More than 900 homebuilding industry members attended BATC-Housing First Minnesota’s biggest event of the year, the Building Industry Gala, on Thursday at Mystic Lake Event Center. More than 180 awards were handed out during the Building Industry Gala to honor the top builders, remodelers, suppliers, and individuals in the homebuilding industry.
The Gala culminated in the presentation of the coveted Builder of the Year, Remodeler of the Year, and Associate of the Year trophies to firms that exemplify the highest standards in business conduct as judged by their peers and customers.
“Our annual awards honor the best in the business and members that have gone above and beyond to contribute to our great industry.” said Tom Wiener, president of BATC-Housing First Minnesota. “It’s great to come together and celebrate the amazing work that we do building the American dream for Minnesota families.”
Other top awards presented included the Robert L. Hanson Lifetime Achievement Award for industry service, the Bennie Award for best neighborhood design, and the Minnesota Green Path Leadership Award for innovation in energy efficient home building or remodeling. BATC-Housing First Minnesota also bestowed its Legislator of the Year award to State Representative Pat Garofalo (Farmington) for his support of the housing industry at the Capitol. See the winners list below.
Builder of the Year Remodeler of the Year and Associate of the Year
2018 BATC-Housing First Minnesota Builder of the Year
Lennar (Plymouth)
2018 BATC-Housing First Minnesota Remodeler of the Year
Michels Homes (North Oaks)
2018 BATC-Housing First Minnesota Associate of the Year
In-Focus Systems (St. Louis Park)
BATC-Housing First Minnesota’s most coveted honors are the annual Builder, Remodeler and Associate of the Year Awards. The winning companies were selected based upon evaluations of association engagement, trust, communications, loyalty and ethics by the firms with which they do business, and in the case of Builder and Remodeler of the Year, by their customers.
Bennie Award
Spirit of Brandtjen Farms, Tradition Development Corp. (Lakeville)
The Bennie Award recognizes excellence in neighborhood design and construction. Judging criteria used to determine the winner include aesthetic appeal, land plan, retention of natural features, amenities, neighborhood structures as well as street layout.
Minnesota Green Path Leadership Award
Brandl Anderson Homes, Inc. (Eagan)
MN Green Path Leadership Award recipients inspire us with their innovation, passion and commitment to building energy efficient and sustainable homes.
Legislator of the Year
Rep. Pat Garofalo (Farmington)
BATC-Housing First Minnesota’s Legislator of the Year Awards are given to members of the Minnesota Legislature who have championed housing issues and industry legislative priorities.
Advocate of the Year
Martin Harstad, Harstad Homes, Inc. (New Brighton)
The Advocate of the Year honors an individual member for efforts helping the association in its advocacy work, ensuring that local, regional and state legislators and government officials understand the impacts of regulation and law on the industry’s ability to provide affordable quality homes for Minnesotans.
Robert L. Hanson Lifetime Achievement Award(s)
Betty Hardle, Vanderbilt Homes (Minneapolis)
Richard Berg, Contract Interiors, Inc. (St. Paul)
The award is presented to a member(s) that has more than 20 years of experience in our industry and has a powerful legacy of engagement and industry involvement throughout their career.
Download the complete winners list here to see the Reggie Award Winners, ROMA Award Winners,and Trillium Award Winners.
Photos available upon request by contacting Katie Elfstrom, Katie@batc.org.