While it’s hard for me to believe, the first half of my tenure as your president is over. It was a good time to make a mid-year assessment of the association.
It’s no longer just a rumor. The industry is on the way up. Construction is evident all over town. NEFBA members report increases in business and are happy to be working long hours.
It’s also true we have faced serious challenges.
Our Executive Committee was alarmed and concerned when Daniel Blanchard became ill and needed heart surgery. Thankfully, Daniel has recovered and is gaining strength daily.
The untimely passing of Ken Kuester was a major loss, not only to our Executive Committee, the organization and the industry, but to the entire community. Ken was dedicated to the association and particularly Builders Care. We miss our friend very much.
The NEFBA staff has undergone changes that affect the day-to-day operations of the association. Government Affairs Director Chris Hagan resigned to accept another great opportunity. Executive Director Daniel Davis was offered the top position at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. We’re proud of Daniel and wish him the best, but he will be missed.
Even with these unforeseen events — events that might have derailed a lesser organization — NEFBA emerges and proves its strength is in the membership. Members rallied around and successfully completed a number of projects, staged events, and picked up the momentum of NEFBA’s growth.
The installation of officers early in the year set the stage for six busy months: The Builders Care world premiere of the Goodall Story; Remodelers Awards; Laurel Awards; the Trade Expo; the Parade of Homes; workshops, lunch-and-learns, breakfasts, seminars, socials, clay shoots, golf outings, fishing tournaments and so much more of NEFBA’s councils; recruitment interviews and graduation ceremony for the NEFBA apprentice program; a membership drive that netted more than 100 new members; and, most recently the President’s Project to build 25 new houses in partnership with HabiJax.
That’s just the first six months.
Our challenge now is not merely to keep the ball rolling, but to set new records, reach new heights and celebrate a successful year.
Thanks to all of you for a fantastic six months, and now let’s do what we need to do to make this the best year ever.