BUILDING December 2020 Awards & Leadership Recognition Commemorative Issue Business & Apartment Management Business & Apartment Management VOICE OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN AND APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN HONORING 2020 PRESIDENT David S. Compo, Compo Builders, Inc. & The Distinguished Award Honorees READ THEIR PROFILES ON PAGES 2 – 15 From upper left: LYNNE PRATT • STEVEN PERLMAN • BRYAN LEITH MICHAEL A. CHIRCO • MICHAEL VIAZANKO • LEE SCHWARTZ JIM EATHORNE • RON STEWART • MARY OLK INSIDE: MEMBER SERVICE RECOGNITION SALES & DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT COMPETITION HONORING OUR PAST t t SHARING OUR PRESENT BUILDING OUR FUTURE PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
Business & Apartment ManagementBusiness & Apartment ManagementVOICE OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN AND APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN
HONORING 2020 PRESIDENT David S. Compo, Compo Builders, Inc.
& The Distinguished Award HonoreesREAD THEIR PROFILES ON PAGES 2 – 15
From upper left:
LYNNE PRATT • STEVEN PERLMAN • BRYAN LEITH
MICHAEL A. CHIRCO • MICHAEL VIAZANKO • LEE SCHWARTZ
PUBLICATION CREDITSPUBLISHER Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan
EDITOR Susan Adler Shanteau
COPY EDITOR J.R. Shanteau
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Nancy Rozum
APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN
PRESIDENT Warren Rose FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Karlene Lehman IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Matthew Lester
PAST PRESIDENTS Allen Amber Jeffrey Kaftan Melvin Kaftan George M. Nyman
CEO Michael C. Stoskopf
VICE PRESIDENTS Cary Belovicz Mitchell Bleznak Jonathan R. Borenstein Jay Brody Kevin Dillon Leslie Lewiston Etterbeek Howard Jacobson Andrew Kuhn Aaron Rosenhaus Shawn Stafford Michael E. Tobin David Wilkins
PRESIDENT David Compo
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Ben Templeton
TREASURER Rino Soave
SECRETARY Jason Minock
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Bob Tedesco
VICE PRESIDENTS Tim Capaldi Vito Castellana David Steuer Brian Szliter ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT H. William (Bill) Freeman CEO — Michael C. Stoskopf
BUILDING Business &Apartment Management
2 HBA PRESIDENT’S AWARD David Compo, Compo Builders, Inc.
3 HALL OF FAME Lynne Pratt, CSP, CGB, CAPS, Pratt Building Co.
3 MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION BUILDER Michael A. Chirco, MJC Companies
4 BERT L. SMOKLER BUILDER OF THE YEAR Steven S. Perlman, AP Builders
4 YOUNG BUILDER OF THE YEAR Bryan Leith, LUXE Homes Design + Build
5 DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR Gary Shapiro, Ivanhoe Companies
5 DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR Terra by Cambridge Homes
6 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD IN ARCHITECTURE Michael J. Gordon, RA, Moiseev/Gordon Associates
6 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Spencer Roed, Multi Drywall & Partition, LLC.
7 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HOUSING INDUSTRY Lee Schwartz, Home Builders Association of Michigan
7 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD URBAN HOME BUILDING Aaron Rosenhaus, Uniland Corporation
8 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT Michael Viazanko, Building Official, City of Sterling Heights
8 THOMAS RICKETTS AWARD TO THE REGION’S OUTSTANDING BUILDING OFFICIAL David Herriman, Building Official, Lyon Township
9 REMODELER OF THE YEAR Tim Capaldi, Capaldi Building Co.
9 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE REMODELING INDUSTRY Cole Wagner, Cole Wagner Cabinetry
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP & AWARDS COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
10 SUBCONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR Jim Eathorne, E.W. Kitchens
10 ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR Ron Stewart, Matick Chevrolet
11 DON MAILLHO MEMORIAL AWARD IN BANKING Mark Orr Lake Michigan Credit Union
11 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO THE BUILDING INDUSTRY Mary Olk, Designer Interiors by Mary Olk
12 SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR SUPPORT OF COUNCIL & CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS Paula Badalamente, IMAGIO
12 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN BUILDING COUNCIL Jennifer Carnaghi, Chet’s Cleaning, Inc.
13 MEMBER SERVICE AWARDS
14 SALES & DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT COMPETITION New Homes, Remodeled Homes & Sales Winners
17 THE COMPO CORNER: Final Thoughts For 2020
18 DON’T LET WINTER CATCH YOU OFF GUARD Apartment Association Safety Guidelines
19 APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN NEWS Advocacy Update and ABMWCSIF Premium Refund Comparison
20 NEW HOUSING PERMIT FORECAST: Remaining On Track
2 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
HBA 2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARD David S. CompoCompo Builders, Inc.
The Compo family is well known not only for the outstanding craftsmanship of the homes they have built and remodeled but
also for their leadership in the building industry. Both of David’s parents, James and Janet Compo, individually received the HBA’s highest honors, induction into the Hall of Fame. No one could have imagined what David would face during his tenure as president of the HBA in 2020. But, the leadership and management skills that are so much a part of the Compo heritage served David well as he worked diligently to lead the HBA, and Compo Builders, Inc., through every challenge that arose from the global pandemic.
David Compo’s roots go deep in the building industry. His grandfather, John, was a builder. David’s father followed the family tradition by forming his own building company, James D. Compo, Inc., with his wife, Janet, in 1961. David was drawing working architectural plans for his parents’ company at the age of 15. For 33 years, David worked alongside his father and mother, building the Compo reputation for quality construction. In 2012, David and his brother, Christopher, founded Compo Builders, Inc., achieving HBA accolades for their own work, including David’s awards for Builder of the Year (2013) and Developer of the Year (2015) and Christopher’s honor as Remodeler of the Year (2016). Most recently the company’s Lisa Ranch in Dunhill Park of Novi was awarded a 2019 Parade of Homes Blue Ribbon and a 2020 HBA Sales & Design Competition Silver Award for New Home Interior Design Project of the Year. In the competition, the company also received a Gold Award for Whole House Remodel over
2000 square feet.Compo Builders sold out their Hidden Lake,
Woodland Ridge, and Casa Loma developments. The company is currently building Montebello Estates, 32 luxury wooded homes in Novi; Dunhill Park, 30 premium home sites in Novi; as well as other homes from Howell to Birmingham and Ann Arbor to Highland. The company also provides residential home renovation and inspection services. David has been a Real Estate Broker for 20+ years with his company Compo REI Brokerage, LLC.
As president of HBA in 2020, David spent a lot of his time on Zoom conference calls, working with the HBA staff, the HBAM staff and Michigan legislators to get the residential building industry safely back to work after the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Orders. “We were ahead of the curve in coming up with COVID-19 safety protocols that were workable and we pushed hard for getting the industry reopened,” said David. “We’ve also been in talks with the state to increase the size of the code review board from its current two-person panel, with the hopes of getting additional knowledgeable industry professionals on the panel.”
Promoting the Association and the industry was also a focus of David’s presidency. He wrote a monthly feature in the HBA magazine entitled, The Compo Corner, educating members on topics from Workforce Development to NAHB 20 Clubs, to Energy Efficiency and New Building Technology. A strong advocate of Workforce Development, David created a PowerPoint presentation, now available to any member or association statewide, which can be used
during presentations aimed at getting youth interested in the building industry. Prior to the pandemic he also visited 10 elementary schools, reading to the students from the NAHB and HBAM sponsored book, Billy the Builder Bear Builds a House. “Labor is a huge challenge for the industry,” said David. “I plan to continue my work in this area even after my presidency ends.” Compo Builders has also sponsored high school interns over the years in an effort to expose more young people to the industry.
David has been married for 21 years to Michele, the secretary/treasurer and accountant for Compo Builders. The couple has a son, Dawson, who is a freshman at Michigan State University. David serves as Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, is active in his church and serves on the Executive Board of the CDS Foundation. He is also on the Board of Directors for the state and national HBA’s as well as the HBA of Southeastern Michigan. A private pilot, David has flown yearly trips for Operation Good Cheer, which provides Christmas gifts for foster children in Michigan. n
3BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
HALL OF FAME
Lynne Pratt, CSP, CGB, CAPSPratt Building Co.
MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION BUILDER OF THE YEAR Michael A. ChircoMJC Companies®
Lynne Pratt, with her visionary ideas, boundless energy, and ‘let’s get it done’ work ethic rightfully takes her place this
year among the distinguished group of HBA Hall of Fame honorees, including her husband, Don Pratt, a 2006 Hall of Fame inductee. Her volunteer service to the building industry on the local, state and national levels stands as a role model showcasing how the efforts of one individual can positively affect thousands of building industry professionals nationwide.
Lynne is president and founder of Pratt Building Company. Her company has built-out several sizable residential projects over the years, constructing dozens of semi-custom homes in the Detroit metropolitan area. The company now develops land for commercial and residential purposes and provides construction consulting services. Lynne is also the vice president of Construction Education and Consulting Services of Michigan, working with Don to resolve client’s complex construction issues.
On the national level Lynne currently serves as a Senior Life Delegate of the NAHB, having been on the Executive Board for over 20 years.
She has also served on numerous NAHB committees including Budget & Finance, Public Affairs, Resolutions, Government Affairs, Nominations, and several Strategic Affairs Task Forces. She has also chaired a lengthy list of national committees including Business Management & Information Technologies, Education, Membership and Design. After her first chairmanship as National Women’s Council Chair in 2000, she transitioned that council into the modernized Professional Women in Building (PWB). Thousands who attended the 2012 International Builders Show in Las Vegas benefitted from Lynne’s work as Chair of the Convention Committee. Since then she has served as the State Representative and National Area Chair. She was honored with the NAHB President’s Award in 2001 and was named NAHB Woman of the Year in 2007.
The Home Builders Association of Michigan also benefitted from Lynne’s leadership as a member of the Board of Directors for over 20 years and as the HBAM state president in 2018. At the local level, Lynne has served numerous terms as president of PWB and as a member
of the HBA of Southeastern Michigan Board of Directors since 2000. She received the HBA’s Distinguished Service to the Housing Industry Award in 2006 and in 2011, and the 2019 Samuel Kreis Award.
“The homebuilding industry positively affects the everyday lives of folks across the country in countless ways and I love being a small part of that!,” said Lynne. “Involvement in our association offered me opportunities and returns far beyond the obvious, and for those I am forever grateful.” n
When Michael A. Chirco founded MJC Companies in 1972 and broke ground on his first subdivision in Shelby
Township he never could have imagined that nearly 50 years later his company would have built over 9,000 homes for southeast Michigan families. The company that Mike and his team built is ranked as one of the state’s largest privately-owned and operated builders and has made Builder Magazine’s list of the top 200 builders in the nation. Mike received the HBA’s Bert L. Smokler Builder of the Year award in 2016. While they have a reputation for quality single-family and condominium home construction, MJC Companies is also one of the area’s premier luxury multifamily home builders.
In 2012, MJC Companies took their home building expertise and set a new standard in multifamily living with the debut of Ashford Apartments in Shelby Township. Its 180 units feature open, light-filled kitchens and living spaces, cathedral ceilings, fireplaces, private attached garages, tiled bathrooms, and full-sized laundry rooms, among other amenities you
would expect in a luxury home.Following the success of Ashford Apartments,
MJC Companies continued to expand the offerings of subsequent projects. MJC Companies completed the 168-unit Harvard Place in Rochester Hills in 2016, the 203-unit ShearWater Apartment Homes in Commerce Township in 2017, and the 203-unit Huntley Manor in Novi this past year. These projects each feature multiple distinct floor plans with two or three bedrooms, two or three full baths and attached two-car garages. Among these projects you’ll also find magnificent clubhouses, fitness centers, private gated entries, swimming pools, distinctive crown moldings, wood-style plank flooring, stone countertops, and premium appliances.
MJC Companies’ newest project, Barrington Apartment Homes, with nearly 300 units in Commerce Township, is set to begin leasing before the end of the year. Featuring single-story apartment homes and stacked ranch apartment homes, Barrington provides a variety of housing types at the highest level of luxury living.
Mike and his wife, Mary, recently celebrated
their golden 50-year anniversary. The couple has six children and 12 grandchildren, and are highly regarded for their generous contributions to many philanthropic causes. The St. Louis Center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has honored Mike with their Citizenship Award for raising over $1 million. From the Alzheimer’s Association, to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Karmanos Cancer Institute and a host of other worthy organizations, the Chircos have lived the motto from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” n
4 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
BERT L. SMOKLER BUILDER OF THE YEAR Steven PerlmanAP Builders
YOUNG BUILDER OF THE YEAR Bryan LeithLuxe Homes Design + Build
The Principals of AP Builders, Steven S. Perlman and Pete Alshab, have been in the home building industry for over 50
combined years. Steven was a founding principal of Ivanhoe-Huntley Homes, a land development and Top 5 Michigan home builder that constructed thousands of homes in the metro Detroit area for decades. Pete held the position of Director of New Home Construction and Development where he oversaw the construction of dozens of new home communities throughout the area. Together, they merged their talents and established AP Builders in 2014.
In just short six years, AP Builders has garnered a reputation for modern home design, exceptional construction quality and for exceeding customers’ expectations. Their first joint venture was Golf Ridge of Commerce, a community with 13 estate-sized wooded home sites in Commerce Township. Having gone from building 300-400 homes per year while with Ivanhoe-Huntley Homes, the team at AP Builders was able to focus their energy and
creativity on providing new home buyers with personalized attention throughout the entire home building process that savvy buyers want. Upon completion of Golf Ridge and speaking with their recent home buyers, Steve said, “We have a great team synergy … Buyers can see our quality. We don’t take any shortcuts.”
The company went on to quickly sell-out the Reserve of Beverly Crest, an 11 single-family home development on the land where the Orchard Valley Swim Club had once been in West Bloomfield. The beautifully constructed and designed homes coupled with the central location in the heart of the shopping and business district off Orchard Lake Road made it highly desirable. Currently, they are building Brookfield Village, a 24-home site luxury ranch development in West Bloomfield; Forest Edge Reserve, with 15 luxury home sites in Northville; and Forest Edge North, a 7 colonial and ranch home site development, also in Northville.
While at Ivanhoe-Huntley Homes Steven was honored as HBA Young Builder of the Year in 1996
and Builder of the Year in 2001. He served as an HBA board member and was president of the HBA in 2003.
Steve sees a positive during this recent pandemic which reveals much about where his priorities lie. “I would never have expected that I would again get to hang out for an entire summer with my 20-something-year-old boys,” said Steve who has three sons, Blake, Chase, and Reed. “They came in from Florida, New York and Indiana. The time I got to spend with my grown up boys was priceless!” n
LUXE Homes Design+Build was founded on the premise that talented, caring and compassionate people are the
cornerstone of exceptional companies. It follows that exceptional companies design and build exceptional homes and LUXE has lived up to that reputation for excellence since it was founded in 2013 by Bryan and Rachel Leith and John and Donna VanBrouck.
After graduating with a degree in Construction Management from Michigan State University, Bryan worked with Centex Homes, building hundreds of homes in Michigan. His first foray into luxury home building was when he formed Olde World Homes in 2008 to build a new custom home on Orchard Lake for his parents. John VanBrouck with VanBrouck and Associates was the architect. His parents’ new home resulted in another project on Orchard Lake. Bryan again teamed with John VanBrouck to build that high-end, custom luxury home. Over the years, the two companies collaborated on a number of projects. While in those five years
Bryan also served as a project manager with Hunter Roberts Homes.
By 2013, Bryan and John wanted to solidify their working partnership, and LUXE Homes Design+Build was officially launched. “John and I recognized that our teams were great as individual companies, but we really had something special when we combined both team’s expertise and talents,” said Bryan. “One major benefit to our clients is that talented experts in all aspects of building are under one company. That translates into a free exchange of ideas with our clients and exceptional communication throughout the process. Our first priority is to keep our clients happy, making the building process enjoyable and exciting.”
The company’s exceptional work has been recognized publicly with over 160 awards, including Best Luxury Home Builder in Michigan honors. They have been ranked as Best General Contractor in the Detroit area and Detroit Home Magazine readers voted LUXE as Best of Detroit for Custom Home Builders. In addition they are
an eight-time winner of the top award of “Best Overall Home,” and the six-time winner of the “Reader’s Choice Award” in the annual Detroit Home Design Awards.
Bryan and Rachel have been married for 13 years and are the parents of a daughter and son: Berkley (10) and Beckham (8). “I worked hard to be successful for my family’s sake,” said Bryan. “The incredible team of creative, hard-working and dedicated people at LUXE share in this honor with me. I couldn’t be prouder of our success.” n
5BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR Gary ShapiroIvanhoe Companies
DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR TerraBy Cambridge Homes
Frank Lloyd Wright, the renowned architect who designed homes in harmony with the environment once said, “If you invest
in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” Wright's organic architecture philosophy is the inspiration for Cambridge Homes' newest development – Terra.
Nestled in quiet seclusion beside 300-acres of protected parkland in Novi, Terra engenders an “Up North” feeling, with its winding streets and pockets of mature maple and beech trees. With 40 incomparable home sites that take advantage of natural features in the landscape, each custom home will express its owners' vision. Homes will feature the clean lines of Prairie-style architecture and will be built to the highest quality standards and attention to detail that is the hallmark of Cambridge Homes.
Originally planned as a single-family development, Mark Guidobono, founder of Cambridge Homes, credits his wife, Elizabeth, with the vision of Terra being more aligned with the active adult, empty-nester segment
of the market. “Elizabeth has spent countless hours over the years looking for land for Cambridge developments,” said Mark. “She identified the property which is now Terra, and it was her suggestions that made it what it is today. Together, we make a great team!”
Eight of the 26 homes in the first phase are currently under construction. “Sales are going well,” said Mark. “We did our research. In Michigan we have an aging population and that group wants simpler and cleaner lines in low-maintenance homes.” Terra is tucked into the wooded landscape, but still in the heart of Novi. “When you stand on the home sites nature is the only sound you hear,” said Mark. The Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style homes were designed by HBA member, TK Design & Associates. “Todd Hallett and his team did an excellent job helping us bring our ideas to life,” said Mark. Cedar,
stone, brick and exposed aggregate sidewalks and driveway are all elements used with the express purpose of blending with nature. “We view Terra as art – not just the development, but the homes, too,” said Mark.
Mark served as HBA president in 1998 and has served on the HBA Board of Directors for more than 35 years. He founded Cambridge Homes in 1979 and has built the company into one of the premier design/build companies specializing in high-end custom homes and exclusive developments. The company has previously received HBA Development of the Year honors for Woods of Edenderry in Northville and for Bellagio in Novi. n
Gary Shapiro and The Ivanhoe Companies have earned and maintained a long-standing reputation for creativity and
innovation in the entitlement, development and construction of quality, well-designed communities throughout southeastern Michigan. Ivanhoe has developed over 2,000 acres of land; 10,000 sites; and over 100 communities. In addition, the company has built and managed over 3,000 apartment units, and built over 3,500 residential and multi-family units as well as office complexes and neighborhood shopping centers.
Gary and his team are constantly analyzing changes in the marketplace and demographics. Ivanhoe is currently targeting suburban infill sites for higher density condominiums/townhouses, apartments, and smaller lots/cottage-style sites. Developments are currently taking up to three years to bring to fruition. “We recently completed multiple developments in West Bloomfield, Novi, Lyon Twp. and Rochester Hills, and currently have four communities in the design and entitlement process planned for 2021 and 2022,” said Gary, who is president and a principal of The Ivanhoe Companies.
Ivanhoe has been nationally recognized for
environmental land planning, development and building achievements. Gary and The Ivanhoe Companies have won numerous prestigious awards and are the only three-time recipient of the Michigan Community of the Year Award from the Michigan Society of Planning Officials. Other awards include the nationally acclaimed American Planning Association Award; an NAHB Best in National Living award; multiple HBA Sales & Marketing Council awards; a Lifetime Achievement Award from West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce; multiple management and beautification awards; as well HBA Developer of the Year and Development of the Year awards.
Gary takes pride in having a full scope of knowledge in real estate entitlement, development, construction, land economics and property management. Ivanhoe’s communities continue to harmoniously integrate challenging features including woodlands, wetlands, creeks and ponds. “We are constantly striving to innovate, while achieving density appropriate to the target market,” said Gary. “We enhance community identity by ensuring walkability and incorporating places of interest such
as pocket parks, pergolas and gazebos. We enhance wetlands by incorporating creative environmentally sensitive features like rain gardens and bioswales. We have successfully embraced Smart Growth, Infill and the place-making communities concepts by considering, addressing and designing to the market demand and specifics of each location.”
Gary has been married to Deborah for 38 years. The couple has three children, who are all successful attorneys: Jacob, who is a principal at The Ivanhoe Companies and Ivanhoe Management, Victoria and Ilana. The couple enjoys spending time with their children and three grandchildren: Ari, Elle and Harper. n
6 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HBA
Spencer RoedMulti Drywall & Partition, LLC
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN ARCHITECTURE
Michael J. Gordon, RA Moiseev/Gordon Associates
When Spencer left his IT consulting job in 1996, he “figured I’d go work for this home builder for a couple years,then go
back to consulting. But I just found construction to be rewarding work, and I really enjoyed the people that I interacted with and met on a daily basis, so I never left.”
In 2007, he joined up with a former colleague’s company, Multi Drywall & Partition to restructure the organization during the downturn. Pivoting from the previous business model, they expanded the business through the downturn by focusing on one client at a time, and by finding great people who were knowledgeable in their craft. These formed the basis for a strong company culture that persists through today. “Our business is really all about people. We try to provide a good place where people want to work, where people are challenged and a place they can be proud to work. I really feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work every day with great people,” Spencer reflected.
The company has been honored over
the years for its client focused efforts with prestigious awards from the HBA including the 2011 Subcontractor of the Year Award, the 2014 Distinguished Service to the Remodeling Industry Award, the 2017 Distinguished Service to the Building Industry, 2019 Associate of the Year as well as numerous awards from Angie’s List and Houzz.com.
Spencer has been an owner of Multi Drywall & Partition, and an active member of the HBA, since 2007. A certified public accountant (CPA), with an MBA from Michigan State University, he worked for years at a big three accounting firm providing manufacturing and information technology consulting services, and gaining a valuable broad view of business management. His understanding of construction was gained through 10 years as senior vice president for a major home builder.
He has actively served over the years at the local Association level. He has held both secretary and treasurer positions on the Remodelers Council, has served as vice president of the Sales & Marketing Council, and has served
as chair of the Membership Committee. Since 2013, Spencer has also served on the HBA Board of Directors. “I think attending any HBA meeting or event is helpful because, in interacting with all the other members, you learn,” said Spencer. “You always pick up something that is helpful to your business.”
Spencer has been married to his wife, Leslie, for 27 years. The couple has two children – a son who graduated from Vanderbilt University and is working in Charlotte and a daughter who is majoring in Business, Technology and Design at the University of Southern California. Spencer is also a “big brother” in the Big Brothers / Big Sisters program. n
Michael Gordon has been known for donning a Scottish kilt to attend the annual HBA holiday party. His Scottish
heritage also shines through in his refreshing sense of humor, keen mind, creative talents and solid work ethic. Since 1992, Michael and business partner, Andrew Moiseev, have led the team at Moiseev/Gordon Associates. Today the firm’s work is equally split between residential and commercial architectural projects. They have developed a reputation for both residential home master planning and design, and commercial design and development, including design of several hundred dental centers mostly throughout Michigan.
Michael has been active in the HBA at the state and local levels for a number of years, having served as the Secretary and Treasurer on the HBA’s Remodeler’s Council, as a judge for the Parade of Homes and having advised the HBAM on state code issues from an architect’s perspective. He was honored with the HBA Distinguished Service in Architecture award in 2005 and with Distinguished Service to the
Remodeling Industry awards in 2005 and 2009.A University of Michigan graduate with
bachelor and master’s degrees in Architecture, and a registered architect since 1988, Michael has periodically returned to his alma mater to lecture on the importance of architects in the housing industry. He has also served as a guest speaker for architecture students at Lawrence Institute of Technology and the University of Detroit, with the goal of encouraging students to view residential architecture as a viable and exciting career option.
He served on the Board of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce for nine years and as president of the board in 2018. Michael is also a member of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and served on the city’s Downtown Development Authority Design Review Board. A long-time member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, Michael served as president from 2012 through 2017. A member bequeathed the organization with money to buy a new building to replace the famous St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, which the society had sold decades
before. Ironically, the property search committee chose the former Mountain Jack’s restaurant location in Troy. Michael was the architect of the building after it was destroyed by fire and served again as the architect for the redesign of the Society’s new home. He is proud of his role in furthering the charitable work of the Society, which is the oldest benevolent society in Michigan. “The best part of the presidency was standing with a big check to give to Children’s Hospital, a veteran in need, or amother worthy cause,” said Michael. n
7BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HOUSING INDUSTRY
Lee SchwartzHBA of Michigan, Executive Vice President for Government Relations
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE FOR URBAN HOME BUILDING
Aaron RosenhausUniland Corporation
Aaron Rosenhaus prides himself as a dedicated champion for the continued growth and development in the city of
Detroit. Working daily within the city, he runs the Uniland Construction and Development team as COO. Aaron's ties to the Motor City date back to 1926, when his great-grandfather, Sol Rosenhaus, started Uniland in downtown Detroit.
“We proudly maintain our 94-year-old tradition of development and construction, while expanding efforts to the multifamily industry. Through extensive renovation experience of our own multifamily properties, we’ve developed a specialized construction process specifically for the renovation of apartment units,” Aaron says. “Most current projects are in Detroit where we’re experts in creating functional and modern spaces, while maintaining the eclectic
aesthetics of 40-120 year old buildings.” The most exciting aspect of each renovation
project for Aaron and his team lies in the ever-changing, unique challenges each structure presents. Uniland specializes in bringing together the right teams to successfully execute solutions to the most unexpected problems. “We're not just builders, we’re very skilled problem solvers,” Aaron says.
Uniland is proud to have completed projects in over 20 Detroit neighborhoods over the past eight years; specializing in the restoration and renovation of multifamily properties, with many new projects on the horizon. Over the last nine years, Uniland has maintained its reputation as multi-family renovation experts with thousands of renovated units under their belt with another 350+ units slated to be complete in the next 12 months.
Aaron is also currently the Chairperson for HBA's Detroit Builder Forum where he works with city leaders and the builder/developer community to raise industry outreach within the city. "There are opportunities for us all to take advantage of in bringing value to not only our bottom line, but to the communities we work in, too.” n
Lee Schwartz has been tirelessly working for the Michigan building industry since joining the Home Builders Association of
Michigan in 1991. As the Association’s Executive Vice President for Government Relations, Lee has helped shape codes and legislation that impact the residential building industry on the local, state and national level.
For builders, homes are a tangible representation of a job well done. Lee’s work is more intangible, but no less impactful. Some of the key legislation that Lee has work on includes Builder License Reform; The Land Division Act, which replaced the Subdivision Control Act; reform of the Wetland Act; adoption of the Single State Construction Code Act and the Michigan Uniform Energy Code; elimination of the annual assessment on builders in the Lien Act; and the adoption of the Flex Code Act which allowed Michigan to skip adopting an edition of the International Residential Code if there weren’t enough changes to justify adoption. He also worked to keep fire sprinklers out of the Michigan Residential Code and eliminate
arc-fault circuit interrupters from the code. Lee was involved in drafting and passage of the amendment to the Michigan Constitution forbidding the use of eminent domain to take private property for non-government uses. He also impacted environmental laws in Michigan including championing changes to the Sand Dune Act, which protected private property rights.
As a member of the International Code Commission (ICC) since 1999, Lee has attended countless meetings, including annual two-week long code hearings, for the past 20 years. In 2017, the NAHB honored Lee with an Achievement Award for his work on the ICC voting process changes and for getting hundreds of building officials around Michigan to vote on the changes. He is also a member of the Code Officials Council of Michigan. “I have great relationships with code officials throughout Michigan and nationally,” said Lee. “Code officials and fire officials are not the enemy. They want houses built safely and affordably, the same as builders, and are valuable partners in that goal.”
In addition to serving on the ICC’s 2018 Residential Energy Review Committee, Lee has served on a number of electrical code review and MIOSHA committees. He also served gubernatorial appointments to the Wetlands Council, Inspections and Permits Advisory Committee, and the Environmental Advisory Council.
When he’s not working his passion is reading. Lee and his wife of 43 years, Susan, recently had their library expanded to accommodate Lee’s books. Before travel for work made it difficult, Lee was also the operator of an award winning non-commercial winery. n
8 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
THOMAS RICKETTS AWARD TO THE REGION’S OUTSTANDING BUILDING OFFICIAL David HerrimanBuilding Official, Lyon Township
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT
Michael ViazankoBuilding Official, City of Sterling Heights
Michael Viazanko and his team in the City of Sterling Heights Building Department, as part of the entire City
administration, have always been focused on providing exceptional customer service. When the pandemic struck and shut-down orders were issued in Michigan, builders and homeowners about to close on new homes were in a precarious situation. Home inspections were halted, housing moves were upended, new home buyers were at risk of losing mortgages and builders were dealing with all the ramifications of not completing a new home sale as planned. That’s when teamwork and some out-of-the-box thinking, led and championed by Michael Viazanko, proved once again that there is nothing that can’t be accomplished when people work toward a common goal.
Michael Viazanko turned to his team to solve this unprecedented challenge. He also relied on the input and counsel of Michael Stoskopf, CEO of the HBA of Southeastern Michigan. “As I did with my team, Mike and I brainstormed ideas back and forth. Mike’s help was invaluable in
coming up with a workable process to finish ready to close homes.” The Michigan Attorney General’s office reviewed the process and provided a formal interpretation that the process would not violate any executive orders or state laws. Once approved, the Sterling Heights Building Department started making the process operational and Mike Viazanko began to share the process with other building departments statewide through weekly conference calls that he participated in with other building officials. These calls were initiated by Scott Cope with the City of Rochester Hills. “During these meetings we were able to get additional input on this process and other communities followed,” said Mike.
Michael Stoskopf credits Michael Viazanko’s leadership with helping to safely and responsibly restart the building industry. “His actions resulted in allowing final inspections on ‘ready to close’ homes and certificates of occupancy to be issued, not only in Sterling Heights, but his leadership and example helped guide building departments across Michigan, even while construction was still shut down,” said Michael
Stoskopf. “This was a great benefit to both the builders who were trying to save their businesses and the families who were ready to move into their new homes.”
In addition to the process being a successful team effort, another positive aspect of the situation was the adoption of virtual inspections. “On the residential side, we now have a good number of virtual inspections that we are able to do,” said Mike Viazanko. “It was a crazy and concerning time in all our lives, but it did have some good outcomes. We were in uncharted waters. As helping people is in my nature, I saw this not as a formidable challenge, but rather, as a great opportunity.” n
A self-employed carpenter doing rough framing and trim work for 25 years, David Herriman understands the challenges
faced by builders and remodelers. As the building official for Lyon Township, the 32.5 miles surrounding South Lyon, David is focused on customer service. “I was on the receiving end of the inspection process for years,” said David. “We seek to find the middle ground, focusing on being part of the solution, not part of the problem. Our inspectors are highly experienced and are good guys to work with out in the field. This award means that we’re doing things right.”
In the 1990s David helped build custom homes, including luxury homes. Having been a carpenter for over two decades, David was hired as a building inspector for Salem Township in 1996. “I was doing about 10-12 inspections per week, so I was also able to substitute in Lyon Township,” said David. “That led to my being hired as the building official for Lyon Township
10 years ago.” Since David took the helm of the Building Department, they have moved from a paper-driven system to computers with software designed to run Building Departments efficiently. The Township has also grown. “We doubled the size of our population in the last 10 years and permits for new home construction have averaged about 200 annually for the last 8-9 years,” said David. “I’ve got a very good team. Without them, I could not be doing my job as well. A lot of the credit for how well we function goes to my team.”
In 2006, David joined with others to build an addition for a disabled woman. “Everyone stepped up, donating time, materials or money,” said David. For that work, his Building Department received the Organization of the Year Award from the local Chamber of Commerce. “The money you earn goes fast, but the feeling you get from helping others lasts forever,” said David. David serves on the Board of Directors for Operation Injured Soldier and is
the Fishing Coordinator. “We’ve sent over 300 injured veterans on fishing trips each year for the past 15 years,” said David. “Fortunately, while we have lost a lot of fundraising opportunities because of the pandemic, we have still been able to send veterans on fishing trips this year.”
David has been married to Chris for the past 41 years and the couple enjoys spending time at their vacation home in Florida, where David can usually be found with bait in hand at the nearest pier. n
9BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
REMODELER OF THE YEAR
Tim CapaldiCapaldi Building Co.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE REMODELING INDUSTRY
Cole WagnerCole Wagner Cabinetry
Cole Wagner and his team at Cole Wagner Cabinetry (CWC) have a lot to celebrate this year. Not only is Cole being honored
for his service to the remodeling industry, but his company also won the Gold Award for Bathroom Remodel and the Bronze Award for Kitchen Remodel in the HBA 2020 Sales & Design Competition.
Cole did not start his career intending to own and operate a successful custom cabinetry and furniture design and manufacturing company. His artistic talent found him at Oakland Community College working toward an advertising career when a friend got him involved in framing houses. “I found that I really enjoyed working with my hands – working with wood,” said Cole. He framed houses for a few years before he was hired in 1996 by Templeton Building Company. “I learned a lot from Steve Templeton,” stated Cole. “In 2005, Steve gave me the opportunity to separate Templeton's custom cabinet operations
from the building company, allowing me the latitude to run the cabinet company as my own and increase its possibilities.”
Cole's reputation for crafting beautiful custom cabinets and unique furniture pieces grew and CWC expanded by acquiring additional cabinet companies. Recently, Cole and his wife of almost 20 years, Kristen, have spent time working to renovate property next to their location in Rochester Hills with the goal of expanding their showroom and business once again. “Renovating that space is my second job,” joked Cole.
The company does more than just cabinets. “We've built everything from a bookcase in the shape of the United States to a custom baby crib which enabled a woman in a wheelchair to care for her newborn child,” said Cole. “My philosophy has always been 'we can make it happen' and we are very proud of our successes.”
Cole wants young people to see the trades as viable career choices. He arranged for a
high school student to work at CWC as a paid employee while also receiving high school credit for the experience. He volunteers to speak to students and his company donates materials to schools for their trade programs. Cole serves on an advisory committee for Rochester schools, helping direct their wood shop program, as well as serving on the Advisory Committee for the Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Clarkston. “I completely fell into this profession by chance,” said Cole. “I could not see myself doing anything else. It's a joy to come to work each day.” n
Tim Capaldi grew up in the residential home construction business. As the son of Fred Capaldi, Jr., and grandson of Fred Capaldi,
Sr., who founded Capaldi Building Company in 1945, Tim is carrying the Capaldi reputation for quality custom home building and remodeling into its 75th year.
The Capaldis have been active in the HBA, with Fred Capaldi, Jr., serving on the HBA Board of Directors for years, and as president in 1993. Fred was a Hall of Fame inductee in 2007. Tim is also an HBA Board member and currently serves on the Executive Board. “When Mike Stoskopf asked me to be on the Executive Board, I couldn’t have told him ‘yes’ quick enough,” said Tim. “I was so proud to be asked to serve. It was a great honor.”
Tim officially joined Capaldi Building in the late 1990’s and is currently vice president. “I have grown up in the industry and in the HBA family,” said Tim. In those early years, he remembers tagging along with his Dad to
meetings and dinners. Over time, Tim became more active in the Association. “There is so much knowledge to be gained from HBA members,” said Tim. “You get a great return on investment when you go to an HBA meeting or event, have a conversation with another member, and use their advice and insight to improve your business. I think networking is one of the really underrated benefits of HBA membership.”
Tim is also a member of an NAHB Remodeler 20 Club. “It’s hands down one of the best things out there,” said Tim. “Not just from a remodeling standpoint, but from a business owner perspective. I can’t say enough good things about it.” The 20 Clubs are comprised of builders and remodelers from non-competing markets who meet several times annually to share their business expertise, learning from each other on how to improve operations and increase profits. “I’ve learned a lot and made a lot of good connections, and good friends, in the
20 Club,” said Tim.Tim’s own expertise in the industry was
recognized by Professional Remodeler’s Magazine, when he was named to the 40 under 40 in 2013. He has also previously achieved honors as the HBA Young Builder of the Year in 2012 and Remodeler of the Year in 2014. Tim has been married to Allison for 16 years and the couple has two children, Leo (11) and Eleanor (9). n
10 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
SUBCONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Jim EathorneE.W. Kitchens
ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
Ron StewartMatick Chevrolet
Quentin Eathorne and his wife, Skip, founded E.W. Tile in 1947 after Quentin returned home from serving as a
bomber pilot in World War II. For over 40 years, E.W. Tile, then located in Detroit, specialized in laminate Formica. In 1984, the company relocated to Wixom and the couple’s son, Jim Eathorne, was named president of the company three years later. With strategic planning, new business development and finance skills developed in a previous bank manager position, Jim had the skills not only to grow the business but also to develop solid working relationships with manufacturers, customers and employees.
Quality has always been a hallmark of E.W. products throughout the evolution of the company. Calling on cabinet manufacturers over the years, Jim was able to gain knowledge in all facets of cabinet construction, enabling the company to transition to sales of custom and semi-custom cabinetry by 1993 and realign
the company name – E.W. Kitchens – to better reflect its business. “We have been with three major cabinet suppliers for 30 years,” said Jim. “We know these companies provide quality products. Our strong relationship with these companies is an asset to both our company and our customers.” In 2005, E.W. Kitchens opened a high-end luxury showroom in the Troy based Michigan Design Center offering kitchen and bath design services in addition to cabinetry, project coordination and installation services.
Jim is particularly proud of his staff, referring to them collectively as “The Dream Team”. “I am so proud of the people that work for us, from our drivers who deliver the right cabinets in the right location of the home, to the designers who make customers dreams come to life. We empower our employees and I believe that is why we continually exceed our customers’ expectations. Our job doesn’t end when the cabinets are installed. We take care of our
builders and their homeowners even after the job is complete.”
Married for 40 years, Jim and his wife, Karen, are the parents of two adult children. Son Bret works in healthcare consulting and their daughter, Lauren, is a mother of three boys and works in Human Resources and Marketing with E.W. Kitchens. “I am extremely flattered that E.W. Kitchens has received this recognition,” said Jim. “It is validation that we’re doing things right and that our builder and remodeler customers appreciate our professionalism.” n
Part of the Matick Chevrolet sales management team, Ron Stewart is the dealership’s Fleet and Commercial Sales
Manager. He’s been with Matick for seven years and has been an associate member of the HBA since 2015. “I was very surprised and honored to receive this award,” said Ron. “I had no idea I was even nominated. I am grateful that I can help HBA members to purchase GM vehicles while providing them with a significant discount just for being a member of the Association.”
Ron has first-hand knowledge of how challenging it can be to run a business. He served for years as an international management consultant, helping businesses to be more efficient and profitable. He also has a degree in management from the University of Detroit-Mercy. “I joined the Matick team after an economic downturn, so I am really aware of the tough times that business-owners can face,” said Ron. “Every HBA member is automatically entitled to an additional $500
retail or $1000 fleet rebate on most GM vehicles, including trucks,” said Ron. “Discounts on more than one vehicle - fleet discounts - vary on how many vehicles are purchased, but we can provide significant savings on fleets, too. Whether members are buying one vehicle or a fleet, and whether they are buying through their business or for personal use, I can help them. If the vehicle is for their business, it is to their advantage to talk with me. Most car and truck sales associates aren’t as knowledgeable in all the aspects of how best to put this type of deal together.” A different division of GM Financial handles fleet and commercial financing, so Ron’s familiarity in working with that division is also an asset to his business customers.
With Ron’s HBA honors, Matick Chevrolet can now chalk up another in a list of the prestigious awards it has won. They have garnered honors as Chevrolet Dealer of the Year for five consecutive years and have been named to the Best of Hour magazine.
Ron has been married to Deborah for 12 years. He is the proud father of an adult daughter, Jennifer, who holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from Eastern Michigan University and leads the STEM Program for Washtenaw ISD. When Ron is not working, he enjoys listening to music, especially jazz, bike rides and traveling. He is also the Director of Music at Trinity AME Church in Lansing. “Even with all that has occurred, this has been a great year for sales,” said Ron. “My receiving this HBA honor makes it even better.” n
11BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Mary OlkDesigner Interiors by Mary Olk
DON MAILLHO MEMORIAL AWARD IN BANKING Mark Orr Lake Michigan Credit Union
Mark Orr wasn't fortunate enough to have known Don Maillho personally. But he has been fortunate over the years
to have known people like Don. People who light up a room just by walking into it. People who feel like lifelong friends minutes after you meet them. People who are respected for their honesty and integrity. People whose natural instinct is to help others. “When these people come into your circle, you never forget them,” said Mark. “I am honored to receive this award, especially after having learned about Don's life and career.”
Mark is a senior mortgage loan originator at Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU). He joined the credit union in 2015, bringing to his position 15 years of mortgage experience, having served previously as a top-producing loan officer at Bank of America. At LMCU Mark interacts with builders and remodelers in all areas of finance, from personal finance to investment projects. “I strive to help builders and remodelers convert
prospects into clients, and then I work hard to get the best financing for those clients,” said Mark. “My end goal is to help builders make more money. I grow my referral and customer base by doing business the right way and working to execute projects flawlessly.”
Mark is proud of the many ways LMCU does business as an organization. “For example, the credit union leadership knows that for business owners time is money, so our construction loan draws and dispersals are all handled in-house,” said Mark. “That means we can provide quick turnarounds on these draw loans. When builders and remodelers are able to quickly pay contractors and subcontractors, especially in this labor market, they are better able to retain quality tradespeople. We understand that dynamic. We also know that the faster you can get jobs done, the more projects you can do and the more money you can earn.” Mark was also proud that LMCU continued to lend early on in the pandemic when a lot of banks
stopped lending. “We helped a lot of people through some tough months with mortgage forbearance, education and other programs and I am proud of our response to these challenging times.”
Mark and his wife of 20 years, Krista, have two boys – William who is a freshman at the University of Michigan, and Jacob, who is in high school. Mark enjoys golf, boating, and time spent with family at his vacation home in Leelanau County. n
Good interior design is art that we live within, and Mary Olk is one of the gifted artists that can take disparate
furnishings, fabrics, paint colors, and other objects and bring them together as a cohesive whole that whispers to the soul that ‘you are home’. Mary founded Designer Interiors by Mary Olk in 1973. Her award-winning designs have helped properties sell, from model homes and clubhouses, to urban lofts, private residences, vacation homes and cutting-edge commercial spaces.
Mary is eternally grateful to Fred Capaldi, Jr. for his advice to join the HBA. “I was fortunate to get to know the Capaldi family during our daughter’s grade school days,” said Mary. “Fred’s advice to join the HBA has given me so many opportunities that I know I wouldn’t have had otherwise.” It was through Fred that Mary got her first big break when Fred recommended her to HBA member, Don Pratt with Wake-Pratt Construction. As Mary got more involved
with the HBA, her workload expanded and her reputation for unique, memorable interior design grew. “I appreciate and value the long standing working relationships I have with HBA members,” said Mary.
She has cultivated an impressive network of companies that provide distinct and unique home furnishings. A regular attendee at the High Point Market, the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, Mary has direct accounts with numerous companies. “Being able to buy direct helps save my clients money,” said Mary. “It’s all about access to resources and good relationships with vendors.”
Mary’s success is grounded in the knowledge that she is there to work for the client. “I am working with someone else’s budget and ideas,” said Mary. “It is not my project or my home.” Mary works with builders and sales people and designs to the demographic they are targeting. “We design so that those prospective home buyers can visualize living in the home,” said
Mary. “The furnishings should be arranged to move people through the home, always keeping in mind what people see at eye level. Every new home will sell eventually, but models done correctly help builders sell homes faster.”
Mary was honored as HBA Associate of the Year in 2014, and has won numerous HBA sales and marketing awards for her designs. She has a daughter, Maggie, and is the proud grandmother to a 4-year-old grandson, Jasper. n
12 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
SPECIAL RECOGINTION FOR
SUPPORT OF COUNCIL & CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS
Paula BadalamenteIMAGIO
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN BUILDING COUNCIL
Jennifer CarnaghiChet’s Cleaning, Inc.
Family means everything to Jennifer Carnaghi. As the oldest of four married siblings with five children between them,
Jennifer takes pride in her brothers and sisters and in spending time with and mentoring the little ones. That sense of family spills over into her career at Chet’s Cleaning and into her work with the HBA Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council.
Jennifer started as a customer service representative in the office at Chet’s Cleaning 21 years ago. “I used to frustrate Chet when he’d overhear me talking on the phone because he could never figure out if I was talking to a customer or one of my friends,” said Jennifer. That is probably because Jennifer sees everyone -- customers, included -- as her friend. “I just enjoy people,” said Jennifer. “I have a broad network and I get satisfaction from making connections and helping people.” Jennifer eventually oversaw operations at Chet’s as general manager, but her passion was always
building connections with people. She is now the company relationship manager / marketing director. For her, it’s “the right seat on the bus.”
Chet’s Cleaning was founded by Chet and Sally Sadowski in 1986. Today the company employs 26 people and is highly regarded for their professional expertise in caring for beautiful furnishings and floors. The company’s services include cleaning wall to wall carpet, specialty rugs, wood floors and cleaning and restoring hard surfaces such as marble and natural stone. They also clean and repair tile and grout. In addition they clean upholstery and leather and clean and re-hang window treatments. “Homeowners, especially new home owners, invest so much in their homes and furnishings,” said Jennifer. “When you don’t properly maintain those items, you have to replace them much faster. We educate customers on how to take care of these items. Our website even includes a guide for cleaning household spills.”
Jennifer joined the PWB board in 2019. She feels fortunate to have met and become friends with mentors and role models like Carole Jones and Barb Burnham. Jennifer served on the PWB Steering Committee for the 2019 Design Challenge. “We raised $25,000 and over 400 people attended the event,” said Jennifer. “That was gratifying, but it was also amazing to be working with the PWB members who have such hustle and dedication. It was awesome to witness the power of synergy when people bring their individual talents together to focus on a common goal.” n
Just shy of celebrating 40 years in business, the automotive supplier that Paula Badalamente helped build was forced to
close due to an economic downturn. Starting just out of high school and progressing to Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the company, the closing of the business she had worked in for 31 years was difficult. "The owner of the company, Jim Decker, was a dear friend and mentor who taught me about business," said Paula. "Jim said that his business closing would give me an opportunity to do something wonderful. He was right. Founding IMAGIO Glass Design with Mike Trego in 2011 was that 'something wonderful' and it wouldn't have been possible without the knowledge I learned from Jim and his guidance and support."
IMAGIO launched its beautiful and unique “Interchangeable” backsplash product under the name of Kitchen Palette at the 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. "The response was
incredible and gained us features on HGTV, DIY Network and other shows," said Paula. "People loved the idea of being able to put art behind their stovetops that could be changed out." Today, IMAGIO has a proprietary process that enables them to place any image on their tempered, high-quality glass surface and uses it for complete solid glass backsplash installations. IMAGIO glass backsplashes are healthier, grout-free, withstand up to 750 degrees, and are easily cleaned with glass cleaner. "While we are experts in backsplashes, we're also gaining a reputation for backlit glass walls such as the 180 ft. wall we did at the University of Michigan," said Paula. "We also do fireplace surrounds, showers, decorative glass murals, wall panels, cabinet glass inserts and other items. We have the most amazing team, and we owe our success to them. It takes a team to make the dream."
It was Jim Decker who urged Paula to get
involved with I Care of Michigan. She has been the treasurer and an officer of I-Care since 1980. The non-profit organization helps families to resolve their immediate crisis needs by providing financial support and a speedy response, especially in situations where no other help exists. "I am so passionate about I-Care," said Paula. "I sit on the HBA Professional Women in Building board and was involved in the 2019 Design Challenge. I-Care was able to donate $1500 to Habitat for Humanity and assist several families for Christmas." Paula also served as a Girl Scout leader for 11 years, passing on those lessons Jim taught her about leadership and empowering people. n
13BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
HBA’s Eighth Annual . . .
MEMBER SERVICE AWARDSHonoring Our Members For Volunteering Their
Time & Expertise As Association Leaders
MEMBERSHIP CONNECTION Bob Tedesco
Silverado Custom Homes
MEMBERSHIP COUNCILSpencer Roed
Multi Drywall & Partition
MEMBERSHIP GROWTHKathleen Quinlan
George B. Ford Agency, Inc.
MACOMB FORUMPaul Aragona
Aragona Properties
MACOMB FORUMSam Palazzolo
Palazzolo Brothers
DETROIT FORUMAaron Rosenhaus
Uniland Corp.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Norm Finkelstein Norwood Homes
CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONAWARDS & NOMINATING
Peter Burton Dominion Realty Services
NORTH OAKLAND & BIRMINGHAM FORUMS
Fred I. CapaldiCapaldi Building
NAHBR PROFESSIONAL REMODELERSRandy Travis
Ramtra Remodeling
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN BUILDING
Barbara BurnhamB.J. Burnham & Associates
ASSOCIATES NETWORKING FORUM
Jo Golda Jo’s Cleaning & Organizing
SALES & MARKETINGAnita Blender
Blender Realty, LLC
PAST PRESIDENTS Dave Kellett, Sr.
Kellett Construction
WAYNE COUNTY DEVT. FORUMBill Phillips
Windham Development
14 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
BAKER KITCHEN & BATH with BEAVER TILE & STONE - UNIVERSAL DESIGN - Gold Winner
COLE WAGNER CABINETRY BATHROOM - Gold Winner
D.A. ALEXANDER & CO. - LANDSCAPEGold Winner
15BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
MERRY STEFAN
LOMBARDO
Bronze Winner
JAMIE SZCEZECHOWSKI
M/I HOMES
Gold Winner
DARLA HARTLINE
LOMBARDO HOMES
Gold Winner
TERRI THIEDE
CLEARVIEW HOMES
Silver Winner
NEW HOME SALES MANAGER OF THE YEAR
NEW HOME SALES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
TK DESIGN & ASSOCIATES Gold Winner
INTERIOR DESIGN - Home
INTERIOR DESIGN - Clubhouse
M/I HOMES WITH ELENI INTERIORSGold Winner
Darla Hartline is a true professional and an asset to the Lombardo Companies Team. Her driven and focused nature has brought her great success in the new home sales profession. Darla started her career over 20 years ago with Pulte Group as a Warranty Coordinator. She has also worked for Selective Group, Pinnacle Homes and Centex Homes.
She started as a Sales Manager for Lombardo Homes. Darla was promoted to Regional Sales Manager in 2017. She excels in this position and has implemented many processes to help her team grow and learn while cultivating and fostering their talents. She also helped to launch a new style of selling in 2019 which has continued in 2020 and has taken our team to the next level. Darla is not only respected and appreciated by the sales team but also by her peers for her professional and helpful nature.
On a bigger level Darla is always pushing the envelope with new ideas and strategies to help grow the sales team and give our customers a great experience. She works with each of her team members on a regular basis to drive sales and meet goals. In 2019 and 2020 she has overseen more than 400 sales and almost $140,000,000 in Revenue.
Terri Thiede has been with Clearview Homes for the last 5 1/2 and every minute has been exciting. She has worked in the service business throughout her entire career. Clearview is the second local home builder that Terri has worked for.
The biggest challenges in 2020 included the complete shut down, the inability to hold open houses and a general concern regarding economic certainty. Terri had to learn new skill sets including using Zoom and various social media platforms. The concept of showing and selling homes remotely quickly became a reality. While Terri has always been tenacious and had superb follow-up skills, she found a way to ratchet it up a notch this year. Her 2020 YTD sales volume is $40,000,000.
Jamie has been our New Home Sales Consultant in Manors at Hamlet for two years competing with very difficult comparison and major negotiations to her competitor, Toll Bros., located right next door. M/I Home prices are higher than competition with our Model location/exposure being a lot less desirable.
In order to overcome obstacles and buyer objections, Jamie has been phenomenal at building tremendous rapport, discovering what a home truly means to buyers and selling the features and benefits of M/I Homes over the competition with very little discounts. Her follow up and follow through is impeccable. Her 2020 YTD sales volume is $16,562,562.
Merry has been in New Home Sales for over 16 years, joining Lombardo Homes in 2017. Some of her accomplishments include Salesperson Rookie of the Year, NAHB platinum and gold status, consultant of the month and more! She quickly became one of our strongest assets. She is one of Lombardo’s highest producers for the 2019/2020 year with over $21 million in sales. She also has the highest referral sales with over 25% of her sales coming from referrals.
We cannot mention all of Merry’s accolades without mentioning one of her best qualities: herself. Merry always has a positive attitude and a smile, but above all Merry supports not only her customers but also her fellow team members.
COMPO BUILDERS, INC.Silver Winner
ELENI INTERIORS WITH M/I HOMESBronze Winner
SR JACOBSON WITH ELENI INTERIORSGold Winner
EDWARD ROSE WITH ELENI INTERIORSSilver Winner
16 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
17BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
The Compo Cornerq
Final Thoughts For 2020 DAVID S. COMPO, PRESIDENT
To say this has been an interesting and transitional
year would be an understatement.
At the outset of 2020, I was looking forward to
a year packed with continued production from my building and remodeling company. I hoped to achieve a long list of goals in my role as president of HBA of Southeastern Michigan, including continued growth of our association. Then March happened. In consideration of this remarkable year, I wanted to reflect on some thoughts for my final Compo Corner.
Unfortunately, the Covid crisis is not over. Everyone has learned a lot and I believe our industry is much more prepared going forward. Until then, we all must continue to do our part to keep ourselves, our jobsites and our own business as protected as possible.
This crisis has allowed many to shine from healthcare workers and first responders to the leaders and employees in our own companies. For my business, we took the opportunity to see what type of people we had and how they responded to adversity. The strength of our team manifested itself as we took the time to do both the long-term planning and “working on” the business which in turn improved our business.
As I write this article, Veterans Day was just celebrated. This year, perhaps now more than ever, I have a profound respect and admiration for those past and present in the armed forces and their sacrifice on our behalf. I would include first responders and our police forces under this umbrella. Thank you all!
My major goal as your 2020 HBA President was to shine a spotlight on the need for the next generation of talented youth to get into the trades. I strongly believe we collectively need to work toward this goal as workforce challenges will not end anytime soon. Getting more people into the skilled trades in every aspect of construction will continue to be my focus next year and it will require all of us as leaders to push this agenda.
Regardless of the unique challenges this year, I have enjoyed leading our organization during this turbulent time and appreciate the ongoing efforts of our HBA Board and staff for their intelligence, passion, focus and determination that they bring every day. Thank you!
Any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected] and 2021 Blessings! n
18 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I Decamber 2020
Apartment Association of Michigan PROPERTY MANAGEMENT®q
Don’t Let Winter Catch You Off Guard WRITTEN BY DANIEL ADAY, COMPONE ADMINISTRATORS SAFETY & LOSS PREVENTION SPECIALIST
With winter just around the corner, it is best to ensure
that all safety measures are in place before a snow storm hits, the temperature drops or pavement starts icing over. According to the Farmer’s Almanac for the 2020-2021 winter, Michigan is expected to receive a colder and snowier winter than usual, which tends to lead to more incidents within (or outdoors of) the workplace.
For companies and businesses with company vehicles – do full inspections on your vehicles before winter hits. Ensure wiper fluids are topped off every few weeks, inspect wiper blades, see if brakes have plenty of wear left on them, the coolant levels are sufficient, and if your company is able to, switch over all company vehicles’ tires to winter tires. Winter tires are not just for driving in the deeper snow; winter tires perform better when temperatures drop below 45 degrees, even when there is no snow or ice on the road. While all-season tires do well in winter, they do not compare to how great winter tires perform below 45 degrees, and could easily save your employees from getting into an accident or spinning off the road. Lastly, ensure all employees in company vehicles have emergency bags with gloves, blankets, some food and other emergency
supplies, in the event of a car breaking down or being stranded in a winter storm.
Slip and falls on ice are among the most common injuries during winter and among the easiest to prevent by just taking a few preventative steps! If you have employees coming onsite or to a jobsite, ensure salt is readily available before the first signs of freezing temperatures. Remember – even if it does not snow or rain, there still could be chances of ice as long as temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Fix any leaky gutters or downspouts as this is a common culprit, resulting in icy pavement. Designate someone, if services are not already contracted out, to monitor the weather and salt the day before any freezing temperatures are predicted. If work is performed at a jobsite or offsite, ensure that salt is available in all company vehicles. Office employees typically dress for the day they spend inside, which is why you should encourage winter boots or shoes with good traction are worn to and from their vehicles. Remember – if you find yourself having to step or walk on ice: walk like a penguin and keep your body mass over your feet!
Working outside can be very enjoyable but it also adds another element of safety concern. The most obvious safety concerns are frostbite and hypothermia. While frostbite can only occur below the freezing point, hypothermia can take place in temperatures up to 60 degrees
if in water, or 50 degrees if wet (from either sweating or from work activities) and windy. What may happen is a worker builds up body heat while moving around, begins to sweat and then removes their outer layers. When that worker cools down, during a break or once work is completed, the sweat then starts to chill the body into a hypothermic state and cause health effects. It is best to remove layers before sweating occurs and then reapply layers once work is finished. The key to working in cold is to dress in layers. Additionally, extremities are most susceptible to frostbite – good socks, shoes and working gloves must be chosen with extras available in case a glove gets damaged or goes missing.
Take the time now to plan ahead before the weather gets too bad. It is a good idea to train outside workers every late spring on heat hazards and mid to late fall on cold-weather hazards. Include in your training the signs and symptoms of cold-related injuries and what to do to prevent these.
As with all articles we publish, if you have any safety-related questions on this topic or anything else, please feel free to give me a call at 734-309-3456 or send me an email at [email protected]. We can come on-site and perform site-specific audits, hands-on training, accident investigation, and anything else from a safety and loss standpoint. n
KARLENE LEHMAN, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT • Matthew Lester
PAST PRESIDENTS: • Allen Amber • Jeffrey Kaftan • Melvin Kaftan • George M. Nyman
2020 AAM Officers
VICE PRESIDENTS: Cary Belovicz • Mitchell BleznakJonathan R. Borenstein • Jay Brody • Kevin DillonLeslie Lewiston Etterbeek • Howard Jacobson Andrew Kuhn • Aaron Rosenhaus • Shawn StaffordMike Tobin • David Wilkins CEO, Michael C. Stoskopf
19BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
Advocacy Update
WRITTEN BY FORREST WALL, CAE, VICE PRESIDENT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND INDUSTRY RELATIONS
Apartment Association of Michigan PROPERTY MANAGEMENT®q
Final Push For Emotional Support Animal Legislation
As you may recall, AAM is supporting a two-bill legislative effort to help prevent the false representation of possession
of an emotional support animal (ESA). The first bill, House Bill 4910, would create the “Misrepresentation of Emotional Support Animals Act.” This bill proposes the following:
• a definitional framework for state law• bars individuals and health care
providers from falsely representing a disability or possession of an ESA
• allow disability documentation requests by housing providers after resident signs authorization
• requirements for health care providers who prescribe ESAs
• penalty provisions for violations of the law
• allowance for lease termination for false representation
• directive to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to establish a hotline which would receive reports of false representations and complaints.
The second bill, House Bill 4911, would amend the Revised Judicature Act to support termination of a lease for misrepresentation of an emotional support animal.
Earlier this year the Michigan House of Representatives passed both bills, and in September the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee took testimony. Additional changes were then made to House Bill 4910 to accommodate concerns expressed by the medical community. With very few days left in this legislative session, the final push is on to seek Senate passage of the bills and the Governor’s approval. If these bills are not passed by the legislature or signed by the Governor in the time left, they will need to be reintroduced in 2021 in conjunction with the new legislative session and the process starts over.
AAM Market Outlook Recording AvailableAlthough it was disappointing that the
annual AAM Market Outlook could not be held in person, our virtual version on November
5th garnered the highest attendance in the 13 years of holding this event! Please know the recording and slides are available at www.apartments.org for your viewing. A special thanks to our panelists Warren Rose, Matt Lester and Dave Ferszt for their insightful comments and exchange of ideas, our moderator David Wilkins for skillfully facilitating the discussion, and our market update presenter Kevin Dillon for his fantastic information.
We especially appreciate our sponsors who made the live stream possible:
20 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I Decamber 2020
New Housing Permit Forecast
ASK YOUR SUPPLIERS TO JOIN HBA:WWW.BUILDERS.ORG/JOIN
Executive Officer Commentsq
New Home Building Remains On Track MICHAEL C. STOSKOPF, EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Based on residential permit data compiled by the
HBA and reported in the HBA/Carter Lumber Southeastern Michigan Residential Building Activity Report™ a total of 370 single-family home (SFH) permits were issued in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties in October
2020. This marks the fifth consecutive month above 350 permits.
Additionally, the number of permits in September was adjusted upward to a total of 438, marking three consecutive months above 400 permits and becoming the highest monthly total since September 2019.
I’m very encouraged by the overall, sustained strength of the recovery in new home permit activity during this ongoing pandemic, not to mention a historic election season. I think the results are quite possibly as good as we could have hoped for looking back on how dire the circumstances were in April and May.
North American vehicle production continues to rebound as October’s production was 9 percent higher than September and 3 percent higher than October 2019. Further helping the economy in southeastern Michigan is the price of crude oil which remains nearly 32 percent lower than the same time last year.
Looking ahead, seasonal slowdowns in new home permit activity are expected through the end of the year.
Employment growth slowed significantly month-over-month with the number of people employed having recovered 71 percent of the losses from the initial COVID economic shutdown earlier this year. Moving into the 2020-2021 winter season, the effects of a COVID resurgence will make employment an area to watch. n
I’m very encouraged by the overall, sustained strength of the recovery in new home permit activity during
this ongoing pandemic, not to mention a historic election season.
21BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I December 2020
PROTECT YOUR LIVELIHOODPROTECT YOUR LIVELIHOOD
www.builders.org/joinwww.builders.org/join
IN MARCH 2020, RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN MICHIGAN WAS SHUT DOWN. HBA WENT TO WORK . . . TO GET YOU BACK TO WORK.
With daily virus numbers on the rise again, we don’t know when or how new Epidemic Orders from MIOSHA or MDHHS might adversely impact our industry.
HBA URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR HELP!Only through STRENGTH IN NUMBERS can we help ensure that HBA has the political clout
necessary for the fight to keep the home building industry strong.
PLEASE HAVE EVERY ONE OF YOUR SUPPLIERS AND SUBCONTRACTORS JOIN TODAY! Joining is easy . . . and affordable. Memberships start at $299 per year at www.builders.org/join
Questions? Contact HBA CEO Michael Stoskopf at 248-996-0052 or [email protected].
BASED ON THE MDHHS ORDERS IN PLACE WHEN THIS MAGAZINE WAS PRINTED, WE
ARE PRECLUDED FROM HOLDING AN IN-PERSON AWARDS
RECOGNITION EVENT.
TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR
HONOREES, IN ADDITION TO THIS MAGAZINE, WE ARE CREATING A
WEB PAGE TO HONOR THEM.
AFTER DECEMBER 15, PLEASE VIEW THE PAGE AT: https://awards.builders.org/
22 BUILDING Business & Apartment Management I Decamber 2020
CARTER KITCHEN & BATHYour Vision. Our Passion. From Ideation to Installation. The one-stop kitchen source
for professional builders.
Find a location near you today: https://www.carterlumber.com/
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
SINGLE FAMILY &MULTIPLE BUILDING
SITES AVAILABLE
Contact Richard Komer of NAI Farbman
for More Information248.798.7819
www.naifarbman.com
HBA’s Foundation was created to give members the opportunity to give back to a charity that is uniquely aligned with our profession.
The Foundation’s success and ability to fulfill our mission are dependent on contributions from you. Gifts to the Foundation are fully tax deductible and are used to improve housing affordability for the families of our area.
The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charity and our mission is to promote and improve housing opportunities. combat community deterioration and inform and educate home owners, home buyers and industry professionals on issues relating to affordable housing.
Please mail donations to HBA offices or online at www.builders.org/events.php.
Waug’s Electric Service• PAUL WAUG, MASTER ELECTRICIAN • RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC• 248-477-6739 (O) • 248-563-4013 (C)[email protected]
Jo’s Cleaning & Organizing Services• SHELVING AND STORAGE PRODUCTS DESIGN
AND INSTALLATION• LET US ORGANIZE YOUR HOME
AND OFFICE CLOSET SPACESJo Golda 810-241-1622 [email protected] www.josorganizing.com
Wimsatt Building MaterialsDistributor of quality steep slope & low slope roofing, exterior cladding, windows & doors, and specialty building materials, serving builders from three locations in Southeast Michigan.800.497.9000 wimsattdirect.com [email protected]
Riemer Floors • Family-owned and operated since 1946• Proudly serving Metro-Detroit builders with competitive pricing, certified installations & exceptional customer service.
Dennis Riemer 248-335-3500www.RiemerFloors.com
Pioneer CabinetryPROUDLY MANUFACTURING MICHIGAN MADE KITCHEN AND BATH CABINETRY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
Visit our website to find a dealer near you:www.pioneercabinetry.net
MADE IN AMERICA/BUILT IN MICHIGANTHESE COMPANIES MANUFACTURE OR SUPPLY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. THOSE IN BLUE ARE MADE IN MICHIGAN.
Hansen Marketing Services, Inc.Proudly celebrating 38 years of bringing specialty building materials to the market as a wholesale distributor, featuring many quality products made in America.
Mans Lumber and MillworkLOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1900, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MICHIGAN’S BEST BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS. ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS, SPECIALIZING IN CABINETS, INTERIOR TRIM, FLOORING, WINDOWS, ROUGH LUMBER & ENGINEERED TRUSSES & PANELS.Doug Mans [email protected] Chris Mans [email protected] www.manslumber.com
Virginia Tile Co.PROUDLY OFFERING AMERICAN-MADE TILE FROM AMERICAN OLEAN, CROSSVILLE PORCELAIN STONE, CAESAR USA, LANDMARK and MILESTONE (FLORIM USA)
John’s LumberProudly serving Southeastern Michigan’s building industry with a complete line of quality building materials since 1947!Steve Caligiuri 586-839-7495 • David Stoutenger 586-405-0628
Attic JackGet your attic back with Attic Jack! • Easy to install.• Sits on top of ceiling joists.• Accommodates blown or rolled insulation (R-51).• Has 3 height adjustments from 7-3/8" to 11-1/2".• Add plywood and gain attic storage space without losing
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To Place Your Ad On This Page Contact: Nancy Rozum
Andersen Windows & Doors PROVIDING WINDOWS & DOORS TO AMERICAN HOMES FOR OVER A CENTURY WITH SOME OF THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING PRODUCTS IN DESIGN, PERFORMANCE & QUALITY.
