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Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes as the new WBA Area V.P.

ED SCHMIDT RECEIVES 2009 "RISING STAR" AWARD FROM WBA

MADISON, WI:

February 17, 2009

-- The Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) announced today that on Feb. 7, at its annual convention, held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Ed Schmidt of Schmidt Brothers Custom Homes, Appleton, was awarded the 2009 WBA Rising Star award.

The WBA Rising Star Award recognizes an outstanding individual within the membership who has actively worked toward the improvement of the housing industry by exceeding expectations during the past year. The Rising Star represents a member who is consistently raising the bar, and is rising to  prominence within the WBA. The recipients regularly demonstrate a keen understanding of the association goals and have greatly influenced positive promotion of the building industry in Wisconsin.

Ed regularly participates "above and beyond" and has made a difference with his active, enthusiastic involvement in the Wisconsin Builders Association. He is a member of five local associations affiliated with WBA and has been a state Director from Valley Home Builders Association (VHBA) in Appleton since 2005.

Ed serves on both the Green Built homes steering committee and the WBA Green Built Task Force. He leads by example as both an Energy Star and Green Built Home™ builder and was among the inaugural class of VHBA's Green Member Identification Program.

Schmidt Brothers Custom Homes has been based in Appleton, WI since 1989. The business specializes in putting customers in the home of their dreams. Schmidt Brothers has been named the Best Residential Builder by The Post-Crescent in its Best of the Valley Readers' Choice Award from 2004-2006. Details about Schmidt Bros. Custom homes can be found at www.schmidtbros.com.

Custom Design Workshop's Owner Receives Distinctions

Elli Wollangk awarded Certified Picture Framer® designation and appointed as President to Wisconsin's Professional Picture Framers Association Board of Directors

(Oshkosh, WI) – Owner, Elli Wollangk of Custom Design Workshop, has earned the Certified Picture Framer (CPF®) designation from the Professional Picture Framers Association™ (PPFA®) and has recently been elected by Wisconsin's membership as President for Wisconsin's PPFA Chapter.

The CPF achievement permits Wollangk to use the professional designation, CPF, based on the completion of rigorous qualifications and testing administered by the PPFA. The PPFA initiated the CPF program in 1986 to raise the standards of the framing profession, improve education within the industry, and recognize those framers who demonstrate acceptable knowledge and skills of established professional criteria.

"We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of framing excellence for our customers at Custom Design Workshop," states Wollangk.  "My commitment to the PPFA Wisconsin Board of Directors, and this certification, ensure that our customers receive the most up-to-date knowledge on conserving their memorabilia and precious pieces.  While we offer a variety of framing options at affordable prices, the continued education and commitment to being able to preserve museum-quality artwork is an important offering that we want to provide our customers."

Wollangk will serve an initial one-year term as President, leading a board of seven whose duties include: increasing membership, furthering professional development, providing framing education to consumers and connecting with the industry nationally.

About Custom Design Workshop

Custom Design Workshop features custom framing and original artwork in its Oshkosh, Wisconsin, gallery, along with one-of-a-kind inlaid carpets and handmade furniture.  Since 2005, Custom Design Workshop, located at 2663 Oregon St., has been owned and operated by Elli and Tom Wollangk.  Artists in their own right, Elli and Tom Wollangk provide framing options and methods for all media and artwork, from simple photographs to museum-quality pieces.

About PPFA

An international non-profit trade association for almost four decades, the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) connects nearly 3,500 frame shops, art galleries and suppliers to a network of knowledge, professional certification and support.  PPFA advocates for its members, and offers programs that elevate professional standards, enhance profitability and expand sales.