2007 Image of the Industry Award
Everyone involved in remodeling knows that this is a very special
industry. We know that from the personal experiences we've had with
clients and the experiences we've shared with other remodelers. This
year, Chrysalis has been inspired to begin sharing these kinds of
experiences with the industry and the public through a new and totally
subjective, award. The purpose of this award will be to record snapshots
of those things that make this industry so special, in the hopes that it
will inspire others and remind them of what is best in all of us. This
award will be called The Image of the Industry Award.
In this case, the story for this award was contained in one of the
Chrysalis entries, and we felt it deserved to be shared.
Here's what we read:
My husband, Dan Ropitzky (Amos Construction, Inc.), won the Chrysalis
Massachusetts Remodeler of the Year Award in 2001. In March of 2005 he
passed away at the age of 46 from a massive, and totally unexpected,
heart attack. I took over his business.
In the past, I had helped him with his business as only the wife of a
contractor does. I was a stay-at-home mom for our son, now seven, but
was involved with the estimates and client communication.
I decided to keep the business going for a few reasons. I wanted our
crew of 11 to be able to keep their jobs, I wanted to make good on the
contracts Danny had started, and I needed to work to be closer to him,
not dwell in my grief, but put myself into something positive -
something he would be proud of. I wanted to support the community
(largely comprised of the building trades) that had been good to him. I
wanted to keep people working.
I had exceptional clients. They could have changed contractors, but they
didn't. At the time of Danny's death I took on the completion of a whole
house remodel of a 200 year old home that was still up on cribbings, a
screened porch and a historical fence. In addition to that, our own home
renovation had not been completed. At the age of seven, my son, Claude
traveled along to job sites with me and even "shop vac'd" the job site
on occasion.
I finished all of the above projects on time and on budget. The owner of
the historic home liked our work so much that they contracted for an 86
foot lap pool and deck. Many in the community were inspired by my
efforts and have now stared businesses of their own. I also have put
together a grieving group for other young widows and children who have
lost a parent.
My dream is to win this award for Danny, our son Claude, and myself. My
son not only lost a father, but last year lost me to the crazy world of
contracting. I want him to see this award and know what I accomplished
that year.
This year, we present the first Image of the Industry Award to Margaret
Layton of Amos Construction Inc., Nantucket, Massachusetts.
National Award
