“This industry has confronted its share of challenges during the past year and yet so many members have demonstrated they are willing to raise the chin bar for themselves,” said HBA of Greater Springfield President Rusty MacLachlan. “This recognition ceremony made it clear we’ve had no shortage of leadership and professional excellence this year.”
Some awards are based on nominations submitted by members to the Awards Committee for selection while others are based on established criteria and volunteer service. The Award recipients include:
HBA Builder Member of the Year – Sam Clifton, Millstone Custom Homes, LLC.
Sam and his wife Michelle are active members of the Association. Sam currently serves on the Board of Directors and executive committee as Secretary. Michelle is a past board member of the HBA Charitable Foundation. The
HBA Associate Member of the Year – Steve Hamm, US Bank
Steve lends his financial expertise and thoughtful input as a valued member of the HBA Board of Directors but he is also willing to give of his time to make many other events and initiatives a success. He volunteers selling tickets at the HBA Home Show and the Home Remodeling Expo. In 2010, he participated in the HBA’s first annual Ozarks Regional Housing & Construction Conference, as an expert panelist for one of its programs. He serves on the HBA MarketGraphics Housing Research outreach team. He serves on the HBA budget and finance committee. He is chairman of the HBA Associates Council.
HBA Associate Company of the Year & Education Partner of the Year (Company) — Herrman Lumber
A longtime HBA member and member of the HBA Hall of Fame, the company is also an active participant in Associates Council. Herrman Lumber is a regular exhibitor in HBA Shows and advertises in HBA publications. Committed to professional excellence, the company participated in the 2010 Ozarks Regional Housing and Construction Conference and provided frequent support for HBA Education programs, including no-charge use of classroom space for EPA-required lead-safe workplace training sessions.
Education Partner of the Year (Individual) — Barb Houser, KPM
This year, Barb prepared a seminar (complete with powerpoint presentation and informational handout) for homeowners detailing the various tax credits and incentives available for homeowners who invest in improving the energy efficiency of their homes. She presented the seminar at both the Remodeling Expo and the Home Show, where they were very well attended and received glowing evaluations. She also provided an article for the public in the HBA event magazine on the topic, as well.
HBA Education Partner of the Year (Media) – Cara Restelli, Contact KY3
Cara reported two stories on the EPA’s Lead-safe workplace rule and its new certification requirement. These stories helped inform both the industry and homeowners about this new regulation pertaining to any renovation that takes place in homes built before 1978. She also initiated an “Ask the Experts” Panel featuring the HBA Remodelors™ Council to coincide with one of those news stories. This was very effective in raising the level of awareness about the availability of the classes locally and helping homeowners understand how the new requirement will add cost to jobs in this category of homes. The morning after both stories, the HBA received many calls from members of the industry and homeowners seeking more information about the rule and certification requirements. The original five Lead Certification classes the HBA had scheduled evolved into more than 20 classes certifying hundreds of industry professionals.
HBA Ambassador of the Year – Jeff Fahrlander, Fahrlander Custom Homes
(HBA members submitted nominations. Awards Committee selected the recipient): An “ambassador” is someone who represents the HBA exceptionally outside the organization. In the broader building industry, or publicly, an HBA ambassador goes above and beyond expectations to share the good news of what the HBA is doing for its members, the industry, and consumers. Jeff Fahrlander is a builder member that is active and involved in the leadership of the HBA, and he currently serves as a builder member of the HBA board of directors. He serves as an effective spokesperson for the industry, in public appearances and in the media.
As builder of the 2010 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dream Home, he always made a point to make public positive comments about the HBA and HBA members.
Most Involved New Member, Individual – Sheila Collins, New Horizons Hardwoods
(a new member is someone who has been a member of the HBA for less than 18 months. Nominees were submitted by various HBA members, recipient chosen by the member awards committee): Sheila is a member of our newly formed Membership Retention Team. She is already an active member of the HBA Remodelors™ Council. And, she regularly attends HBA general membership meetings and volunteers to help with events.
Most Involved New Member, Company – Accent Curbz (Jeff & Inge Ward)
(a new member is a company that has been a member of the HBA of Greater Springfield for less than 18 months. Nominees were submitted by various HBA members, recipient chosen by the member awards committee): Accent Curbz has displayed in the Home Remodeling Expo, the Home Show and the Home Idea Showcase since joining the HBA just over a year ago. The company donated to the 2009 St. Jude Dream Home project and also serve on the board of the HBA Charitable Foundation.
HBA Charitable Foundation Volunteer of the Year – Debi Murray, Murney Associates
Debi is continuously working to improve existing fundraising and outreach programs like the Foundation’s Auction and Go Kart races. She has cultivated new projects and partnerships with other area charitable organizations.
Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow Volunteer of the Year – Jeremy Ray, Citizens National Bank
Jeremy serves as an active member of the CBBT Sporting Clays tournament committee. He promotes the tournament at other HBA events and helps ensure participation. He works to improve the event each year.
Government Affairs Volunteer of the Year – Rusty MacLachlan, J. Russell MacLachlan Homes
Our 2010 Government Affairs volunteer of the year has walked neighborhoods knocking on doors for candidates and is an active advocate at the HBA’s annual legislative functions and candidate appreciation events. He helped successfully convince the Division of Workers Compensation to update and clarify its “opt-out” form for workers compensation insurance related to business licensing. This will improve compliance with the law which is more comprehensive in its application to the construction industry, thereby protecting homeowners who may not be aware of the need to ask for proof of work comp insurance. He advocated successfully for Missouri
HBA Hall of Fame Inductees– Taylor Marble (Company) and Ron Middleton (Individual)
Each year, the Past Presidents of the Home Builders Association meet to consider HBA members who have committed a lifetime of service going above and beyond the call of duty. These are recognized as the individual and company Hall of Fame inductees of the year.
Ø The Company inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 is Taylor Marble.
Ø Taylor Marble has been an HBA member since 1979
Ø For years, Taylor Marble was an active HBA member under the ownership of Jim and Earlene Taylor.
Ø When Taylor Marble was bought by Wayne and Kevin Scheer , the company’s involvement in the HBA continued to grow.
Ø Associate Individuals of the Year in 1992 (Wayne Scheer ) and 1999 (Kevin Scheer )
Ø Taylor Marble is an active leader on the HBA board of directors, Associates Council, Government Affairs Committee, and the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow – and was instrumental in originally establishing the CBBT back in 2001.
Ø Regular presence in HBA Home Shows, Remodeling Expos, Legislative Days, Housing and Construction Conference, and more.
Ø Ron Middleton was a longtime member and leader in the HBA of Greater Springfield. A well-respected and successful home builder in Nixa and throughout the area, Ron was an involved contributor to his industry and his community.
Ø He served as an effective advocate for the industry, both in the media and when working with building officials.
Ø Active participant in HBA Parades of Homes and Home Shows and supporter of the HBA Scholarship Program.
Ø Ron served as a member of the HBA board of directors, and was HBA President in 1991.
Ø Ron Middleton passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his wife Marcelene, three loving children and spouses: Michelene Ramsey and husband Rick; Rachelene Tarsney and husband Sean; McLean Ron Middleton and wife Charity. He is also survived by six grandchildren, his mother, two sisters and a host of relatives and special friends.