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      <text><![CDATA[<h1>A Family Legacy | The Drees Story</h1>             <iframe width=&quot;538&quot; height=&quot;292&quot; src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/slideshow/&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot;/>]]></text>
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      <text><![CDATA[<h2>Humble Beginnings</h2>             <p>The historic tale of Drees Homes begins in 1928 with the personal struggles of a German immigrant who traveled across the Atlantic with visions of a better life in America. Theodore Drees was a slight man with huge aspirations. Each morning, he would pull on his tall rubber boots, grab his black metal lunch pail and tackle the day with a strong work ethic and relentless, single-minded dedication to the American Dream.</p>             <p>Theodore Drees soon began constructing his first home in 1928 and today, a little house in Wilder, Kentucky stands in tribute to craftsmanship that endures. Theodore's son, Ralph, joined the business in 1959 after serving his country in the Army. It was Ralph's philosophy of diversification and industry leadership that took the company into new markets.</p>             <p>From those humble beginnings, Drees Homes now celebrates 80 years in business and is the nation's 27th largest homebuilder. Under the leadership of David Drees, a third generation descendant of the company's founder, Drees Homes continues to flourish.  &quot;Theodore lived by the old adage that 'any job worth doing, is worth doing well',&quot; said David Drees, President and CEO. &quot;That commitment to excellence continues to be our driving force today. Our vision of creating better homes and better communities is dependent on a focused approach that begins and ends with quality, personalization and customer service.&quot;</p>             <h2>America's Best</h2>             <p>Drees is proud to have been recently named, &quot;2008 America's Best Builder&quot; by Builder Magazine - an honor based on operational stability, excellence in design and construction, customer satisfaction and community service. This award translates into a positive outlook for Drees as we move into the next 80 years and beyond.</p>             <p>Drees is headquartered in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and has operations in Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Nashville, Ral]]></text>
      <text><![CDATA[eigh, Frederick, M.D., Washington D.C., Jacksonville, Austin and Dallas.</p> ]]></text>
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    <Awards>
      <award title="2008 America&apos;s Best Builder" awd_affiliation="Builder Magazine" date="04-08-2008"><![CDATA[<table width=&quot;434&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot;><tr><td rowspan=&quot;4&quot;><img src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb1.jpg&quot; width=&quot;265&quot; height=&quot;482&quot; border=0 hspace=0 vspace=0></td><td><img src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb2_.gif&quot; width=&quot;169&quot; height=&quot;38&quot; border=0 hspace=0 vspace=0></td></tr><tr><td><a href=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/drees_abb_article.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; onmouseover=&quot;abb3.src='http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb3_.gif';&quot; onmouseout=&quot;abb3.src='http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb3.gif';&quot;><img name=&quot;abb3&quot; src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb3.gif&quot; width=&quot;169&quot; height=&quot;28&quot; border=0 hspace=0 vspace=0></a></td></tr><tr><td><img src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb4.gif&quot; width=&quot;169&quot; height=&quot;370&quot; border=0 hspace=0 vspace=0></td></tr><tr><td><a href=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/drees_abb_article.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; onmouseover=&quot;abb5.src='http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb5_.gif';&quot; onmouseout=&quot;abb5.src='http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb5.gif';&quot;><img name=&quot;abb5&quot; src=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/quickads/abb5.gif&quot; width=&quot;169&quot; height=&quot;46&quot; border=0 hspace=0 vspace=0></a></td></tr></table>]]></award>
      <award title="Hearthstone/BUILDER Humanitarian Award" date="01-12-2006"><![CDATA[<br><b>Drees named 2006 Hearthstone / BUILDER Humanitarian</b><p>Ralph Drees, chairman of Drees Homes, has been awarded the 2006 Hearthstone / BUILDER Humanitarian Award, the nation's largest and most prestigious philanthropic honor in the homebuilding industry. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to public service.<p>Drees actively supports the communities where we build. We'll be building four homes in the Habitat for Humanity Builder Blitz in 2006!<p>To learn more about the Hearthstone Award, <a href=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/Hearthstone_ad.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;>click here</a>.<p>To view Ralph Drees' Wall Street Journal recognition, <a href=&quot;http://images.dreesteam.com/Ralph_WallStreetJournalAd.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;>click here</a>.<p>]]></award>
      <award title="Cincinnati 100" date="11-09-2003"><![CDATA[Sunday, November 9, 2003<p>Firms atop Cincinnati 100 have been there before<p>Drees leads list again<p>By James Pilcher<p>The Cincinnati Enquirer<p>Fort Mitchell-based Drees Co. this year became only the third company to repeat its No. 1 ranking in the Greater Cincinnati 100, a list of the region's top privately held companies making its 20th appearance. <p>The home builder boosted sales by 35.7 percent to $822.3 million in its 2002 fiscal year to again capture the top spot. <p>American Financial Corp. topped the list for 12 years before it went public in 1995. Ris Paper Co. took the No. 1 spot in the 1996-2000 lists before it was bought.<p>As the economy stabilized in 2002, so did the Cincinnati 100. All but one of the top 10 on the list were there last year, and all but one have been in the listing for at least 16 years, with half making the rankings all 20 years.<p>&quot;It's overall been a very good market for us, especially with low interest rates and the first-time home buyer becoming a bigger market,&quot; said Drees president and chief executive officer David Drees. &quot;We've got another acquisition that we've just finished that should put us over $1 billion next year, but then we're going to take a breather from acquisitions. ...&quot;<p>Top 10 newcomer Messer Construction of Bond Hill has been listed all 20 years, this year at No. 10 with $393.5 million in revenue, up 18.5 percent.<p>&quot;We had a lot of projects that we've had in the pipeline come to fruition this past year, but we should be able to keep up this level,&quot; Messer president Peter S. Strange said. &quot;This means a lot, to keep this up, because we are 100 percent employee-owned, and because we've been able to do it using our strategy of focusing on this region and just three states,&quot; he said.<p>Companies on the list, compiled by professional services firm Deloitte, are ranked based on their annual revenue during their 2002 fiscal year, and all have 80 or more employees. <p>]]></award>
      <award title="Drees to Business Hall of Fame" date="09-25-2000"><![CDATA[September 25, 2000<p>RALPH DREES TO JOIN BUSINESS HALL OF FAME<p>FT. MITCHELL, KY - Ralph Drees grew a small family homebuilding concern into a business that is in the top 1 percent of home builders in the country with annual revenues of over a half billion dollars. For his part in building the business that is The Drees Company today, and for his role in improving life in Greater Cincinnati, Ralph is among the five laureates to be inducted this month into the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame. <p>Thirty-six people, including B.H. Kroger, founder of the grocery chain, and Amos Shinkle, entrepreneur who led construction of Cincinnati's Roebling Suspension Bridge, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by Junior Achievement and the Cincinnati Museum Center. Criteria for laureate selection include an entrepreneurial spirit, a record of outstanding achievements and service as a role model. <p>The induction ceremony is presented in partnership with the Cincinnati Historical Society and honors Greater Cincinnati business leaders, past and present, for their outstanding achievements. In addition to Ralph Drees, this year's inductees include John Pepper, Chairman of the Board of Procter & Gamble. Posthumous honors will be awarded to:<br>&#xb7;	Developer John J. Emery Jr., whose most ambitious project was Cincinnati&#xbf;s Carew Tower, the Art Deco masterpiece completed in 1930.<br>&#xb7;	Master architect Samuel Hannaford, a prolific genius responsible for such monuments as Cincinnati's Music Hall, City Hall, and the castle-like Elsinore Tower in Eden Park.<br>&#xb7;	E.W. Scripps, journalism pioneer and founder of The E.W. Scripps Trust.<p>The black-tie ceremony will take place on September 28, 2000 at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati. A film biography of Ralph Drees will present the highlights of his business and personal achievements.<p>]]></award>
      <award title="America&apos;s Best Builder" date="01-19-1998"><![CDATA[January 19, 1998<p>CINCINNATI BOASTS AMERICA&#xbf;S BEST BUILDER<p>CINCINNATI, OH - The Drees Company has been deemed &#xbf;America&#xbf;s Best Builder&#xbf; for 1998 by Builder magazine.  The tristate-based home builder received the award yesterday (January 18) during the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders&#xbf; Show in Dallas, Texas. <p>Since 1992, Builder magazine has presented the &#xbf;America&#xbf;s Best Builder&#xbf; award to builders who are &#xbf;blueprints for success in home building.&#xbf;  According to Builder, Drees won because of three major factors: &#xbf;a tradition of conservative financial management and diversification, an employee-oriented culture that promotes loyalty, and management that listens to and changes with the market.&#xbf; <p>Drees President, David Drees, readily attributes the award to his people.  &#xbf;I&#xbf;m honored to be receiving the award,&#xbf; said Mr. Drees.  &#xbf;It proves what I&#xbf;ve known all along.  That our employees are the most talented and most dedicated in the industry.  It&#xbf;s rare that a family-owned builder can grow and succeed like we have.  We treat our employees as family, and give them a direct opportunity to profit from our success and growth.  That&#xbf;s why we attract and retain the best.&#xbf;<p>Drees ranks as one of the 50 largest builders in the nation, according to Builder.  Locally, Drees is the top home builder in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky market.  In its last full fiscal year (1996-97), the company sold 783 single family and attached homes in this area.<p>A panel of award judges scrutinized builders in regard to five major areas: Finance and Operations; Customer Service and Quality; Community and Industry Service; Design and Construction; and Marketing.  The panel consisted of builders and consultants chosen by the magazine and the NAHB Business Management Committee. The Drees Company won the award in the 501+ Units category.  Boyce Thompson, Editor of Builder magazine, and Mike Hanley, Chairman of Hanley-Woods Publ]]></award>
      <award title="National Housing Quality Award" date="01-01-1994"><![CDATA[In 1994, Drees received the National Housing Quality Award from Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders Research Center.  This award is the highest recognition for excellence in the housing industry.  <p>Drees received this award in part because of our written Quality Assurance Plan and our $1 million education investment in Philip Crosby's Quality Improvement Program.]]></award>
      <award title="National Builder of the Year" date="01-01-1992"><![CDATA[National Builder of the Year<p>Drees was named the 1992 National Builder of the Year just three years before receiving the NHQ award, again by Professional Builder magazine.  <p>In awarding this high honor, judges looked for a builder who set a standard that other builders should emulate.  The winning builder should also better the home building industry and the communities that the builder serves.  Drees was the builder that matched these criteria.]]></award>
    </Awards>
    <NewsItems>
      <newsItem title="Cincinnati Launches New Simplistyle Designs" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=132980" date="02-01-2010"/>
      <newsItem title="Expanded Tax Credit Signed Into Law" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=127337" date="11-06-2009"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Ranks Second in J.D. Powers&apos; Dallas Survey" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=124065" date="09-16-2009"/>
      <newsItem title="$5000 KY State Tax Credit Signed Into Law" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=120273" date="07-08-2009"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Named 25th Largest Builder" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=117426" prsr_publication="BUILDER Magazine" date="05-08-2009"/>
      <newsItem title="Solid Protection Plan Unveiled" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=116676" date="04-13-2009"/>
      <newsItem title="Raleigh Ranks Tops in J.D. Power" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=105349" prsr_publication="J.D. Power &amp; Associates" date="09-11-2008"/>
      <newsItem title="Washington, DC Top 5 in J.D. Power" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=105429" prsr_publication="J.D. Power &amp; Associates" date="09-11-2008"/>
      <newsItem title="Dallas Ranks High In J.D. Power" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=105383" prsr_publication="J.D. Power &amp; Associates" date="09-11-2008"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Named America&apos;s Best Builder" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=94561" prsr_publication="Builder Magazine" date="02-04-2008"/>
      <newsItem title="J.D. Power Ranks Drees in Top Three" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=83645" prsr_publication="J.D. Power" date="09-12-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Junior Achievement Sees Results" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=78276" date="05-29-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Announcing Hurstbourne Park" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=78275" date="05-25-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Orville Brown Award for Top Builder" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=77664" date="04-24-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees is Top Builder in Raleigh" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=77663" date="04-23-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Fundraiser Exceeeds Expectations" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=77662" date="04-20-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Announces New VP, Organizational Changes" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=75372" date="03-26-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees to Help Neighbor in Need" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=74917" date="03-20-2007"/>
      <newsItem title="Habitat Blitz Homes Completed" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=65193" date="06-09-2006"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Joins Habitat Builder Blitz" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=65190" date="06-05-2006"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Named Top Humanitarian" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=55644" date="02-01-2006"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Acquires Harmony Homes" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=45923" date="08-11-2005"/>
      <newsItem title="Drees Acquires Ausherman Homes" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=45922" date="06-11-2003"/>
      <newsItem title="Donation Marks 75th Anniversary" href="http://documents.dreesteam.com/jsp/marketdocsAction.jsp?action=marketdocsGet&amp;requestId=1&amp;mddId=45921" date="01-01-2003"/>
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