[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 77 (Thursday, May 9, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2768-S2769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING BRUNOW CONTRACTING, LLC

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as a member of the Senate Committee 
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize 
a woman-owned small business that is dedicated to its customers, 
employees, and community. In honor of the U.S. Small Business 
Administration's National Small Business Week, it is my pleasure to 
name Brunow Contracting of Council Bluffs, IA, the Senate Small 
Business of the Day.
  Brunow Contracting represents the story of a construction company 
with an unlikely founder. Tamara Brunow was a pre-law student at the 
College of Saint Mary who found herself working in construction. She 
began her career with an internship at the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Omaha District, in military contracting. It was in this role 
that she saw a future in construction and government contracts.
  After her time at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she proceeded to 
work for two other construction organizations, Oakview Construction and 
Lueder Construction. During her tenure with these firms, she realized 
that while she loved her jobs, she knew she wanted to be her own boss. 
This prompted her to launch Brunow Contracting in 2008. Shortly after 
her launch, Brunow Contracting acquired its first contract of $1.3 
million dollars to build a Presbyterian church.
  Brunow Contracting specializes in government contracting and is 
certified by the Small Business Administration as an 8(a) and HUBZone 
business. Brunow Contracting has completed numerous contracts, ranging 
in value from $800 to nearly $5 million, and a client list which 
includes the City of Omaha, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, Southwest Iowa Planning Council, and the U.S. Coast 
Guard. These projects have included everything from churches, to water 
treatment plants, to data facilities for Facebook.

[[Page S2769]]

  With dedication and determination, Ms. Brunow, successfully started a 
construction company as a single mother of three children in the middle 
of a recession. Now, she is the owner of one of the only woman-owned 
construction businesses in America, a recipient of the Midland Business 
Journal's 40 under 40, and a leader within her community. Today, Ms. 
Brunow has expanded her business reach to include serving as the head 
of H2W Apparel, a women's active wear company. Additionally, Ms. Brunow 
remains an active mentor for women entrepreneurs and advocate for 
female entrepreneurship.
  Ms. Brunow embodies what it means to be an entrepreneur and small 
business owner. Despite those telling her that it is not the right 
industry or not the right time, Brunow Contracting quickly became a 
multimillion-dollar business with an A+ rating from the Better Business 
Bureau. Ms. Brunow showed that, while it certainly is not easy, it is 
possible to simultaneously build a business, be a great mother, 
volunteer as a mentor, and remain committed to your community. It is my 
distinct pleasure to honor Ms. Brunow and the entire team at Brunow 
Contracting as the Senate Small Business of the Day. You make Iowa 
proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and 
success.

                          ____________________