NAHB Leadership Meeting at International Builders Show

Jennifer KellerPresident's Message, Professional Women in Building, Workforce Development

In February, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosted a Leadership Council meeting at the 2022 International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida. At the Leadership Council meeting, we elected the 2022 leadership team who committed to prioritize issues such as the ongoing supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, lumber price volatility, regulatory barriers, workforce development initiatives, and housing finance reform.

In support of workforce development, the NAHB made a special announcement about a new agreement with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This year, ten home builders associations across the country will pilot programs to mentor the young men and women of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The goals are to showcase career opportunities available to them in home building and to guide them to choose a career in residential construction. The pilot program’s initial efforts will focus on hosting events, conducting jobsite visits, and facilitating job shadowing.

NAHB First Vice Chairman Alicia Huey hosted a particularly interesting roundtable discussion with three first-term members of Congress — Representative Kat Cammack (R-Florida), Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York) and Representative Maria Salazar (R – Florida). These women shared their personal stories about what led them to political office and their views about Congress.


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Representative Cammack shared that she was homeless just ten years ago and that her path in life motivates her to fight back against big government. Representative Malliotakis shared that her mother, having grown up under a communist dictatorship, taught her the value of our elections process. Collectively, their messaging was that they are fighting for transparency in government, a sense of urgency about policy making and fighting for principles and the American way.

I was inspired by their stories and reiterate last month’s plea for you to consider donating to our PAC so that we can continue fighting for our industry. (Visit www.ghba.org/homepac)

IBS was very well attended by an estimated 45,000 people. Exhibit space totaled 425,000 net square feet, and more than 800 exhibitors displayed the latest in building products and technology. This year’s Best of IBS Awards received more than 200 entries. Awards were given to exhibitors with a product or line that shows the best combination of design, functionality, and innovation, as well as its usefulness to consumers and/or home builders. See the winners at www.buildersshow.com/bestofibs

In addition to meeting suppliers and seeing product demos throughout the three-day show, attendees networked with peers and attended any of more than 110 educational sessions led by experts on a wide range of industry topics. A few of my favorites were related to marketing and tax strategies.

I would be remiss if I did not highlight that at the NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) meeting, Houston received final approval of its local chapter of PWB. On the day we were approved we had 160 charter members which makes Houston the largest PWB in the country already. I am looking forward to following the activities of our PWB board and members and wish them a fantastic inaugural year.

If you were unable to attend IBS, you can review the highlights of the show with IBS Express, a virtual broadcast which will feature exclusive IBS 2022 content, product demos and interviews with industry, business, construction, design and sales experts. It will be available on BuildersShow.com from February 24 through March 31.

NAHB produces a variety of e-newsletters and blogs that may cover specific areas of interest to you. If you do not already subscribe, I recommend the Monday Morning Briefing, the Housing Headlines Newsletter, NAHB Now Blog, and the Eye on Housing Blog. 

About the Author

Jennifer Keller

Article by 2022 GHBA Board President Jennifer Keller, president and COO of Hamilton Thomas Homes. Keller has more than 25 years of experience in home building, land acquisition, land development, and land development / water resources engineering. Keller is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas who holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

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