None of us had to ask Dwight Hikel how he has multiplied his truss business even though housing starts are lower today than when he started his business. Or how he survived three periods when housing starts dropped precipitously, including the most recent drought, when many predicted the demise...

Because I’ve been receiving great feedback from readers (thanks for that), in my July article I also welcomed suggestions of topics. One reader stepped forward with an idea which, as I thought more about it, became the start of this month’s piece on how far we’ve come as an...

This month I wanted to stop down again and talk about some of the great individuals who have worked in this industry. It wasn’t my idea….well, not completely. After a few of the articles I penned about some of the guys that haven’t received due recognition, I started getting a...

This is the continuing recollection of the good people I have crossed paths with over the years, but may remain unknown to most folks in the industry. Keep in mind, I may have a bit of a romanticized perspective…..could be due to adult beverages at the time of our last meeting. Don...

“Do it as if your job depended on it” was a directive that I will never forget, even 45 years later.  Fateful words from an owner, to me, a new employee of Hydro-Air Engineering, long before it became MiTek.  Other lasting words have come to me from SBCA Hall of Fame (HOF)...

As I was pondering the latest loss of a great Truss Guy to “retirement” a thought began to rattle around in my head about all of the wonderful people I had a chance to work for, work with or simply enjoy a cocktail with over the years. Many of them retired or were retired, some we...

In January, I had the privilege of once again attending SBCA Chapter meetings. Having participated in meetings for many years as WTCA/SBCA staff, it was funny to think I was now calling in as an SBCA member. In the past, I spent 13 years working to support members, and now I was a member too!...