MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––– sponsored by Trostrud Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc., was founded in 1929 by Earl J. Trostrud Sr., originally concentrating primarily on residential construction as it worked hard to create a solid reputation. At the end of 1939, with the outbreak of war in Europe, the company temporarily closed, and Earl Trostrud Sr. went to work mak- ing aircraft engine parts, and in the construction department of Kraft Foods. In postwar 1946, Earl Trostrud Sr. reopened Trostrud Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc., still focusing on the resi- dential market and building its repu- tation for quality and craftsmanship. In 1957, Earl Trostrud Sr. started pursuing commercial contracts and was awarded several gas station proj- ects. These successful projects whet- ted the appetite for more commer- cial work. In the spring of 1958, after g r a d u a t - ing St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Earl Trostrud Jr. joined his father in the tile business and they both pur- sued com- mercial con- tracts, with the same ethics of quality workmanship, integrity and honesty that the company was founded on. They committed to treating everyone – no matter your role in the com- pany or as a business partner – the way they would want to be treated. In the summer of 1975, Earl Trostrud Sr. retired from the tile busi- ness. Ten years later – after graduat- ing from University of Wisconsin Stout with a major in industrial design/product design and a minor in graphic design, and working in these fields – his grandson Brad 50th Five Star Contractor Trostrud Mosaic & Tile Co. Brad and Linda Trostrud. Brad is vice president of family-owned Trostrud Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc. in Wood Dale, Ill. This was the first office of Trostrud Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc. in 1933. 60 TileLetter | February 2018