Builder of the Year Award 2005

By Sarah Cox

For the first time, the New River Valley Home Builders Association held an annual inauguration gala. According to Executive Officer Katrina Gravely, it was kicked off in style, with Del. Dave Nutter and his wife in attendance, as well as Anthony Clatterbuck, the Virginia Home Builders Association state president.

Held last month at the Holiday Inn Blacksburg, all of the 2006 officers were installed and members presented awards.

"This was a formal gathering," said Gravely, adding that the turnout was excellent - of the 175 members, 150 were there.

Awards given were:

Life Membership: To Bob Miller, who has been with the association since 1973 and now retired;

Past Presidents Awards: To Jeanne Stosser of SAS Construction, who was president in 1992; and Dennis Bartley of Bartley Custom Homes, who was president in 2003 and 2004;

The Johnny Haynes Memorial Award: To James Oliver of Alexander Construction, who is current president;

The Committee Chair Award: To Joe Rodgers of Bugman Exterminating, who has been chair of the Home Expo for several years;

The Committee Contribution Award: To Wendy Morefield of Alexander Construction;

The Community Service Award: To Tim Lawrence of Blue Ridge Home Improvement;

Associate of the Year: To 84 Lumber, accepted by Jeff Porter;

Design Excellence Award: To Turman Log Homes, accepted by Ryan Turman;

Builder of the Year: To Shelter Alternatives, accepted by Ed Tuchler, the president of the company.

In addition to the awards, the 2006 officers were installed. They are:

* President Jamie Oliver

* Vice President Builder Ed Tuchler

* Vice President Builder Wendy Morefield

* Vice President Associate Steve Semones

* Treasurer Susan Stroup

* Secretary Joyce Bennett

* Builder Directors John Simpson, Bryan Rice, Tim Lawrence, Greg DeHart, Dennis Bartley, Tom Bowden and Jason Trout

* Associate Directors Jeff Porter, Chuck Raynes, Joe Rodgers, Casey Reynolds, Jason McCombs, Chris Pfohl, Beth Lucas, Stephanie Bell, John Neel, Susan Stroup, Mike Dangerfield and Rick Bick

* Executive Officer Katrina Gravely Katrina Gravely has held this position since the end of September. Former executive officer, Julia Skinner, is now working for Bartley Custom Homes. Gravely most recently worked for Raines Property Management.

As the new year rolls along, plans for the Home Expo 2006 are unfolding. It is scheduled for March 17-19 and, according to Gravely, there are 148 booths, the display area will be fully carpeted and both Volvo and Mack will be bringing their large trucks for display.

"It's going to be bigger than ever," she said.

In addition, Oliver announced several new plans for the year. A Parade of Homes will be held in June, a new event for the association. This is a combined REALTOR and builder event, he said, featuring new homes that have been decorated and landscaped. REALTORS will be sponsoring buses to take people to see the newly constructed homes; it also will produce additional revenue for the association.

Also this year, the home builder's Political Action committee will attempt to raise $5,000, which will be spent in support of local candidates who support the industry's agenda.

"We will start by taking an active interest and participating in the Blacksburg's mayor's election," Oliver said. And, he added, "In 2006 we will form a committee to rewrite our constitution and by-laws to make them less confusing and less gender specific."

Oliver went on to announce that the association also plans to co-sponsor two code seminars on the adoption of the 2003 IRC; to present two special educational seminars; to increase the base membership by 20 percent and retain at least 85 percent of our current membership; and change its traditional format of 10 monthly dinners to a format of four quarterly dinners. The dinners, he said, "will be bigger and better with more interesting speakers, plus some planned after-dinner frivolity."

This is Oliver's second year as NRVHBA's president. The goals he presented last year will continue ito be sought in 2006, he said

"Our primary focus, as in past years, will be to continue to grow and bring more members into association, to provide education programs, continue to develop better relationships with local building officials and become more politically active in the area," he explained.

"Last year, we got our Political Action committee started and raised some money, and I am looking forward to spending some of it this year. We are going to be taking an active look at the Blacksburg mayor's race, and we will be looking at other municipal elections as we go along."