Association’s board of directors takes office

The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association's 2008 board of directors took office, effective Jan. 1.

The 2008 officers are President Mick Galatio, Desert Wind Homes; First Vice President Bill Hoover, Pageantry Communities; and newly appointed Second Vice President Nat Hodgson, Pulte Homes.

Diana Bossard of B2 Development Services continues as SNHBA's treasurer, and Tony Stipanov of Southwest Gas Corp. continues as secretary.

The builder members on the board of directors are Rick Barron, Cindy Bowen, Patrick Helfrich, Jim Hostetler, Brad Martin, David McEntire, Greg Oberling, Brian Plaster, Tom Warden and Frank Wyatt.

Associate members on the board are Barbara Baird, Cathleen Channel, David Fortner, Bruce King, Ed Lubbers, Jim McNutt and Dennis Smith.

These elected board members, along with the officers, senior directors and past presidents, constitute the board of directors.

At the association's installation and awards event in December, SNHBA's outgoing 2007 President Harry Shull of Celebrate Homes presented several awards.

The Builder Member of the Year Award went to Tony Lowery of Pageantry Communities, who Shull called "a gentleman who has provided outstanding service to the industry for many years.

"He deals with our complex issues, such as processing, zoning, off-sites and utilities. He is always there for us, attending meetings, rewriting regulations, interacting with government and serving on our committees," Shull said.

The Associate Member of the Year Award went to Mark Shank of Nevada Power Co., for what Shull termed "outstanding service to the association and the industry."

"This year's recipient has spent the past 21/2 years working with the industry and members of our committees to put together a Development Services Center, to improve processing and totally revamping our interaction and protocols with Nevada Power Co.," Shull said.

"His 'open door policy,' communication and knowledge of the industry have significantly improved our relations with Nevada Power. We sincerely appreciate his efforts," Shull said.

Shull also presented the President's Special Award to two people who, in his words, "have exhibited outstanding friendship and knowledge of the industry." The awards went to Christine Robinson, who worked with SNHBA on environmental issues until she recently left her position as assistant Clark County manager to manage the Lied Animal Shelter; and Phil Speight, who as the former Henderson city manager strove to ensure cooperation between the city, the SNHBA and its members, Shull said.

The 2007 Builder Spike Award for membership recruitment went to Nat Hodgson of Pulte Homes as the builder member who brought in the most new members last year.

The 2007 Associate Spike Award for membership recruitment went to Ryan Seger of Whirlpool as the associate member who recruited the most new members.

Also during the year-end awards event, SNHBA Executive Director Irene Porter was honored for 30 years of service in the position she currently holds.

"Working closely and cooperatively with the leadership of this association, Irene has shepherded us through the good times and the bad times. She is one of the most respected and called-upon executives in the state of Nevada and even in national circles," Shull said. "We have been very fortunate to have Irene guiding us for 30 years."

Porter received more than a dozen governmental proclamations, and a DVD presentation all about her years with the association was shown.