ww.For Immediate Release

Contact: Jean M. Krak

Business Development Manager

J. Francis Company, LLC

412.322.6407 office

412.322.6425 fax

412.779.1631 cell

Email to: jean@jfcollc.com

www.jfcollc.com

J. Francis Company, LLC Receives Three NARI 2008 Contractor of the Year Awards!

Pittsburgh, Pa, ---The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named J. Francis Company, LLC 2008 Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) in three categories including “Residential Exterior Specialty”, “Commercial Interior” and “Commercial Specialty” for its annual awards competition. J. Francis Company, LLC competed in the Northeast region including 10 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island & Vermont. Located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, J. Francis Company, LLC has been in business for 20 years and performs commercial, residential, and institutional renovations.

The “Residential Exterior Specialty” award was earned for the construction of a grand porch on two sides of a Queen Anne home perched at the highest point overlooking the city of Pittsburgh. Abandoned by a general contractor two years prior, Maynes & Associates, Architects brought in J. Francis Company to build the porch. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Design features include stained mahogany tongue and groove flooring, stained bead board ceiling & stained custom Cyprus handrail with a curved railing.

The “Commercial Interior” award was received for the remodeling of a second floor commercial building for office space. The architectural design was completed by Maynes & Associates, Architects and utilized an adaptive reuse style while creating an open floor plan. Installing a custom built aluminum staircase is one of the key features of the remodeled space including glass panels on the railings and cable rails. Panel style doors were custom built by recycling the framing lumber existing in the building.

The “Commercial Specialty” award was accepted for the construction of an office mezzanine into an existing two story building located in a commercial business district. The creation of a mezzanine involved setting steel beams and the removal of the existing roof for a 3^rd floor. Full panel windows on either end of the space, two large skylights and rooftop deck enhance the bright, open office space. The mezzanine addition was built on top of a two story building and did not interrupt the retail business located on the first floor!

Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis. An impartial panel of judges who are experts within the industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant’s “before and after” photography and project description. Judging was based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty, and entry presentation.

J. Francis Company, LLC is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, an organization with 7,000 members representing the remodeling industry. To be eligible for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. NARI members represent an elite group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to strict code of ethics.

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