Rebuilding Together announces winner of 3rd Annual Tradesperson of the Year™ contest

Mark Egner, contractor from Tacoma, Wash., named winner after nationwide search

CHICAGO – October 18, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rebuilding Together announced Mark Egner of Frank and Sons Construction in Tacoma, Wash. as the winner of the third annual Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year™ contest at the Remodeling Show & DeckExpo in Chicago yesterday. The Tradesperson of the Year campaign is presented by Lowe’s. Rebuilding Together also joined HGTV, DIY Network, MyFixitUpLife and Choice Hotels International to find skilled tradespersons throughout the United States that give back to their communities and add value to their industries.

The Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year winner was chosen based on volunteering in the community, being a role model in his industry and receiving online votes by the American public. Egner has been involved with Rebuilding Together’s South Sound affiliate for 10 years, acting as construction manager and averaging 100 to 150 pre-project home visits per year. He also serves as a “house captain” on rebuilding days and is a year-round volunteer. Enger traveled to New Orleans as part of Rebuilding Together’s 50 for 5 event in 2010, where volunteers from more than 60 Rebuilding Together affiliates around the country came to work on 50 hurricane-damaged homes on the fifth anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Egner also spent a week in New York City recently, aiding Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts.

“We are thrilled and grateful to have Mark and tradespeople like him in our network. He exemplifies the spirit of Rebuilding Together,” said Charley Shimanski, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “He has dedicated years of service so far, building relationships and helping to revitalize communities. We sincerely thank him for his passion and hard work, and we look forward to his continued service to low-income homeowners in need.”

As the grand prize winner, Egner will receive a Super Bowl XLVIII getaway for two in New York / New Jersey, a $1,000 Lowe’s gift card and a set of new Porter Cable 20Volt power tools.

The five runners-up are Darrel Gooler, Mark Elliott of Elliott Remodeling, Bill Hutson of Table Talk Ministries, Nicholas Riley of N Riley Construction and Kevin Wrynn of Kevin Wrynn Carpentry. The runners-up will receive Lowe’s gift cards and tools from Porter Cable. To learn more about the nationwide contest and view the winner and finalists, visit www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes community starts at home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates completed 10,400 rebuild projects in 2012 thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us – visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.