8BUILDERS' DIGEST| OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2010As we near the end of 2010, I wanted to take thisopportunity to thank you all for your support andencouragement during what I might describe as avery interesting year. While nationally this year has marked a tentativerecovery in the housing market at best, locally we'vebeen in a much better situation. Our unemploymentnumbers have averaged about two points lower thanthe national figure, and our permit activity stabilizedlate last year. Reports from our spring Parade ofHomesSMwere very encouraging, and while we expect-ed a dip after the national tax credits expired, we werepleased that it was relatively minor in our market.Those of us who remodel have also seen a strength-ening in demand this year. In fact, the Harvard JointCenter for Housing released a very positive report inJuly. In their quarterly Leading Indicator ofRemodeling Activity (LIRA), Kermit Baker, director ofthe Remodeling Futures Program, says "The recoveryin home improvement activity appears to be movingbeyond simple replacement projects and energy retro-fits to broader remodels and upgrades.""The LIRA points to growth accelerating to thedouble-digit range in the first quarter of 2011," notesEric Blesky, managing director of the Joint Center forHousing Studies. "Absent a reversal of recent econom-ic progress, there should be a healthy upturn in homeimprovement activity by year-end and into next year."What I'm hearing from many of our remodelersconfirms that area homeowners are beginning to feelmore confident about investing in their homes. Andthey're investing in bigger jobs than had been the caseover the past couple of years. I think we all know theresidential construction market won't again reach thevolume of the mid 2000s, but I am optimistic that theTwin Cities market will continue to be one of the bestplaces in the United States to practice our craft.Welcome our New Executive DirectorOne of the challenges at BATC this year was to finda new executive officer. I'm very pleased to say I thinkour search committee did a great job, and has broughtus an exceptional person to fill the "corner office."David Siegel has a very strong association backgroundas well as the personal skills and charisma that willserve our industry well. I urge you to read his intro-duction on page 10, and to make it a point to intro-duce yourselves to him. I know you will all makeDavid feel very welcome. It's been an honor serving you. I'm looking forwardto the coming year at BATC. With Rich Riemersma,Imperial Homes, Inc. at the helm and David Siegelproviding in-house leadership, I am confident ourassociation is in good hands. Working For You Atthe LegislatureEXECUTIVE DIRECTORDavid SiegelVICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE &ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLISHERColeen SeversonEDITORWendy DanksGRAPHIC DESIGNER/PROJECT MANAGERDawnita ParmelyPRODUCTION ARTISTCasey HafnerEXECUTIVEBOARDPresidentGary Aulik, Aulik & Associates, Inc.Builder Vice PresidentRichard Riemersma, Imperial Homes, Inc.Associate Vice PresidentKori Meewes, Midwest Home MagazinePast Associate Vice PresidentTim Liester, Lyman Lumber Co.SecretaryJon Coty, Arrow Building CenterTreasurerCurt Christensen, Lee Lyn Construction, LLCPast PresidentMike Swanson, Rottlund HomesPast President Council RepresentativeCraig Plekkenpol, Plekkenpol Builders, Inc.BOARDOFDIRECTORS50+ Housing CouncilAlisa Boroff, Access SolutionsAssociates CommitteeKori Meewes , Midwest Home MagazineBuilders Association of the Twin CitiesRemodelersSMBob Michels, Bob Michels ConstructionBuilders Outreach FoundationJohn Zirbes, Lyman Lumber Co.Developers CouncilDavid Pattberg, Woodside Communities of MinnesotaEducation CommitteeCarole Griffith, Homes by Tradition, LLCLarge Volume Builders CommitteeStephen Paul, D.R. Horton - MinnesotaMembership CommitteeJon Coty, Arrow Building CenterParade of HomesSMCommitteeCurt Christensen, Lee Lyn Construction, LLCProfessional Women in Building CouncilConstance Koopman, Relocation Team WorldwidePublic Policy CommitteePamela Belz, Senior Housing ParntersRemodelers ShowcaseSMCommitteeJack Williams, J.W. Williams Construction, Inc.Sales & Marketing CouncilKerry Mulcrone, Mulcrone & AssociatesSmall Volume Builders Committee Jeff Schoenwetter, JMS Custom Homes, LLCSpecial Events Committee Jon Coty, Arrow Building CenterPRESIDENTfrom the president's deskBYGARYAULIK//President, Builders Association of the TwinCities //Owner of Aulik & Associates, Inc.952-591-1500 //garya@aulikdesignbuild.com