Business development organization Nexstar unanimously created a lifetime membership in its association specifically for industry pioneer and Nexstar co-founder Frank J. Blau Jr. This unprecedented provision in the organization's by-laws is a result of the lifetime of service Blau committed to the industry as an advocate of teaching independent service providers how to run their businesses.

In the early 1990s, Blau and colleagues created a “traveling college of business knowledge,” which in 1992 developed into Contractors 2000, now Nexstar. Just over a year ago, Blau retired from his company, Blau Plumbing of Milwaukee, and so left his membership with the organization. At a recent board of directors meeting, the resolution was made to make Blau a lifetime member.

“Although we won't be collecting dues from Frank anymore, we will look forward to collecting many more ideas, stories and testimonials from him,” said Greg Niemi, president and COO of Nexstar.