President's Message: Work Worth Doing, Impact That Endures

Two Years of Making Meaningful Progress Together

As I share my final message as President of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA), I want to express how truly rewarding it has been to serve this incredible organization over the past two years. I also encourage all leaders in the component manufacturing industry to get involved with SBCA, whether through your local chapter or at the national level. Your voice and expertise are needed now more than ever.

Following the recent Legislative Fly-In and Open Quarterly Meeting (OQM) in Washington, D.C., it was inspiring to see the Advocacy Committee actively engaging with members of Congress to champion our industry and discuss the legislation we support. A big thanks goes out to Rick Parrino and Cheryl Lewis, Chair and Co-Chair of this committee, and the members of the committee, who helped develop the materials and communicate the importance of this effort. None of this would have been possible without the exceptional organization, communication, and coordination led by Christine Wagner, our Director of Communications. 

One of the major outcomes of this meeting was a commitment to establish a Political Action Committee (PAC), and we’re excited to make this advocacy event an annual tradition held outside of SBCA’s traditional Open Quarterly Meetings. These efforts are crucial as we work to ensure our industry’s voice is heard at both the federal and local levels.

We also recognized the value of bringing lawmakers—both local and national—into our facilities for tours and direct conversations. These visits help them see firsthand the important work we do and the issues we face.

It’s important to remember the scale and impact of our industry: together, we represent over 895 SBCA member companies, 1,345 component manufacturing facilities, more than 39,000 employees, and $9.31 billion in annual sales. We are a vital part of both the construction sector and the broader U.S. economy.

Your voice matters. I encourage every member to get involved—whether through advocacy, hosting a plant tour, or supporting our future PAC. Getting involved at any level is important, especially at a local level. SBCA’s chapters are a great outlet to connect with others in your market while building relationships with local offices or others in the community (learn more on page 33). Whether in our own local markets or at the national level, together, we can make a lasting impact.

In addition to advocacy, our industry stands at a pivotal moment. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics are reshaping how we work. At the same time, alternative building systems are actively seeking to capture market share. These challenges also represent opportunities, and SBCA is uniquely positioned to lead the way.

Serving on the Executive Committee in 2020 and 2021 during the transition to a self-managed association was both demanding and fulfilling. The long hours and tough decisions were worth it. I’m incredibly proud of the strong organizational structure we’ve established and the exceptional team our Executive Director, Jess Lohse, has built. Together, we’ve laid the groundwork for sustainable growth and continued innovation.

This team is driving our strategy forward — planning our open quarterly meetings, organizing committee work, managing our budget, and producing industry-leading events like BCMC. We’ve also made exciting progress, launching the Digital QC tools, the SBCA Academy, the SBCA Knowledge Center, and the Innovation Grant. We debuted NFC’s Framing Today magazine and refreshed SBCA Magazine to better serve our members. 

Our local chapters remain the heart of SBCA. These meetings tackle regional challenges and offer essential educational opportunities, especially important for those unable to travel far from their operations. Local engagement is vital to our mission of being the knowledge center for our industry.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the Executive Committee leaders who served before and alongside me, including Mike Ruede Sr., Scott Ward, Greg Griggs, Gene Frogale, Roger Helgeson, Larry Dix, BJ Louws, Joe Hikel, Jeff Smith, Howard Gauger, Steve Stroder, and Barry Dixon, to name a few. I also want to recognize our association attorney, Kent Pagel. His deep knowledge of SBCA, guidance through our transition, and dedication to managing risk on behalf of our membership have been instrumental.

To that end, thank you to the SBCA Board of Directors for your tireless and continued commitment to this organization and industry. It has been an honor serving as your president, and I am grateful for and proud of everything we have accomplished together. Furthermore, it is important to recognize the SBCA Foundation and its trustees, as well – getting this organization reinvigorated was no small feat and it has proven to be successful and beneficial to those in this industry who need it the most. With $279,000 contributed so far, Joe Hikel and the Foundation have done outstanding work, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow the Foundation. 

A special acknowledgment goes to Jess Lohse and Molly Butz. Jess is not only a visionary leader for our association but also a true industry leader. His relentless work ethic, strategic hiring, and team development have elevated our brand and positioned us for long-term success. Having worked with leaders in various organizations, I can confidently say that Jess is the most complete leader I’ve had the privilege of working with. Molly is a fantastic asset to the association and its staff; she provides insight and direction through her management of internal operations to help ensure that we can do what needs to get done, and get it done well.

To all component manufacturers: thank you. You are the reason we exist. Continue to engage, stay involved, and never stop pushing for innovation.

And to our associate members: thank you for your continued support. Your contributions play a vital role in our collective success.

It’s especially meaningful to be concluding my presidency at this year’s BCMC & Framer Summit—hosted in my hometown of Omaha, NE. This year’s event promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a dynamic line-up of vendors, education sessions, and networking opportunities. I encourage everyone to come early or stay a bit longer to enjoy all that Omaha has to offer—from incredible local restaurants and live entertainment to world-class museums and the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, consistently ranked among the top two zoos in the country. Don’t miss the chance to explore our newly revitalized downtown park, just a short walk from the host hotel.

If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Register ahead or drive in - You won’t want to miss it! 

Finally, I’m thrilled to pass the gavel to our new President, Larry Dix II. Larry is a passionate, self-made leader who genuinely connects with people. He welcomes new members, embraces first-time attendees, and leads with heart. I have no doubt he’ll take SBCA to even greater heights.

Thank you for the honor of serving. I look forward to continuing this journey with you all in a new capacity.  

Jeff Taake, SBCA President