The MBI Modular Construction Educational Foundations
The mission of the Foundations is to expand opportunities, increase awareness, and foster growth in the commercial modular construction industry by providing scholarships for college and high school students and developing partnerships and alliances with complimentary organizations.
Scholarships
MBI Family-Member Scholarships
Each year, the foundations provides $5,000 in educational building construction scholarships to employees of MBI member companies or to the employee spouses, children, or grandchildren of employees. The MBI Foundation provides one $2,500 scholarship and the Canadian Foundation provides one $2,500 scholarship. Applicants apply directly to the foundations and must be enrolled or enrolling in a two- or four-year institution.
Patrick Geary HVAC Scholarship
The MBI Foundation is pleased to introduce new two-, three-, or four-year construction scholarships for mechanical engineering students that demonstrate a continued understanding of how heating and air conditioning products and services and commercial modular construction affect one another.
Scholarships to Attend World of Modular
The Foundation currently pays for four students to attend WOM, including hotel and registration fees. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses, since many cost-conscious options are already available. Each student receives up to $1500 in support, based on hotel and registration fees at the time of the event. WOM is typically held in March or April in convention cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio.
Gratitude for Support — A Student Testimonial
"Having the MBI Educational Foundation believe in my potential enough to back me financially meant everything. Your support made it possible for me to take full advantage of this experience without being worried about financial stress, allowing me to focus on learning, networking, and really seeing my future...The World of Modular conference gave me knowledge, connections, confidence, and above all, a clear sense of purpose.
Over the course of just a few days [at World of Modular], I received 15 job offers from companies all across the world, an insight not only to the booming demand for new talent in the modular industry, but also to the value of being present and engaged in such a high-energy environment."
Samantha Cogar, 2025 Scholarship Recipient, Marshall University
Leadership
MBI Educational Foundation
Kathy Wilmot
Chair
Wilmot Modular Structures
Kelly Williams
Past Chair
Impact Housing Group LLC
Mike Rhodes
Secretary/Treasurer
Silver Creek Industries (Retired)
Brad Gudeman
Modular Genius, Inc.
Garth Haakenson
Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc.
Paula Travis
WESCO Distribution, Inc.
Maury Tiernan
Geary Pacific Corporation
Brent Morgan
Britco Structures USA, LLC
Gary Davenport
Sunbelt Modular, Inc.
Steven Williams
Executive Director
MBI Canadian Foundation
Ted Redmond
Chair
Black Diamond Group
Joe Kiss
Vice-Chair
ROC Modular Inc.
Steven Williams
Executive Director
Premium Sponsor
Supporters
Join the 1983 Society for Exclusive Donor Recognition
Named after the year MBI was founded, the 1983 Society offers exclusive recognition as well as opportunities for Foundation donors, professors, and industry leaders to meet MBI's scholarship winners to celebrate the upcoming talent within the commercial modular construction industry.
Interested in joining the 1983 Society? All annual donors of $1,000 or more will be invited, so don't wait...Become a donor today!
About Commercial Modular Construction
Modular construction is a process where a building is constructed in "modules" offsite under controlled factory conditions using the same materials and designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally-built buildings, but in about half the time. Structurally, modular buildings are generally stronger than conventional construction because each module is engineered to independently withstand the rigors of transportation and craning onto foundations.
Once together and sealed, the modules become one integrated wall, floor, and roof assembly. Building offsite ensures better construction quality management too. Materials that are delivered to the factory are safely and securely stored in a warehouse to prevent damage from moisture and elements.
Beyond quality control and improved completion time, modular construction offers numerous other benefits. Removing approximately 80% of the building construction activity from the site location significantly reduces site disruption, vehicular traffic to and from the site, and improves overall safety and security.