2024 Annual Awards Recipients Honored at HBA Annual Meeting

The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver held the 2024 Annual Meeting on Thursday. October 23rd at Denver Marriott West. The ceremonies were emceed by HBA CEO Ted Leighty. It was a celebratory evening as Dave Lemnah of Lokal Homes and 2024 HBA Board President welcomed 2025 HBA President Jason Brown of Ascent Builders. The HBA also presented the highly coveted awards for Associate of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Home Builder of the Year.

Dave Lemnah, President of the HBA began the night by thanking the generous HBA members who sponsored the event: HBA Organizational Partners Pella Windows & Doors, Ent Credit Union and Fusion Sign & Design, Event sponsors Ascent Builders, Brightland Homes, Brookfield Residential, KB Home, Lokal Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers, Tri Pointe Homes, Beacon Building Products, Redland, Gray Fox Collective, DTJ Design Inc, EnergyLogic Inc, Rain Bird, StrucSure Home Warranty, 3 Trees Design & Drafting, Cadre General Contractors, CBUSA, Holland Construction Inc, and Honey Bucket, 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 2024 HBA Board Members. Nominating Committee Chair and Immediate Past President Randy Carpenter then took attendees through the Board of Directors nominating process, announced the 12 elected builder/developer members that were elected to serve on the 2025 HBA Board of Directors, and called for ratification of the vote.

With that, Dave Lemnah administered the 2025 HBA presidential oath for Jason Brown and presented him with the customary gavel. Brown then took over with the installation of the 2025 Board of Directors, and provided his inaugural remarks.

After the induction of the board, HBA CEO, Ted Leighty presented the 2024 Awards for Associate, Volunteer, Advocate, and Home Builder of the Year:

2024 Associate of the Year: Travis Hendrix

This year’s HBA of Metro Denver Associate of the Year has quickly established himself as an up-and-coming leader within our Association. He has proven himself to be a tireless worker who is willing to step up a take on leadership roles whenever and wherever it is needed. He was a member of the HBA’s Inaugural Emerging Leaders class of 2022 and has since taken this practical experience and turned it into action. Over the past two years, he has served as chair of the HBA Permitting Committee, on the CBRC Board of Directors, on the HBA Government Affairs Committee and as a Board member of the Metro Housing Coalition. It is truly astonishing that he has had time to give so much back to the HBA, while also establishing himself as a talented architect at KGA Studio Architects where he was recently promoted to Associate Principal. The HBA of Metro Denver is lucky to call him a member of our association and is excited to watch his continued accomplishments in the years ahead. This year’s HBA Associate of the Year Recipient goes to Travis Hendrix.

2024 Volunteer of the Year: Lauren Browne

In a time when our industry is fraught with layers of uncertainty and an extra level of busyness… there are few who take on the level of commitment and leadership necessary to truly make things happen. And Lauren is just that person. As a business owner and all that that entails, Lauren is also a dedicated mother who has been personally navigating the heart-wrenching journey of IEPs and countless meetings to provide resources for her son. And on top of that - she was the Chair of the PWB for 2024.  During her tenure as Chair, Lauren made it her mission to leave the board in a better state than how she found it and became one of the most resourceful chairs the PWB has had to date. A large part of why Lauren was so successful was due to her commitment to professionalism, the art of inclusion – allowing each key member of the board to own their roles, and leading them towards the PWB’s greater mission of empowering, engaging, and energizing women within the homebuilding industry and at large. She is the real deal and we are honored to have all been touched by her commitment to the industry she loves.

I nominate Lauren Browne to recognize her exceptional contributions to the HBA. Lauren actively participates in HBA initiatives, fostering strong relationships within the industry and supporting the workforce with her dedication to collaboration and professional development

And our Award Selection committee couldn’t agree more. Congratulations to Lauren – HBA’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year!

2024 Home Builder of the Year: Jeff McGovern

Jeff McGovern an active member of the HBA, and past-HBA Board President that consistently provides leadership and experience-based insights. Jeff continually gives back by speaking, emceeing/moderating at any occasion event asked of him with well-timed humor and thought-provoking point of view – Jeff jumped in and moderated the 2023 Political Forum, and most recently was a panelist for SMC’s State of the State Division President panel.

Throughout the years, Jeff has been an exemplary role model for builder and associate members alike. As a builder, Jeff has paved the way for many builders and developers to follow his exceptional work ethic, creativity, and leadership. As a member of the HBA board of directors and past HBA Board President, Jeff exemplifies the best of the best!

2024 Advocate of the Year: Diana Rael

This year’s HBA Advocate of the Year Award Winner has made it their mission to help the residential construction industry deliver attainable housing through time-tested market driven solutions that actually move the needle on housing supply and affordability. Over the past many years, she has served with distinction on our Association’s Government Affairs Committee, Countless Joint Taskforces across our jurisdiction, as a Metro Housing Coalition Board Treasurer, Vice President and President. She also helped to establish the MHC’s Annual Political Forum and spent the last 15 years quietly working to ensure its continued success as the influential fundraising and issue symposium it has grown to become. It goes without saying that her friendly and unassuming approach to advocacy has earned her countless friends and incalculable influence in County Buildings, City Halls and Council Chambers throughout the Metro Area over many years. In short, the HBA of Metro Denver owes much of our past and continued success to model members and advocacy leaders like her. This year’s 2024 Advocate of the Year Award recipient is Diana Rael.

Congratulations to the 2024 Annual Awards Recipients!