Housing First Minnesota inducted its 2020 President and Board of Directors at its annual dinner meeting held at the Metropolitan Ballroom Thursday night. Gary Kraemer, President of Edina-based John Kraemer & Sons Inc., was elected to serve as the association’s president for 2020, and will lead a 17-member board during his year-long term.
Kraemer will oversee the activities of the 1,100-plus member trade association, the leading voice for Minnesota builders, remodelers and their trade partners. Kraemer brings more than 40 years of experience working in the construction industry to his role as association president. From starting his company with his father in 1978, he has worked in every role from laborer, to carpenter to his current role as company president.
Under his leadership, Housing First Minnesota will remain focused on advancing the American dream of homeownership for Minnesotans. The association will do this through its comprehensive advocacy program, deep research in housing affordability, its nation-leading Parade of HomesSM and Remodelers Showcase® tours, its annual high-end Artisan Home Tour®, the Minnesota Green Path Program, and industry events.
“Housing is such a vital part of our community, our state and our regional competitiveness,” said Kraemer. “Our work as an association has been very focused on affordability and growing homeownership opportunities for all Minnesotans, and I’m eager to continue our work on this issue in 2020.”
Kraemer has served on several committees of the association and is a supporter of the Housing First Minnesota Foundation. His company has earned four prestigious Builder of the Year awards from the association. Two of Gary’s sons have followed in his footsteps and work with him at John Kraemer & Sons.
2020 Housing First Minnesota Board Members
The Housing First Minnesota President and Board of Directors provide broad strategic direction to the association. The volunteer members elected to the 2020 Board of Directors include:
Executive Board
President: Gary Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina, MN
Builder Vice President: Todd Polifka, Custom One Homes, Woodbury, MN
Associate Vice President: Ed Engelbrecht, Pella Windows and Doors, Plymouth, MN
Immediate Past President: John Rask, M/I Homes, St. Louis Park, MN
Past Associate Vice President: Carla Warner, Warners’ Stellian Appliance, St. Paul, MN
Treasurer: James Julkowski, Julkowski, Inc., Roseville, MN
Secretary: Ryan Rutzick, All, Inc., St. Paul, MN
Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee: Bill Burgess, Lennar, Plymouth, MN
Ambassador Committee: Dale Loeffler, Marvin, Eagan, MN
Artisan Home Tour Committee: John Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina, MN
Large Volume Builders Committee: James Slaikeu, D.R. Horton, Inc., Lakeville, MN
Parade of Homes Committee: Sarah Dulong, Ron Clark Construction, Edina, MN
Past Presidents’ Advisory Council: Curt Christensen, Lee Lyn Construction, LLC, Watertown, MN
Remodelers Committee: Jason Myrlie, J Carsten Remodeling, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Small Volume Builders Committee: Art Pratt, Pratt Homes, Vadnais Heights, MN
At-Large: Jim Fuschetto, Lyman Lumber Co., Chanhassen, MN
At-Large: John Quinlivan, Gordon James Construction, Inc., Maple Plain, MN