AWCI’s new president is dedicated to fostering connections within the wall and ceiling industry through initiatives such as encouraging the inclusion of women in construction, supporting specialty ceiling contractors, strengthening ties with chapters and expanding the Emerging Leaders Program.
Jeff Dreisewerd enters the seat as AWCI president with a sound agenda and an air of excitement about the year ahead. With a deep commitment to supporting AWCI’s foundational programs and a few fresh ideas of his own, Dreisewerd brings a people-first approach shaped by decades in the field and a passion for serving others.
As the senior operations consultant at T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc., in St. Louis, Missouri, Dreisewerd centers his goals on helping the association continue to grow in ways that are relevant, practical and inclusive, while preserving the backbone programs and initiatives that have made AWCI such a valuable resource for its members.
His journey into construction began at 16, working with a neighbor building homes. At 18, he signed on with the union, earned his journeyperson carpenter papers, and was running jobs as a foreperson. “I did a lot of big jobs in St. Louis for 16 years,” he says. Dreisewerd eventually moved into senior superintendent and project manager roles and later became operations manager at T.J. Wies.
“I was fortunate to learn the trade the old-school way—from the ground up,” he says. “And I’ve carried those lessons with me ever since.”
That hands-on foundation continues to influence how he leads. “My path through this industry wasn’t linear, it was earned over time,” he says. “That’s shaped the way I lead and how I hope to serve AWCI members this year.”
One of Dreisewerd’s top priorities is encouraging more women to pursue, and thrive in, careers in the wall and ceiling industry. It’s a topic that’s personal to him, and one he believes AWCI is uniquely positioned to champion.
“I want to see more women succeed in this industry, and I think we can do some things to support their efforts here,” he says. One initiative he envisions is a dedicated session or event focused on women in construction at the AWCI convention. “The AWCI has such a great staff. They’re very good at running with ideas from our volunteer leaders and making them happen. This is one I’d really like to see brought to life.”
Raising two daughters with his wife, Kim, shaped Dreisewerd’s appreciation for women’s perspectives. One of his daughters, Dana, has a career in the construction industry, giving him a personal connection to the topic.
Dreisewerd believes increasing the number of women in both field and leadership roles can only benefit the association and industry by offering new voices with fresh perspectives. “We must be intentional about creating space for different perspectives. That’s how we grow.”
Dreisewerd sees AWCI’s continued focus on education, training, and leadership development as essential in supporting women’s advancement. “It’s something dear to my heart,” he says.
During his year at the AWCI helm, Dreisewerd hopes to expand AWCI’s reach among specialty contractors, especially those in the ceilings space. There is an increasing demand for custom-designed ceiling systems, driven by architects and owners seeking to create more innovative layouts. Acoustical and translucent ceilings, clouds, canopies and specialty metal ceiling systems are just a few examples.
He believes AWCI can become a go-to resource for contractors in this niche by expanding programming, showcasing new technologies in education sessions, and offering targeted technical support. “We want to increase membership, but we must bring value to these contractors,” he says. “I think we could have a lot to offer them, and that’s a big opportunity.”
Dreisewerd also hopes to see AWCI broaden its reach to small and midsize contractors who may not yet be connected with the association. “There are a lot of good companies in my region that aren’t members of AWCI, but I wish they would join and see the benefits we offer,” he says. “The people you meet and the experiences you gain can be invaluable.”
He suggests a “bigger push” from local chapters to highlight the value of AWCI membership and encourage participation across all regions and business sizes. AWCI offers programs aimed at enhancing contractor skillsets in areas like digital technology training, building codes and standards, and the long-standing Doing It Right educational series, he adds. While T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc., has put several of its employees through various AWCI courses, including the project manager program, Dreisewerd says he doesn’t know how many member companies are taking advantage of the association’s offerings.
Dreisewerd is proud of several AWCI programs, but one that stands out is the Emerging Leaders Program, which helps prepare the next generation of industry professionals to step into leadership roles. The program is only a few years old, but all signs point to success. Some graduates of the program are now on AWCI committees, offering fresh ideas and new perspectives. “They want to be involved, and they want to contribute their knowledge, and we need them.”
In turn, he says young leaders can learn a great deal from experienced members with extensive leadership backgrounds. Dreisewerd knows the power of cross-generational leadership. When he started participating in AWCI committees, he was often surrounded by presidents, vice presidents, and other high-ranking leadership roles. “I learned from them, and I think they learned a thing or two from me, coming from a trade and working my way up.”
With travel to AWCI chapters on tap over the coming year, Dreisewerd expects to gain a broader understanding on the challenges facing members in different regions.
“Our mission at AWCI has always been to connect people in the wall and ceiling industry—to innovate, grow, and succeed—and I think it’s great to travel and represent what resources we have through the association.”
One thing Dreisewerd hopes to get insight on is something that is on everyone’s mind—the skilled labor pool. He’s especially interested in the contrast between union and open shop markets and how those dynamics shape local operations. He plans to visit a variety of regions, some dominated by open shop trades and others influenced by organized labor, listening to perspectives from both sides. “I truly believe the more you get to know each other, the more you learn.”
Continuing to support the Peer Safety Review program is also a focus for Dreisewerd in the coming year. The program is designed to enhance safety practices within member companies, and encompasses job site inspections, interviews with management and employees, and evaluations of safety records and programs. The process and results lead to shared best practices and recommendations for improvement.
“This program is about helping each other,” he says. “Peer Reviews give us tools to keep improving. They are beneficial to our collective success.”
Dreisewerd also hopes to raise the profile of AWCI CARES (Caring Action Relief in Emergency Situations), a program initiated by the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry in 2005. Whether it’s illness, injury or another crisis that falls outside of insurance coverage, CARES provides meaningful financial support, but too few people know about it.
“We need to make sure people know what CARES can do for them,” Dreisewerd says. “That means outreach—not just to company owners, but to their people.”
Looking back, Dreisewerd credits his father, brothers and many mentors throughout his career for shaping his path. He’s quick to say he doesn’t have all the answers, but he’s always willing to help. “I don’t know everything but if I can help, I want to help. That, too, is what this association is all about.”
As he looks ahead to the coming year, Dreisewerd isn’t thinking about recognition—he’s thinking about impact. “I care deeply about this industry and the people in it,” he says. “If I can help move things forward, even just a little, that’s what leadership means to me.” CD
Don Procter is a freelance writer from Ontario, Canada.
