the-builder-foundation

Builder Bulletin Summer 2026

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:50:05 GMT

A Note from our Executive Director:

It has been a milestone six months for The Builder Foundation! We welcomed four new Facilitators, saw many impactful projects completed by students, launched a brand-new website, completed a successful Train the Trainer session and set a bold new course with an updated Mission, Vision and Values.

None of this would be possible without supporters like you. Thank you for being part of this growth — here's a look at what our students, teachers, and partners accomplished this spring and summer.

With Gratitude,

Melissa Glenn

Executive Director,

The Builder Foundation

Are you looking to donate a full or partial piece of a property? The Builder Foundation has partnered with the Realty Gift Fund to help make that possible. RGF will handle any type of property transition, commercial or residential, and donate a portion or all of the proceeds to The Builder Foundation. Interested in learning more? Please connect with Melissa Glenn at mglenn@builderfoundation.org and check out the link: http://realtygiftfund.org/

Ways to Give:

New Website, Mission, Vision and Values

Get to know us again!

New Website & Brand Identity:

New Mission, Vision, and Values

Our new website is live, featuring an Online Toolkit, partner school links, project updates, news, video content, and volunteer & sponsorship information. Thank you to our friends at Performance Digital for their expertise in building the site! builderfoundation.org

This summer, two UNO marketing classes are designing new logos and a full social media strategy for The Builder Foundation. We will announce a winning design this fall!

Valuable time was spent on strategic planning with Andrea Fredrickson of Revela. We updated our Mission and crafted our Vision and Values. We are thankful for the expert guidance and for the future of our organization!

Mission: Inspire the next generation in the construction industry through education and experience.

Vision: Every student in Nebraska and Western Iowa has the opportunity to experience the trades.

Values: Mentorship. Dignity. Quality Experiences.

BUILDERS OF THE FUTURE

Student-Built Homes Hit the Market - and Sold

Fremont High School

Fremont's first student-built home sold within a week of listing, at full asking price. Their second home was moved to its foundation in February; students finished the garage, exterior concrete, deck, and landscaping before it sold in May — above asking price. Demand was so strong that Fremont is now running two Construction II sections, doubling last year's enrollment.

Wausa Public Schools

Built in partnership with the Wausa Community Foundation, this home saw its construction class grow from 3 students in the fall to 9 by spring, driven entirely by student interest. The roof went on before the school year ended, and the team hopes to finish and sell the home this fall.

Ashland-Greenwood High School

Fourteen students built this home from the ground up, which is now pending sale. When the house moved down Main Street toward its foundation, students from two elementary schools lined up to watch — sparking plenty of questions, and maybe a few future careers in the trades. Ashland plans to build another home next year.

60+ Students. Real Homes. Real Futures.

From Fremont to Wausa to Ashland-Greenwood, students across Nebraska and Western Iowa are turning classroom lessons into finished homes - and real careers in the trades.

Growing Our Reach Across Nebraska

EXPANSION

We officially expanded into Central Nebraska this spring with new partnerships in Aurora and Central City — including a new SkillsUSA collaboration in Aurora launching this fall. Several other school districts have expressed interest, and we are excited to bring them on board as we continue to grow across Nebraska.

Modular builders Champion Homes (York) and BonnaVilla Homes (Aurora) are quickly becoming key partners as we bring meaningful, hands-on projects to smaller districts throughout Central Nebraska. We thank them for their partnership and support!

Train the Trainer 2026:

July 6-17

EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT

The teachers involved in The Builder Foundation are exceptional instructors and dedicated to their crafts, and to the students they inspire every day. The skill and dedication they exhibit in their classrooms is life-changing for their students. The next time you see one of our teachers, please thank them. Our classrooms, and our states, are better because of them.

They toured the completed house build done by Dustin Foutch and his students at Ashland-Greenwood High School, and were able to get the all-access tour of our valuable supporter, Builders Supply. The team also completed a garage wall remodel and complete deck build. Not to be outdone, the team in northeast Nebraska completed a roofing project, a concrete pour and several home-build tours.

The two teams came together in central Nebraska, where they were greeted with an all-access tour and lunch at Champion Homes , followed by an all-access tour at BonnaVilla Homes . The Omaha Metro team was also hosted by Signature Builders , who gave a tour of a $2 million home build and owners Joe and Mike gave their insights and experiences as current business owners and former high school construction students. Both teams celebrated their final day by finishing up projects and enjoying well-deserved team lunches!

Fifteen teachers across two cohorts — Omaha Metro and Northeast Nebraska — spent two weeks this July getting hands-on experience and building a stronger network of support.

The team completed several steps to prepare the foundation for Fremont's third house build. They learned from the expert instruction of Chris from LiteForm and assembled the foundation using Liteform ICF block, poured the concrete, set the drain tile and installed the house wrap. While in Fremont, the group also toured Structural Components , and was treated to a nice lunch and company swag! It was an instructional week for all.

The team then split into two groups, one group in the Omaha Metro area and one group in the northeast Nebraska area. The Omaha Metro group constructed and installed a Community Fridge structure for Saving Grace Perishable Foods , and will be used at Saint Timothy Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, IA.

Team & Board Updates

PEOPLE & PARTNERS

New Facilitators

Connor Smith (Central Nebraska), Coleman Mullenix & Bill Perdue (Omaha Metro), and Martin Griffith (Northeast Nebraska) joined the team this spring.

New Education Consultants

Jason Novotny and Dustin Foutch bring years of classroom experience as we prepare for Mark Bowder 's retirement at year's end, after eight years of service.

New Board Members

Kraig Williams began his two-year term as Board President; Mike Riedmann remains on the Board to support the transition.

Denny Van Moorleghem , President of Regency Homes , joined the Board this July. Ron Ulrich , Commercial Division Lead - Exterior Solutions, Hallmark Building Supplies , will join the Board this August.

Board Leadership

Building the Pathway to a Trades Career

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Our relaunched Industry Advisory Council met March 27th at Kiewit University, sharing updates on our house builds, expansion, and industry partnerships. We're also proud to be represented on the Nebraska Strategic Housing Council 's Pillar 4 (Workforce Development), and have partnered with Career Pathway to connect students directly to trades careers after their Builder Foundation experience. Link: careerpathway.com/the-builder-foundation

Where You Could Find Us This Spring

OUT & ABOUT

Our Executive Director spoke to CTE teachers statewide at the State Nebraska SkillsUSA Championships, presented on a workforce development panel at the NIFA Innovation Expo, and toured Champion Homes' production facility alongside builders from across the country. We also connected with families, educators supports at Elkhorn South's Career Fair, Dehner Day and a meeting with the I80 Cosmopolitan Club. We look forward to seeing you out and about!

Moving day for Papillion Lavista South!

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:43:33 GMT

Job complete!

It was moving day for Papillion La Vista South High School! Teacher Roger Campbell led the charge for this year's shed build, and today it was moved to its new owner. Well done, team!

Fort Calhoun's Boy Scout Shed Build

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:25:01 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Finishing touches at Fremont

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:58:46 GMT

Finishing touches on House Build #2

Jason Novotny’s “Builders of the Future” construction class at Fremont High School is busy with the final touches of this year’s house build. Thanks to Ryan Lindstrom and Evan Longacre of L&L Seamless Gutters for providing their expertise and materials for the gutter system on this year’s house. Another construction trade explored and skill gained by the students in the building of this house.

Cedar Bluffs Capstone Project

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:20:53 GMT

Capstone project moves to its permanent home!

With assistance from The Builder Foundation, Garrett Zink’s “Builders of the Future” Cedar Bluffs construction class relocates its capstone project to its permanent site. Great project!

Ashland - House Build 2025/2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:58:50 GMT

Dustin Foutch’s Ashland high school “Builders of the Future” construction class received their floor trusses on Thursday and, as of Friday, had already commenced installing the floor sheeting. This on-campus build will be relocated to a permanent foundation in the spring.

The cold weather does not impede the progress of Ashland High School's “Builders of the Future”construction class, who have successfully completed their exterior and interior walls .

Dustin Foutch's Ashland "Builders of the Future" construction class takes advantage of the favorable weather to set the trusses and prepare for the roof sheathing next. Great job.

The Ashland “Builders of the Future”construction class, successfully relocated their house from campus to its permanent site last week. This week, they have already begun framing their attached garage, erected the walls, and are currently working on the trusses. Great job.

Cedar Bluffs - Capstone Project 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:46:07 GMT

Garrett Zink's Cedar Bluffs High School "Builders of the Future" construction class are just commencing the framing of their capstone project, which is a 10 x 12 storage shed.

Fremont High School - House Build 2026

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:11:17 GMT

The Fremont High School "Builders of the Future" construction class are stripping forms from the basement walls at the property where they will relocate this year's house build.

Jason Novotny's Fremont High School "Builders of the Future" construction class is utilizing the favorable weather conditions today to install window wells and backfill the foundation of their house build. This is the designated location for relocating their on-campus house build. The students are acquiring another essential skill in the construction trade.

Introducing Our New Executive Director

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:20:17 GMT

The Builder Foundation is proud to announce Melissa Glenn as its new Executive Director. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in leadership, finance, and community development, Melissa brings a powerful blend of strategic expertise, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to educational equity and social impact.

"I am honored to join The Builder Foundation and lead this next chapter of growth and impact. I believe deeply in the foundation's mission and am excited to build on its legacy of service, innovation, and community empowerment."

Melissa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Marketing minor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an Executive MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Melissa's appointment marks a significant milestone for The Builder Foundation as it continues its work to strengthen communities, foster leadership, and build brighter futures.

Thank You to Our Generous 2025 Donors

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:21:52 GMT

Thank you for being part of The Builder Foundation family. Because of your generosity, students across Nebraska are gaining real-world skills, discovering their passions, and building meaningful futures in the trades.

Your support makes hands-on-learning possible, from classrooms and workshops to full home-build projects that transform confidence and create opportunity. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to this mission and for the difference you make in the lives of every student we serve.

ABC Supply Co.
Anderson Windows
BHHS Ambassador Real Estate
Builders Supply Co.
Christensen Lumber
Cobalt Credit Union
Core Bank
Design Associates
DuPont Tyvek
Dvorak Law Group
Evolving Solutions
First State Bank
Gardner Foundation
Grace Custom Homes, Inc.
Hawks Foundation
Investor's Reality
James Hardie
Lamp Rynearson
Lueder Construction

Mead Lumber
Melvin Sudbeck Homes, Inc.
Metro Omaha Builders Association
Millard Lumber
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
NP Dodge
Omaha Area Board of Realtors
Pella Windows and Doors Omaha
Peter Kiewit Foundation
Ready Mix
S.E. Smith Lumber Yard
Sudbeck Custom Homes
Synergy
Watkins Concrete
White Castle Roofing

From Classroom to Construction: Levi's Story

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:21:51 GMT

Before joining Fremont High School 's Career & Technical Education program, Levi had never framed a wall. Today, he's helped build an entire home, one that a local family now calls their own.

"Starting this class I never even framed a wall and now there is a whole house that a family is gonna live in and they will grow and have a good time."

Hands-on learning changed everything for him. What began as curiosity became confidence, skill, and direction. Through the support of The Builder Foundation and programs like these, Levi discovered a passion for the trades and a clear path forward. He's now working with Fremont Electric and even launched his own small handyman business.

This is what your support makes possible: real opportunities, real futures, and real impact for students like Levi.