The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield announced its most prestigious honors of the year at last Tuesday night’s annual Christmas party and banquet at Bass Pro’s White River Conference Center in Springfield. The annual HBA awards announced during the evening’s festivities included HBA Builder Member of the Year, HBA Associate Company of the Year and HBA Associate Individual of the Year.
The HBA Builder Member of the Year went to Brett Godfrey, owner of Built by Brett. First appointed to the Board in 1996, Godfrey has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Education Chair, NAHB Director, Immediate Past President, HBA Board President in 2003 and 2004, and again for the 2013 year. Godfrey’s contributions to the HBA have been demonstrated over his lengthy involvement with the organization. His level-headedness keeps the HBA looking forward, even in times of transition. In addition to his service, Godfrey holds Certified Green Professional Designation, sits on the CBBT Board, and serves as a Builder Advocacy Partner.
Midwest Block and Brick was honored as HBA Associate Company of the Year. Over the past year, they have sponsored and participated in the HBA Charitable Foundation Mini Golf Tournament, participated in the Fishing Tournament, the annual Home Show, the CBBT Advocacy Investor Program, and volunteered at the Home Show and Home Remodeling Shows. Midwest Block and Brick employees sit on the HBA Charitable Foundation Board, Golf Committee and Trade Show Committee. The company regularly attends educational events and hosted the HBA Membership Networking Event, the Crawdaddy Crawl.
HBA recognized two members for the HBA Associate Individual of the Year award. Crystal Shotts of Southern Supply was chosen as one of the 2013 HBA Associates Individual of the Year. Aside from being a member of the HBA Trade Show Committee and board member of the HBA Charitable Foundation, Shotts has attended every HBA Networking event, volunteered prior to and during the Home Show and Home Remodeling Show, sponsored and volunteered at the HBA Charitable Foundation Mini Golf Tournament, and participated in the CBBT Advocacy Investor Program.
Mike Benna of Meek’s – The Builder’s Choice was recognized as the other 2013 HBA Associate Individual of the Year. Benna serves as the Vice President of Political Advocacy, is a member of the HBA Board of Directors, and has continued to be a resource for the organization’s political efforts. Likewise, Benna has a seat on the CBBT Board of Directors and participates in the CBBT Advocacy Program, is a member of the Regulatory Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Meetings, and has led the smoke alarm giveaway effort. He also attended every HBA Networking Event.
Two HBA Board of Director awards were issued. The first award went to Glenn Green, from Lowther Johnson Attoneys at Law. Glenn has served as an adjunct professor in the Missouri State University Department of Communications and provided legal advice throughout the year with his more than twenty years of legal experience. The second HBA Board of Director award went to Miles Ross, owner of Veritas Public Relations. Ross has served as the Executive Director of Friends of Roy Blunt from 2004-2009 and has advised hundreds of races across Missouri; his political grassroots experience includes everything from county office to presidential campaigns.
Five Presidents awards were issued. The first award went to HBA staff member, Emily Fletcher. The second to Aaron Wahlquist, owner of justADvertize and HBA staff member of 3 years, though his affiliation with the HBA has spanned more than 18 years. The third Presidents award went to HBA Executive Officer and Operations Manager, Charlyce Ruth. She has been on staff at the HBA of Greater Springfield for 14 years, and also serves as treasurer for the local National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) chapter. The fourth award went to Steve Hamm with Systematic Savings Bank. Steve is the Vice President of Finance/Treasurer of the HBA Board of Directors. Hamm also serves as the Vice Chair for the Ozarks Region Workforce Investment Board and has more than 30 years banking experience in the Springfield area. Miles Ross of Veritas Public Relations was awarded the fifth Presidents Award for 2013.