Postponed since January 2021, The Home Builders Association of Lincoln’s (HBAL) Awards Ceremony and Election of Officers and Directors was held November 9, 2021. At the event, which was emceed by Perry Haralson, Cornhusker Bank, the following awards were presented:
- Herm Hempel Award (Most New Members) – Mike Kinning (Kinning Design Build)
- Ervin E. Peterson Founders Award (Most Retained Members) – Denny Van Horn (Van Horn Custom Homes)
- Development Services Center Employee of the Year Award – Tim Thompson (Building & Safety)
- Associate of the Year Award – Shawn Stranathan (Nebraska Building Products)
- President’s Award – Michaela Schwarten, Jennie Korth & Laure Husmann (HBAL)
2021 Officers Elected: President, Fred Hoppe, The Hoppe Law Firm; President Elect, Lori Wellman, Lincoln Cabinet; 1st Vice President, Beau Daffer, BIC Custom Homes, LLC; 2nd Vice President, Perry Haralson, Cornhusker Bank; Secretary, Ryan Trausch, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank; Treasurer, Bob Bryant, Bryant, Katt & Associates, P.C.; Immediate Past President, Matt Kinning, Kinning Design Build, Inc. Builder Directors Elected: Kenny German, Destiny Homes, LLC; Dan Loeck, Loeck Designs; Sam Swartz, True North Custom Homes, LLC. Associate Directors Elected: Megan Dreyer, CS Kitchen & Bath Studio; Matt Firestone, Concrete Craft of Lincoln; Dave Lakin, VirtuActive 3D Drafting & Design.
Past Presidents in attendance (pictured from left): Denny Van Horn, Matt Kleinschmit, Roger Reynolds, Bo Jones, Dan Klein, Sr., Mike Kinning, Mike May, Jim Christo and Herb Reese.
Council reports were also given on the Young Building Professionals and the Remodelers Council of Lincoln. These two councils provide members an opportunity to be involved in a smaller setting.
Blake Pittack is the current Vice President of the Young Building Professionals which has 75 members. Blake shared that the Young Building Professionals (YBP) Council was started in September 2014. YBP has a lot to celebrate and be proud of as a Council. There are 75 members, our Midday Meetups and Hard Hat Happy Hours remain strong networking and professional development opportunities that bring new and familiar faces. YBP continues to work with students in middle and high school who are interested in careers in construction. YBP is currently planning a car show to raise funds to support careers in construction. If you are interested in supporting us or are a car enthusiast with a car to enter in the show contact the HBAL office.
Pam Magner, past Chair of the Remodelers Council, gave a report on behalf of the council. She shared the council’s disappointment when we had to cancel the annual Tour of Remodeled Homes the past two years. We are looking forward to bringing it back in April 2022. In August, the Remodelers Council held its 30th annual Golf Tournament where they raised $5,500 for the Foundation’s Scholarship fund. Each December the council collect hats, mittens and gloves for Lincoln elementary schools, an annual tradition started in 2010 by Lori Wellman, HBAL’s 1st Vice President. The Remodelers Council’s next meeting is Wednesday, December 1 with a tour of Sun Valley Lanes renovation.
