Ontario Home Builders' Association Presents 2017 Annual Awards

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario Home Builders' Association's (OHBA) President's Gala welcomed 2017-18 President Pierre Dufresne and recognized esteemed OHBA members and local associations for their dedicated commitment to the association.

OHBA presented the Guelph and District Home Builders' Association (GDHBA) with the 2017 Local Association of the Year Award. Most notable among a lengthy list of achievements of the local and its members, is GDHBA's  enthusiastic, pioneering efforts around Net Zero Energy (NZE) programs and building technologies and features that garnered the attention of the media, as well as various prestigious awards from other industry partners. They continue to share best practices, finding practical solutions for the industry, and seeing positive uptake from the marketplace. GDHBA is also intensively engaged with City Council, writing letters to councillors, and meeting regularly with the Mayor, MP and MPPs to express their concerns about the issues that the industry faces. As a result, local policy makers are engaging and consulting with GDHBA on issues of mutual concern. "There are so many shining stars in GDHBA's membership who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in building better homes and truly innovating building science and sustainable technologies," said Pierre Dufresne, President of OHBA. "GDHBA also invests in their members – new members can only be brought on if they have a mentor, which helps ensure and promote a culture and legacy of lifelong learning. Beyond their own membership, GDHBA also seeks to connect meaningfully with the community by initiating various local in-kind sponsorships, hosting product showcase and dinner meetings open to the public, and partnering with school boards to pilot a co-op program to better expose students and parents to skilled trades."

Steve Deveaux, Vice President, Land Development at Tribute Communities was honoured as the 2017 OHBA Member of the Year. As past Chair of the GTA-based BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association), Steve has shown great passion for the industry and its associations. Most notably, he was very involved at the provincial level, working alongside OHBA on government advocacy efforts, including inclusionary zoning and reform of the Ontario Municipal Board, presentations at joint meetings to  Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and PC Leader Patrick Brown, as well as many deputations to Queen's Park Standing Committees in support of OHBA positions. "You can count on Steve," said Dufresne, who added, "He always answers the call and has been an important partner with OHBA as we worked together to develop association strategy and policy positions. Also, you will almost always find him at a major OHBA event – his support and expertise are much appreciated."   

Harry Herskowitz, partner in the law firm DelZotto, Zorzi LLP and past Chair of the Tarion Warranty Corporation, received the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution and leadership as past Chair of the Tarion Warranty of Corporation and years of exemplary leadership and service to the residential construction industry. Harry served as Chair of the Tarion Warranty of Corporation from 2008 to 2014 after having served on the board since 1999. In his law practice, Harry leads the firm's real estate department where he focuses on real estate, mortgage lending and commercial transactions with particular emphasis on land development and condominium law. He has channeled his specialized knowledge to represent developers and helped them create communities throughout Ontario. "Over his many years of service, Tarion, OHBA and the industry have benefited greatly from Harry's keen, analytical mind, his constructive arbitration skills and his vast expertise and knowledge about our industry, the law and the New Home Warranty Act.  As Tarion Chair, he led the organization with character, integrity and great wisdom," said Dufresne.

Laura Higgs, Executive Officer of the Sudbury and District Home Builders' Association (SDHBA) was awarded the 2017 David Horton Leadership Award, which honours the memory of David Horton who served as Executive Director of OHBA for more than 25 years. During her nearly 10-year tenure as Executive Officer, Laura has grown Sudbury HBA's membership and has a vision to go even bigger by expanding to other Northern communities. She is always ready to lend a hand, having hosted OHBA for numerous events and provincial consultations and workshops, in efforts to keep members engaged and involved. "We have truly benefited from having Laura as part of our association," said Dufresne, who continued, "Her commitments to the industry, continual engagement with OHBA advocacy and exceptional skills as a sharp communicator are some of the many ways we are grateful for her contribution. There is seldom a volunteer or staff who doesn't know Laura's smiling face."

Jon Whyteof Mountainview Homes was the recipient of a special recognition award for his outstanding leadership within the industry and contributions to the association. Jon serves as the Chair of the OHBA Land Development Committee, is the President of Niagara Home Builders' Association for the second time, and leads selflessly. Well respected by his peers and colleagues, he is a very engaged individual who has met with municipal leaders, moderated forums, and supported many association events. 
Danielle Rinaldiof Rinaldi Homes was also honoured with a special recognition award for her infectious enthusiasm and can-do attitude whenever presented with a task – from fundraising to community group outreach to conference administration, and the indispensable operations at the committee or board level. Danielle also served on the Niagara Home Builders' Association's conference planning committee this year.
Lynda Busch, Niagara Home Builders' Association Executive Officer, has been serving the association for 17 years was also honoured with a special recognition award. Lynda works tirelessly to ensure that every event and meeting goes off without a flaw and she appears to do it so effortlessly. Her unwavering dedication is very much admired and valued and her commitment to the day-to-day operation of Niagara HBA has helped ensure the on-going success of the local.

About OHBA: The Ontario Home Builders' Association is the voice of the building, land development and professional renovation industry in Ontario representing 4,000 member companies organized into 29 local associations across the province. Our members have built over 700,000 homes in the last ten years in over 500 Ontario communities.  In 2016, the industry contributes over $56 billion to Ontario's economy, generating $19.8 billion in wages and employing more than 336,000 people across the province.

SOURCE Ontario Home Builders' Association