Home Spotlights Tomorrow’s Technology

WisconsinTrend Home™

The

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org2

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Wisconsin Badger Builder, (ISSN 004-232) is a bi-monthly publication of the Wisconsin shelter industry. It is the official publication of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and is published by WBA, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI 53701 and additional mailing offices.

All advertising is subject to acceptance by the Wisconsin Badger Builder editorial review committee. The publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered. The contents of all material available in this

publication are copyrighted by WBA unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved by WBA, and content may not be reproduced, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Badger Builder, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions available through membership in the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

September/October 2010 Volume 27 • Issue 5features

Capitol Corner ..................................................................... 5Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) discusses why creating jobs requires bi-partisan teamwork.

The Wisconsin Trend Home™ 2010..................................... 8Today’s home spotlights tomorrow’s technology and serves as an educational and research tool for housing professionals.

Builder Profile: Harpe Development ............................... 13Dustin Harpe and his wife Cory of Harpe Development work hard to help homeowners have the American Dream.

departmentsPresident’s Perspective ................................................................................ 3Endless Opportunities

Executive Viewpoint ..................................................................................... 4Trends of Change

Local Happenings ......................................................................................... 7Photos and details of WBA local association events around the state.

Government Affairs .................................................................................... 12Activating Grassroots Activity for Campaign 2010

News & Events ............................................................................................. 15

Mission StatementA professional trade association, WBA

advances the housing industry for members and consumers through government involvement,

education and promotion.

Vision StatementAffordable, innovative and environmentally

conscious homes accessible to all.

Motto“Dedicated to preserving and promoting

the American Dream”

www.wisbuild.org

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org

Senior Officers 2010President: Jim Kubasta,

Oshkosh (Winnebago)

President Elect: Don Esposito,

Madison (Madison Area)

Treasurer: Gary Roehrig,

New Holstein (Mid-Shores)

Secretary: Craig Rakowski,

Wauwatosa (Metropolitan)

Immediate Past President: Doug

Scott, Janesville (South Central WI)

Associate Vice President: John

Anderson, Appleton (Winnebago)

Associate Advisor to the Senior Officers: Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis,

Chippewa Falls (Chippewa Valley)

Area Vice-Presidents 2010Southeast Area

Mark Benkowski (Metropolitan)

Darryl Spang (Racine–Kenosha)

Northwest Area Clint Doege (Heart of the North)

Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis (Chippewa Valley)

Southwest AreaTony Szak (La Crosse Area)

Steve Treu (La Crosse Area)

Northeast AreaSteve Atkins (Brown Co.)

Scott Browne (Brown Co.)

South AreaBrian McKee (Madison Area)

Bob Renforth (Madison Area)

East Central AreaEd Schmidt (Valley)

Stan Martenson (Valley)

North Area Pam Jewell (Golden Sands)

Mike Richie (Wausau Area)

East Shore AreaDan Schneider (Mid-Shores)

Sean Kelly (Mid-Shores)

State Representative to NAHBRon Derrick (St. Croix Valley)

Area 10 ChairmanWayne Foster (Metropolitan)

Endless Opportunities

by Kuba, WBA President

Throughout 2010, the WBA Executive Committee and the Board of Directors have worked

successfully to bring the WBA back to our roots and mission as an organiza-tion to advocate, educate and provide opportunities for networking within the membership. I am hopeful that with this strong foundation, we can use the rest of 2010 to rebuild the membership of the association and continue to remain focused on protecting our industry and enhancing the value of membership. To meet this goal, I realize that as the president of this association, it is critical to have the support and commitment of every member to participate, recruit new members and advocate for our industry and our association.

I urge each of you to take some time to assess your membership with the WBA. The ailing economy has caused us all to evaluate every expense and every allocation of resources and, for some, that translated to limiting time and financial commitments to the WBA. More than likely, if you are reading this, you have committed to maintaining your member-ship with the association, and I thank you. But paying your dues is simply not enough! The greatest return on invest-ment for your membership is only realized as a direct result of your involve-ment and ability to use the resources at the association to better your understand-ing of the industry and thereby improve your business. What does this mean?

Join a CommitteeThe committee meetings at the WBA

are open to all members. You do not need to wait to be asked or invited; just take a look at the calendar on the website (www.wisbuild.org) and plan to attend. The majority of the action at the WBA committee meetings coincides with “Board Day” the day of our Board of Directors meeting. You can make a day of it, and take your family along for

some fun at the Chula Vista resort in Wisconsin Dells. There is truly some-thing for everyone — from political junk-ies to our membership committee — that offer you opportunities to contribute and stretch yourself as a leader.

Market Your CompanyWe also have a number of ways to

market your company through advertis-ing on the WBA website, our electronic newsletter or sponsoring an event like our WBA Golf Outing, a Lunch n’ Learn or our upcoming 2011 Wisconsin Builders Conference. Everyone has to stretch their advertising dollars, so why not get your name in front of a targeted state-wide audience of builders and associate members who dedicate themselves to the building industry?

Participate and NetworkAttend the 2011 Wisconsin Builders

Conference. We offer a wide variety of events that provide a great environment to learn something new while conduct-ing business and allowing you to social-ize and network with your peers. This event is the convention for all, and brings together the largest contingent of builders and associate members at one time in the

President’s

perSpective

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 3

i urge each of you

to take some time to

assess your membership

with the WBA.

Continued on page 6

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org4 Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org

WBA Staff4868 High Crossing Blvd.,

Madison, WI 53704 • (608) 242-5151

Executive Vice PresidentJerry Deschane, CAE, ext. 11

jdeschane@wisbuild.org

Director of Political & Government AffairsBrad Boycks, ext. 16

bboycks@wisbuild.org

General CounselPatrick Stevens, ext. 22pstevens@wisbuild.org

Director of CommunicationsAnnie Rubens, ext. 19arubens@wisbuild.org

Director of Accounting ServicesKathy Johnsen, ext. 12kjohnsen@wisbuild.org

Accounting & Political Affairs Assistant

Mark Nelson, ext. 25mnelson@wisbuild.org

Event CoordinatorKimberly Fay, ext. 10

kfay@wisbuild.org

WBA FoundationDevelopment DirectorMegan Taylor, ext. 24mtaylor@wisbuild.org

WBA Insurance ServicesVice President

Karl Johnson, ext. 23kjohnson@wisbuild.org

Published by

Publisher ........................... Kevin Naughton

Supervising Editor ........... Jennifer McDermitt

Graphic Designer ..................... Jason Gabel

Advertising Sales .......................Jeff Pinwar(800) 935-1592, ext. 118 • jpinwar@printcomm.com

Marsha Suwienski(800) 935-1592, ext. 106 • marshas@wildblue.net

Publication Sales Manager ....... Brenda Poe(800) 935-1592, ext. 115 • bpoe@printcomm.com

Trends of Change

by Jerry Deschane, CAEWBA Executive Vice President

I re-started my WBA career around this time last year, so this is the “anni-versary issue” of my return. A lot

has changed, a lot is still the same, and, as this month’s magazine feature shows, some things are changing forever.

The cover story features the WBA Foundation’s Trend Home for 2010. Builder Ed Schmidt, CGB, CAPS, CGP of Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes and the Valley Home Builders Association teamed up to create one of the most energy-efficient homes of its size in the country. NAHB tells us that “green” building and an empha-sis on energy-efficiency are here to stay. Wisconsin builders will tell you that they have always focused on energy efficiency, and building green is just the way non-Norwegians describe stingy.

The people of the industry are changing. One of the things that struck me last fall is the wave of new, younger builders who are now leading the association locally. The majority of board members at most local associations are more familiar with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn than with Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan and Lucille Ball. One of WBA’s key challenges in the year ahead is to focus on understanding and meeting their needs, which are very differ-ent than the needs of builders 10 years ago.

WARNING: The following paragraph is the mandatory economic “bummer” section. Skip if you have had enough bad news.

The most painful change, of course, is the economic tsunami that has ripped through the housing industry. Those economic forces, more than anything else, will reshape the industry going forward. When the recovery fully kicks in, national experts predict that the home building industry will be dominated by large, high-volume builders. The experts say that long-term changes in the finan-cial industry will make it harder for the “little guy” to compete in housing, espe-cially in land development. My question is, how will that play out in Wisconsin,

Executive

vieWpOintwhere very few of our housing markets can support the kind of volume national builders need? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that it will play a role in shaping WBA’s future.

And then there are the November elec-tions. It seems clear that voters across the country are looking for another dose of “change.” In Wisconsin, we have the first wide-open contest for governor in eight years, and more than 20 current members of the state Legislature are retiring, so no matter which party wins, a substantial number of lawmakers will be new to state politics.

Thomas Jefferson said, “a little revo-lution is a good thing.” 2010 will be a political revolution year. WBA, as one of Wisconsin’s most active business advo-cacy organizations, is right in the thick of it. We will also be in the middle of helping the new governor and new legislature steer a state saddled with a $2.5 billion deficit and a serious lack of political direction.

When my first career at WBA began in 1993, I was wide-eyed at the opportuni-ties. WBA was a fast-growing associa-tion, led by aggressive men and women who were well-connected politically and who wanted their association to kick butt and take names at the Capitol.

When my second career here began last fall, many things were different. We were shrinking for the first time since the early 1980s. Many of those high-voltage leaders were focusing their energy on economic survival. But one thing hasn’t changed. Our leaders, both the new and the old, remain passionate about their industry, and that passion still carries over into their politics. They are still willing to apply size-eleven, steel-toed solutions to both association and political problems (as I learned firsthand during budget meetings). It’s that passion that will shape this organization. It happened in 1947 when we were born, and it will happen in 2010, as we are “reborn.”X

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 5

by Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)

This past April marked the end of my first legislative session as a Wisconsin state Senator. I have been asked by many friends and constituents what I thought about the

first half of my four-year term. I tell them that while it has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Wisconsin, I was disheartened by the partisanship surrounding job creation poli-cies in the legislature.

When I was elected, I looked forward to working with legislators to improve Wisconsin’s faltering economy. With businesses struggling and unemployment hovering at an all-time high, creating a business environment that would promote job growth and retention was the single most impor-tant task for the legislature.

Unfortunately, in the first months of my term, I saw the Senate vote on and approve a minimum wage increase that put our wages above the federal level. The Senate also approved wage lien changes that would limit the ability for businesses to get loans, a budget repair bill that included $1.2 billion in ongoing tax increases, and a biennial budget that increased taxes another $3.6 billion.

The economy continued to falter, unemployment jumped two full points from 7.7 to 9.7 percent, and then these job-killing policies hit me right in my backyard.

Mercury Marine, based in my hometown of Fond du Lac, approached me last summer about moving their manufacturing operation to Oklahoma. This well-known Wisconsin company provides the area with more than 1,900 family-supporting jobs and is a vital part of our economy. I took swift action and immediately reached out to acting Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel and Governor Jim Doyle.

Over the next several months, we worked with state and local leaders, union representatives, and company representatives to help broker an agreement to keep our area’s largest employer in Wisconsin. Ultimately, thanks to hard work and sacrifice from all sides, Mercury Marine announced that it would not only stay in Wisconsin, but would consolidate its operations here and bring more jobs to the state.

While I am extremely proud of everyone’s efforts to keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, unfortunately, the whole experience magnified what was missing from the polarized state Legislature I had been working with in my first term.

Instead of working together to do what is best for Wisconsin families, the legislature approved sweeping legislation that moved us in the wrong direction, adding more taxes to busi-nesses that create jobs in Wisconsin. Our state should never be in a position of having to beg companies to stay here. Wisconsin’s

Creating Jobs Requires Bi-Partisan Teamwork

Capitol

cOrner business tax climate and excessive regulations only exacerbate the problems our job creators face with the down economy.

With that said, I will not allow myself to get discouraged by my first two years in office. I look forward to advocating for pro-jobs policies in Madison while always seeking consensus with reform-minded individuals regardless of party. Wisconsin citizens need results, be it from Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. Of course, I view the Wisconsin Builders

Continued on page 6

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org6

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Capitol Corner is a regular feature for Badger Builder. In this space, a Wisconsin legislator will provide perspective on an issue. Each guest columnist is offered the opportunity to select their primary issue of concern and present their views independent from any guidelines imposed by the Wisconsin Builders Association®. The views expressed by the columnist are solely their opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA, NAHB, the locals, or the members. The Badger Builder editorial department welcomes reader feedback to the issues featured in this section in the spirit of promoting continued discussion on the important issues affecting our daily lives. To submit comments, please send them to Badger Builder Editor Annie Rubens, arubens@wisbuild.org. Only comments in writing will be considered for reprint.

Association, whose members have been creating private-sector jobs for decades, as an important partner in this effort.

Wisconsin citizens can no longer afford politics as usual.State Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) represents the

18th Senate District, which includes parts of Winnebago, Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties. X

preSident’S perSpectiveContinued from page 3state. These are the very folks who have the experience, know-how and professional experience that you want to connect with to grow your own knowledge and business.

More importantly, if there is something you would like to see the WBA do now or in the future, let us know. Please feel free to contact me directly at kuba@teamkuba.com or any member of our leadership team or the WBA staff. We are always open to ideas and suggestions to provide greater value, and we want to know what is meaningful to you.

For the rest of 2010 throughout 2011, I hope to see a rebuilding of this association from our foundation. If each of our members makes a commitment to re-engage and dedicate resources to our ongo-ing efforts, we are sure to reap the benefits as individuals and as an association. After all, the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts, and each of you is an essential part of that whole.

United As One X

cApitOl cOrnerContinued from page 5

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org

Local Happenings

Lakeland BAState Sen. Neal Kedzie, second from left, at LBA’s Red, White & Blue Pac Event.

Winnebago HBAMelissa Zander (WHBA staff) and Mary Kay Brevig (Eau Claire Energy Co-op) at the first-ever Builders Garage Sale, which raised over $2000 for the WBA Foundation.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 7

Headwaters BAAs part of their $12,500 commitment over eight years, scholarship presentations were recently made to three area high school seniors who will be continuing their education in a field related to the building trades.

Heart of the NorthDon Dostal (Don Dostal Electric) was one of several HNBA members to help remodel and upgrade donated space for the new Rice Lake Area Free Clinic, which opened its doors to the public on June 8, 2010.

Wolf River BAGary Felckowski (Gary’s Dorrs & Service) handing out one of over $500 worth of phone cards to be distributed to area families with a family member serving in the military overseas.

St. Croix Valley HBAHelping Hammers Community Project worked for Turning Point, a domestic abuse shelter in River Falls.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org8

Today’s Home Spotlights Tomorrow’s Technology

WisconsinTrend Home™

The

photos by Annie Rubens

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 9

Insurance Coveragefor the ResidentialBuilding Industry

Continental Western Group and Reynolds & Reynolds join forces to offer WBA members a GROUP DIVIDEND PROPERTY & CASUALTY Insurance Program, including:

• General Liability • Builders Risk • Tools & Equipment • Workers Compensation • Business Auto • Property Insurance

CWG agents throughout Wisconsin can offer WBA members industry specific coverage.

Independent agents not representing CWG can access this program through Reynolds & Reynolds.

Contact your local Continental Western Agent or Reynolds & Reynolds at (800) 767-1724.

Endorsed by:®

by Jennifer McDermitt

Sometimes, seeing is believing. It’s hard to explain to someone the benefits of sustainable building, but if you can show them that the average home can be built with

simple, economic, energy-efficient features that will make a big impact on energy performance, you will convince the masses.

The Wisconsin Trend Home™ 2010 version broke ground April 15, 2010, in Appleton. The Trend Home is a new home construction project that will serve as an educational and research tool for housing professionals and as a source of infor-mation for the general public regarding green building products and techniques.

Accomplished as a partnership between the WBA Foundation and Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, proceeds from the sale of the home will benefit the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit WBA Foundation to fund future education and research projects for the housing industry in Wisconsin.

The Trend Home will achieve National Green Building Standard certification (Bronze level or higher) and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® certification. The purpose of the home is to demonstrate how sustainable building is attainable and affordable.

Answering the CallThe WBA Foundation serves as the charitable arm of

the Wisconsin Builders Association. Earlier this year, the WBA Foundation put out a request for proposal to the local builders associations across the state, looking for a general contractor for the Wisconsin Trend Home™ 2010. Two Valley Home Builders Association (VHBA) builders answered the call, and one was selected by VHBA to present a proposal to the WBA Foundation.

Christine Shaefer, executive officer of VHBA, said there was a tight deadline to submit proposals to the Foundation, which may have discouraged some members. But, there was enough time to feature the home in VHBA’s August parade event. “We felt the Parade of Homes & Condos would be the best opportu-nity to showcase the home, and we were thrilled that two of our members submitted proposals.”

VHBA member Ed Schmidt, CGB, CAPS, CGP, Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, Inc., was selected by the VHBA Board and WBA Foundation to build the home. Schmidt says the deadline made the process a little more challenging, especially since they had an inter-ested buyer from the beginning. “A lot of decisions had to be made quickly. We knew we wanted to be involved, though, because we’ve always had an interest in green building and energy efficiency, and this was a great opportunity to educate the public on the ways to improve their homes,” he said.

Because the home is located in the jurisdiction of VHBA, whenever possible, all subcontractors and suppliers working on the home are VHBA members. In addition, a small percent-age of the proceeds will benefit the VHBA Fund of the WBA Foundation to support education, research and charitable aid efforts in the Fox Valley area.

The Trend Home is being constructed to the NAHB Research Center’s National Green Building Certification Program, and will be certified by a third-party verifier, rating the home’s exceptional energy performance and utilization of sustainable materials. As of April 2010, there are a total of 1,000 certifica-tions to the National Green Building Certification Program

Continued on page 10

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org10 Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org

nationwide. In the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin, only one home has achieved this certification to date, also built by Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes.

Energy Efficient From Top to BottomFrom site preparation to landscaping, great care was taken to

maintain the natural beauty of the home site, including plants appropriate for the climate and erosion control in a very eco-friendly way.

The home size, floor plan and orientation on the lot take advantage of natural daylight to reduce lighting needs and use strategies to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Whenever possible, renewable and recycled-content materials were used in the home.

Some of the features of the 2010 Wisconsin Trend Home™ include:• Re-circulating plumbing for hot water, including heat

recover stack to pre-heat water going to water heater• Combination of compact fluorescent and LED lighting

throughout the house

• Solar panels• Energy Management System for controlling energy

consumption• High insulation ratings: R10 under foundation floor; R20 for

foundation walls; R30 for above grade walls; R60 in the attic• Windows have U value of 0.19• Geothermal heat• Closed combustion wood-burning fireplaceSchmidt says one of the most impressive features of the home

is the energy automation system that allows the homeowner to look at the energy expenses of the home on a daily basis. “The system is wired into the solar panels, so the homeowner can see how much energy is being generated,” said Schmidt. “In addition, the system also breaks down energy usage by appliance, which helps people realize where their energy costs are coming from and makes them more conscious of how they can conserve.”

Lights, Camera, Action!In addition to the groundbreaking in April and the ribbon

cutting on Aug. 13, two other events have showcased the Trend Home. On May 20, VHBA held a seminar entitled, “Code..Better..Trend.” The seminar featured actual calculations on the costs to operate the home if it were built to minimum code and compared it to the energy savings on the Trend Home.

Shaefer said it was eye opening for many attendees. “The savings comparison had a big impact, and the event was well attended. We will be updating the report, because since the session geothermal heating and solar panels have been added, which would have an even greater impact on the comparison,” she said.

The second event, held on June 4 & 5, was an open house called “Behind the Walls.” At the time of the event, the home was framed, with some exposed bare walls so that viewers could construction in progress. The event showcased the building

WiScOnSin trend hOme™ 2010Continued from page 9

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 11

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techniques used in the home such as stack framing, that you wouldn’t be able to see once the home is completed.

Improving the ProcessThe Wisconsin Builders Foundation hopes that more locals

and their members will answer the call to build Trend Homes in their communities. “The project is a living, breathing example of our mission goals of education, research and charitable aid” said Foundation Development Director Megan Taylor. Shaefer added that other locals will benefit from the experience gained by the Foundation and VHBA on the 2010 home.

“We have learned so much in this process, and we are using our experience to improve the process and make it better for others who get involved,” she noted.

Schmidt agrees, “I am grateful to have been involved, and I think these homes are important tools to educate builders, the public, and the lenders about the benefits and value of building energy-efficient homes.” X

Special Thanks to our Partners (as of July 15, 2010)

Premier Level Partners• Accelerated Automation• Guske Electric Inc.• ProBuild• Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes• Vosters Beyer Concrete• Watters Plumbing Inc.

Star Level Partners• American Kennedy-Hahn Appliance• Bruss Heating and Cooling• Liberty Heights/Vision Realty & Development• S.K. Flooring

Marquee Level Partners• Heritage Heating/Gustave A. Larson Co.• Trivera Interactive • Valley Home Builders Association

Spotlight Level Partners• American Transmission Company • Bill Biese Masonry• CGI Glass Centre• Energize LLC• McMahon• Prestige Custom Cabinetry• Total Roofing LLC• Vosters Landscaping Inc.

Other VHBA members donating products/services• B&L Siding, BW Plastering• Darboy Stone & Brick• Freedom Overhead Door• Home Building Technology Services• The House Inspector• KSG Seamless/Bay Therm Insulation• Midwest Communications/WROE• Romenesko Crane• Sherwin Williams• Van Vreede’s Excavating• Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org12

Activating Grassroots Activity for Campaign 2010

Government

AffAirSby Brad Boycks, Director of Government & Political Affairs

Recently, the WBA Board of Directors was briefed on a plan that can used by local associations to increase the level of grassroots participation by members in the

campaigns that will swing into full gear in late summer. The plan, formulated by members Wayne Foster, Jack

Sjostrom, Brandon Bartow and Winnebago Home Builders Association Executive Officer Deb Lederhaus, was drafted to give local associations some additional ideas to increase member involvement in this unfolding dynamic political season.

The Building a Better Wisconsin Trustee(s) from each local should work with local HBA elected officers, WBA directors, and the local executive officer to formulate the execution of this plan.

The plan recently approved by the WBA Board is as follows: • Local associations should get to know the candidates in their

area running for state Assembly, state Senate and governor. • Local associations can consult with WBA staff to determine

what the targeted races are in your area for state Assembly and Senate. WBA staff can also provide background infor-mation to locals on what type of past relationships incum-bents have had on our issues.

• Locals could coordinate candidate interviews and/or forums as a great way to gather more information on candidates to better educate members.

• Ask candidates to provide information to your locals on when they are holding fundraising and grassroots campaign events and activate your membership to be involved in these activities.

• Examples of grassroots activities that members can partici-pate in include:

• Volunteering with candidates to distribute campaign literature door to door.

• Participate in phone bank activities organized by the campaign to call voters.

• Volunteer your business or local HBA as a location for a phone bank and encourage HBA members and your employees and subcontractors to volunteer.

• Host a yard sign at your home and/or business. • Provide locations of property you own where the

campaign can place a small or large (4x8) sign. • Volunteer with the campaign to distribute both large and

small yard signs with lists provided by the campaign.

• Work with the campaign to write letters to the editor in support of candidates who support housing.

• Assist with campaign events in your commu-nity such as handing out literature at community celebrations or parades.

• Volunteer to be a poll worker on Election Day. • Work at a candidate’s campaign headquarters. • Hosting “meet and greet” (non-fundraising events) for

candidates to meet local HBA members. • Hosting “meet and greet” (non-fundraising events) for

candidates to meet employees. • Hosting “meet and greet” (non-fundraising events) for

candidates to meet sub-contractors. • Ask members to sign up as a member of a “builder

team” of five members who will help a candidate distribute campaign literature each Saturday morning from Sept. 11 to Oct. 30.

• Hold fundraising events for candidates and have members make the contributions first to the Builders Direct Fund conduit (BDF).

• This will allow the local association and WBA to get more visibility with candidates and make it easier for local associations to meet their yearly political fundraising goal. Contact WBA GA/political staff on how to set up this type of event to ensure compliance with state election laws. The Building a Better Wisconsin PAC also makes contributions to pro-housing/pro-business candidates.

• Local associations should look to hold fundraising events to support the Building a Better Wisconsin PAC this summer and fall. Silent auction events are very popular with many local associations.

• Contact WBA GA/political staff to set up an event or brain-storm on different fundraising event ideas to ensure compli-ance with state election laws.

We are looking forward to working with local association staff and leadership to implement the ideas above to assure a success-ful Campaign 2010! X

Advertise Your Business in Wisconsin Badger Builder

Call Jeff Pinwar: (800) 935-1592, x118

by Stacey Tetloff

When Dustin Harpe was growing up, he didn’t know he would be a builder. Harpe didn’t learn the building trade from his father or grandfather. It wasn’t until he

came home from his service in the Marine Corps in 2004 that Harpe got started in the building industry.

First, Harpe started working as the project manager for Jensen Construction in 2004. He ran the new construction projects from framing to some commercial jobs. After working at Jensen Construction, Harpe went to work for another company doing framing and then ventured out on his own.

A Team EffortIn 2006, Harpe and his wife Cory started Harpe Development,

contacting local builders for framing work and continued build-ing the company from there. Cory is in charge of accounting, marketing and handling customer contacts.

Harpe Development also has an in-house architect. The benefit is significant for customers, because they are able to work directly with the architect to make alterations and customizations to the standard prints offered by the company.

Direct contact is, in fact, one of the keys to the company’s growing success. Right from the beginning, customers are put at ease by dealing directly with the owner, Harpe, instead of a sales representative. He stays involved with the customer through the construction process while the in-house architect works with them to customize plans, and Cory handles all of their changes and selections. “We come together collectively to give the homeowner exactly what they want within their budget, working with them hand in hand,” Harpe said.

The American DreamHarpe’s approach to working with the customers combines

with his mission to offer quality homes at a better price, leading

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 13

BuILDER prOfile

Business Quick Facts• Owners:Dustin and Cory Harpe• YearsinBusiness: 4• LocalAssociation:Racine-Kenosha Builders Association• AssociationInvolvement:Cory Harpe serves on the PR Committee and is the

Membership Chair for the local association.• GoingGreen:Every Harpe Development home is ENERGY STAR® compliant.• RecentAwards:Rising Star Award in 2009, Top 10 Milwaukee Builders in 2010• Website: www.harpedevelopment.com

Continued on page 14

Harpe Development

Dustin Harpe and his wife Cory work hard to help homeowners have the American Dream.

to the company’s growth as the largest builder in the Kenosha area in a very short amount of time. “When customers come to us, they have a perception that they’ll be paying high prices to build their home without being able to have all of the amenities and quality that they want,” Harpe said. Customers soon find out that Harpe offers the best price in the area with high-quality, standard features to make sure that customers are able to have the home of their dreams.

“It’s seeing someone’s excitement when they realize they can build a home they want for a price they can afford that gives me satisfaction,” Harpe explained. Watching a family’s excitement when their home is finished is contagious for Harpe, strengthen-ing the incentive to continue to offer customers high quality at lower prices.

Tools for SuccessThe company’s reputation continues to spread, and customers

seek Harpe Development out for their new home construction projects. This has enabled Harpe to grow his business in spite of the challenges he has faced — from lack of funding to balancing price and quality in the current market conditions.

The Harpe’s involvement with the builders association has helped jump some of those hurdles. “The associations promote our industry, offer networking opportunities to share ideas and help us keep up on the trends in the area,” Harpe said. Association involvement is one tool Harpe has used to build a growing, successful business. X

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org14

Advertise Your Business in Wisconsin Badger Builder

Call Jeff Pinwar: (800) 935-1592, x118

TODAY!

“WHEN QUALITY & COMFORT MATTER”

262-654-0241 Kenosha 262-552-9616 Racine

877-669-5211 Toll Free www.wisconsinfuel.com

Builder prOfileContinued from page 13

Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2010 • www.wisbuild.org 15

LoCAL AssoCiAtion PArADe of Homes/Home sHows GoLf outinG/BBw otHer events eDuCAtion

Brown County Sept 18-19 & 23-26, 2010 Showcase of Homes ABCs at the HBA 3rd Tues of month. Continu-ing Ed offered monthly at BCHBA

Central WisconsinSept. 10-12, 2010 Parade of Homes * Feb. 26-27, 2011 Marshfield * March 26-27, 2011, Wisc. Rapids Home Shows

Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s

Chippewa Valley See calendar at www.cvhomebuilders.com

Door County Sept. 9, 2010 Golf Outing and PAC Auction

Dec. 9, 2010 Installation & Holiday Party

HBA of Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties Monthly

Golden Sands Feb. 19 & 20, 2011 Holiday Inn & Convention Center Home Show

April 19, 2011 BBW* July 19, 2011 Golf Outing

Headwaters Aug. 27, 2010 Golf Outing www.headwatersbuilders.com

Heart of the North Sept. 18-19 & 25-26, 2010 Parade of Homes * March 5-6, 2011 Home Show

Nov. 13, 2010 Installation & Holiday Banquet Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s

La Crosse Area

Lakeland Feb. 26-27, 2011 Home Show Dec. 3, 2010 Installation & Christmas Party See calendar at www.lakelandba.com

Madison Area See calendar at www.maba.org

Manitowoc County

Metropolitan Aug 21-Sept. 12, 2010 Parade of HomesCommerce Approved 12-Hour Course DVD available. $130 for HBA members, $225 for non-members at www.MBAonline.org.

Mid-Shores Oct. 1-3, 2010 Parade of Homes * Feb. 18-20, 2011 Home Show Dec. 3, 2010 BBW Live Auction

Aug. 25, 2010 Trap Shoot, Sept. 21, 2010 Legislative Panel, Dec. 3, 2010 Installation & Holiday Party

Mid-Wisconsin Feb. 18-20, 2011 Wilderness Convention Center Home Show

Northland Area March 26 & 27, 2011 Spooner High School Home Show

Sept. 30, 2010 Voyager Village Golf Outing

Networking Nights First Tuesday of the month Contact NABA office for location 5:30 pm Social Hour 6:30 pm Dinner with guest speaker to follow

Visit www.northlandareabuilders.com for details

Racine-Kenosha Sept. 11,12,15,18 & 19, 2010 Parade of Homes * March, 2011 Home Show

Dec. 2, 2010 Installation, Sept. Parade of Playhouses, Monthly Member Mingles

Monthly

Sheboygan County Sept. 10-12 & Sept. 17-19, 2010 Parade of Homes * March 18-12, 2011 Home Expo Monthly

South Central Wisconsin Sept. 11-12 & 15-19, 2010 Parade of Homes * Feb. 25-27, 2011 Home Show Oct. 26, 2010 BBW Silent Auction go to www.scwbaonline.com

South West Wisconsin

St. Croix ValleySeptember 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 & October 2-3, 2010 Fall Tour of Homes * March, 2011 Home Show

Dec. 14, 2010 Holiday Banquet Education classes posted on www.scvhba.com

Valley Aug. 14-22, 2010 Parade of Homes Various -- visit www.vhba.com for schedule

Wausau Area

Winnebago April 8-10 & 15-17, 2011 Parade of Homes * March 11-13, 2011 Home & Garden Show

Oct. 13, 2010, LaSure’s Banquet Facility BBW See calendar at www.whba.net

Wolf River April 8-10, 2011 Home & Cottage Show Aug. 10, 2010 Golden Sands Golf Course Golf Outing Oct. 12, 2010 Installation See www.wolfriverbuilders.com

rev. 6/25/10

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