Builders Association Staff
An association chief executive officer since 1977, Al has served as the Builders Association President since 1997. He is responsible for the overall implementation of all Board-approved programs, services and policies via the efforts of more than 75 member-volunteers and association staff members. In addition to his work with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Al also serves as staff liaison to the Industry Liaison and Nominating committees. Al serves as a trustee for Carpenters Apprenticeship Program, as well as the Builders Association representative to the Chicago Building Congress.
Prior to the Builders Association, Al was CEO for the American Society of Home Inspectors, National Precast Concrete Association, and the National Building Material Distribution Association. Al holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, a B.A. in Business from the University of Minnesota, and earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
Mike joined the Builders Association in 2001. Mike supports Al Leitschuh with the implementation of Board-approved programs, services and policies. He is responsible for the association's technology, education and government programs and is the staff liaison to the Foundation. Mike also assists with workforce development and labor relations programs.
Mike has an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining the Builders Association, Mike worked as a consultant for Sapient Corporation and for Allstate Insurance Company's technology and marketing departments as a project manager and account manager.
Denise C. Herdrich, Director of Labor Relations & Membership
Denise joined the Builders Association staff in 1998. She is responsible for implementing labor and safety program goals. Denise supports association trade labor teams during labor contract negotiations and provides subsequent labor consultation services to members. Denise is staff liaison to the Labor and Safety Committees.
Denise has 6 years of experience working for Sears Mortgage and the Quill Corporation and four years of experience as Office Manager with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Kristin began working at the Builders Association in June of 2008. She is responsible for managing selected programs and services including education and saftey, and she assists in the development of content to promote services.
Kristin graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1994 with a BA in Art History. She was employed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for more than eight years before joining the Builders Association.
Andrew Cole, Communications Manager
Andy joined the Builders Association in September of 2006. His responsibilities include the Builder newsletter and the Builder Blast weekly email, among other duties related to public relations.
Andy worked as a sports writer for 13 years prior to joining the Builders Association, most recently at the Journal & Topics Newspapers in Des Plaines. Andy holds a BA in Communication and Theatre Arts from Heidelberg College.
Stacey began working at the Builders Association in November of 2006. Her duties at the BA include working with educational programs, meeting planning and various other responsibilities.
Stacey graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English Education. She was previously employed at both Arthur Andersen in Chicago and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Rosemont.
Tim is a graduate of Marquette University with a degree in Finance. He joined the Builders Association in May of 2008 and has worked with the Chicago Fire Department. His duties include keeping financial records for the Builders Association.
Ashleigh's duties at the Builders Association include assisting with development of the website, writing for both the newsletter and the Builder Blast and other functions. Ashleigh is a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a major in English. She has also worked as a Student Public Service Worker in Vehicle Services for the Illinois Secreatry of State, and plans to graduate from UIC in May of 2009.
Becca Katz, Communications Intern
Becca just completed her sophomore year at Loyola University, where she majors in English and Secondary Education and minors in Communication. She was the Chief Copy Editor this year for Loyola's student newspaper, the Phoenix, has been named Managing Editor for next year, and is a Columbia Scholastic Press Association award-winning page design specialist. At the Builders Association, she will assist with all communications materials, including the
newsletter and the
Builder Blast.