ROSEVILLE, MINN (January 8, 2015) — The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) inducted its 2015 President and Board of Directors at a dinner meeting held at the International Market square the evening of January 8, 2015. Chris Contreras, of Ryland Homes based in Eden Prairie, was elected to serve as the Association’s president for 2015, and will lead a 17-member board during his year-long term as President. Contreras, was sworn in by 2012 BATC President Curt Christensen, owner of Lee Lyn Construction.
Contreras will oversee the activities of the 1,100-member trade association, the leading voice for builders and remodelers. The association’s mission is to help its members build their businesses through marketing, advocacy and industry connections. Contreras, is an excellent choice to take the reins of the Association for the coming year, bringing his talents in marketing, management, and innovation to the organization.
Under the leadership of Contreras, the Association will remain focused upon membership growth, advocacy work, and strengthening its premier marketing brand, the Parade of HomesSM with its twice a year new home and remodeled home (Remodelers Showcase®) tours plus the annual Artisan Home TourSM, launched last June.
“I’m honored to be elected president of BATC,” Contreras said. “Our industry is facing a number of very important challenges right now that could have a major dampening effect locally. We need to come together as BATC members and get involved to make sure our industries’ concerns are heard.”
Before joining the home building industry, Contreras had a 12-year career in the jewelry industry working as a regional manager for a large-volume jeweler. He started selling homes in 2003 with Ryan Homes (NVR) and joined Ryland Homes in 2004.
Today, Contreras is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Ryland Homes. Throughout the last few years, Contreras has been incredibly active in BATC, serving on a number of committees including the Parade of Homes committee for three years, and Large Volume Builder committee, which he chaired in 2011-2012. He served as BATC’s Treasurer in 2013, and Vice President in 2014.
Contreras lives in Prior Lake with his wife Kelly, son Zachary (13), daughter Jordan (10), nephew Kylerton (10), sister-in law Lane, father-in-law Gary and mother Rita.
2015 BATC Officers and Board Members
As a member-run organization, the BATC President and Board of Directors provide critical oversight to the day-to-day operations of the association. These volunteer members elected to the 2015 Board of Directors include:
Executive Board:
President: Chris Contreras – Ryland Homes Minnesota, Eden Prairie, MN
Builder Vice President: Meg Jaeger – Mega Homes, Dayton, MN
Associate Vice President: Todd Polifka – Brush Masters, Maple Grove, MN
Treasurer: Bob Michels – Bob Michels Construction, North Oaks, MN
Secretary: Jason McCarty – Westwood Professional Services, Eden Prairie, MN
Past President: Shawn Nelson – New Spaces, Burnsville, MN
Past Associate Vice President: Daryl Dohr – Marvin Windows and Doors, Eagan, MN
Past President’s Advisory Council: Lowell Pratt – Pratt Homes, Vadnais Heights, MN
Board of Directors:
Bill Burgess – Lennar Homes, Plymouth, MN
Charlie Bradburn – ABC Millwork Division, Chanhassen, MN
Tamara Erickson – Country Joe Homes, Lakeville, MN
Jim Kuiken – Accent Homes, Inc., Ham Lake, MN
Andy Michels – Bob Michels Construction, North Oaks, MN
Craig Plekkenpol – Plekkenpol Builders, Bloomington, MN
John Rask – Hans Hagen Homes, Inc., Fridley, MN
Brian Robbins – Pella Windows & Doors, Plymouth, MN
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities is the leading voice for builders and remodelers. BATC represents 1,100 builders, remodelers, developers and industry suppliers with a mission of helping its members grow their businesses through marketing, advocacy and industry connections. BATC is widely recognized as a powerful force at the state Legislature and with state regulatory agencies. It’s also known for its twice-a-year signature events, the Parade of Homes℠ and Remodelers Showcase®, and now the Artisan Home Tour℠, opening high-end homes to tour each June. In addition, BATC offers Minnesota’s Green Path, a growing new home energy testing and remodeling certification program providing healthy, durable, energy-efficient homes to buyers and homeowners.