Master Builders of Iowa

Please join us for the first annual Bill Warner Sr. Memorial Charity Golf Classic sponsored by the Merchants Bonding Company Foundation.

Bill Warner Sr. worked for Merchants from 1970-2000. He died of cancer in June of 2000.

He became President of Merchants in 1985 and Chairman of the Board in 1993.

Bill loved Merchants Bonding, but his real passions were sports and golf.

We are pleased to announce that the Master Builders of Iowa is the recipient of the 2009 Large Chapter of the Year Award presented by the AGC of America at the AON Build America Awards Banquet, held Friday March, 19, 2010 in conjunction with the AGCA National Convention in Orlando, Florida. This is the most prestigious award that the National AGCA bestows upon the Chapter that best exhibits the tenets of the AGGA, skill, responsibility and integrity. Applications are judged by a National Committee of judges comprised of AGCA Executive Committee members, National Officers and Chapter peers.

David Bear, President of David Bear, Inc. passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at his home.  David served in the construction industry for most of his life before retiring at the age of 80.

David was an active member of the Master Builders of Iowa serving on the Association’s Scholarship and Academic Advisory Committee from 2007 through 2009, the Industry Relations Committee from 1991 through 1999, and the Government Affairs Committee from 1991 through 2000.

Charles (Bill) Seedorff, Founder of Seedorff Masonry, Inc., passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at the age of 77.  Bill was a true leader throughout our community and the construction industry.  He will be remembered for his many contributions and for the strong foundation he laid while forming Seedorff Masonry and their team.  Bill will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and many business associates who grew to know and love him over the past 50 + years. 

Within the masonry industry, Bill served as Chairman of the Iowa Chapter of the Mason Contractors Association of America and the first Chairman of the Master Builders of Iowa’s Associate Council.  He was also instrumental in creating the Masonry Institute of Iowa.

POINT BUILDERS is pleased to announce Christopher S. Wheeler has been promoted to President effective January 1, 2010.  Past President and Founder, Fred Timko has become the Chairman of the company.

Mr. Wheeler previously served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and joined POINT BUILDERS in 2001 as General Manager/Director of Business Development at the Davenport, Iowa location.  He will now be responsible for all day-to-day company operations.

Jim Sodders, Superintendent for Story Construction recently retired.  Jim started his construction career in 1961 with James Thompson & Sons (the predecessor of Story Construction Co.).

During his 48 years with Story he has worked on just about every type of construction project from residential poured foundations to the 105,000 sq. ft. Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa.  Being a big University of Iowa Hawkeye fan, Jim stated that one of his favorite projects was the Kinnick Stadium Press Box and Concourse Renovation project completed in 2006.

Bill Woodruff, DBIA LEED AP, CEO of Woodruff Construction, LLC based in Fort Dodge with office locations in Ames and Iowa City, Iowa was recently elected as President of Design-Build Institute of America's Mid-America Region. DBIA is an association of leaders in the design and construction industry utilizing integrated project delivery methods to achieve high performance projects.  Woodruff has been instrumental in developing the Design-Build Institute of America's Iowa Chapter and recently completed his term as chapter president.

On September 9, 2009, Hubbell Homes began construction on nine connected townhomes at the corner of 21st Street and Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. This nine-plex serves as rental homes for low-income, working families.  The homes were constructed for and are managed by Anawim Housing, a local non-profit organization that provides safe, affordable housing to low-income families.&

Have you noticed a new name at MBI?  Our Communications Coordinator, Allison Meyer, previously Allison Singleton, was married to Justin Meyer on August 28th at the Downtown Church in the East Village.  Allison and Justin vacationed in Italy for their honeymoon.  The newlyweds recently purchased their first home in Des Moines and look forward to spending the rest of their lives together.   

Congratulations Allison & Justin!