Russell Field Leader Receives Prestigious Master Builder Designation

Life-long learning. As a Russell team member, learning and growing is vastly important to what we do and who we are as a company.

We are so proud to announce that long-time Field Leader, Travis Benz, has earned the designation Master Builder through the Master Builders of Iowa (MBI). According to MBI, The Master Builder Designation recognizes individuals in the industry who believe in the importance of life-long learning and have demonstrated their desire for personal growth through their participation in the wide array of education and training activities offered by MBI. This program recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated a work history in the commercial construction industry and have been an active participant in the education and training offerings of MBI.

How did Travis accomplish such a feat? He completed 150 Master Builder Designation credits while reaching the required minimum each category listed in the diagram below.

Graphic owned by Master Builders of Iowa.

Travis has been an invaluable member of the team for the past 17 years, working on notable projects such as the Kahl Home, Coe College Athletic & Recreation Complex, the 90,000 s.f. headquarters for IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, and currently the $38 MM Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa.

Congratulations on this major career accomplishment, Travis!

Also in the spirit of learning and recognition, we’d like to congratulate Sr. Project Manager, Rory Wiebel, and Superintendent, Doug Smith, on recent accomplishments through MBI.

Rory is a 2021 graduate of the MB EYE on the Future Program. He was nominated by Russell for this program and had to be selected by MBI to participate. The program helps participants to continue their path of success and become more involved as current and future leaders of the construction industry in Iowa.

Doug completed MBI’s Foundation of a Field Leader Development Program. The program is designed to provide attendees with a host of tools and information to help them excel as leaders in the areas of leadership, risk management, communication, and personal effectiveness.