Congratulations to Mark Traut, the 2010 CMBA Associate of the Year!

For 27 years the CMBA builders have taken one month of the year to emphasize the strong role Associate members have in the CMBA. Along with Associate Member Appreciation month, the Board of Directors chose one extraordinary associate to honor as the Associate of the Year. The Associate of the Year is chosen for their countless participation efforts which add up to one generous and supportive member.

This year Mark Traut, Mark J. Traut Wells, Inc. was selected as the CMBA 2010 Associate of the Year. Mark knows CMBA from the bottom to the tap. He is a past board member and plays an active part on the Special Events and Sporting Clay committees. His company also has representation on the Green Building Committee.

Mark continuously comes forward with time and resources. Traut Wells is consistently generous in sponsoring many CMBA events. In addition, he supplies a storage location for CMBA’s decorating items (saving CMBA storage rental fees), supplies many helping hands for set up and take down at the HomeShow and Holiday Party, and contributes Traut Wells bottled water whenever asked. Mark J. Traut Wells supplies water for the CMBA office refrigerator which is no small act. CMBA members are a thirsty group; and those who attend the many committee and educational meetings tend to prefer bottled water. Every so often you will see Mark hauling in the water whenever we run out. In addition, Traut Wells installed a water cooler at the CMBA office so members and staff can enjoy fresh “green” water year round at no charge.

Mark is not the type of person who will blow his own horn and will most likely water down his generosity. He is a behind the scenes kind 'a guy. Together Mark J. Traut Wells, Inc. supports Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Habitat for Humanity; Birthline; military veterans and active military; they fund raise for Canine Programs in Stearns and Benton County, sell water for local charities at the Benton County Fair and supply water for numerous schools and civic groups when asked. They are members of Minnesota Water Well Association and The Chamber of Commerce, winning Small Business of the Year in 1998.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
In this case, it is the many extras.

CMBA Associates of the Year

1983 Chip Hansen, Weather Shield Windows
1984 Chip Hansen, Weather Shield Windows
1985 Erv Austing, Tony's Lifetime Exteriors
1986 Roger Bechtold, Overhead Door Co.
1987 Linus Koopmeiners, Gran-A-Stone Co. (Brock White Co.)
1988 Duane Ott, Ott's Top Shop
1989 Dayle Tenney, Mathew Hall Lumber
1990 Dennis Ehlert, Simonson Lumber
1991 David Meyers, Rinke Noonan
1992 Don Rothstein, Sears Contract Sales
1993 Dennis Ehlert, Gran-A-Stone Co. (Brock White Co.)
1994 Richard Hobbs, Simonson Lumber
1995 John Pederson, Amcon Block & Precast
1996 Roger Neils, Hoolihan & Neils (Neils, Franz & Chirhart, PA.)
1997 Mark Bragelman, Liberty Savings Bank
1998 Dave Olson, Windows Direct
1999 Doris Elverud, Charter Media
2000 Alan Johnson, Bauerly Bros.
2001 John Hall, Mathew Hall Lumber
2002 Dave Olson, Thermo-Tech Windows
2003 Mark Bragelman, Liberty Savings Bank 
2004 Doris Elverud, Leighton Broadcasting
2005 Scott Koopmeiners, Brock White Company LLC
2006 Doris Elverud, Leighton Broadcasting
2007 Holly Ruether, Mathew Hall Lumber
2008 Debbie Ostrowski, K. Johnson Const., Inc.
2009 Valerie Ohman, Interior Design & Remodeling LLC
2010 Mark Traut, Mark J. Traut Wells, Inc.