BATC-Housing First Minnesota inducted its 2019 President and Board of Directors at its annual dinner meeting held at the Metropolitan Ballroom Tuesday night. John Rask of M/I Homes, was elected to serve as the Association’s president for 2019, and will lead a 17-member board during his year-long term.
Rask will oversee the activities of the 1,100-plus member trade association, the leading voice for builders, remodelers and their trade partners in Minnesota. Rask brings more than 15 years of experience in the homebuilding industry to the organization along with a background in development and city planning.
Under his leadership, the Association will remain focused on advocacy work, membership growth, and strengthening its premier marketing brand, the Parade of Homes. Rask will take the reigns of the Association as it ramps up to address the housing affordability issue in Minnesota.
“We recognize that the building community must work collaboratively with state and local governments to find solutions that allow our members to build affordable homes,” said Rask. “I look forward to helping the Association engage in innovative problem solving with key stakeholders, with the goal of reducing the regulatory cost of housing and addressing the labor shortage.”
Rask has been active in the Association both with M/I Homes and before that with Hans Hagen Homes. Rask has previously served as the Association’s chair of the public policy committee and as a member of the Parade of Homes committee. M/I Homes was the seventh largest Twin Cities homebuilder in 2017, according to BATC-Housing First Minnesota’s annual Top 25 Builders survey.
2019 BATC-Housing First Minnesota Board Members
The BATC-Housing First Minnesota President and Board of Directors provide broad strategic direction to the Association. These volunteer members elected to the 2019 Board of Directors include:
Executive Board:
President: John Rask, M/I Homes, St. Louis Park, MN
Builder Vice President: Gary Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina, MN
Treasurer: Todd Polifka, Custom One Homes, Woodbury, MN
Immediate Past President: Tom Wiener, Cardinal Homebuilders, Inc., Oakdale, MN
Associate Vice President: Carla Warner, Warners’ Stellian Appliance, St. Paul, MN
Secretary: Ed Engelbrecht, Pella Windows and Doors, Plymouth, MN
Past Associate Vice President: Dennis Galligan, In-Focus Systems, St. Louis Park, MN
Board of Directors:
Advocacy: Bill Burgess, Lennar, Plymouth, MN
Remodelers Committee: Jason Myrlie, J Carsten Remodeling, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Parade of Homes: Tim Fohr, M/I Homes, St. Louis Park, MN
Small Volume Builders: Art Pratt, Pratt Homes, Vadnais Heights, MN
Large Volume Builders: James Slaikeu, D.R. Horton, Inc., Lakeville, MN
Ambassador Committee: Pattie Martin, Twin City Fireplace & Stone Company Inc., Edina, MN
Artisan Home Tour Committee: John Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina, MN
Past Presidents’ Advisory Council Representative: KC Chermak, Pillar Homes Partner, Inc., Plymouth, MN
At-Large Member: Nick Hackworthy, Creative Homes, Inc., Woodbury, MN
At-Large Member: Jim Fuschetto, Lyman Lumber Company, Chanhassen, MN