Member of the Quarter: Jamie Stenseth

Category: Member-Features
05/25/2022

Dedicated volunteer spearheads 'She Shed' project benefiting Home Builders Care

Behind-the-scenes, talented, motivated, generous and organized are five words that describe Jamie Stenseth, retail cabinet manager at Rusco Window & Cabinetry. 

Jamie received the staff’s most recent Member of the Quarter honor for his years of enthusiastic involvement, punctuated by his dedication to the “She Shed” giveaway, a successful Home Builders Care fundraising project.

"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.

Jamie works with volunteers to begin construction on the She Shed!

The She Shed Giveaway began as an idea with the Home & Garden Show Committee to add a fun, new feature to the 60^th anniversary event in 2022. They just needed a way to build it! Cue Jamie’s involvement since he serves on both the Remodelers Council and the Home & Garden Show Committee.

Eventually, Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation was brought in as the benefiting charity from the raffle. HBA and Home Builders Care leaders sold raffle tickets leading up to the Home & Garden Show and Spring Parade of Homes. The winner was selected randomly May 6 to officially kick off the Spring Parade.

Jamie describes organizing the build as a daunting task. More than 30 volunteers and supporters assisted with the project, led by Jamie and the core group of volunteers.

“There were four of us (Steve Schall, John Gunkelman, Dustin Murray and myself) that did the framing, sheathing and window install of the actual structure. I call it ‘thankless’ as you really don’t have any ‘oooh, ahhh’ moments and the other volunteers are all waiting for you,” he says with a laugh. “Once you start the siding and interior work, you see the big changes and it really starts to take shape.”

Jamie (right) assists with a past Home Builders Care Foundation fundraiser by selling root beer floats.

Jamie has also helped with handicap-accessible ramps in the past and is particularly proud of the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch youth home remodel that the Remodelers Council and Home Builders Care completed a few years ago. He has been involved with the Home & Garden Show Committee for nine years, the Remodelers Council for eight years and the Events Committee as well. His most current HBA project is building trophies for the upcoming Golf Outings in June and July.

“I enjoy meeting people!” he says. “The networking opportunities on the committees allows me to meet a very large variety of individuals. It’s been a beneficial tool in my sales as well as the camaraderie with other folks in the industry and different training opportunities really help me keep up with the industry.”

Jamie’s father was a contractor, so he has been in the industry since day one, even working for his dad as an employee! He then attended college and worked in the computer industry for 19 years while also doing construction work of his own. Jamie officially re-entered the building industry in 2013. At Rusco Window & Cabinetry, he is the retail cabinet manager, holds the Minnesota contractor license for the company and performs project management of remodeling existing homes.

He says, “Very few people in the F-M area realize that Rusco isn’t just windows. We have been doing cabinetry for 40-50 years.”

In his spare time, Jamie finds himself working on his lake home or house. He also enjoys hunting, water sports and anything outdoors. “Once the addition on the new lake home is complete, I am hoping to do some fishing, downhill and cross country skiing, too!” he says.

More about Rusco: Rusco Window & Cabinetry offers a wide range of windows, doors, siding and cabinets for home and business. Many of their products are energy star efficient when installed in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. www.ruscowindowcompany.com

More about HBA involvement:

Remodelers Council: By joining for a $70 council fee, you are privy to all sorts of valuable information from the National Association of Home Builders. Plus, you can access a network of like-minded remodeling members who enjoy sharing each other’s company, planning the HBA’s Remodeled Home Tour and giving back by taking on community service projects.

Home & Garden Show Committee: Ready to change the face of trade shows with a vision to evolve? This committee, made up of member exhibitors, plans and brainstorms new ideas for the HBA’s biggest annual event. Tasked with always evolving the show to maintain relevancy in today’s market, this committee is perfect for anyone looking to challenge the norm to create exciting and new features at the metro’s premiere home and garden trade show.

Events Committee: A self-proclaimed professional chatter who thrives in social settings or planning engaging events - if any of this describes you, this committee is your perfect fit. Events Committee is tasked with brainstorming to help create unique and memorable HBA events. You will find our golf outings, member meetings and picnics on their agenda!

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 Krista Mund, Executive Vice President