WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Home Builders last night honored 12 individuals who have excelled in teaching NAHB education courses and for their professionalism as NAHB educational designation holders as the Educators and Designees of the Year. The awards were given during the 2017 International Builders‘ Show® held this week in Orlando, Fla.
“These home building industry professionals definitely ‘walk the walk,’” said 2016 NAHB Education Chair William L. Shaw, Jr., GMR, CGR, GMB, CAPS and CGP, a Houston remodeler and NAHB instructor. “These leaders don’t just talk about the importance of education. They also work to stay current and even ahead of industry trends so they can set an example for the home builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who make up our great Federation.”
Honorees include:
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) of the Year. Thomas W. Ashley, Jr., CAPS, CGP, CGR, owner of Expand Inc., a Louisiana remodeling firm. A committed advocate for aging-in-place home modification, he was honored with the NAHB Homes for Life Award in 2009 and serves on the Remodelers Council Board of Trustees.
Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) of the Year. Diane Goté, CGA, founder and principal of Design Works Inc. in New Jersey, has received numerous awards and professional designations for her achievements in interior design. She was named a fellow of the American Society of Interior Design in 2000 and serves on the New Jersey Board of Architects.
Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) of the Year. Kenneth R. Adams, Jr., CGB, CGP, CSP, owner and president of Integrity Builders in Louisiana, serves on the board of the Louisiana Home Builders Association and was president of the Northshore Home Builders Association 2010-2011. He serves on a number of local HBA committees, including Raising the Roof for Charity and the Political Action Committee.
Certified Green Professional™ (CGP) of the Year. Sean D. Sullivan, CAPS, CGP, owner of Living Stone Construction Inc. in Asheville, N.C., specializes in green design-build and renovation as well as aging-in-place applications. He is active with the North Carolina Home Builders Association, where he has served as president and chaired the Political Action Committee. NAHB recognized his firm’s work with Best in American Living Awards in 2013 and 2015.
Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) of the Year. Scott Sevon, CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB, GMR, co-founder of MAW Chicago, a renovation firm. Scott is dedicated to promoting professionalism as well as green and healthy building. The Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago named him Builder of the Year in 2004 and Remodeler of the Year in 2006 and he was NAHB Graduate Master Builder of the Year in 2010 and CAPS of the Year in 2015.
Graduate Master Builder (GMB) of the Year. Tony Foust, CAPS, CGB, CGP, GMB, Master CGP, chief executive of DaVinci Homes in Oklahoma City, serves on the NAHB Board of Directors and the Resolution and Public Affairs committees. He chairs the Oklahoma BuildPAC and built the Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma festival show house in 2015.
Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) of the Year. Sharon Harper Ivey, HCCP, vice president for compliance for Concord Management in Maitland, Fla., oversees affordable housing compliance for a portfolio of more than 20,000 units in four states. She has written articles and spoken at industry events on LIHTC compliance, fair housing and mold remediation.
Master in Residential Marketing (MIRM) of the Year. Meredith Oliver, Master CSP, MIRM, founder of Meredith Communications in Raleigh, N.C., is a sales and marketing strategist, speaker and consultant. The NAHB Professional Women in Building Council named her Member of the Year in 2016, and she received the award for Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement from the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council in 2015.
Builder/Remodeler Educator of the Year. Tom Stephani, CAPS, CGB, CGP, CGR, CMP, CSP, GMB, Master CSP, MIRM. As owner of Custom Construction Concepts Inc. in the Chicago area, Tom has created, developed, produced and presented seminars for small and custom builders and remodelers nationally and internationally. He was the 2015 Chairman of the NAHB Education Committee and the 2009 Chairman of NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council. He serves on the NAHB International Global Opportunities Board and Single Family Builder Committee.
CAPS Educator of the Year. Curt Kiriu, CAPS, CGP, CGR, owner, CK Independent Living Builders, Mililani, Hawaii. A 28-year veteran of the construction industry, Curt is dedicated to spreading the word across professions about aging-in-place and universal design applications. He has taught numerous courses and made presentations around the state on aging in place. He is vice-chair of the NAHB CAPS Board of Governors and served on the NAHB Education working group in 2014-15 to restructure the education program.
Certified Green Building Educator of the Year. John Barrows, CGB, CGP, GMB, Master CGP, founder of P3 Builder Group Inc., a Long Island, N.Y., company dedicated to bringing cost-effective, energy-efficient practices to the housing market. He is a nationally recognized author and speaker on green building, construction and production management, and business management, has worked with NAHB to develop and teach courses, and serves on the NAHB Board of Directors.
Sales and Marketing/Institute of Residential Marketing Educator of the Year. Chuck Miller, CAPS, CGB, CGP, CGR, CMP, CSP, GMB, Master CSP, MIRM, president and CEO of Chuck Miller Construction Inc. in Boise, Idaho. He is a certified NAHB instructor and was a subject matter expert for revisions of a number of NAHB courses on residential marketing and business operations. At the national and local levels, he has served on several HBA committees and in leadership positions, currently as trustee of the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council and Chairman of the Boise HBA Ethics and Arbitration Committee.
“NAHB strives to improve professionalism among our members and elevate the industry through education. We strongly encourage builders, remodelers and other housing professionals to reach the next stage in their careers by earning an NAHB designation,” said Shaw.
CONTACTS
Elizabeth Thompson
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