Member of the Quarter: Elliot Steinbrink

Category: Member-Features
02/18/2022

A builder with a passion for advocacy + workforce development

Elliot Steinbrink, Studio West Homes, considers himself a behind-the-scenes kind of guy but his extensive service to HBA of F-M members, staff and the industry suggest otherwise.

Public Issues Committee Chair throughout 2021, Elliot joined two subcommittees immediately after passing the gavel, and moderated the Electrical Inspectors Roundtable just two months ago. On the workforce development front, he holds a seat on the Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation board, is a Herdina Trades Camp volunteer and staffed the Foundation’s student activities exhibit during the Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo.

"Member of the Quarter” recognition is a means for HBA of F-M staff to shine a spotlight on members who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, eagerly volunteering their time for the betterment of the Association or Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation while promoting themselves within the community.

Above: Elliot volunteers at the Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo in December with other members to talk about our industry as a career with ninth graders.

 

After seven years as a residential construction manager at Holly and Company, Elliot became business partners with Kirsten Waverek and founded Studio West Homes in 2017. The decision to become an HBA member was made even before Studio West became an official business.

Above: Elliot with his family, wife Lori, and children Emma, Adrina, Noah and Lola.

 

Business ownership requires a lot of work but Elliot still devotes time his family. Steinbrink family vacations have introduced Elliot, his wife, Lori and their four children to Medora, Seattle, Mount Rushmore and Disneyworld. Parenting four young children, Emma (13), Adrina (9), Noah (6) and Lola (3) explains why Elliot lists “children’s sports” as his only personal hobby and the activity he enjoys most when not at work.

As a home builder, Elliot recognizes how the interconnectedness of advocacy and workforce development impacts homebuilding and that homebuilding impacts our overall economic wellbeing. That ripple effect, Elliot says, proves the need for advocacy and education efforts and why he works so hard to promote them as an HBA member.

When asked how members can get most of their membership, Elliot says that membership does more than promote their own business interests, it’s a resource for them to protect and promote, and remain educated about the industry that sustains their business. Without the industry, there would be no business, he says.

Understanding those relationships helps motivate businesses to become join the Association, and that, according to Elliot, inspires him to volunteer and contribute as a member.

Above: Elliot and Seth Carlson, Dakota Timber Company, participate in a video to promote careers in our industry to young people.

 

More about Studio West Homes: Studio West Homes is a premier boutique custom home builder that specializes in designing unique and detailed homes. From their comprehensive design and selections planning to end-to-end construction management, their passion lies in building a home that is not only a depiction of both quality craftsmanship, but also fits the needs of its homeowners.  www.studiowesthomes.com

More about Public Issues Committee: Are you passionate about keeping affordable housing attainable? Do you “get your geek on” when it comes to codes, legislation and regulations? Then the Public Issues Committee is for you! Join us in discussions that guide the HBA’s public policy and governmental affairs efforts, and help plan the events that put our members face-to-face with our leaders on local, state and national levels.

More about Home Builders Care Foundation: Home Builders Care is the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association. It provides a positive outlet for the housing industry to give back to the community, building a framework for the future. Home Builders Care Foundation has supported students with $338,226 in scholarships and has given over $525,000 to community projects.

written by Mark Puppe, Public Affairs & Communications Strategist