From the Florida Home Builders Association
Not even a three-week postponement caused by Hurricane Wilma could dampen the spirits of the Florida Home Builders Association members who gathered in Orlando in mid-November for its annual Fall Conference to elect West Palm Beach builder Len Tylka as president and set an ambitious agenda for the year ahead.
A couple of locals were honored as well: Larry Murr of Jacksonville was named Remodelor of the Year and land use attorney Robert Rhodes of Foley & Lardner was inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame. Former Governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham also was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Calling himself a “servant” to the wishes of the FHBA membership, Tylka said he expects the state association’s “new vision” to fuel each member’s individual success while enhancing the industry’s overall performance in meeting the housing needs of the state.
“I’m looking to our members to set the agenda and achieve our goals,” said Tylka. “There’s nothing our members can’t accomplish if they set their minds to it.”
Tylka said escalating impact fees and the threat of inclusionary zoning are likely to be the most serious legislative and legal challenges the association faces. He also indicated that progress in workforce training, including a return to vocational education in Florida high schools, would be a top priority.
Sarasota lender Mike Rahn of CNL Mortgage will be at Tylka’s side as second vice president and the leader of FHBA’s associate members.
“Builders and associates working together to get the job done is what FHBA is all about,” said Rahn.
In addition to Tylka and Rahn, the newly elected FHBA senior officer team includes First Vice President John Wiseman of Naples, Treasurer Robert Parrish of Tallahassee, Secretary Dave Armstrong of Melbourne and Third Vice President Ann Hagen of Orlando.
Immediate Past President Dan Gilmore of Pensacola and Immediate Past Second Vice President Michelle Delaney of Orlando - who were honored at the Fall Conference for guiding FHBA to a year of record-breaking achievements in 2004-2005 - continue as FHBA Senior Officers in 2005-2006.
In addition, FHBA presented its three most prestigious individual awards at the Annual Fall Conference to Builder of the Year Barbara Revels of Flagler Beach, Associate of the Year Doug Wenzel of Palm Coast and Remodelor of the Year Larry Murr of Jacksonville.
Gilmore named the Tampa Bay Builders Association as the Local HBA of the Year for its outstanding governmental affairs program, special events and community service, and presented prestigious Eagle Awards to Past President Robert Harper of Lakeland for his work in streamlining septic tank regulations in Florida and Milton builder Blackie Black for donating a new home to a war hero severely handicapped by an injury suffered during the war in Iraq.
FHBA Past Second Vice President Hank Resch of Jupiter won the Dick Baker Award, which annually recognizes a member who has shown courage in the face of adversity. Resch is a cancer survivor.
The Eli Adams Awards for excellence in real estate journalism went to Robyn A. Friedman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Harriet Daniels of the Ocala Star-Banner.