Maybe it's that few people place more emphasis on integrity. Or perhaps it's because he's more interested in others than he's ever been in himself; good luck getting him to talk about personal accomplishments. Whatever the reason, not many people win respect faster than he does.

Despite his many successes, he's always placed a high value on integrity. His approach has become a trademark for the Bercher Design and Construction staff too, who have worked 5, 10, and even 15 years at the firm.

And at a time when people change careers as frequently as they do clothes, Tom knew he wanted to be a builder when he was all of eight years old. "My Dad was a postman," he says. "One day he was working on our house with some friends. I studied everything they did. Each day after that, I remember rushing home from school to pound nails. I knew right then, that's what I wanted to do."

Today, as President of a family business he founded more than 30 years ago, his main goal is to "treat people well, exceed their expectations, and keep raising the threshold of quality, letting actions speak for themselves." Together with his wife, Elaine, he's intentionally kept the business small to control quality and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

"Building a custom built home or build-to-suit office is no different than starting a new relationship," he says. "It's all built on trust. Working closely with select clients lets us provide a level of service no one else offers. With each client and friend we've gained, they've referred their friends to us. That's rewarding… hearing from a new client that they selected us based on our reputation."

Recent Professional Accomplishments

• Board of Directors, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• Vice Chairman, National Commercial Builders Council of NAHB
• Minnesota Building Industry Hall of Fame: 1994 (one of few inductees)
• Secretary, Minnesota Building Industry Foundation
• International Residential Code Advisory Committee, Member
• Co-founder of the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association
• Past President, Mid-Minnesota Builders Association
• Past President, Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
• Past President, Builders Association of Minnesota
• Construction Arbitrator
• Cass County Highway 371 Corridor Plan Advisory Committee, Member
• Graduate Builders Institute - Continuing Education
• Northeast District Board of Church Location & Building Committee, Member
• Legislative Committee, Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
• National Association of Home Builders, Member
• Builders Association of Minnesota, Member
• Mid-Minnesota Builders Association, Member
• Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation, Member
• Nisswa Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Dale Carnegie Program Graduate
• Effective Learning Systems Graduate
• Active in other numerous business organizations

Community Involvement/Other Interests & Pursuits

• Father of two, grandfather of four
• Former Youth Sports Coach: soccer, hockey, and baseball
• Community Building Projects Participant, Mid-Minnesota Builders Association
• Hunting, traveling, sailing, building furniture, flying (licensed pilot)
• Former Trustee Committee, Church
• Other Volunteer Work