4 minute read
President's message
Joseph Irons CAPS, CGP, CGR, CMG, GMR, BIAW Certified Builder
President
Happy New Year and welcome to 2022! BIAW is the largest trade association in Washington with a deep history of leadership and advocacy for our members and those we serve.
Now it’s time to take on the future. As your 2022 President, I will lead with a laser focus on that future and together we’ll get it done!
Coming into 2022, I have four main goals I hope to achieve with you.
• Supporting small businesses
• Encouraging equality
• Developing our future workforce
• Improving affordable access to the homes we build
Those of you who know me know, I don’t just talk the talk. I walk the walk. I’ll continue to build and nurture relationships with members, colleagues and leaders from across the state and across the political spectrum to support our work to build the American dream for all families across Washington.
We need to continue to be leaders, innovate and define our destiny. We need to say what we’re for, not just what we’re against. We must be part of the solution with proven home building experts at the table proactively planning for our future.
Supporting small business
As builders and remodelers, and especially as associates, we all run small businesses in Washington.
When legislators throw up road blocks to home building and small business operations, it’s a direct hit to all of us. We all know the challenges of running small businesses. Let’s continue working together to tell our stories and bond with other small businesses to keep small businesses thriving.
Encouraging equality
In September 2021, Irons Brothers helped support a job fair at the Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center. With a broad spectrum of ethnic diversity, Seattle Central College is a great place to encourage people of all backgrounds to launch a career in construction. A majority of my trade partners—and I’m sure many of yours—are from diverse backgrounds. We must continue to help employees and our small business members thrive, especially those new to the industry, by continuing our commitment to diversifying our workforce and supporting each other.
Irons Brothers holds an annual birdhouse building event to help children learn about building.
Encouraging equality is more than diversifying our workforce. It’s encouraging more equality between builders, remodelers and associates. It’s welcoming all types of builders from custom home builders to green builders. It’s including all parts of Washington. It’s attracting more women to our industry. It’s inviting more associates to join our ranks.
Developing our future workforce
Workforce development has been gaining momentum at BIAW and across the nation. We need to build on this momentum and continue to promote the construction industry as a respected profession.
This ties directly into our commitment to small businesses and equality. As one of the most accessible industries, with no college degree required and the chance to make a solid living for yourself and your family, now is our time.
As we cultivate young professionals, we can help them achieve the next level of professionalism as part of our Certified Builder program. As BIAW's second Certified Builder, I’m proud of this designation and the professionalism it conveys.
My wife, Melissa, recently joined the ranks of BIAW's Certified Builder program, making us the first husband and wife to both earn this honor. We were proud to assist in developing a new video explaining to customers why certified builders “measure up.” We hope to see exponential growth in this program in the year to come.
Improving affordable access to the homes we build
All of these goals point to our one overarching goal: Supporting access to homes people can afford.
We know how important home ownership is to developing communities, building generational wealth and providing opportunities. Yet, home ownership rates are declining—especially for younger populations and minorities. Our work to keep home ownership affordable makes our state a better place for everyone.
I'm here for you This year, I will be present and show up for you as I always have. Please invite me to your events! I look forward to seeing you and having fun with you and your members.
You may find my wife and two daughters in tow for a family date night, but I am real and I will show up and fight for our builders, remodelers and associates and what we believe in.
I’m ready to get **it** done.
BIAW President Joseph Irons and wife Melissa strike a pose during filming of BIAW's promotional video for the Certified Builder program.
