In true 2020 fashion, Housing First Minnesota’s 2020 president, Gary Kraemer, virtually passed the torch to the association’s 2021 president, Todd Polifka, during the annual state of the industry and board induction event on Dec. 17. Polifka, president of Custom One Homes, brings more than 20 years of experience working in the construction industry to his role as Housing First Minnesota’s president.
Polifka will lead the board of directors and oversee the activities of the 1,000-plus-member trade association during his year-long term. Polifka has served on the association’s board for nearly 10 years, both as a builder member and as a trade associate member (prior to owning Custom One Homes, Polifka was a principal in Brush Masters Painting and Drywall).
With his broad background as a builder, remodeler and industry supplier, Polifka is uniquely positioned to drive the association’s long-term effort to promote homeownership for everyone. An additional priority for Polifka is bringing the industry together again in familiar and new ways to help members grow their business following COVID-19.
“Our work building housing for Minnesotans has never been more important,” said Polifka. “Following a year in which our industry really had to change and adapt, I’m excited to help our members make new connections and partnerships so that we can continue to provide great housing options for all Minnesotans, including the return of all-important starter homes to our marketplace.”
Polifka has also served as the president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry – MN (NARI-MN) in 2008. On top of his role as the president of Custom One Homes, Polifka is very involved in his philanthropic efforts through Custom One Charities, which works to give back in the local community.
Helping Polifka lead the organization’s 17-member board of directors are several new faces added in 2021, along with returning members (see below for the full board list). The Housing First Minnesota president and board of directors provide broad strategic direction to the association. The volunteer members elected to the 2021 board of directors include:
Executive Board
President: Todd Polifka, Custom One Homes
Builder Vice President: James Julkowski, Julkowski, Inc., New Brighton
Associate Vice President: Ryan Rutzick, All, Inc., St. Paul
Past Associate Vice President: Ed Engelbrecht, Pella Windows & Doors, Plymouth
Secretary: Sunny Bowman, Dakota County Lumber Company, Farmington
Treasurer: John Quinlivan, Gordon James Construction, Inc., Maple Plain
Immediate Past President: Gary Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina
Board of Directors Committee Representatives
Advocacy: Tony Wiener, Cardinal Homebuilders, Inc., Oakdale
Ambassador: Dale Loeffler, Marvin, Warroad
Artisan Home Tour: John Kraemer, John Kraemer & Sons, Inc., Edina
Large Volume Builders: Jamie Tharp, Pulte Homes of Minnesota, LLC, Eden Prairie
Parade of Homes℠: Sarah Dulong, Ron Clark Construction, Bloomington
Past Presidents’ Advisory Council Representative: Shawn Nelson, New Spaces, Burnsville
Remodelers Committee: Samantha Grose, Oak & Arrow Homes, Edina
Small Volume Builders: Art Pratt, Pratt Homes, Vadnais Heights
At-Large Member: Tim Fohr, Lennar, Plymouth
At-Large Member: Phil Connor, Fireside Hearth & Home, Roseville