Continuing education in the spotlight
Orlando -- For more evidence that the hardware and building supply industry is a “people business,” the National Association of Home Builders recognized eight individuals for educational leadership. The 2017 Designees and Educators of the Year have displayed professionalism and dedication.
"Ongoing education often means the difference between being good at what you do and being great at it," said NAHB Education Committee Chair Beverly Koehn. "These seasoned and accomplished professionals show their dedication to improving their own craft, and also encourage others to take the same opportunity."
• Builder Designee of the Year. Chuck Miller, GMB, CGB, CGR, CGP, CAPS, MIRM, CMP, Master CSP, CSP, owner of Chuck Miller Consulting LLC, in Boise, Idaho, is a nationally recognized design-build custom home builder and remodeler committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with other construction industry professionals. He believes in lifelong learning, has earned nine NAHB professional designations, and is a licensed instructor for NAHB's education courses.
• Green Professional Designee of the Year. Brandon Bryant, Master CGP, president of Red Tree Builders Inc. in Asheville, N.C., envisions living in a world filled with innovative businesses and healthy, power-generating homes. His homes have been featured on the cover of Green Builder magazine, and he has received national and regional accolades such as the NAHB Best in Green Award, Innovative Home Award, Craftsmanship Award and North Carolina Star Award for Best Energy Efficient Home in the State.
• HCCP Designee of the Year. Missy Covington, HCCP, director of compliance for Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Inc. in St. Petersburg, Fla., helps property owners and developers navigate the complex net of LIHTC regulations that keep owners and managers in compliance and has presented numerous times nationally on the topic. Most recently she was in charge of the HUD Section 8 Multifamily Housing program. Before joining Raymond James, Covington worked with Boley Centers for Behavioral Health Care, a non-profit human services organization.
• Remodeler Designee of the Year. Peter Grant, CGR, CAPS, president of Grant Homes Remodel & Restoration in Tulsa, Okla., specializes in the renovation of homes in Tulsa's historic districts. Recognized for his historic preservation expertise and achievements, Grant serves as a mayoral appointee to the Tulsa Preservation Commission. He has served as Remodelers Council president for the Greater Tulsa Home Builders Association and as the current association president, he strongly promotes the value of professional education.
• Sales and Marketing Designee of the Year. Christy N. Beck, MIRM, CSP, broker for Caruso Homes in Raleigh, N.C., has an extensive background in new home sales, management, marketing and training. She is the incoming chair of the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council and serves on the NAHB Education Committee. During the 2017 IBS, Beck received the Bill Molster Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to NAHB, NSMC and the Institute of Residential Marketing. Beck serves on the board of directors for the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.
• Builder/Remodeler Educator of the Year. Vince Butler, CAPS, CGR, GMB, GMR, president of Butler Brothers Corporation in Clifton, Va., has extensive experience in the design, sales and production of residential construction and remodeling. He is a nationally recognized speaker on residential construction management topics and has presented at many national and regional trade shows including IBS, The Remodeling Show, Sunbelt Builders Show, Southeast Builders Conference, Atlantic Builders Conference, Pacific Coast Builders Conference and NAHB Remodelers Road Show.
• CAPS Educator of the Year. Christine Fortenberry, CAPS, CGB, CGP, CGR, of Fortenberry Construction Services LLC, in Powder Springs, Ga., has more than 46 years of experience building custom homes, remodeling, developing and light commercial projects. As founder and CEO of Fortenberry Construction Inc., her skills, experience and reputation for quality have earned her local, regional and national recognition. Her company provides evaluation, design and construction services for special needs and aging-in-place projects including Americans with Disabilities Act evaluations and reports for light commercial projects.
• Green Educator of the Year. J. Bradley Simons, CGP, Master CGP, CGB, vice president and chief financial officer of Magleby Construction in Pleasant Grove, Utah, has led successful efforts to educate builders, remodelers and other industry professionals on high-performance and sustainable construction. He has served as president of the Utah Valley Home Builders Association. Simons is now a district chair in the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys teaching, volunteering in the community and loves the construction industry.
"Exemplary designee holders like these demonstrate their commitment to the tried and true--and also new and proven -- methods of home building and remodeling," said Koehn. "And we honor our dedicated educators and trainers who ensure the skills of great home building, remodeling, business management and marketing belong to many in the industry, not just a few."