Master Builders of Iowa

As our industry continues to grow we look to our high school and college programs for future leaders. With the generous support of our members, we are proud to be able to provide financial assistance to those individuals that exemplify and represents MBI’s standards of excellence, achievement, honor, civic responsibility, and potential in our industry.

Click Here to Contribute to the Scholarship Fund

Scholarship and Academic Advisory Committee
Tony Hovenga, Katelman Steel Fabrication, Chair
Sherm Welker, Welker Construction Co., Inc, Past Chair
 Joel Armitage, Sande Construction and Supply Co.
Dan Baxter, The Weitz Company
Josh Braby, Neumann Brothers Inc.
Kevin Clemens, Neumann Brothers, Inc.
Matt Davis, Neumann Brothers Inc. 
Tug DenOtter, Allied Construction Services
Lindsay Ellingson, United Brick & Tile
Darrin Gillett, Cardinal Construction Inc.
Kay Haroldson, Ace Steel Erection Corp. 
Steve Hauschilt, Graham Construction Co.
Doug Kumm, Baker Group 
Chad Layland, Baker Electric Inc.
Russ Lewton, The Weitz Company
Bryan Myers, The Weitz Company
James Nelson, Nelson Engineering Construction Inc.
Shaun O’Tool, Northwest Steel Erection Co., Inc.
Doug Ohlfest, W.A. Klinger, L.L.C. 
David Peters, Peters Construction Corp.
Dave Peterson, Ball Construction Services
Brian Pittman, Koester Construction., Inc.
Casey Port, Hubbell Construction Services
Tom Schlotfeldt, Architectural Wall Systems Co.
Gary Schmit, Henkel Construction Co.
Travis Schwartz, Larson Construction Co., Inc.,
Bob Sodders, Ball Construction Services
Chris Wheeler, Point Builders, L.L.C.

College
Students at Iowa State and UNI have been receiving financial assistance from MBI and their members since 1950. These students have demonstrated an exemplary record and a passion for the future of the industry. Students are carefully selected by the schools and then interviewed by the MBI Scholarship & Academic Advisory Committee. Each year the committee is increasingly impressed with the applicants and their drive to become integral members of the construction industry. We are all looking forward to watching them on their path to success. To date, over $320,000 has been awarded to these deserving students!

High School
The ACE Mentor Program of Iowa was started with the main focus to attract high school students to the fields of Architecture, Construction, & Engineering through a mentor-based, project-oriented learning environment. Each team of students is lead by a group of local professional mentors from each of the ACE disciplines. The team meets once a week for 16 weeks as the students work closely with mentors to learn about what an architect, contractor, and engineer do, how they work together, and how to become one of these professionals. At the end of each program, students present group projects to parents, teachers, friends and local industry leaders in a ceremony which celebrates the students’ accomplishments and rewards outstanding students with college scholarships.

2011/12 Scholarships
$32,500 Awarded
Garrett Arganbright - UNI - Master Builders of Iowa
Francisco Avila - Lincoln HS - ACE Mentor Program of Iowa
Logan Brinkman - ISU - Ken Lewis Scholarship
Cory Dungey - UNI - Robert Lindgren Scholarship
Jeremy Eekhoff - ISU - Whitfield & Eddy PLC
Thomas Gorman - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
Benjamin Hayes - UNI - Harold Messingham Scholarship
Kayla Heetland - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
William Hoefer - UNI - Master Builders of Iowa
Kathryn Kern - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
Daniel Kruger - UNI - Peters Construction Corporation
Duncan Larsen - Urbandale HS - ACE Mentor Program of Iowa Board
Nicole Peterson - Valley HS - Luke Altmix Simmons & MBI
Rachel Rottinghaus - ISU - MBI & Henkel Construction
Josiah Ruhland - Ankeny HS - Neumann Brothers & The Waldinger Corp.
Justin Wenger - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa

2010/11 Scholarships
$32,000 Awarded
Rebecca Baldus - Valley HS - Des Moines Construction Breakfast Club
Taylor Bombei - UNI - Master Builders of Iowa
Logan Brinkman - ISU - Ken Lewis Scholarship
Mathew Burch - UNI - Master Builders of Iowa
Chase Dennis - SE Polk HS - ACE Mentor Program of Iowa
Cory Dungey - UNI - Robert Lindgren Memorial
Thomas Gorman - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
Mathew Hoch - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
Kathryn Kern - ISU - Master Builders of Iowa
Ryan Koopman - UNI - Master Builders of Iowa
Todd Pudenz - UNI - Harold Messingham Memorial
Rachel Rottinghaus - ISU - Henkel Construction Co.
Kari Sicheneder - Lincoln HS - Luke Altmix Simmons and MBI
Gavin Wicks - UNI - Peters Construction Corporation
Cort Widlowski - Urbandale HS - Neumann Brothers and ACE Mentor Program of Iowa