Professional Builder 40 Under 40: Abe Degnan

Abe Degnan, 35
President
Degnan Design Builders, DeForest, Wis.

EDUCATION
BArch, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Graduate Builder, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2010 Builder of the Year, Madison Area Builders Association
- Co-owner of family building/remodeling business since age 25; transitioning business to become sole owner
- Member of the Year, Wisconsin Builders Association’s Remodelers Council
- Twelve-time A Cut Above the Rest award winner, Wisconsin Builders Association’s Remodelers Council

EXTRACURRICULAR
Immediate past president, Madison Area Builders Association
Instrumental in creating MABA’s Green Built Home Makeover (now in its fourth year)
Chairman, Wisconsin Builders Association’s Remodelers Council

OFF THE CLOCK
Competes in duathlons and sprint triathlons but isn’t a fan of running (“For me, running is an act of discipline”)
Hobbies include anything on snow or water, particularly wakeboarding and downhill skiing
A trade-magazine junkie. Favorites include Dwell for the modern inspiration, Fine Home Building for construction details and tips, and Professional Builder (of course!) for home-building business acumen

SECRET LIFE
Has never missed an episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” for which he once volunteered as a skilled framer