By Carole Hawkins, [email protected]
It was a confident building industry that took the stage at the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s installation ceremony in January.
Speeches no longer dwelled nervously on a count of building permits.
Instead, 2015’s achievements were obvious.
The market is in its third year of growth. And last year, NEFBA expanded its membership 27 percent.
It makes NEFBA the fifth largest builders association in the country, said outgoing president Rick Morales. The increase was three times that of any other builders association in the nation’s top 10.
The success will be the groundwork for expanding NEFBA’s focus, new president Chet Skinner said.
NEFBA is very strong on two pillars of membership — networking and political advocacy.
But with market strength more certain, he called on renewed commitment for NEFBA’s two other core missions — education and charitable giving.
On education, Skinner highlighted ongoing monthly Lunch and Learn programs, guest speakers and an OSHA training slated for this spring. He asked members to get involved.
“This is one of the things we have done well in the past and we’re going to start doing it well again in the future,” he said.
On Builders Care, the association’s charitable giving arm, Skinner said many members have been aware over the last 15 years of ramps built, doors widened, roofs repaired and houses built for people who have fallen on hard times. But others need to be aware, too.
“I think outside the association, there are not many people who know what Builders Care does,” he said. “That needs to change.
Skinner paid tribute to his family and the mentors who guided him to the role he holds today.
“I am humbled to stand before you and serve,” he said. “Wisdom abounds in this organization and I am fortunate to not have to do this alone.”