2023 Annual Awards Recipients honored at HBA Annual Meeting

The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver held the 2023 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 29th at the DU Cable Center. The ceremonies were emceed by HBA CEO Ted Leighty. It was a celebratory evening as Randy Carpenter, KB Home Colorado's Division President and 2023 HBA Board President welcomed 2024 HBA President Dave Lemnah, Co-Owner of Lokal Homes. The HBA also presented the highly coveted awards for Associate of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Home Builder of the Year.

Randy Carpenter, President of the HBA began the night by thanking the generous HBA members who sponsored the event: HBA Organizational Partners Pella Windows & Doors and Ent Credit Union, Event sponsors KB Home, Lokal Homes, Brightland Homes, Craft Companies, Norris Design, Toll Brothers, Tri Pointe Homes, Westwood Professional Services, Redland, Forestar Group, Aldermill, Inc, and Sunnova New Homes, as well as Land Forum sponsor Cushman Wakefield before sharing his perspective on the year in review.

As the evening proceeded, a whole-hearted thank you and applause were given to the serving 2023 HBA Board Members. Nominating Committee Chair and Immediate Past President Jeff McGovern then took attendees through the Board of Directors nominating process, announced the 12 elected builder/developer members that were elected to serve on the 2024 HBA Board of Directors, and called for ratification of the vote.

With that, Randy Carpenter administered the 2024 HBA presidential oath for Dave Lemnah and presented him with the customary gavel. Lemnah then took over with the installation of the 2024 Board of Directors, and provided his inaugural remarks.

After the induction of the board, HBA CEO, Ted Leighty presented the 2023 Awards for Associate, Volunteer and Home Builder of the Year, and also introduced a new award category for this year – the HBA Advocate of the Year:

2023 Associate of the Year: Patrick Werner
The 2023 HBA Associate of the Year is notorious for Connecting other members and curating quality relationships, all the while, providing the Highest level custom craftsmanship product.

This individual is a constant association supporter, contributor, engaging, and helpful asset who continues to make a positive difference in membership and networking areas of concentration!

They are always taking time to call members, prospective and new, always meeting people at coffee shops, red lights, walking down the street, and asks them if they are members of the HBA. Their dedication to this organization is the reason why Katie Evereth has made him and will keep him as Membership Chair as long as she can

As past-chair of the CBRC, current chair of the HBA Membership committee, and all around HBA Ambassador, He is a consistent supporter and champion of the HBA.
Congratulations to Patrick Werner, Owner of Slider Artworks - for his continual service to the HBA and the industry. The HBA is proud to recognize you as HBA’s 2023 Associate Member of the Year.

2023 Volunteer of the Year: Rose Rodriguez
Our Volunteer of the Year recipient has been involved in the HBA Tech & Regulatory Committees for years, and continues to devote their time and talent to the Permitting Committee, Government Affairs and MHC. She is always willing to jump in and help wherever needed.

This individual currently chairs our Permitting Committee and actively serves on the GAC and the MHC. On top of that they joined our planning committee for our MHC Political Forum this year. Whenever we need help, information or expertise on any policy related matters this person always steps up and helps out and has really become an indispensable member in our HBA Advocacy efforts and is very effective at providing the builder perspective on lots of issues before City Councils across our jurisdiction. We think Rose Rodriguez of Taylor Morrison is very deserving candidate for Volunteer of the year.

And our Award Selection committee couldn’t agree more. Congratulations to Rose Rodriguez – HBA’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year!

2023 Home Builder of the Year: Jason Brown
One of this builder’s nominations states: Although he presents himself as a “smaller” builder, I don’t think most people in the industry realize what all he does first for his company and then for the industry in general. Due to labor issues, he personally managed most of his re-build houses in the burn area while concurrently running other jobs in Parker and Evergreen and still being on the exec team, board and membership team at the HBA. He is truly a person who gives back in hopes of leaving this industry better off. I look forward to seeing where he takes his company and the HBA here in the near future.

This builder has been active in the councils as a past chair of the custom builder & remodeler Council, a former chair of the membership committee, and 2023 board treasurer – recently installed as HBA’s President-Elect.

This year’s honoree also is an integral part of the efforts to rebuild Louisville and Superior. They have spent countless hours assisting Marshall fire families and his company is engaged with many fire families to rebuild their homes. It is our distinct privilege and pleasure to announce Jason Brown, President of Ascent Builders as this year’s HBA Home Builder of the Year!

2023 Advocate of the Year: Tim Craft
For our inaugural HBA Advocate of the year award, we are pleased to recognize someone who demonstrates the importance of Advocacy on behalf of the HBA and our industry.

Serving as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the past three years, and on MHC the past two, he has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the residential construction industry across the Denver metro area. During his tenure, he has a litany of accomplishments that have greatly improved the position of the homebuilding profession as well as our relationships with the counties and municipalities across our jurisdiction. Through his leadership, the HBA has successfully combatted ballot questions, detrimental changes to metro districts, construction tax proposals, inclusionary zoning ordinances, fee increases and many other issues that directly impact our industry’s ability to bring much needed attainable housing opportunities to Colorado residents…. Ultimately saving our industry over $130 million in 2022 alone. We appreciate his years of service to our organization as our GAC Committee Chair and are honored to present Tim Craft as the first recipient of the HBA Advocate of the Year Award

Congratulations to the 2023 Annual Awards Recipients!