CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE
2026 Leadership Board
Heath Kelly President Heath Kelly Construction
Jessica Ford Secretary FD Builds
Tom Hammond 3rd Vice President Hammond Engineering
Stephen Moorhead Legal Counsel
Moorhead Law Group
Shon Owens Vice President Owens Custom Homes
Janson Thomas 2nd Vice President Swift Supply
Josh Peden Financial Officer Hudson, Peden & Associates
Josh Rayls Treasurer Holiday Builders
Kevin Sluder Past 2rd Vice President Gene’s Floor Covering
Austin Tenpenny Immediate Past President aDoor Properties
2026 Home Builders
Association of West Florida Board of Directors
SENIOR OFFICERS
Heath Kelly, Heath Kelly Construction, President
Austin Tenpenny, aDoor Properties, Immediate Past President
Shon Owens, Owens Custom Homes, Vice President
Josh Rayls, Holiday Builders, Treasurer
Jessica Ford, FD Builds, Secretary
Kevin Sluder, Gene’s Flooring, Past 2nd Vice President
Janson Thomas, Swift Supply, 2nd Vice President
Tom Hammond, Hammond Engineering, 3rd Vice President
Josh Peden, Hudson, Peden & Associates, Financial Officer
Stephen Moorhead, Moorhead Law Group, Legal Counsel
ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS
Keith Branch, Good Foundations
Wayne Briske, Community Bank
Mickey Clinard, Centennial Bank
Laura Gilmore, Fairway Mortgage
John Hattaway, Hattaway Home Design
Lindy Hurd, First International Title
Shellie Isakson-Smith, Guild Mortgage
Mary Jordan, Gulf Coast Insurance
Daniel Monie, KJM Land Surveying
Nick Newkirk, FPL
Zach Noel, Clear Title of NW FL
Suzanne Pollard-Spann, Legacy Insurance
Marty Rich, University Lending Group
John Scanlon, Pensacola Energy
Pam Smith, Real Estate Counselors
BUILDER/DEVELOPER BOARD MEMBERS
Dax Campbell, CamCon
Amir Fooladi, ParsCo
Travis Gottstine, Homewood Construction
Fred Gunther, Gunther Properties
Thomas Henry, Thomas Homes
Alton Lister, Lister Builders
Matthew Peek, Expedition Homes
Jennifer Reese, Reese Construction
Doug Russell, R-Squared Construction
Wilma Shortall, FD Builds
Anton Zaynakov, Grand Builders
2026 COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Ambassadors – Suzanne Spann
Builder Member Services – Zach Noel
Cost & Codes – Keith Branch
Dream Home – Amir Fooladi
Education/Professional Development – Janson Thomas & Lindy Hurd
Governmental Affairs – Austin Tenpenny
Past Presidents – Amir Fooladi
Tradesmen/Workforce Development – Mary Jordan
CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE CONTENTS
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com
Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com
Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Ryan Dugger advertise@ballingerpublishing.com
Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com
Assistant Editor Dawn Gresko dawn@ballingerpublishing.com
Sales & Marketing
Jaami Clement , Account Executive jaami@ballingerpublishing.com
Maggie Banks, Account Executive maggie@ballingerpublishing.com
Cornerstone, the monthly publication of the Home Builders Association of West Florida serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, is published monthly, twelve (12x) per year. Send address changes to HBA of West Florida, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910. Cornerstone, is published in the interests of all segments of the home building industry and is distributed to its members and others associated with the HBA of West Florida. HBA of West Florida and Ballinger Publishing does not accept responsibility for, or endorse any statement or claims made by advertisers or authors of any articles. Every effort has been made to assure ac-curacy of information, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of Home Builders Association of West Florida, Copyright ©, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910, 850.476.0318. Advertisers and advertorials in Cornerstone do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited by law.
President’s Message
Heath Kelly President
Heath Kelly Construction
Dear Members,
Spring is here, and with it comes strong momentum across our industry. The activity we’re seeing—from job sites to association events—reflects the continued strength of our building community.
Engagement within the Home Builders Association of West Florida remains strong. Our recent networking event at Ferguson Enterprises was a phenomenal success, and we appreciate their team for hosting such a well-executed event. These gatherings continue to prove their value by bringing professionals together, creating relationships, and opening doors for future opportunities.
Looking ahead, there are several key ways to stay involved this month. Registration for the Parade of Homes is now open for all builders interested in participating—one of the best opportunities to showcase your work. Our Spring Golf Tournament on April 23rd is also shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. Both events play an important role in strengthening our association and industry.
We’re also seeing results from last year’s affordable housing initiative. The Spring Street project, led by Amir Fooladi and the ParsCo team, has already sold. The E Street project, led by Shelby Johnson and Johnson Construction Company, is expected to close this month—clear examples of what can be accomplished through collaboration.
Our 2026 Dream Home in Carrington Lakes continues to move forward at a strong pace. The home is now taking visible shape, and with drywall wrapping up soon, the sprint to the finish is soon to be underway. This project highlights the craftsmanship and coordination our members bring to every job.
As we move further into the year, staying engaged matters. Whether through events, the Parade of Homes, or building relationships, your involvement strengthens both your business and our industry.
Heath Kelly, HBA President
Celebrating New Home Month: A Milestone in Affordable Housing
April is recognized as New Home Month a time to celebrate the value of homeownership and the impact it has on families, communities, and the local economy. This year, the Home Builders Association of West Florida is proud to mark the occasion by celebrating a meaningful milestone: the recent sale of our f irst Affordable Housing Project home
Last month, members of the HBA , project par tners, and community suppor ters gathered onsite for a special moment the off icial closing and welcoming of the home’s new owner. Standing together in f ront of the completed home, this milestone represented more than just a sale; it was the result of a shared vision and a collaborative effor t to make homeownership more accessible in our community This project brought together a unique par tnership between the HBA , the City of Pensacola, Habitat for Humanity Community Land Trust, and dedicated builder members who generously contributed their time, exper tise, and resources
The Affordable Housing Project was designed to demonstrate what is possible when the building industr y and community par tners work together toward a common goal
From planning to completion, HBA members played a vital role offering discounted ser vices, donating materials, and ensuring the home was built with the same level of quality and craftsmanship seen in any market-rate build. The result is a thoughtfully constructed home that provides not only stability for its new homeowner, but also long-term value and pride of ownership.
Photos courtesy of Local Pulse and Habitat for Humanity
What makes this project especially impactful is its broader purpose Beyond helping one family achieve homeownership, it ser ves as a model for future initiatives and highlights the essential role our members play in addressing housing needs locally It also reinforces the HBA’s ongoing commitment to advocacy, workforce development, and creating oppor tunities within the residential construction industr y.
The closing itself was a powerful reminder of why this work matters With par tners, builders, and suppor ters gathered together, the moment symbolized the strength of collaboration and the positive outcomes that can be achieved when the industr y comes together to give back
As we celebrate New Home Month, we are proud to recognize not only this milestone, but the continued effor ts of our members who are building homes, strengthening communities, and making a lasting difference ever y day
New Title from NAHB’s BuilderBooks Offers
Advice on Using AI in Residential Construction
BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a new title, AI in Residential Construction: A Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Success.
Artificial Intelligence is already shaping the residential construction industry, and the builders who learn to use it now will define the next decade of the industry. AI for Residential Construction: A Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Success will show how artificial intelligence can transform every corner of a business—from estimating and bookkeeping to design visualization, client communication and workforce management.
Author Grace Tsao Mase brings a wealth of knowledge in AI and digital innovation. She is a Yale-trained architect with over 25 years of digital innovation experience, and a multi-state licensed contractor, who has worked alongside contractors on more than 5,000 projects, earned three U.S. patents, and built AI-powered solutions that make the construction process smoother, faster, and far more profitable.
“Artificial intelligence is a growing part of our industry and is here to stay,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a Worthington, Ohio-based, remodeler and home builder. “This new resource will teach housing professionals how to better incorporate these tools into their business by streamlining processes and creating success through better management of data, decisions and time.”
Readers will hear from builders and remodelers from across the country who are already successfully using AI to:
• Complete projects up to 30% faster without sacrificing quality
• Eliminate costly miscommunications with smarter scheduling and documentation
• Win more bids through realistic 3D visuals and accurate projections
• Forecast risks, manage cash flow and increase profit margins
• Build healthier, safer and more resilient homes for modern families
AI in Residential Construction is available for purchase at www.BuilderBooks.com Soft-cover/246 pages, $29.95 retail, $26.95 NAHB member.
Professional DevelopmentJanson Thomas and Lindy Hurd
The Professional Development Committee is dedicated to offering training opportunities through two focused tracks: one for builders and another tailored to real estate professionals. On the builder side, we’ve already hosted several valuable trainings this year, including sessions with LG, an FHBA Rebate Training, and a legal overview with Steve Moorhead. Builder-focused trainings will continue monthly, with FHBA rebate trainings offered quarterly If there are topics you’d like to see covered, we encourage you to reach out—we want to make sure these trainings are as relevant and beneficial as possible.
In addition to formal trainings, we’re introducing builder roundtables—small group discussions that bring together experienced builders and those newer to the industry These sessions are designed to encourage open conversation around challenges, share best practices, and create opportunities to learn from one another in a more collaborative setting.
Our second track is geared toward real estate professionals, with the first training of the year scheduled for April 30th, focused on SEO. This session is open to all members, and we look forward to expanding education opportunities across both tracks.
Ambassador Committee - Suzanne Spann
The Ambassadors Committee is gearing up for our upcoming Golf Tournament on April 23rd and will be assisting with event setup and registration. We appreciate their continued support in helping our events run smoothly
The committee is also preparing for this year ’s membership drive at both the state and local levels. If you’re interested in getting involved and taking advantage of opportunities to win prizes, please reach out to HBA staff—we’d love to have you participate!
C o m m i t t e e s U p d a t e
Committees Update
Governmental A ffairs CommitteeAustin Tenpenny
The Government Affairs Committee monitors all matters relating to local regulations and legislation affecting housing and construction and is responsible for developing and recommending association policy in this area; and for recommending information dissemination programs for the members. The Committee also provides member representation as needed at County Commission and City Council meetings. The Committee works statewide with the FHBA Governmental Affairs Committee and FHBA staff. The Committee also assists with campaign fundraising efforts.
Dream Home Committee - Amir Fooladi
The Dream Home Committee is excited to share that the project is coming along well, with an estimated completion date aligned with the Parade of Homes. We’ve had tremendous support from our members, with generous contributions from companies like Blue Haven Pools, Swift Supply, and Carnley Electric and HVAC, Amore Plumbing, Guy Brothers Roofing, and James Hardie with many more members scheduled to join the effort to complete this amazing home designed by Good Foundations.
The committee is currently working to secure the remaining donations needed to complete the project, including painting labor, landscaping, furniture staging, gutters & downspouts, and fencing. We’re looking forward to bringing everything together and showcasing the incredible craftsmanship and collaboration of our members.
Past Presidents Committee - Amir Fooladi
The Home Builders Association of West Florida committee of Past-Presidents met in February to welcome Austin Tenpenny to our exclusive group of PastPresidents. The committee discussed strategies, future initiatives, and governmental affairs as it relates to the building industry. Based on these discussions recommendations on stances, policy, and legislation were provided to the HBA Senior Board. The Past-Presidents will meet again later this year in August/September.
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SPIKE CLUB
In construction, a spike is a steel object that is essential to making a building strong. As in construction, the HBA of West Florida sees a Spike as someone that works to keep our association strong. Spikes work on the recruitment and retention of members in addition to keeping members active with the association. Anyone is eligible for Spike status. On Spike credit is awarded for each new member recruited and an additional credit is awarded for that new member’s renewal on or before their anniversary date. If you help to retain a member, you are eligible to receive a half point for each member.
Spike Club Levels
Spike Candidate 1-5 Credits
Blue Spike 6-24
Life Spike 25-49
Green Spike 50-99
Red Spike 100-149
Royal Spike 150-249
Super Spike 250-499
Statesman Spike 500-999
Grand Spike 1000-1499
All-Time Big Spike 1500+ Spike Club Members and their credits as of 12/31/2025.
Statesman Spike
Harold Logan
Super Spike
Rod Hurston
Royal Spike
Rick Sprague
William “Billy” Moore
Red Spike
Oliver
Newman Rodgers IV
Spike Credits
Shelby
