Lake County Contractor’s Licensing Board Meeting - November 21, 2025

The Lake County Contractor’s Licensing Board convened on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Members present included Dave Sodercruz, Justin Grippy, Scott Cooper, Saddle Screen, and Steve Nyker. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. Communications included a list of proposed 2026 meeting dates for the license board and testing dates, with a note that the June meeting may be rescheduled from the 26th to the 19th due to Juneteenth; no action was taken.

License Applications Considered

• Amps & Boltz Electric Incorporated – Christopher Krause, petitioner for an electrical contractor license. The company is based in Falperezo, exclusively residential service and repair, not new construction. Insurance certificate recorded and dates verified. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• DR Horton Midwest – Petitioner Wade Muna (name as stated in transcript), for a general contractor license. The company is a nationwide builder primarily residential, with an office in Portage, Indiana. Board noted need for foreign corporation registration with the state; representative indicated they have a local office. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• DW Brunius Construction LLC – David Brunius (petitioner), for a general contractor license. Company based in St. John, operating since 2011, three employees. Scope correct. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Frank J. Schaefer Incorporated dba Schaefer General Contracting Services – Chad Van Meter, petitioner for a general contractor license. Company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, 33 employees, operating since 1954, commercial industrial only. Insurance and bond recorded; registered as foreign corporation in Indiana. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• LCR Basements LLC – Daniel Mickro, petitioner for a general contractor license. Company brand new this year, two owners, exclusively residential remodeling, licensed and insured. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Siegel Construction Incorporated – Petitioner name unclear from transcript (stated as “Pop Love the bed again”), for a general contractor license. Company based in Highland Park, Illinois, started 2008, commercial work (dental offices), registered as foreign corporation. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Midwest Refrigeration – Ryan Matthew Gifford, petitioner for an HVAC contractor license. Company moved to Griffith, Indiana, in 2012–2013, approximately 100 employees. Insurance certificate recorded, dates good. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Mitchell Construction Custom Decks Incorporated – Scott Mitchell, petitioner for a specialty carpentry contractor license. Company started in 1978, incorporated in January of this year, 12 employees, based in Frankfort, Illinois. Insurance and scope correct; registered as foreign corporation. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Odyssey Home Remodeling LLC – John Pitlock, petitioner for a specialty contractor license (grouping). Based in Naperville, Illinois, 18 employees, residential, operating eight years in the area. Bond recorded, but foreign corporation registration not provided. Motion to approve contingent upon receipt of foreign corporation registration from the state of Indiana. Passed unanimously.
• Standby Design LLC – Charles Stanford, petitioner for a plumbing contractor license. Company based in Miraville, one employee, started this year, residential and light commercial. Insurance and bond recorded. State plumbing contractor license was missing from application; petitioner was asked to provide it. Motion to approve contingent upon receipt of state plumbing contractor license. Passed unanimously.
• Cowboys Excavating LLC – Petitioner Josh God (name as stated in transcript), for a specialty demolition contractor license. Company has 2 employees, 18 years in business, scope correct. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Timber Masters LLC – Mark Dusk, petitioner for a tree trimming contractor license. Company based in Cherville, 8 employees, 33 years in business. Bond ending November 28, needed update; petitioner also needed to initial the application to indicate awareness of building requirements (board noted “strike the no” and initial). Motion to approve contingent upon updated bond and initialed application. Passed unanimously.
• Greg Brunsma – Owner acting as general contractor for project at 8722 Sheffield Avenue, Dyer, Indiana 46311. Brunsma is building his own home, with experience in roofing and trim; subcontractors will be licensed. The property is a long lot with history of attempted subdivision. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

All motions to approve licenses (13 in total) were passed unanimously, with three approvals made contingent on providing additional documentation (foreign corporation registration, state plumbing license, updated bond and application clarification). The board also reviewed preliminary 2026 meeting dates and requested members provide feedback before the next meeting. No other old or new business was discussed.