Table of Contents

• COMMITTEE REPORTS
  • MEMBERSHIP REPORT
  • SOCIAL REPORT
  • SPEAKER COORDINATOR REPORT
  • TREASURER REPORT
• LEADS
• BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
• NOTABLE MENTIONS
• QUESTION OF THE DAY
• MAIN SPEAKER

Committee Reports

Membership Report
(Click here to go to the Membership page)

Lisa Schnaidt has regretfully resigned from MABE this morning.  She is retiring her practice and joining the faculty of a local dentistry school.  We wish her the best in her new endeavor.

We will accept applications for realtors until April 15th.  Part 1 of the membership application will be posted as usual.  We are also asking for a separate resume to help us choose the best candidate for our group.  You can give these resumes to Brian Verbraken.

Recently submitted membership applications:

[membersonly/archives/applications/submitted_applications.htm]

 

Social Report
(Click here to go to the Social Event page)

Everyone survived the March river rafting trip.  Steve Chilton did a little swimming while he was there.  The general consensus was that the bus ride back from the river was probably the scariest part of the trip.  If you are signed up to go in April, make sure to call Donny to get booked.

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

• 04/08/05     TBA
• 04/15/05     Reg Batt
• 04/22/05     Patricia Cox
• 04/29/05     John Gruber

Treasurer Report

We are still solvent.

Leads Report

46-41, 46-34, 16-31, 16-15, 37-13, 37-19, 17-11, 32-45, 32-17, 12-15, 12-46, 18-46, 26-02, 24-14, 24-23, 05-21, 49-42, 10-42, 45-14, 15-41, 21-13, 11-31, 34-38, 38-06, 03-48, 03-47, 04-14, 04-45, 04-17.

This week's leads focus...

• Ahrensdorf, Amy

• Bache, James

• Batt, Reg & Jean

Business Spotlight

Phil Passante was today's Business Spotlight.  He has been in this business for over 15 years.  Next to your seat belt, your windshield is the most important safety feature in your vehicle.  Without the seat belt, it is the only thing between you and the pavement.  It is also responsible for 30% of your vehicle's structural integrity.  In Arizona, the law states that you have the right to choose who to use to replace your windshield.  On the flip side, the law does not regulate who can do it or how it should be done.  Most insurance agencies use a glass network.  This does not guarantee you get the best service.  If you need any type of glass work done on your vehicle, first call Phil.  He will take care of getting your claim processed and you don't have to worry about any surprises.  He will work within the limits of your coverage.  He strives for excellence.  He will put you and your family back on the road safely.

Notable Mentions

Thank you to everyone that participated in the roast two weeks ago. 

Dave Spiess briefly outlined the purpose of the mentoring committee.  This group was formed to help new members through the membership process and make sure their expectations are being met.  They also responsible for letting new members know what is expected of them.  If you have been with the group for less than a year and have concerns or questions, please feel free to contact someone on this committee.

[membersonly/archives/committees/mentoring_committee.htm]

 

Question of the Day

None.

Brian Verbraken

Brian is 32-years-old and has been married to Stephanie for 9 years.  They have two boys - 4 years and 7 months.   He was born and raised in Waterloo, IA.  In 10th grade, he moved to Arizona with his dad and finish high school at Mesa High.  He has played hockey his whole life.  Everything revolved around this sport.  He moved back to Iowa to play hockey for UNI.  It was here that he got his degree in construction management. 

Brian's dad told him to stay away from the paint business.  Brian didn't listen.  Verbraken and Son's is the only job he has ever had.  But its worked out well.  His whole family has been involved in this industry.  His great grandfather and grandfather owned a painting business in Iowa.  His uncle took it over from them.  Brian's dad moved to Arizona 25 years ago and started the family business out here.  Two years ago his uncle closed down the Iowa operation and joined with the gang in Arizona.  It was too many Verbrakens under one roof. 

Brian has been involved with the business full-time going on 11 years.  Three years into it his dad gave him control while he moved to Show Low to open a retail paint store.  1-1/2 years ago his dad sold that store.  They are now strictly contractors.

Their focus had always been large commercial.  They had done residential but never went after this business.  But since joining MABE, there residential business has doubled.  He tries to keep his commercial and residential crews separate.  They do things differently.  Brian is the puppet master of anywhere from 15-30 employees.  He handles all MABE referrals and negotiates contracts.  He also has the help of 2 full-time estimators.

Verbraken & Sons does both interior and exterior painting.  They will paint anything you don't walk on.  He can do garage floors but he doesn't go after this market.  He refuses to use cheap products which makes it impossible to compete with those that focus on this segment of the business.

Brian is heavily involved with the PDCA both at the local and national level.  This group sets the standards for the painting industry.  They tell architects how they should write specs.  Their next step is to make it a requirement of the Registrar of Contractors that all licensed contractors meet PDCA standards.

Brian uses the best quality products on his paint jobs .  He also takes care of his employees which keeps his turnover low.  But because of these two things, he is not the cheapest company in town.   His name and reputation are important to him.  He will not do a poor quality job.  You may pay a little more for his services, but as many MABE members will attest to, it is well worth it.  His paint jobs last longer and look great years later. 

[membersonly/archives/former_members/verbraken.htm]