NFC Welcomes Kraus and Capelini to Steering Committee

The National Framers Council’s (NFC) governing body, the Steering Committee, recently welcomed two new members for 2024, Geris Kraus and Gil Capelini. Both are veteran framing contractors, and we asked them a few questions to get to know them better and introduce them to the broader membership of framers. 

Geris Kraus, construction manager 
Mindak Commercial Construction, LLC 

What led you to becoming a framing contractor? 

Like many framers, I was trained on the job site. My father was a residential framer. We framed 50 or so homes per year from 2002-2007. When the housing market turned, we began traveling to stay busy. We learned quickly that framing apartments was a good way to ensure we had work and I really enjoyed the repetitive process. 

What is your favorite part of being involved in the framing industry? 

My favorite part of framing is seeing the day’s work at the end of each day and week. It’s obviously very hard work, but it’s easy to see the difference we make often. I also enjoy the honest hard-working nature of most of the people we encounter. It’s a tough industry to try to fake. Most of the people we meet came up through the trade and have deep respect for the work. It’s fun to work with those people, you can accomplish a lot quickly. 

What do you see is one of the biggest challenges facing the framing industry today? 

The industry needs to find a way to get the process simplified, and get the available staff trained. I think we could use each other as resources to find the best way to have successful projects more often. Successful projects make for successful companies, and successful companies provide good employment for the next generation of tradesmen. Our industry is a significant portion of the cost of housing, and at the same time, our country currently has an affordable housing shortage. If we can find a way to save time and money in our trade, we can be a big part of the solution. However, I believe we have to work together as an industry to achieve this.  

Do you have any goals you’d like to see the NFC achieve? 

I see the NFC as the best option for communication between framers across the country. NFC can be part of the communication line between framers to discuss what works and what doesn’t. I hope to be able to join another NFC committee and create some movement towards educating the next generation of framers. 

Gil Capelini, vice president 
Next Level Construction, Inc 

What led you to becoming a framing contractor? 

At the age of 19, I had the opportunity in 2001 to join a seasoned framing crew, where I learned to understand construction plans, layout, and the intricacies of framing complicated stick-framing roof rafters/hips, as well as roof truss installation. 

In 2005, alongside my partners Al and Marcelo, we founded Next Level Construction, focusing primarily on framing custom homes in the Main Line region of Philadelphia. Over the years, our expertise expanded, and in 2011, we transitioned into multifamily projects, gradually phasing out custom and single-family homes. 

Today, our focus is on multifamily construction and wall panel prefabrication. This strategic shift aligns with the multifamily industry, allowing us to deliver projects efficiently, safely, and at a substantial time savings compared to traditional stick-framing. 

What is your favorite part of being involved in the framing industry? 

Framing holds a special place in my heart, and there's an unparalleled thrill in witnessing the products of our labor at the end of each workday. The visual progress puts a smile on my face every time; it never gets old. In addition, watching all the pre-construction, site logistics, and planning that our team prepared beforehand coming to life and keeping our installers more efficient and safer is priceless to me. 

What do you see is one of the biggest challenges facing the framing industry today? 

I believe it's time we collectively strive for standardization in all framing practices. While NFC’s FrameSAFE has made commendable strides in ensuring safety standards, there's room for expansion into other crucial areas such as  scope of work, contract terms and conditions, the request for information (RFI) process, multifamily typical framing details, and best practices for both pre-construction and installation phases. Achieving consistency in language, practices, and procedures across all framers is a challenge that we have to overcome. 

One other notable gap lies in the educating framers. Current, trade schools often focus on the basics like how to build a basic shed, leaving a void in teaching multifamily framing practices. I would love if we could put some effort into creating educational materials that would teach the kids how to work with trusses, wall panels, crane logistics, material management, and more. By creating excitement in the next generation about the complexities and rewards of our industry, we can attract young talents to our industry. 

Do you have any goals you’d like to see the NFC achieve? 

I want to help NFC bring more members in, and also make our industry better and more uniform.