We may need to add a new season to the NEFBA calendar.
We can call it the Winning Season and it began in January at the NAHB International Builders Show in Las Vegas.
It’s been a time of honoring the efforts of our association, its members, its leaders and its programs.
At IBS, NEFBA’s Sales and Marketing Council received a silver award in the competition for Best SMC in the nation.
Staying among the best in the nation is no small feat, and we salute the hardworking team of SMC members led by 2015 chair David Wakefield and supported by staff liaison Palmer Kuder.
Also at IBS, NEFBA’s Remodelers Council captured first place among medium-sized councils in the 2015 NAHB Remodelers membership contest.
Competing with every Remodelers Council on the national level and coming in first deserves a standing ovation.
And credit is well deserved by the Remodelers Council’s dedicated members under the leadership of its 2015 Chairman David Hacker, with support from staff liaison Corey Hacker.
As we mentioned last month, Corey Deal was named one of Jacksonville’s 40 Under 40.
While Corey’s name may be on the trophy, he is quick to point out that the basis for the award is a direct result of staff and members working diligently on behalf of the association, the community and the industry.
In April, the Jacksonville Business Journal recognized our Apprenticeship Program as an innovative partnership between education and industry.
The program was nominated for the award by Keiser University with whom we partnered to provide classroom space for the program.
Keiser’s nomination applauded the NEFBA-Keiser partnership for “helping the Jacksonville community by improving education and clearly making a positive impact on lives in the Jacksonville community, young and old.”
Keith Ward and the apprenticeship executive committee, along with NEFBA’s Penelope Geismar and Thompson Taylor, deserve much credit for their tireless efforts to grow and improve our Apprenticeship Program.
Personally, I like the idea of a winning season. I can see it becoming a year-long season.
If we keep doing what we’re doing, staying true to our mission and our goals, working together, filling in where a need is perceived and doing what is right, it will become second nature.
And 12 months of winning respect and making our community an even better place to live, work and play is a valid reason to be proud — whether there is a trophy involved or not, we can be proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
I’m looking forward to greeting and welcoming our new members on May 19.
Join me at BlackFinn Ameripub and help get our new members started on a long, profitable relationship with NEFBA and its members. Thanks to all who worked so hard during the membership drive.
Sincerely,
Chet Skinner