In this edition of News You Can Use you will find:

• "Of the Year" Profile - Lee Williams
• Call for Fall Home Show Volunteers
• SAHBA Celebrates 25 Years of Membership with Marana Chamber
• SAHBA/HBACA Weigh-In On Process for Colorado River Guidelines
• August Tech Committee Re-Cap  
• "Coffee with..." Jan Lesher Focuses on Community Priorities
• SAHBA Commends Job Corps Graduates
• Member Benefits: Member Information Center
• Summer Member Mixer Recap - Thank you, Escalante Concrete!
• Members Connect: SOLD OUT
• Lunch & Learn - September 19th
• Charity Golf Classic - Pre-Raffle Tickets on Sale Now!
• Upcoming Councils & Committees
• Member Event: 2023 TAR EXPO
• Member Event: 24th Annual Courtney's Courage Tee Up for Tots Golf Tournament
• Industry News
• New & Renewing Members

2022 Sales Professional of the Year

Lee Williams

SAHBA proudly recognizes Lee Williams as the 2022 Builder Sales Professional of the Year. As Lead Area Sales Representative on the KB Home Tucson sales team, Lee provides mentorship and coaching to other sales counselors and is highly regarded among his peers and customers.  

Lee sets a high performance standard, leading his team last year (12 months ending 11/30/22) with 60 homes closed at a total value in excess of $20 million. This performance not only exceeded the goals set forth by KB but was 10% higher than any other sales counselor in the Tucson Division. These high marks reflect Lee’s internal motivation that pushes him to routinely outperform the goals and commitments that are externally placed on him.

His dedication to his task is evident in his customer satisfaction score which was 98.2% when this award was judged. Lee’s home buyers routinely give him high marks for his integrity, availability, kindness and professionalism from the initial contact through to the closing. He makes outstanding service a priority and is well regarded for his efforts.

SAHBA appreciates Lee’s commitment to participating in the monthly Sales & Marketing Council meetings as well as his contributions to local charities. Lee also prioritizes youth mentorship as a personal value. The industry is grateful for leaders like Lee and he is well deserving to be honored as SAHBA’s 2022 Builder Sales Professional of the Year.  

Home Show Volunteer Opportunities

The SAHBA Fall Home Show is just around the corner on October 6-8 and with it comes the opportunity to see hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of guests. The Home Show exhibitors tell us repeatedly that the volunteer team is one of the reasons the SAHBA show is one of their favorites. We invite you to join us to meet new people and lend a hand at this key SAHBA event.

Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, food tickets and additional home show entry tickets for friends and family - not to mention unlimited free access to the Show throughout the weekend!

Check out the opportunities and sign up today through Signup Genius!

Contact Ginger@Sahba.org with questions.

Celebrating 25 Years of Membership with Marana Chamber

SAHBA, a longstanding member of the Marana Chamber, has been recognized for its remarkable 25-year membership. This honor was bestowed upon SAHBA at the Marana Chamber Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Breakfast.

The event featured esteemed keynote speaker Juan Ciscomani, who shared insights and inspiration with attendees. 

SAHBA's longstanding commitment to the Marana Chamber is a testament to their belief in the Chamber's mission and their understanding of the importance of fostering strong business relationships within the community.

SAHBA/HBACA Weigh-In On Process for Colorado River Guidelines

The Bureau of Reclamation is in the midst of a scoping process for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to develop guidelines to manage the Colorado River after the current guidelines expire in 2026. The public had until this week to provide formal comments on what should be considered in the EIS. The future of the Colorado River, which includes an adequate and reliable water supply for home building, is critical to our State. As such, SAHBA and the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona submitted comments that can be found here. 

Tech Committee Re-Cap        

Nearly 50 members and jurisdictional partners participated in the August Technical Committee Meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for members to hear about important policy and regulatory issues facing the home building industry. The Committee prioritizes the A.C.E. approach: Advocate, Communicate and Educate. This has fostered a strong working partnership with members and government officials to seek common objectives.

Topics this month included: proposed changes to the Oro Valley Park Area requirements; an update on the listing of the pygmy owl as an endangered species; an update on the improvements to the County Guest House Ordinance; challenges with water meter requirements in Marana and more. If you would like more information or to be included in the Tech Committee, email Jennifer Barroso at jennifer@sahba.org. 

Coffee with Jan Lesher Focuses on Community Priorities

Over 70 members of SAHBA and the Tucson Association of Realtors convened recently to meet with Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher. The meeting focused on several matters of importance to the real estate and construction industry as well as the broader community. Topics included: RTA Next; public safety; water management; the County budget and more. 

SAHBA Commends Job Corps Graduates

SAHBA President David Godlewski had the privilege of being an invited guest at the August 18 graduation ceremony at the Fred G. Acosta Job Corps. Graduates have completed Career Technical Training in one of ten programs – including those in the construction trades – and many have earned a GED/High School Diploma. These students have excelled in academics and career training. The keynote and guest speaker at the event was U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent, Chavar Dollard.  

MEMBER BENEFITS

Are you taking advantage of your Member Information Center (MIC)?

You may be missing out on the following benefits:

• Free Promotion for Your Business
• Pay for SAHBA Invoices Online
• Update Company Representatives
• Take Advantage of The Social Community Board 
• Post Job Openings, Videos & Photos                    
• See What Is Happening With SABHA
• See Upcoming Events & Council
• Contact SAHBA Members Directly in MIC                                                                      

We encourage you and your company representatives to update your Member Information Center (MIC) account, as this information is currently displayed on the SAHBA website. To facilitate this process, contact our Membership Development Manager, Yvette Pederson, at (520) 918.2368 or emailing Yvette@sahba.org.

By contacting Yvette, you can request a personalized link that will allow you to create or update your MIC account efficiently and accurately. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping your member information up-to-date for the benefit of both your company and the SAHBA community.

Outstanding Summer Member Mixer!

Last week we had the largest mixer of the year at Whiskey Roads! Over 110 members, a mix of longstanding and new members were able to meet, connect and talk business! A huge thank you to our mixer sponsor, Escalante Concrete!

Save the date for our Fall Member Mixer - October 26th!

Members Connect

We look forward to seeing everyone at our SOLD OUT Members Connect event on Wednesday, August 23.

Thank you to Garment Graphics & Promotional Products for sponsoring the event.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

SAHBA Boardroom

8:00-9:00 AM

Lunch & Learn

SAHBA and Arizona Construction Trades (ACT) are pleased to announce an upcoming Lunch and Learn event featuring speaker and sponsor BBSI. During the event, BBSI will provide valuable insights and expertise on managing 1099 workers, navigating HR challenges specific to the construction trades sector, and implementing effective risk management strategies. Attendees can expect to gain practical knowledge that can be applied directly to their businesses.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

SAHBA Boardroom

12:00-1:30 PM

Charity Golf Classic: Benefitting The Pete Herder Memorial Scholarship Fund

Friday, September 9th

Omni Tucson National Resort

6 A.M. Registration, 7:30 A.M. Shotgun Start

All Foursomes - SOLD OUT (waitlist available)

Sponsorships are still available!- click here to download the flyer.

A BIG "Thank you" to all sponsors for making this event possible! Click here to check out this year's sponsor lineup.

Pre-raffle tickets are available! Tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20. Enter for a chance to win a one-night stay at Omni Tucson National Resort, a Yeti Tundra, a Milwaukee Power Tool Set, or a Ping Putter.

Please contact Courtney Kinion to purchase pre-raffle tickets remotely and for all golf inquiries.

Courtney@sahba.org | 520-918-2363

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

Membership Committee - Tuesday, August 22nd at 3 pm (SAHBA)

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Tuesday, September 5th at 7:30 am (SAHBA)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, September 12th at 12 pm (Hybrid)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, September 13th at 12 pm (SAHBA)

Tech Committee - Tuesday, September 19th at 3:30 pm (SAHBA)

Tucson Association of Realtors Hosts: 2023 TAR EXPO

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Tucson Convention Center

After a four-year hiatus, the TAR Expo is back!

Click here for sponsorship and exhibitor details here.

The 24th Annual Courtney's Courage Tee Up for Tots Golf Tournament

Friday, August 25, 2023

Sewailo Golf Club

Courtney's Courage is dedicated to raising funds for childhood cancer research and family service programs. Participate in their Tee Up for Tots Golf Tournament to support their amazing cause.

Click here to download their event flyer and learn more about their amazing work on their website.

• Rising interest rates are driving some home buyers into rentals. With the increasing demand in Southern Arizona, Marana is working on stepping up to meet those needs with several rental-focused projects in the works. Read what Marana residents are saying about affordability strains in this article.

• The HBA of Central Arizona's charitable arm, Home Builders Care (HBC), announced a grand opening of a Home Building Academy on Aug. 15. The new educational facility will serve as a residential construction skilled trades training center in Phoenix. Continuing reading about the exciting new program here.

• With shelter inflation accounting for a staggering 90% of the overall inflation rate last month, NAHB is calling on policymakers at all levels of government to take actions that will help boost the nation's housing supply in order to ease a stubbornly high housing inflation rate that is harming the overall economy. Read NAHB Chairman, Alicia Huey's response to this issue here.

• NAHB is hosting a virtual townhall meeting on August 30th that is open to all members to provide feedback to NAHB Leadership on emerging issues in their local communities. This feedback will assist in curating agendas for the Fall Leadership Meeting, September 19- 21. Click here to register for Arizona's region.

• Registration is open for NAHB's 2023 Fall Leadership Meeting which is scheduled for September 19 - 21 in Palm Springs, California! All SAHBA members are welcome to attend and can register here. The tentative meeting schedule can be found here.

Welcome, New Members

ABC Supply Co.

Bates Paving & Sealing, Inc.

Commercial Retail Advisors, LLC | Referred by Briana Rader, Mattamy

Digital Imaging System

Exterior Solutions Southwest

GC Restoration and Remodeling | Referred by John Shorbe, SALT

Goosehead Insurance | Referred by Stacy Dominguez, 2-10 Warranty

LJA Engineering, Inc.

OakCraft Inc.

Smith & Wamsley, PLLC

Superior Sleep Experience

Tucson Plumbing & Heating Inc. | Referred by Kimberly York, KB Home

Thank you, Renewing Members

America Roofing LLC

Daltile

FirstService Residential

Soloway Designs Inc.

Steamy Concepts