Membership Profile

Leroy Ostlund, CGR

Ostlund and Son Construction

Traverse City, Mich.

Q. When did you join the NAHB Remodelors Council and why?

A. Having been involved in remodeling most of my life, I joined the Remodelors Council in about 1990. My goal in joining was to educate myself and interact with other people involved in like businesses.

Q. What has been the greatest benefit of your membership thus far?

A. I believe the greatest benefit to me has been getting involved on the state and national levels. By doing so, I have served on many committees, and as we all know, the more you serve, the more you personally gain.

Q. What examples can you give of services, information or benefits the Remodelors Council provided that truly had an impact on your business?

A. First are the education opportunities. For example, having speakers like Bill Asdal and Jim Quinley, both past Remodelors Council national chairs, give seminars at our state conference meetings. The chance to listen to these fellows wouldn’t have happened had I not become involved in the Remodelors Council. Second, and perhaps one of the things many people don’t take advantage of, is our national book store. For instance, I was able to pick up three books at the convention in Dallas this year that gave me the answers to some questions I had related to the industry.

Q. Why is it important to be a member?

A. Knowledge. Where else can you keep up to date on the issues we all face? Lead abatement, for instance, or lead disclosure forms. Or information on the toilet code changes, or stair geometry. Information on all these items and many, many more is available with our membership.

Q. How long have you been in the remodeling industry?

A. I have been in the remodeling business for more than 30 years. I started working with the tools with other construction firms then I opened my own business.

Q. What advice would you give to other remodelers about the Remodelors Council?

A. If you have a thirst for knowledge on any topic in the remodeling business, then by all means get involved with your fellow remodelers and take advantage of the opportunities afforded to you with membership. Each player must accept the cards life deals to him or her. But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game. Being a member of the Remodelors Council gives you the cards to help you win the game.