Master Builders of Iowa announced winners of several awards presented at its recent winter conference. The awards include:

Build Iowa Award, which was given to Max Bowman, founder of Star Equipment Ltd. in Des Moines. The award began in 1989 as a way to honor MBI members and to bring public attention to excellence in the construction industry. The award is presented to a general contractor or an associate member employee who best exemplifies the organization’s tenets: skill, integrity and responsibility. Bowman began his company in 1968 on the basis of providing high-quality, labor saving tools at a fair price. Since the start of his company, Bowman’s focus has been “serving the customer and creating strong bonds,” according to a release.

Leadership in Workforce Recruitment Award, which was given to Baker Group of Ankeny. In 2020, Baker Group participated in several partnerships and programs including with Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines. The program offers students an introduction to the trades and demonstrates a path to becoming a productive member of society without a college education, according to a release.

Masters Awards, which recognizes the exceptional efforts of a construction team in executing the process of completing a project. Categories and award winners include $1 to $10 million category – Neumann Brothers Inc., for its work on the Edna Griffin Building in Des Moines; $10 to $25 million category – Story Construction Co. for its work on Iowa State University’s Gerdin Business Building in Ames; over $25 million category – JE Dunn Construction, for its work on ISU’s Student Innovation Center in Ames.

Also at the winter conference, Tyler Edgington, senior commercial superintendent with Hubbell Construction Services, received the group’s Master Builder Designation. Edgington, who joined Hubbell in 2014, joins 40 other people within Master Builders of Iowa who have been awarded the designation.