Want a Closer Look at the Future of Our Housing Market?

Want at closer look at the future of our area's housing market? Join the HBA and the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors for a Housing Summit and Residential Construction Forecast on Tuesday, October 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Inn. The program features Joe Zanola, Zanola Company, presenting housing research for Greene, Christian, Taney, Stone and Barry Counties. Also on the program, Springfield Mayor Jim O’Neal regarding economic development/job creation efforts as well as an area real estate sales update.

This research is essential to moving the housing market forward. It provides essential data for lenders, developers, builders, realtors and community planners which identifies real needs, gaps, risks and opportunities. The cost of the luncheon is $15. Download more information by clicking here.

Watch Tribute Videos for HBA's Three Top Honorees on Youtube!

Among Tuesday's HBA Awards Banquet honorees were three HBA members who received the 2009 honors of Associate Company of the Year (Kitchenland U.S.A.), Associate Individual of the Year (Lee Beaman, Beaman Electric), and Builder Member of the Year (Sam Bradley, Sam Bradley Homes). Of all the high honors presented, these are the HBA's longest-standing awards, and are widely regarded as the most prestigious honors the association bestows.

At the banquet, a tribute video was used to introduce each of these three major award winners and to highlight some of their achievements in the past year. These tribute videos are now uploaded to the HBA's Youtube Channel for the world to see. They also can be viewed directly on SpringfieldHBA.com by clicking on the videos below.

2009 HBA Builder Member of the Year:

Sam Bradley (Sam Bradley Homes)

2009 HBA Associate Individual of the Year:

Lee Beaman (Beaman Electric)

2009 HBA Associate Company of the Year:

Kitchenland U.S.A.

Sam Bradley Receives Builder Member of the Year Award!

The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield awarded outstanding builders and associate members for a variety of accomplishments at its annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, September 15 at the Clarion Hotel.

HBA Builder Member of the Year – Sam Bradley, GMB, CGR, CGP, Sam Bradley Homes.
Sam Bradley is a second generation builder in the Springfield area. He currently serves on the HBA Board of Directors and is a past Board President. This is Sam’s second time receiving the Builder Member of the Year Award – he was selected for this honor previously in 1998. Sam Bradley Homes was the official builder of the 2009 St. Jude Dream Home in Lions Gate subdivision. This collaborative project of the HBA’s Charitable Foundation raised several hundred thousand dollars for the children’s research hospital. (Sam donated his services and received no compensation for building the home.)

Sam currently chairs the HBA’s Green Building Committee. He is also an HBA Hall of Fame Inductee. A recognized leader in green building, in 2007 Sam completed the HBA’s office building in-fill as a green building demonstration, the first local project built to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Standards. Sam is a life director of the NAHB board of directors and a board member for the HBA of Missouri. Also a local leader in professional development, Sam has attained several NAHB professional designations: Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodelor™ and Certified Green Professional.

HBA Associate Member of the Year – Lee Beaman, Beaman Electric
Lee Beaman currently serves on the HBA Board of Directors and is chairman of the Membership Committee. With more than 25 years in the electrical construction industry, Lee serves as president of Beaman Electric which employs approximately 40 people including several master electricians. He provides volunteer leadership and support for a number of HBA events including the state Legislative Day in Jefferson City and Green Product Showcase Night. Beaman was recently chosen by the National Federation of Independent Business to serve on its 26-member Missouri Leadership Council. In that role, he assists with developing NFIB's statewide agenda to support small businesses in Missouri.

HBA Associate Company of the Year – Kitchenland U.S.A.
This successful Nixa-based small business is known for its self-proclaimed, “slightly obsessive” approach to kitchen cabinetry. Peers say that company founder Brad Shrock is often the first to volunteer goods and services for charitable projects. Kitchenland U.S.A. is a sponsor of many HBA events such as the Belt Sander Races and a frequent participant in HBA activities.

HBA Education Partner of the Year – State Representative Eric Burlison, District 136
Rep. Burlison approached the HBA to partner on an educational project to help provide his constituents with useful information regarding the “Return On Investment” for a variety of energy efficiency related home improvement projects and products/equipment. Once the research was complete, Rep. Burlison developed an informational bookmark containing that information as well as additional resources which he will personally distribute to homeowners in his District.


HBA Ambassador of the Year – Sam & Michelle Clifton, Millstone Custom Homes
(HBA members submitted nominations. Awards Committee selected the recipient): Sam and Michelle are active members of the Association. Sam currently serves on the Board of Directors and executive committee as Secretary. Michelle is a past board member of the HBA Charitable Foundation. Millstone Custom Homes have been featured in the HBA Parade of Homes and are well-known for their incredible craftsmanship and quality. In June of 2009, Millstone Custom Homes was approached to build a home for the ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Sam and Michelle embraced the opportunity to help a worthy family in Greene County and led a highly successful, uncompensated project – building a home in one week which under normal circumstances would take at least six months.

HBA Committee Member of the Year, Individual – Mike Benna, Meek’s Design Center(nominees submitted by various HBA committee chairs, recipient chosen by the member awards committee):
Mike Benna currently serves on the HBA Board of Directors, the Government Affairs Committee and chairs the Sporting Clay Tournament Event Sub-Committee.

HBA Committee Member of the Year, Company – Meek’s – The Builder’s Choice
(nominees submitted by various HBA committee chairs, recipient chosen by the member awards committee):
Meek’s is a sponsor for a number of HBA events throughout the year and has been instrumental in a number of large charitable projects during the past year. Meek’s employees currently serve on every committee of the HBA.

Most Involved New Member, Individual – Jason Bekebrede, Monticello Homes
(a new member is someone who has been a member of the HBA for less than 18 months. Nominees were submitted by various HBA members, recipient chosen by the member awards committee):
Jason is a home builder and has been an active member of the HBA’s Green Building Committee and participated in ’09 Legislative Day. One of Jason’s homes was also featured in the 2009 HBA Parade of Homes.

Most Involved New Member, Company – Insul-Tech Spray Foam
(a new member is a company that has been a member of the HBA of Greater Springfield for less than 18 months. Nominees were submitted by various HBA members, recipient chosen by the member awards committee): Insul-Tech has already sponsored and participated in a number of HBA events such as Legislative Day and exhibited in the HBA Home Show and Remodeling Expo. All employees have volunteered at events.

HBA Charitable Foundation Volunteer of the Year – The Kisling Family
Builder Scott Kisling and his family are at the heart of many HBA events and charitable projects. Scott is a member of the HBA Charitable Foundation (HBACF) Board and a past chairman. He built the St. Jude Dream Home in 2007, the first year of the collaborative project between St. Jude and the HBACF. Scott’s wife and two sons – Cindy, Zachary and Michael – have volunteered on all three St. Jude Dream Home projects. From clean up days to building retaining walls, they have been tireless in bringing these projects to fruition. Cindy also helped out with the Dream Home telethons for the past three years, as well.

CBBT Volunteer of the Year – Mike Benna, Meek’s Design Center
Mike Benna currently serves on the HBA Board of Directors, the Government Affairs Committee and chairs the Sporting Clay Tournament Event Sub-Committee. He is also the recipient of the Committee Member of the Year – Individual Award this year.

HBA Hall of Fame Inductee- Chris Torrisi, formerly of National Home Products
 Each year, the Past Presidents of the Home Builders Association meet to consider HBA members who have committed a lifetime of service going above and beyond the call of duty. These are recognized as the individual and company Hall of Fame inductees of the year.
 Chris Torrisi was the longtime owner of National Home Products in Ozark, until recently selling the business to his longtime employees, Monica and Andy Jenisch.
 National Home Products was inducted as a company into the HBA Hall of Fame in 2006
 In his years as an HBA member, he served on countless committees and councils. He is a past chairman of the Associates Council. He supported the political action committee and charitable foundation with time and finances.
 Chris Torrisi is the only HBA member ever to receive the Associate Individual of the Year Award on two separate occasions (1989, 2001) and the Associate Company of the Year Award in another year (1999).

For the following awards, HBA members submitted nominations and the Member Awards Committee selected the winner.
Administrative Support Person of the Year – Lisa Flint, HA Construction This award recognizes outstanding performance in an administrative support role for an HBA member company. Lisa embodies the word “commitment”. She provides support to every function of the company – and her fellow employees believe she is a “key player” in their success. An efficiency expert, Lisa is always improving internal procedures to save time and money. There have been times when she has worked late into the night to make certain employees had the resources they needed to make critical deadlines. She is also the touchstone for the company’s integrity and professional character. According to her husband and business partner Andy, not only does she do the job of 10 people at the office, she is also a great mom to their two teenage sons and “10 year old drama queen.”

Manager of the Year – Debbie Speake, Beaman Electric: This award recognizes outstanding performance by a management-level employee of an HBA member company. Debbie’s responsibilities involve her in every facet of the business – from bookkeeping to insurance and answering calls to dispatching personnel as needed. While one of Beaman’s employees was called up to serve in the military, Debbie stepped in and became an expert on parts used in the field on a daily basis. Her extra effort has helped make certain the technicians receive the proper parts in a timely manner while that position remained open for the employee’s eventual return. Debbie also volunteers her time and helps the industry through the Springfield Contractors Assn. and National Association of Women in Construction.

Foreman of the Year – Richard Goodman, Beaman Electric: This award recognizes outstanding performance by a job foreman for an HBA member company. After starting at Beaman Electric, Rich Goodman put in his time as apprentice and eventually got his Journeyman’s license. He quickly moved up, becoming a preferred technician for larger and complicated projects. Eventually he became an outstanding Project Manager for the company – not only are his technical skills outstanding but he does a tremendous job communicating with contractors, subs and fellow employees. He gives a great deal to his family and community – coaches his sons’ teams, sits on the Habitat for Humanity board and is always the first to volunteer for charitable projects.

Salesperson of the Year – Grant McCune, Missouri Insulation & Supply: This award recognizes outstanding performance in sales on behalf of an HBA member company. For more than a decade, Grant McCune has been an integral part of Missouri Insulation & Supply’s success. A highly effective salesperson, Grant’s knowledge and technical understanding of the company’s products have served his customers well – keeping them ahead of the game in every respect. As MIS has expanded, Grant’s dedication to his job has translated into an unparalleled level of expertise on a wide range of products – from insulation to fireplaces to siding, and more. After 13 years of loyal service, Grant’s customers consider him not only their MIS salesperson, but also a good friend.

Supplier of the Year – Metro Builders Supply: This award recognizes an HBA member company for outstanding service to builder members and the home building industry in supplying products and materials essential to home building. Metro Builders Supply is a highly professional organization which also offers a very personal touch in its sales and service departments. The company’s tag line has proven true over and over – they are the “home appliance specialists”. Metro invests in its staff and they are well-educated about the products they sell and service. They are well-informed about Energy Star ratings and other “green” features as well as manufacturer sustainability practices. As one nominator put it, they “are always willing to go the extra mile to inform us” about their products.

Media Partner of the Year – KY3: This year, the award recognizes the continued innovation and effectiveness of the Focus on Home advertising and branding program in partnership with KY3. It is a high profile benefit to members. It’s made a significant impact in educating the public about the HBA and its members who are required to carry consumer protecting general liability insurance and state required workers compensation insurance.

Awards Banquet is Tuesday - Still Time To RSVP!

And the Award goes to...? Who will it be? Be among the first to know the answer by joining us for the HBA's Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, September 15 at the Clarion Hotel. The cost is $17. The social hour begins at 6 pm and dinner begins at 7 pm. In addition to learning who will be named the Builder Member of the Year, many other awards will be given including Manager of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Salesperson of the Year and Foreman of the Year.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor - Meek's - The Builder's Choice

Social Hour Sponsor - ADsmith

Table Sponsors:
The Bank of Missouri
Beaman Electric
Brookline Doorworks
City Wide Construction/Springfield Ready Mix
The Closet Company, LLC
Conco
Great American Title Co.
Krueger Mechanical Services
Millstone Custom Homes
Peoples Bank of the Ozarks
Performance Foam Insulation
Wickman Gardens
Wildcat Materials

Reserve your space by email Kay@springfieldhba.com.

Housing News Advertisers Get Advance Peek at Housing News Weekly

As the HBA of Greater Springfield's award winning Housing News magazine readies for a major transformation in the weeks ahead, advertisers in the publication are receiving their first look at the beta version of the HBA's new Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter starting September 14.

In recent months and years, HBA members increasingly have asked that their HBA information be delivered in a real-time, user-friendly and electronic format, while still maintaining a promotional component that people can see, touch and feel. In response to this member demand, the HBA board of directors in July authorized the metamorphosis of the HBA Housing News monthly magazine into two new products: the HBA Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter and Housing News quarterly promotional publication.

The October issue of Housing News will be the final monthly magazine version of the publication. Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter will arrive in HBA member email inboxes starting Monday, October 5. The quarterly publication will commence in 2010. For two months now, HBA board members and staff have been receiving the electronic newsletter - making upgrades and improvements to the product along the way - before taking it to the full membership. This week, Housing News advertisers were added to the recipient list, in the hopes they too might provide meaningful input about the new product before the broader launch on October 5.

Housing News advertisers are provided with many advertising advantages in the new formats for the same or less financial commitment than they made in the monthly Housing News magazine. Among the advantages are greater frequency and accountability, measurable return on investment, and less cometitive clutter with large numbers of other advertisers.

HBA members interested in learning more about advertising opportunities in the Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter or in the Housing News quarterly mailer should contact Jennifer McClure to receive rate cards and discuss available options.

Despite the Downpour, Fishermen Reel 'Em In!

They got just a little soaked in the process, but the HBA's finest fishermen braved the elements and reeled 'em in on Table Rock Lake. The results:

1st Place: Adam Fox, Kevin Cheffey - 15.82 lbs

2nd Place: Kevin Brown, Kevin Clingan - 11.74 lbs

3rd Place: Chipper Solomon, Tyler Potter - 11.36 lbs

4th Place: John Kroutil, Don Gardner - 10.98 lbs

BIG BASS: Trent Cowherd & Steve Sherrill

Salute Council Planning 25th Annual Celebration

The first “Salute to Construction” in 1985 was one of twelve monthly salutes to various industries organized by the Chamber of Commerce. In subsequent years, representatives of the industry assumed responsibility for the annual celebration ourselves. To recognize the Chamber’s influence, the Kickoff Mixer and Proclamation Ceremony will be held at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 27, 5:15 p.m., featuring VIPs, hearty hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The Salute Banquet will be Thursday, November 5 at the Clarion Hotel, where these awards and others will be announced. Jim Anderson and Doug Jackson will be MC’s for this year’s celebration. Please call 862-1313 if you know of ANY awards or honors which should be recognized at the Banquet. Table Sponsors will be able to decorate a table at the Banquet for a donation of $75. (For more sponsorship information click here.)

$2500 in Scholarships to celebrate 25 years will be presented by the Salute Council at the Banquet on November 5. Five $500 awards will be made to individuals who have been displaced or adversely affected by the economic downturn and are going to school for education or training in a construction-related field. Call the SCA Office (862-1313) for applications. The deadline to apply is September 30.

Career Days: During the two-week period from October 27 through November 7, teams of speakers will visit area schools to talk about careers in construction. Be sure to fill out the volunteer form (click here to download) to participate in this extremely important activity.

The Photo Contest Entry Form can be downloaded by clicking here. You may again submit your photos online – see #5 and #6 on entry form. The deadline for submissions is October 1. The winning photos will be included in the Springfield Business Journal’s “Salute Supplement.” $400 in cash prizes will be awarded and all entries will be on display at the Salute Banquet. The rules are self explanatory but if you have any questions, please call 883-6044 or 862-1313.

You can download nomination forms for the Project of the Year Award and Developer of the Year Award from the Springfield Contractors Association Website by clicking here. The Project of the Year Award recognizes a single project, including the Owner, GC/CM and Design Team. The dollar size of the project is less important than the unique attributes of the project under consideration. This will allow smaller projects to be recognized as well as large ones. The “Developer of the Year” Award will continue to be awarded to an individual or entity whose project or projects have signifi cant impact on the community in both dollars and development. These awards come from the entire Association, so please share your ideas with us. The deadline is October 9, but there’s no reason to wait.