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BUILDING BLOCKS
A Legacy Built To Last.
| Author / SCOTT BLEICH, CEO | HRTLND Companies | | |
On August 31, Kim Pullen officially retired after 24 years of helping build what we know today as HRTLND Companies.
For those who know our history, you know Kim wasn’t simply an employee or leader at HRTLND. Back in 2002, Kim, Scott Turczynski and I took a chance together as the company’s three original founders and started this adventure.
It’s pretty incredible to think about everything that has happened since then.
We’ve grown into new markets. We’ve added businesses and services. We’ve gone through good years and challenging ones. We’ve become an employee-owned company. And we’ve had a lot of really great people come through our doors and help us build HRTLND into what it is today.
Kim has been there through all of it.
When we talk about our core value of Family, I think Kim’s retirement is a great reminder of what that word really means to us. Family isn’t just about working together. It’s about relationships. It’s about caring about the people around you. It’s about helping people grow and creating opportunities for others. And it’s about building something that can continue long after any one of us is gone.
Kim did that.
Over 24 years, he developed relationships with employees, customers, vendors and partners that have helped shape the reputation HRTLND has today. More importantly, he invested in people. There are leaders throughout our company today who had the opportunity to learn from Kim and who are now responsible for carrying HRTLND forward.
To me, that’s legacy.
I’ve personally had the privilege of spending the last 24 years building this company alongside Kim and T. The three of us have experienced plenty of successes, plenty of challenges and probably more than a few things none of us could have imagined when we started. Through all of it, we built something pretty special together.
As Kim moves into retirement, HRTLND continues into its next chapter. We have a great group of people leading our businesses today and another generation of leaders coming behind them. That’s exactly what you hope to see in a company that’s built to last.
Kim, thank you for your friendship, your leadership, your commitment to our people and everything you’ve done for HRTLND over the last 24 years.
I hope you’re proud of what we built together. I know I am.
Enjoy retirement, Kim. You’ve earned it.
With gratitude,
SCOTT BLEICH, CEO | HRTLND Companies
| | Notice When Someone Isn't Themselves. | Author / SCOTT TURCZYNSKI, COO | HRTLND Companies | | |
When you work alongside someone every day, you get to know their rhythm. You notice when the person who usually jokes with the crew goes quiet, or when someone who knows their work inside and out seems distracted. Sometimes a teammate will tell you they’re having a hard day. Often, they won’t.
As we recognize World Mental Health Day on October 10, I want us to think about what our core value of Family asks of us in those moments. It starts with paying attention and checking in.
A coworker may be dealing with stress, grief or something happening at home. They may be exhausted, feeling sick or struggling with pain. We don’t need to guess what’s wrong. We can ask, “You seem a little off today. Are you doing okay?” Then give them room to answer.
If someone isn’t well enough to work safely, help them step away from the task and connect with a supervisor or the support they need. If they want to talk, listen. If they don’t, let them know you’re there and check back later. The point is to take them seriously.
This month, check in with a teammate. And if you’re the one having a hard time, please say so. You’re part of this family, too.
Support Your Family,
SCOTT TURCZYNSKI, COO | HRTLND Companies
| | African-American Historical & Cultural Museum | Waterloo, IA | | |
Sometimes the best projects aren’t about building something new. They’re about preserving what’s already there.
This quarter, we’re highlighting a unique project completed by our DA Bunch team at the African-American Historical & Cultural Museum in Waterloo.
Amanda Schlabach, Austin Wickham, Doug Kladivo and Sam Yoders Jr. worked together on the restoration, including the roof and the existing structural steel surrounding one of the museum’s railroad cars. The steel was power washed and power-tool cleaned to properly prepare the surface, followed by an epoxy primer and two coats of polysiloxane for long-term corrosion protection and durability.
The before-and-after photos tell the story. What started as a weathered structure was transformed and protected to help preserve this piece of history for years to come.
It’s a great example of the craftsmanship and attention to detail our teams bring to projects of every size and type across HRTLND.
Great work, Amanda, Austin, Doug and Sam!
| | Shoutout By: THE HRTLND FAMILY | | |
Kim Pullen
PRESIDENT,
HRTLND Companies
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CORE VALUE:
FAMILY
We seek to understand each other by actively listening with empathy….and by treating each other with the respect and grace that we expect in return. We invest in others and seek to know them personally. We are always there for each other like family should be.
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When HRTLND talks about Family, Kim Pullen is one of the people who helped give that word its meaning.
Kim was one of HRTLND’s three founders. He helped build the company from its first day, but his legacy reaches beyond the businesses that grew from that beginning. It lives in the relationships he built and the people he helped grow along the way.
For 24 years, Kim made time for employees, customers, vendors and partners. He knew that doing good work mattered, and so did the way you treated the people doing it with you. He shared what he knew, gave others room to lead and helped create opportunities for the next generation at HRTLND.
That spirit is part of what Family means here. We look out for one another. We celebrate each other’s success. We build something together that will be here for the people who come next.
Kim retired on August 31, and we were glad to celebrate him in September. As he begins this next chapter, we want him to know how much of HRTLND he leaves in good hands—and how grateful we are for the care he put into getting us here.
Thank you, Kim, for helping build this family. Enjoy retirement!
| | Summer Days w/ The Family. | | As we wrap up the third quarter, we have a lot to celebrate at HRTLND Companies. From new beginnings and exciting growth to giving back to our communities and celebrating the people who make HRTLND what it is, Q3 was a quarter filled with milestones, memories and plenty of reasons to be proud. | | Celebrating Kim Pullen & His Next Chapter. | |
In September, we had the opportunity to celebrate someone who has played a tremendous role in making HRTLND what it is today, Kim Pullen.
After many years of leadership, dedication and countless contributions to HRTLND, Kim officially retired, and we gathered in early September to celebrate his career and give him the send-off he deserved.
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with Kim and help make the evening so special. While we’ll certainly miss having him around the office, we’re grateful for everything he has done for HRTLND and the lasting impact he has made on our company and our people. We wish Kim all the best in this exciting new chapter!
| Remembering Becki Clearwater. | |
With this quarter’s newsletter theme being family, it felt especially appropriate to take a moment to remember a valued member of the HRTLND family, Becki.
Becki was a longtime and valued member of our Heartland Doors & Frames team. She passed away from cancer in July, and while her loss has been deeply felt by those who knew her, we’re thankful for the time we were able to share with her.
Becki will be remembered for the friendships she built, the kindness she showed to others and the positive impact she made on everyone around her. She was an important part of our HRTLND family, and her presence touched many people throughout the company.
Her connection to HRTLND continues through her son, who remains a member of our Heartland Doors & Frames team.
We are grateful for the time we had with Becki and for the memories she left behind. She will always hold a special place in the HRTLND family and in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
| Celebrating Our New Eastern IA Location In Walford, IA. | | |
On June 23rd, we officially celebrated the opening of our new Walford location with a ribbon cutting and open house. This new space represents an exciting next chapter for HRTLND Companies as we continue to grow and bring our Eastern Iowa teams together under one roof.
We’re incredibly proud of this milestone and grateful to everyone who helped make the new location possible, as well as everyone who came out to celebrate with us. It was a great day spent with our employees, customers, partners, friends and members of the community.
| | Investing In The Next Generation. | | |
At HRTLND Companies, we believe in investing in the next generation. One of the ways we’re proud to do that is through our annual scholarship program, which supports the children of our employees as they pursue their education, chase their goals and build bright futures.
Congratulations to Madison Green, recipient of the 2026 HRTLND Companies Scholarship! Madison is the daughter of longtime HRTLND team member Bill Rice.
Madison, we’re proud of your hard work, determination and ambition, and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. We’re honored to be a small part of your journey and wish you all the best in this next chapter!
| | Welcoming New Members To The HRTLND Family. | | |
One of the things that makes HRTLND special is the people who make up our team, and this quarter we were excited to welcome several new members to the HRTLND family!
Burke Blanchard joined HRTLND in June as the new General Manager of our Eastern Iowa office. Burke brings new leadership to our Eastern Iowa team as we continue to grow and strengthen our presence in the area. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to the experience and leadership he’ll bring to the team.
In July, we welcomed David Westberg to Heartland Doors & Frames as our new Accounts Payable Manager. Then, in August, Luke Tarr joined Heartland Finishes as our new Accounts Payable Manager.
We’re excited to have all three of them as part of the HRTLND family and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in their new roles. Please join us in giving Burke, David and Luke a warm HRTLND welcome!
| | Supporting Our Community Through Golf. | |
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Summer was a busy one on the golf course! We had the privilege of supporting a number of great organizations and causes through golf outings throughout the season.
We were proud to participate in and support:
- Mid-Iowa FCA Golf Event
- NAWIC Golf Outing
- BOMA Iowa Golf Outing
- DBIA Iowa Golf Tournament
- MBI/PAC Construction Golf Classic & Smoker
- ASA Golf Outing
- BrAve Teams Golf Outing
- Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Classic
- Go Fore Gold Golf Tournament
- Honor Flight Golf Tournament
We’re grateful for the opportunity to spend time with our industry partners and support organizations doing meaningful work in our communities.
| Master Builder of Iowa Golf Outing | Honor Flight Golf Tournament | Coaches VS Cancer Golf Classic | | Celebrating Our NAWIC Partnership. | |
The 2026 NAWIC Greater Des Moines Industry Luncheon brings together professionals from across the construction industry to celebrate the women who are making an impact and to recognize the importance of supporting and growing women in our industry.
This year was especially meaningful for HRTLND, as we were honored to receive a 2026 Industry Partner Award in recognition of our support of NAWIC and its mission. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be involved with an organization that continues to create connections, provide opportunities and champion women in construction.
We’re also proud to have several HRTLND team members involved with the Greater Des Moines chapter. Jill Sailer, Krista Carter and Samantha Blettner are all active NAWIC members, representing HRTLND and helping support the organization’s work in our industry and community.
Congratulations to Jill, Krista and Samantha, and thank you to NAWIC Greater Des Moines for another great event and for recognizing HRTLND as an Industry Partner. We’re proud to be part of this organization and look forward to continuing to support its mission!
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As we close out another busy quarter, we’re reminded that HRTLND is more than just the work we do, it’s the people we do it with. From welcoming new members to the family and celebrating exciting milestones to supporting our communities and remembering those who have made an impact along the way, every quarter brings new reasons to be grateful for the HRTLND family.
Thank you to everyone who continues to make HRTLND a great place to work, grow and be part of something bigger. We’re looking forward to everything the final quarter of the year has in store and are excited to continue growing, celebrating and supporting one another along the way.
Here’s to a great Q4!
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