BIA Online Magazine - October

Southern California BUILDER

WE’RE WORKING TO SERVE YOU BETTER!

At SoCalGas®, we’re proud to partner with the building industry to supply energy-efficient new homes to our growing communities. During the past two years, we’ve worked with builders to install more than 70,000 residential natural gas meters throughout our service territory.

Part of our commitment to providing excellent customer service to our builder customers has been to:

• Establish numerous operational enhancements

• Launch several online tools to request and track projects

• Reinforce a renewed focus on the New Business Customer Experience to support continuous improvement

Plus, SoCalGas can help builders save money when installing qualifying energy-efficient natural gas appliances in newly-constructed homes by offering energy efficiency rebates to builders of eligible new single-family and multi-family projects through the Energy Efficient New Homes (EENH) program.

In 2021, 214 agreements with a total of 16,300 new single-family residential and multi-family units/lots enrolled in EENH. Once constructed, these enrollments from 2021 are expected to result in $14.5 M in direct incentive payments to participating homebuilders, equivalent energy savings to reducing over 7.7 metric tons of CO2 and reducing $2.4 M in utility bills.

To learn more about our service enhancements or the EENH program, visit: socalgas.com/builders

SoCalGas® — Your Partner in the Clean Energy Future

The Energy Efficient New Homes Program is funded by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) customers and administered by SoCalGas, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Program funds, including any funds utilized for rebates or incentives, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until such funds are no longer available. This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice. The selection, purchase, and own ership of goods and/or services are the sole responsibility of the customer. SoCalGas makes no warranty, whether express or implied, including the warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, of goods or services selected by the customer. SoCalGas does not endorse, qualify, or guarantee the work of any third party. Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.

What’s

Bartlett &

Board

From Editor

Members

Foster

Building Industry Show

Market, Next Few Years

& Chapter Events

Presidential Edition

For Better Communities Foundation

BIA Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter

John Hrovat Incoming

Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter

Celebrating 100-Year Anniversary

BIA Baldy View Chapter Awards

Installation

BIA Orange County Chapter Installation

BIA Riverside Chapter Awards & Installation Gala

BIA Baldy View & Riverside Joint Chapter BBQ

BIA Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter Dodgers Night

BIA Orange County Chapter Angels Night

BIA Orange County Chapter Softball Tournament

Team Roster

BIA Orange County Chapter Crafts

Members

on SAGE Awards

Recognition

Members

Southern California BUILDER

Chief Editor

Craig Foster

Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Vice President

Editor & Production Coordinator Karissa DiStefano

BIASC Director of Public Affairs Production Editors

Carver

Basiliere

Marketing BIASC Reporter

Pearce

2022 BIASC Chairman

Dave Bartlett

Brookfield Residential Vice President, Land BIASC CEO

Cars

Montejano Chief Executive Officer

Upcoming

on SAGE Update

Sage Awards

Insider – A New Look

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUILDER is a copyrighted publication produced by the Building Association of Southern California. Advertising and editorial inquiries and materials should be emailed to: kwillette@biasc.org. All publication rights are fully reserved.

BIASC Chairman & CEO Message:

Jeff Montejano BIASC Chief Executive Officer

For the first time in our organization’s history, we will be hosting our first President of the United States as part of our Los Angeles Chapter Awards and Installation dinner this month on Wednesday, October 26th. We are encouraging all members to attend this historic event.

President George W. Bush and Medal of Honor Recipient David Bellavia will join us for this special evening featuring our industry’s vital role in supporting housing and job opportunities for our Nation’s Veterans. This evening will also feature many additional special guests including prominent elected officials, the 2023 Rose Parade® Royal Court, and a live musical performance by the all-star Angel Force Band featuring members of the Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Who, Sugar Ray, and Bob Dylan.

This historic evening will also showcase BIASC’s new charitable foundation, Builders for Better Communities Foundation (BBCF), which will promote diversity, equity, and inclusiveness on behalf of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This foundation will partner with builders, industry partners, and charities to help support education and awareness programs that provide positive social, environmental, and economic impacts for underserved communities –including for our veterans.

BIASC will also announce its new Vison for Veterans advocacy initiative, providing a strategic policy platform to better support and solve veterans’ housing and workforce problems. It’s essential that we work together to preserve a pathway to prosperity for our brave veteran community by ending veteran homelessness and creating more affordable and attainable housing options for our veterans. This begins by working collectively with our elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels in finding housing solutions.

The homebuilding industry can also increase our efforts to employ more veterans. Military service results in the acquisition of numerous skills, training, and experiences that would benefit any company. As our industry continues to protect and grow our members’ businesses while providing attainable and essential housing, your support for BIASC does make a difference.

We hope to see you at this historic moment in BIASC history, and together, with your help, we can make a positive difference and help make 2022 a memorable year for our industry.

Dave Bartlett Jeff Montejano

BIASC Chair BIASC CEO

Brookfield Residential

Dave Bartlett 2022 BIASC Chairman VP, Land Entitlement, Land & Housing Development, Brookfield Residential

BIASC Letter from the Editor: Presidents & Parades

The next few months will be a powerful illustration of just how dedicated BIASC is to re-imagining our Association in ways that will make it more meaningful to and supportive of our members.

Just look to one event on October 26th as an example. Not only will this evening feature the BIA LA/Ventura Chapter’s Board Installation, but it will also bring former President George W. Bush to the BIASC audience as its Keynote Speaker. The evening’s events will also represent the kick-off of BIASC’s new Builders for Better Communities Foundation (BBCF), a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit launched in September, as a new way for the building industry to support the communities where we build. Attendees and sponsors will be helping to support one of the Foundation’s primary goals: better housing for Armed Forces Veterans. To highlight BIASC’s strong commitment to housing opportunities for veterans, the event’s special guest speaker will be U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Retired) and Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia.

As you can imagine, planning and pulling off an event of this incredible scope and complexity requires the combined skills of our staff, along with many of our members who have so kindly volunteer their valuable time.

This is the season for BIASC Chapter Installation Galas where we will recognize our incoming 2023 Chapter Presidents including: John Hrovat of Equity Residential (BIA Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter), Ryan Combe of Lennar (BIA Baldy View Chapter), Brooke Doi of Shea Homes (BIA Orange County Chapter), and Aaron Talarico of Meritage Homes (BIA Riverside Chapter). Installed

Craig Foster Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Vice President

along with them, of course, will be their Chapter Board Members, some of whom are new to BIASC Chapter leadership and many of whom are very seasoned. All are making a significant contribution of their time and expertise to the betterment of our industry, and if you would like to join your local board someday, you can start on that path now by volunteering for one of your chapter’s committees.

As a final example of the new, more vibrant and exciting BIASC, there is one of the only things in the world that can rival a former U.S. President in terms of recognition: The Rose Parade®. To mark BIASC’s 100th Anniversary celebration, we, along with the Builders for Better Communities Foundation and the float’s lead sponsor, SoCalGas, will be on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena on January 2, 2023 for the 134th Rose Parade® with our float, proudly themed as “Building for the Future.” The theme was developed by participants in BIASC’s Junior Builder program, which we launched in 2019 to give 10-to-15-year-olds the opportunity to learn more about our industry through design contests, chances to meet industry leaders…and even the opportunity showcase their creativity to the international Rose Bowl Parade® audience.

There are still high-visibility float sponsorship opportunities available, and we are inviting our BIASC family to join in. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help bring the float to life by volunteering to glue on some of those millions of seeds and flower petals that make Rose Parade® floats so unique and beautiful. To learn more and sign up, go to biasc.org/roseparade and/ or www.buildersforberttercommunities.org.

Recap: 2022 Building Industry Show

Recap: House of Blues Kick Off Party

Recap: House of Blues Kick Off Party

BIS 2022 Interviews

As soon as the doors to the BIS Exhibition Hall opened, exhibitors started realizing the benefits of showcasing their products and services to BIASC’s members – and homebuilders began to take in all the offerings the exhibitors had in store for them. Here is what some of the exhibitors had to say.

Eric Linares, LiftMaster: “LiftMaster is known for garage door openers, but we’re showing builders our line of products for perimeter access to gated communities, including the video intercoms we launched recently. This is our second year at BIS, but I’ve been in the industry for 20 years and BIS has always been a great place to showcase products. Sammy Hagar was great and today should be better.”

Mark Drake, SoCal Gas: “The builders are really excited about our Energy Efficiency New Home Program that supports builders with rebate on high-efficiency gas equipment –about 40% of the new homes built in Southern California are participating, getting between $800 and $1,200 per unit that they can put back to the bottom line.”

Chris Hopkins, Great Western Home Loans: “We serve as a back-up lender to a lot of large builders, for when a buyer can’t fit in to the programs their preferred lenders offer. We’ve been at BIS for the last three years, and this year started great with the kick-off party with Sammy Hagar at the House of Blues, where we saw everyone, and we’re looking forward to Meet the Builder.”

Marshall Chi, innobath: “We are based here in Southern California, selling high-end LED mirrors, both in-stock and customized to a builder’s specific needs. New homes are a great market for us, and a lot of contractors and builders have stopped by. We’ve been coming to BIS since 2018 because it’s working for us.”

Mike Pugh, American Bath Group: “If you can bathe in it, we build it. BIS has worked with us – you just have to go because it’s an opportunity to see people and build relationships. Plus, last night was probably the best show I can remember ever at BIA.”

Deborah Silver, Home Team Pest Defense: “We’ve been coming to BIS for maybe 15 years, at least 10, because it’s been good for us. Our systems are serviced from the outside, and we had never heard of the word contact-less until COVID

came along. Now people want pest control done, but they don’t want anyone coming in the house, which we can do –that’s something we’re sharing here with our builder partners, and it’s very, very good attendance.”

Lettie Buckman, Trilogy Plumbing Inc.: “We come to BIS every year. The builders are so busy now, we hear, ‘I just don’t have time to have lunch,’ but most of them won’t miss BIS, so even if you just bump into them on the way, there’s nothing like meeting in person. Also, we’re able to network with all the other vendors and subs and get information on all the who you want to meet and what’s coming up.”

Sean Graffia, Sub-Zero Group West Inc: “The homebuilding segment is extremely important to us, so we’re a BIS sponsor. It gives us the opportunity to get in front of the builders we are doing business with, and also a bunch that we may have new opportunities with.”

Bryan Gifford, Momentum Telecom: “For homebuilders, we provide internet via LTE and 5G on the fringe of development where there is no internet for the sales and construction offices because there’s no hard infrastructure yet and there usually isn’t real good cell service. The device we put together lets us take that weak cell signal and turn it into something that’s very effective. This is our first time at BIS. We got brought in by one of our customers, Trumark Homes, and it’s been incredible. We will absolutely be back.”

Christina Moore, Whirlpool: “This is our first BIS booth, even though we’ve been an active member of the BIA since I think 1959. It’s been very busy with a ton of influx of folks since they opened the doors, giving us the opportunity to show our new Rise and Noir lines.”

Matthew Skinner, Live Guard Tech: “Our proactive crime and vandalism deterrent services for construction sites are necessary now. This is our first BIS. We thought it would be a great way to establish relationships with builders we work with in other states, and I feel like we’re going to have some good success and fruitful opportunities.” 

Recap: BIS Show Floor

BIS Keynotes: Two Top Economists Forecast

The 2022-2023 Economy

BIS attendees were treated – if that’s the right word in the current economy – to astute outlooks and insights from two leading economists during the show-closing “Regional Outlook 2022-2023” keynote session.

The keynote speakers were Chris Thornberg, PhD, the founding partner of Beacon Economics, a trusted source of objective, reasoned information that helps business leaders decipher and understand the implications of economic and financial issues, and Adam Artunian, vice president if Clarity Real Estate Advisors, a team of economists that provide real estate decision-makers with research-based insights into market and product trends.

Taking the macro view, Thornberg called the current economy “The Bizarro Economy,” with trends that should not be appearing together doing so with regularity – inflation and spending both up, new home supply up but existing home supply down. He blamed the situation on a federal overreaction to COVID-19’s impact on the economy, which he characterized as minor and short-term.

“The U.S. government let loose with $6.5 trillion in stimulus programs, an insane amount of money given actual economic conditions,” Thornberg said. “When you over-stimulate the economy, it’s no surprise that you get an over-stimulated economy, which drives excessive consumer demand. When consumer demand outstrips supply, which is what has happened, you get inflation.” The cure for that inflation, he said, is quantitative tightening, which the Administration is undertaking too timidly “because they are so sure that people are worse off than they are.”

One result of the economic uncertainty this has triggered, he said, is that “Housing was hot, hot, hot and now it’s not, not, not.” Still, he does not think the industry is facing a recession or an extreme meltdown like what occurred in 2008 because the housing market is “a combination of phenomenal fundamentals and sticker-shock over interest rates.” He

advised builders, “Homebuilding won’t collapse, but the industry will thin out, so work hard to find the niches where you can sell competitive products.”

Zeroing in on regional economic conditions affecting builders, Adam Artunian said that despite negative numbers recently, a longer view shows that things are not as bad as they look. For example, home prices are down five to seven percent, but are still higher than they were last January. Interest rates have almost doubled from 3.25 to 6, but that is still relatively low compared to earlier interest rate run-ups that homebuilders survived.

Artunian noted that the very hot regional sales pace of five homes per week per project earlier this year has dropped because of fear over interest rates, but now buyers are beginning to come back because builders are offering discounts and incentives. Many of these buyers think interest rates will continue to rise and want to lock in what might be a relatively low rate before these increases. They also expect to be able to refinance to a lower rate once inflation is tamed.

Where these buyers will find new homes could be something of a challenge, however, Clarity tracks the number of active new home projects, and Artunian reported that there are currently only 437 new communities in Southern California with home for sale, versus 1,718 communities at the peak.

Looking ahead, Artunian said that if interest rates settle into the mid-5’s, there will only be a minor market correction, with a more marked downturn coming only if they continue at six to seven percent. Even so, he said, “This is unlikely to be a double-digit implosion. With the increased incentives that are available, a two to four percent correction this year followed by a two percent correction next year is what we are likely to see.”

Recap: BIS Show Floor

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BIS Perfect Storm Forum Reports Some Sunlight & Some Storm Clouds

Thanks in great part to BIASC’s heightened advocacy efforts, attendees at the Perfect Storm Forum at BIS got some all too rare good news – along with warnings to stay vigilant. There was good news on two Perfect Storm fronts – stormwater regulations and the Southern California Association of Governments’ Southern California Greenprint, with progress being made on wildfire regulations, but traffic regulations under the new Vehicle Miles Traveled regulatory regime still present a grave threat to our industry.

Attendees also got an update on what might be called the “dry perfect storm,” the drought, from Moulton Niguel Water District board president Brian Probolsky, who said, “New construction is incredibly important to drought response plans, because a new home equals decades of water savings. You guys are ground zero for great opportunities to make a difference.”

The Forum also took an interesting side trip to learn about something that might silence criticisms of new homes from climate change activists – SoCal Gas Company’s [H2] Innovation Experience, a hydrogen-powered demonstration home that was called “a world-changing idea” by Fast Company magazine. Armando Infanzon, the Gas Company’s director of business development, said the company’s 100,000 miles of distribution lines can be repurposed for green hydrogen, which can “integrate with electricity to power our homes, businesses and industry to meet our state’s greenhouse gas goals.”

PERFECT STORM UPDATES

Forum moderator Dan Dunmoyer, CEO of CBIA, led off by saying the 2022 legislative session in Sacramento was “hot and cold, with the industry coming together to successfully turn back some aspects of the Perfect Storm, but unable to stop a flood – one of new regulations affecting the industry.” He said CBIA, BIASC and other homebuilder associations throughout the state will continue the fight against regulations that make new homes less affordable, but cautioned, “Homebuilding and the housing crisis is always the second most important thing in Sacramento. There’s always something more important, usually the environment or labor issues, so we have to work doubly hard.”

On wildfires, the industry was focused on regulations, not legislation, because some agencies’ new ideas would have prohibited new homes anywhere there is wildfire risk – “which is basically anywhere,” Dunmoyer said. Industry engagement at both the Board of Forestry and the Office of Planning & Research turned proposed regulations that were extremely detrimental to

the industry into ones that guide new homebuilding instead of stopping it.

“In both cases, we were able to turn them around because we have facts on our side,” Dunmoyer said. “Since the new fire building code went into effect in 2012, no more than 10 or 12 homes built under the new code statewide have been lost to fire, and new developments, from the large masterplans like The Ranch Plan, Tejon Ranch and Newhall to all the smaller ones, are all built to avoid fire damage.”

On traffic regulations, Dunmoyer said the industry is hard at work to educate legislators about the impacts of VMT, explaining how homes outside urban cores that require commutes will be hit with a VMT surcharge of $50,000 to $2 million, demolishing any chance of successfully addressing the housing crisis.

On the positive side, Dr. Mark Grey, BIASC’s director of environmental affairs, said intense industry lobbying – backed by hundreds [?] of letters from BIASC members – forced regulators to limit their efforts to impose costly numeric pollutant limits on every homebuilding site in Southern California to just two relatively small, particularly sensitive areas. As with wildfire regulations, our science prevailed.

“We developed a large coalition of construction industry partners who are the experts in the field, not the state,” Grey said. “We built a bullet-proof evidentiary record, which we presented in one-on-one meetings with all five members of the Water Board. They ended up questioning staff about their approach, which led to many important changes and the delay of the very worst aspects of the proposed regulations.”

A similar strategy led to the demise of the Greenprint, which would have opened the door for activists to bring expensive, time-consuming lawsuits against nearly any housing project. BIASC will now help guide SCAG as it develops a less destructive and, potentially, useful and beneficial new Greenprint.

Forum attendees were reminded, however, that this is California so the threats to housing never go away. Wildfire bills will return, the Governor’s new climate package is a real threat to the industry, and even bills proposed to help solve the housing crisis often would only make things worse. So don’t put away your foul weather gear yet – there are more storms to come!

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Despite Strong Market Fundamentals, The Next Few Years Will Be Tough For Builders

When charting a course during troubling economic times, it is wise to seek the counsel of a well-tested economist. Beacon Economics founding partner Chris Thornberg, PhD, caught the attention of many in the homebuilding industry during his comments at the May 2022 Economic Forecast & Housing Strategy Summit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and then again as a keynote speaker at BIS in Anaheim in September. Southern California Builder thought it would be helpful for our members if we dug a little deeper into Thornberg’s thinking, and he was kind enough to share his insights with us.

Southern California Builder: Let’s start by introducing our readers to you and Beacon Economics.

Chris Thornberg: Well, first off, I’m not a real estate economist; I’m an economist economist. But in the context of my career, you can’t help but have lots of conversations about real estate, given that it’s both an important sector of the economy and a hyper-cyclical sector. So, if you’re going to be a forecaster, you end up by definition being a housing guy.

As for the company, I did my PhD at UCLA then spent a couple years in traditional academic economics. What did Churchill say about academia? “Never have so many fought so hard over so little.” I couldn’t agree more. I was about three quarters of the way through chewing my arm off when I got a call to work for the UCLA Forecast, where I immediately found a home. But in time I became uncomfortable because it’s hard to be an entrepreneur in the context of the university system. So, I left and started Beacon Economics in 2006. Here we are 16 years later, and I’ve got 20-plus people working for me. We’re doing work all over the west, and I feel that what I do here is to bring academic honesty – old fashioned academic honesty – to this world of violent political and policy debates.

SCB: At BIS you said we are worried about the wrong recession. What did you mean?

CT: In the first two quarters of this year, we saw very small negative growth rates. There is that conventional wisdom,

Chris Thornberg Economist

which like most conventional wisdom is neither conventional nor wise, that a recession can be defined as two quarters of negative growth. Well, that’s nonsensical. A recession is a period of time when the economy is performing below average and not living up to its potential. That’s an important distinction because there are different kinds of policy prescriptions for different kinds of things. If you think about the first half of this year, unemployment rates have been below four percent. The labor market is a little softer, in that we went from 11.3 million job openings to 10.4 million, which is still half again as much as 2019. Earnings are going up at a very rapid pace and there’s lots of consumer demand. It’s clearly not a recession.

There’s no doubt that there are parts of our economy that are getting squeezed right now because of the rise in interest rates, with real estate of course being front and center. Interest rate sensitive sectors are getting absolutely pummeled, but interest rate sensitive sectors are not the economy, and the rest of the economy is doing great and will continue to. There is a phenomenal amount of pent-up consumer demand out there that will continue to push this economy forward, even as real estate tries to figure out what to do.

Ultimately, it’s not the hike in interest rates and inflation that we have to worry about; it’s what’s going to happen with this massive increase in government debt. What about this $1.5 trillion structural deficit they’re running? What about the increased cost of carrying all that debt at the federal level? These are the things that are panicking me because they are going to come to a head maybe next year or the year after that. When bond markets finally say, “We’re not going to continue to lend this kind of money to you at these kinds of rates because it’s clear you’re not going to be able to get your financial house in order,” then we are going to have a big fiscal shock that suggests to me something far scarier than this bump in the road that we’re dealing with right now because they pumped an insane amount of cash into the economy, and the economy completely exploded.

Here’s my favorite statistic. Prior to COVID households in the U.S. had a speck over a trillion dollars sitting in checking

accounts. Right now, it’s $4.5 trillion. How do you deal with higher interest rates? Make a bigger down payment! You have the cash; we know you do. If you look across the different categories of inflation, over the last three years, consumer prices are up about 11 percent, but the cost of building a home has gone up 42 percent. That should have really hurt the housing market, but it didn’t – it took off! Why? Low interest rates that got Americans to say, “Cost? Smosh!”

SCB: So how are Jerome Powell and the Fed doing at taming inflation?

CT: I’ve never seen such horrible Fed policy in my entire life. Why do we have inflation? It’s nothing more than the consequence of too much money chasing too few goods. You have to ask where all the money came from, and the answer is the Fed. Out of the $6.5 trillion in federal borrowing, $5 trillion was basically printed money, courtesy of the Fed’s quantitative easing. This was our true first experiment with modern economic theory, which is a horrible idea, but it gets worse. We haven’t stopped there with the stupidity of it. Let me give you one number: Direct COVID subsidies to American households from the federal government were about $2 trillion and change. How much income did households actually lose during the pandemic? About $800 million. The amount of money paid out relative to true economic damage was insanely out of proportion. All that money just flooded into the system and it shows up all over the place, creating a massive increase in consumer demand, which in turn is causing inflation because the economy doesn’t have the ability to produce that much stuff.

The easiest way to get rid of some do that excess cash is higher taxes, but do you think anyone in DC is going to do that right now? Powell is trying to cool off the economy by yanking on interest rates, but with the entire economy over-stimulated by piles of cash everywhere, how are you going to slow things down by putting all the braking pressure on only the ratesensitive segment of the economy? There’s too much demand for planes and cars and gasoline and food and restaurants and hotels and dog food and everything else, and he’s going to cool the economy by crushing housing?

SCB: What should the Fed being doing?

CT: There’s nothing they can do – that’s the problem. They handed too much money to households and you can’t take that money back without people losing their minds. You know what the best thing to do is? Nothing. Just wait, because inflation is its own cure. As prices go up, the amount of money in real term goes down. They should be sitting on their hands, but instead they are warping and torquing this economy in ways it should not be warped and torqued. It’s tragic. To be clear, it’s not 2006. You have $28 trillion of household equity out there which is

three times what it was a decade ago, so fundamentally the market is in great shape, but people are going through a huge sticker shock and are not going to walk away from their 2.6 percent mortgage.

SCB: Let’s talk about “the Big Retirement” and the labor shortage. Do we solve that by just paying more for labor?

CT: No! Paying a non-existent person $30 or $40 an hour isn’t going to make them work harder; they’re still nonexistent. Our population growth and labor force growth have slowed dramatically. Why? Women! What’s with the female participation rate in the United States being the lowest in the developed world? Obviously, I’m being facetious and when the knives come out, I point out that we are also the only developed country that doesn’t subsidize childcare. That’s something we need to think about.

SCB: What are the next few years going to be like for the homebuilding industry?

CT: It’s going to be tough in the short run because interest rates are up and there’s been a huge increase in housing construction costs, which has just been revealed after being hidden by low interest rates. The rapid rise of interest rates combined with the increases in cost means that over the next year or two it’s going to be really tough. You’re going to have a tough time navigating this market; I don’t know any other way to put it. Think about focusing on the affordable market. I appreciate that the margins are not like with the big fancy mega-mansions, but the demand is going to end up on condos, townhouses, entry level new units. They may not be sexy and give you the big, fat margins, but it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.

In the medium term, everything looks pretty good because overall supply is limited. Vacancy rates are tight and there’s only a three and a half month supply of existing homes for sale in the U.S. now. There’s clearly a big demand for housing in the U.S. which means you’re not going to see a bad decade. It will take a couple years for things to start moving again as people get over their sticker shock.

But in the long run, you have the bigger problem of the collapse in population growth. The last time we had a substantial longrun population forecast from the Census was in 2017. They’re due to update it, and it’s going to be grim. I’m almost positive we’re going to see population growth that’s really weak, with it falling in the prime working years when people are most likely to buy housing. We have a real demographic challenge on our hands because if the population isn’t growing, you don’t need to build housing. Look at Detroit – they’ll tell you all about it.

Presidential

THE PRESIDENTIAL

The Presidential

Those Attending October 26 George W. Bush Event Will Hear

“The Truth, In No Uncertain Terms”

Anne Hyde Dunsmore

In a kick-off event to top all kick-off events, BIASC’s newly formed Builders for Better Communities Foundation is holding An Evening Dedicated to Housing Veterans on October 26, featuring George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sargent (Ret.) David Bellavia, and the Angel Force Band, featuring musicians from The Who, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Roger Daltry Band, Sugar Ray, the Pawn Shop Kings and Bob Dylan’s back-up band.

We asked Anne Dunsmore Hyde, who has worked on 15 presidential campaigns, including both of George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns, about why people should attend the event. She replied, “The evolution of a president after they’ve been president is not often witnessed by many. You will hear thoughts that are like opening up a letter from George Washington. He has had the chance to review the presidencies of others; he knows the inside stories. What would we miss by not hearing his reflections? It would be like being down the street from the Mona Lisa and not going in.

“Being around a president who has freedom to reflect is a unique opportunity. You’re not going to get it when you go to visit their museum after they pass, that’s for sure. We are going through epic times right now – I would challenge anyone who says they don’t need to hear what a former president has to say when we’re going through what we’re going through right now.”

We asked Dunsmore what we can expect from George W. Bush. “At a personal level,” she said, “I’ve worked for Pres. Reagan, Mohammed Ali and a lot of other pretty incredible people, but 43 is something else. He would walk into a room and the oxygen would just be sucked out. The men turned into groupies; the women turned into groupies. It’s because he is who he is, and you want to know why. You want to get close to him and understand a little bit more because he is just a force – and you will hear the truth, in no uncertain terms. It’s incredible that Jeff Montejano got him to come, and I hope people respond.”

The former president was eager to speak at an event dedicated to providing better housing for veterans,

Dunsmore said, because, “You can’t be involved in public life without having a really acute sense of awareness for what it means to serve and how important the men and women who serve are to our country. He is a gentleman with a sincere interest in those who are unrecognized – and that’s our veterans, for sure. My guess is that he probably feels there is not enough you can do or say to show your appreciation as a president, or as a citizen, for those who serve our nation.”

Dunsmore said attendees should be equally excited to hear Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia speak as the evening’s Special Guest. “David is a powerful, incredible speaker, and everyone who hears him speak at this event will feel privileged to have had that opportunity.”

Bellavia’s Medal of Honor commendation says in part, “Acting on instinct to save the members of his platoon from an imminent threat, Staff Sergeant Bellavia ultimately cleared an entire enemy-filled house, destroyed four insurgents, and badly wounded a fifth. Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s bravery, complete disregard for his own safety, and unselfish and courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States.”

Funds raised by the event will be the seed funding for the Builders for Better Communities Foundation and will be used to fund programs that provide better housing for veterans. 

The Presidential Edition

The Presidential Edition

Medal of Honor Recipient

Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia

Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia was born, Nov. 10, 1975, in Buffalo, New York. The son of a successful dentist and the youngest of four boys, Bellavia grew up in western New York and attended Lyndonville Central High School and Houghton Academy.

Following his high school graduation in 1994, Bellavia attended Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire, and the University at Buffalo, where he studied biology and theater before turning to the military.

Bellavia enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 1999. After One Station Unit Training, the Army assigned Bellavia to the Syracuse Recruiting Battalion; an assignment which allowed his infant son to receive the medical care he needed. In 2001, Bellavia had to choose between changing his military occupational specialty, submitting a hardship discharge, or remaining as an infantryman and leaving his family for 36 months on an unaccompanied tour to Germany.

After the terror attacks on 9/11, Bellavia felt his country needed him and chose to stay and fight. That sense of duty had been ingrained in Bellavia since he was a child by his grandfather, Joseph Brunacini, who served in the Army during the Normandy Campaign in World War II and earned a Bronze Star for his valor.

In the summer of 2003, Bellavia’s unit deployed to Kosovo for nine months before receiving orders to deploy directly to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. From February 2004 to February 2005, Bellavia and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, were stationed in the Diyala Province along the Iranian border. Throughout the year, his task force took part in the battles for Najaf, Mosul, Baqubah, Muqdadiyah and Fallujah.

Bellavia left the Army in August 2005 and cofounded Vets for Freedom, a veteran advocacy organization that sought to separate politics from the warriors who fight in the field. Their membership consisted of tens of thousands of veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bellavia returned to Iraq as an embedded reporter in 2006 and 2008 where he covered the heavy fighting in Ramadi, Fallujah and Diyala Province. In 2007, he wrote a book, House to House, detailing his experiences in Fallujah. He also had several articles appear in national publications and made appearances as a guest on cable news networks. Bellavia currently is a successful business owner and a loyal Buffalo area sports fan.

Bellavia’s awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp and two Loops, the National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, New York State’s Conspicuous Service Cross, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral “2,” the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “2,” the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge and the NATO Medal. He was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005.

Staff Sgt. Bellavia currently resides in western New York and has three children.

The Presidential Edition

THANK

TO

The

Industry Association of Southern California

Builders for Better Communities Foundation

The newly-created nonprofit will focus on uplifting underserved communities

The Presidential

As part of an ongoing effort to collectively give back to underserved communities within the homebuilding industry and the greater Southern California region, the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) is pleased to announce the formation of the Builders for Better Communities Foundation.

Designated as a 501(c)(3), the Builders for Better Communities Foundation is a new charitable nonprofit that will serve as a philanthropic arm of the BIASC. The foundation’s activities will include partnering with homebuilding industry members who support education and awareness programs that provide positive social, environmental, and economic impacts that help shape current and future communities.

“Part of the strategic focus of the Builders for Better Communities Foundation will coincide with BIASC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative,” said BIASC CEO Jeff Montejano. “We firmly believe that the future rests in our collective ability to embrace change and leverage diversity through its celebration of differences such as race, gender, disability, religion, and age. All aspects of diversity enrich our workplace, leadership, and membership and provide continued community support.”

The Builders for Better Communities Foundation has already hit the ground running with two major announcements:

On October 26, 2022, BBCF will co-host former President George W. Bush with the Building Industry Association of Southern California at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. This special evening will also feature an important discussion among homebuilding industry leaders regarding the industry’s unique and vital role in supporting affordable housing opportunities for our nation’s veterans.

On January 2, 2023, BBCF will be an official participant in the 134th Rose Parade® presented by Honda. BIASC’s float entry in the Rose Parade® will help promote the multi-generational legacy of women and men who have worked to build communities in Southern California and showcase how the homebuilding industry creates future communities based on inclusiveness and equality. BIASC’s Junior Builder program will create, design, and decorate the float with four community youth organizations.

Visit the Builders for Better Communities Foundation’s website at buildersforbettercommunnities.org for additional information.

Q&A

Mitsy Wilson Unwraps the Details of BIASC’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Initiative

Mitsy Wilson of the Leets Consortium is working with BIASC to develop and initiate a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan. She has been a consultant and executive coach with the Consortium for 12 years, and is spearheading the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, drawing on experience gained from involvement in corporate diversity efforts in the airline and communications industries. Born in South America, her interest in diversity started at a young age because she had family members around the world, giving her an understanding of the value of the uniqueness of people. She is joined in her work for BIASC by Gerald Alcantar, also a DEI specialist, with whom she has worked for more than 20 years.

Southern California Builder: Why is it important for an industry organization like BIASC to undertake a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion effort like this?

Mitsy Wilson: The homebuilding industry and construction in general will be facing some significant challenges both with finding workers and finding customers. Since your business model has changed and the industry is facing challenges from regulations, inflation, a changing market and shifting demographics, it needs to address the fact that it has an image that makes it so not many folks see themselves as destined for a career in construction and building. For me, that key element makes it so important for BIASC to assume responsibility and allow the industry to look at things in a different light because of the changing face of America.

The U.S. is approaching an unprecedented milestone in terms of demographic changes. You’ve got a significant aging population, so about 15 million people will leave the work force for retirement between 2010 and 2030 – and a lot of those people are coming from building and construction. Then you have racial and ethnic groups that will be the main

Mitsy Wilson Leets Consortium

driver of demographic change and the growth in the U.S. for the next ten years. It’s a new dynamic, and it’s defining a new multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-platform world. For BIA, we need to use the power of the organization to bring about transformational change.

SCB: The importance of this goes beyond the moral imperative of more acceptance and fairness, doesn’t it?

MW: Yes. It is so critical that you look at diversity, equity and inclusion from a business standpoint, not only as a moral imperative. There is a strong business case for diversity. McKinsey did a thorough study of this which showed again and again, industry by industry, the strong positive impact diversity has on business. It drives success. Firms in the top quartile of gender diversity are 21 percent more likely to have returns that are above the industry mean, and firms that are in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity are 33 percent more likely to have financial returns above the industry mean. The other business case for diversity is how, as you integrate your under-represented groups into the core strategic and executive ranks of your organization, you begin to be provided with innovative thoughts and ideas.

SCB: What were your first impressions of BIASC when you first came in?

MW: What impressed me the most, and the reason why Gerald and I were eager to work within the organization, was the commitment from Jeff and Craig. I have turned down opportunities to work for major corporations when I did not feel a commitment from the executive team to put plans in place to hold the organization accountable. That was the core, to hear that commitment and see their openness to sit back and be vulnerable and say, “We’re here to learn – what can we do to improve as we go forward?”

The Presidential Edition

I also need to acknowledge some of the work that’s being done by some of your member companies. You have several members that have robust diversity plans, with several more that are in the initial phase. One of the things I’ve told your leadership is to see diversity as a journey that will take some organizations several years to put in place and longer at other organizations longer. It is not a one-time effort where you check the boxes and complete it.

SCB: What is the scope of your assignment with BIASC?

MW: We started by looking at the organization, using some of the methodologies that we use and then, after several discussions with Jeff (Montejano, BIASC CEO) and Craig (Foster, BIASC COO), we developed a diversity questionnaire, which led us to conduct twelve senior interviews with staff, board members and member companies. Once that was completed, we provided the information gained in an executive summary to Jeff, Craig and the Chapter presidents.

There were a couple of things identified through this process. There was a consensus among the group that diversity, equity and inclusion was important for the organization and its members, and that it needed to be a strategic objective – that came from everyone we spoke to. The challenge that came up was that they wanted to understand how to introduce and engage members to the DEI elements, and how to get graduates and community members to consider homebuilding and construction as a successful career.

Once we completed the assessment, we then began the process with a clearly articulated message from Jeff that supported DEI and informed the organization of the direction it is headed, including not just BIA but hopefully the member companies. I love that he called it, “Unleashing the authentic voice.” Since then, I’ve had several opportunities to engage at your meetings, at BIS and in workshops that we have held. These discussions allowed members to gain understanding of what diversity is, and how it can impact their business and business opportunities. We have completed two of our four workshop sessions with the local chapters, and by the time your readers read this, we will have completed all four, gaining their insights and recommendations for the elements that need to be included in an effective diversity, equity and inclusion plan. The groups are excited and engaged and offered may recommendations the organization can use to build the foundation and move forward.

The next steps are to potentially identify a full-time person who will coordinate the BIA efforts, and to establish a

Diversity Committee and ambassadorship program. These are things that gained a lot of traction in the workshops. At my last meeting in Anaheim, several individuals came up to me and said, “I want to be part of this committee,” so the interest is there and folks are really excited about this core element of the plan. We are also going to look to expand the leadership development programs BIASC already has in place so we can introduce the industry to various community groups and underrepresented groups, providing them with an understanding of the industry and the opportunities it holds for individuals. That’s one of the things that’s missing. When I meet with historical black colleges, Hispanic serving institutions and tribal colleges, I found that a lot of those individuals are not aware of the value and the opportunities that the building industry holds for them.

We are also looking at having the BIA join and participate in the Minority Supplier Development Council. That’s going to be important to achieving the diversity goals that we want to set out for the organization because not only are you gaining those diverse entrepreneurs, but you are also gaining the ones that happen to be community-based so you get a foothold into the community, and the community begins to see the value the homebuilding industry brings, how it opens a world of opportunities for them.

Finally, we want to identify individuals who will focus on what’s critical to BIA and the industry in support of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion initiatives; how do we sponsor individuals into the organization, and most importantly, how do we commit to being mentors, coaches and executives to guide and develop our future leaders? The Diversity Committee will allow individuals to come together to share best practices, to be very honest and up front in terms of the challenges that they face, and to commit to being that voice, that champion, that individual who is willing to step out and groom and support others. But you can’t stop then. You have to keep looking for other elements that have to be put in place, like looking at your recruitment processes, at the questions you ask candidates … because, like I said, it’s a journey.

SCB: Will BIASC be a better organization as a result of your work?

MW: Absolutely. It will be a better organization because of the commitment, the contribution and the energy of the leaders and its members. I can be a guide and assist, but that commitment has to come from the leadership team, the staff, the member companies and the individuals who work for them.

The Presidential

J O H N H R O V A T

INCOMING BIA LA/V CHAPTER PRESIDENT E Q U I T Y R E S I D E N T I A L

John Hrovat is the incoming Chapter President for the Building Industry Association of Southern California's Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter, which is considered one of the largest building associations in the United States. Throughout his career, John has advocated for housing at all affordability levels in Southern California.

With 30 years of experience as a developer and builder in the western US, John has delivered thousands of housing units through thoughtful collaboration with various stakeholders including state and local government, community groups and investors.

John serves as the Vice President of Development for Equity Residential and oversees site acquisition, development and redevelopment in Southern California and is active in BIA's Orange County Chapter in addition to the Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter. Additionally, John recently agreed to serve on the board of HomeAid Los Angeles, BIA's affiliate organization focused on rebuilding the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

John recently completed a ten-year board term at a local private high school and successfully led their facilities and master planning group through a major entitlement approval and several major projects including classroom updates and the renovation and expansion of a performing arts facility.

BUILDERS FOR BETTER COMMUNITIES 2023 ROSE PARADE FLOAT BSUBMISSION UILDERS FOR BETTER COMMUNITIES 2023 ROSE PARADE FLOAT SUBMISSION

FLOAT DECORATORS NEEDED - VOLUNTEER TODAY

BIASC is celebrating this milestone by sponsoring a float in the most iconic event, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® on January 2, 2023. We wouldn’t be marking this anniversary without your continued support, and we’re celebrating you with an invitation to help bring this float design to life! This once in a lifetime opportunity can serve as a company team building day or bring your family to share this truly unique experience. All the schedules are below. Visit buildersforbettercommunities.org to register and receive specific Volunteer Day details. We look forward to seeing you there!

NOVEMBER DATES

8:00AM 4:00PM DECEMBER DATES 8:00AM 4:00PM

Saturday, 11/12 Sunday, 11/13 Saturday, 11/19 Sunday, 11/20

Saturday, 12/3 Sunday, 12/4 Saturday, 12/10 Sunday, 12/11

DECEMBER DATES

(Two Shifts) 8:00AM - 4:00PM 4:00PM 10:30PM

Tuesday, 12/27 Wednesday, 12/28 Thursday, 12/29

DECADE SPONSOR

Friday, 12/30 Saturday, 12/31

CRUNCHTIME SHIFTS (Two Shifts) 8:00AM 4:00PM 4:00PM 10:30PM Sunday, 1/1

Float name – Building for the Future

Junior Builder & SoCalGas

Building Confidence, Community and Connection

The future of Junior Builder is brighter than ever with the support of SoCalGas. Comprised of 10-15-year-old future builders, its young and inspiring members were integral to the notable concept and imaginative design of the BIASC’s 2023 Rose Parade® float. As a First Century Sponsor of the float, “Building for the Future,” SoCalGas is investing in our children’s futures by partnering with BIASC to heighten awareness and substantially grow the Junior Builder program to engage increasing numbers of Southern California’s youth. Through such combined efforts, Junior Builder will educate local youth on key aspects of the home building industry that include:

• Necessary skills

• Education/training requirements

• Top disciplines and career potential

A twofold mission is to involve not only members of Junior Builder, but select SoCalGas nonprofit organizations, including STEAM Coders, YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. Member of all four groups will have the extraordinary opportunity to volunteer as float decorators and become Junior Builder program participants. Practical content will center around the home building industry, as a whole, and the Junior Builder program, specifically, while integrating curricula that provides measurements of progress and rewards initiative through an effective balance of virtual and in-person programming in the near and long-term.

Potential curricula ideas include:

Building industry overview

Deep dive and field trips/site visits

Educational and training requirements for leading jobs

Presentations and graduation

Details of the Junior Builder expansion program and opportunities for BIASC members to get involved will be shared in future issues.

Sponsorship Are You Game for Sponsorship?

Never before have the perks of sponsorship been so unique and engaging than with the BIASC’s participation in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.® Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses has produced America’s New Year Celebration, bringing the traditions of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game to Pasadena and the world for nearly 130 years.

Sponsors can become an active participant in the nation’s most iconic New Year’s celebration, as an attendee of the renowned Rose Parade®, and exciting Rose Bowl Game® plus private pregame tailgate, depending on the level of sponsorship. Will the UCLA Bruins or USC Trojans earn a spot in the “Grandaddy of Them All”? Ensure your seat now.

Remaining sponsorship levels range from a $200 First Year Sponsor to a $50,000 Half-Century Sponsor, and further provide key company exposure in social media, e-communication and Southern California Builder magazine.

An added incentive to sponsor is being presented with a rare and creative option to own a portion of the BIASC’s stunning float. From its past, present and future home designs to its young lady and blueprints on which she’s resting, plus colorful hummingbirds, companies can share a literal piece of history with friends, family and colleagues for a $2,500 investment.

We sincerely thank and are proud to announce early sponsors, led by SoCalGas, Moulton Niguel Water District, David Evans & Associates, Inc. and Integral Communities. Sponsor opportunities are still available, details of which can be found at biasc.org/roseparade.

Viewed by tens of millions around the world, the 2023 Rose is presenting the chance to have your work seen by millions. Don’t miss an extraordinary opportunity to inspire your family, friends, colleagues and staff, by bringing the BIASC’s 2023 Rose Parade® float to life. Join us for this once in a lifetime chance to participate in the nation’s most iconic New Year’s event by helping to decorate the float “Building for the Future,” and supporting the talents of the enthusiastic youth in our Junior Builder program.

• Form different decorating teams within your company

• Encourage your trades and suppliers to form teams, too!

• Make it a family affair with parents, partners and children ages 12+

Casual, comfortable clothing and limited jewelry are recommended. Volunteers may wish to bring a pair of scissors and a folding chair. A parking map and Irwindale building site will be forthcoming. The BIASC is making arrangements for food and beverage. No waivers are required.

Dry decorating shifts run 8 am – 4 pm, and will take place in Irwindale on:

November 12 – 13 and November 19-20

December 3-4 and December 10-11

Flower decorating shifts run 8 am – 4 pm and 4 – 10:30 pm, and will take place:

December 27 – January 1

Get seen. Sign-up with colleagues, friends and family at biasc. org/roseparade.

Join The Ultimate New Year’s Celebration

With the holidays on the horizon, there’s no time like the present to plan for your New Year’s celebrations with the help of the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC). Marking its 100th Anniversary in 2023 by “Building for the Future,” its aptly themed float in the 2023 Rose Parade®, supporters of the BIASC have a range of opportunities to ring in the New Year.

Have family in town, want to exercise your creative talents, or lead by example to peers or your kids? You’ll enjoy a priceless return on this exceptional opportunity.

Sponsor – Create lifelong memories and an unforgettable experience. Participate in unprecedented opportunities to kickoff 2023 with the ultimate team building events, including forming float decorating teams, attending the January 2nd Rose Parade® and the Rose Bowl Game® for select sponsors.

Volunteer – Bring friends and make new ones. Family, friends, and colleagues can join in decorating the BIASC’s float, designed by its very own Junior Builder participants of 10-15-year-olds. The eye-catching float is a representation of the past, present and future of homes, and vividly represents the transition to the next generation of home building. Volunteer dates range from November 12, 2022, to January 1, 2023.

Whether a volunteer and/or sponsor, take advantage of this truly unique opportunity to share in one of the nation’s most iconic events viewed by 40 million people in the U.S., broadcast in 170 countries, and with a live audience of 750,000 spectators.

Join the fun, and create great memories! Visit biasc.org/ roseparade.

BIASC Centennial Organizing Committee

Co-Chairs:

BIASC Chairman Dave Bartlett, Brookfield Residential

Wes Keusder, Keusder Homes

BIA Riverside:

Dan Leigh, Corman Leigh

AnnMarie Quinn, GeoTek

BIA Baldy View:

BIABV President Tim Roberts, Brookfield Residential

Ryan Combe, Lennar Homes

BIA LA Ventura:

BIA LAV President Bill McReynolds, Warmington Residential

Rick White, Larrabure Framing

BIA OC:

BIA OC President Eric Nelson, Trumark Homes

Brooke Doi, Shea Homes

BIASC Executive Committee Members:

Tom Grable, Tri Pointe Homes

Greg McWilliams, Five Point

Jeremy Parness, Lennar

Nicole Murray, Shea Homes

Chris Edgar, Pulte Homes

Mike Gartlan, KB Home

Mike Balsamo, Rancho Mission Viejo

Steve Schuyler, Irvine Company

Mike Battaglia, New Home Company

Alan Boudreau, Boudreau Pipeline

Peter Vanek, Integral Communities

Mark Himmelstein, Newmeyer Dillion

Ali Sahabi, Optimum Group

Furnishings

Accessories

SP ONSO

VIP RECEPTION TICKETS

LE OF

SILVER SPONSOR:

Recap: Baldy View & BIA Riverside Joint

Recap: BIA Los

Chapter Dodgers Night

Recap: BIA Orange County Chapter Angels Game

Recap: BIA Orange County Chapter Softball Tournament

Recap: BIA Orange County Chapter Crafts & Cars

Addition Building & Design, Inc

Airplus of California Inc

Alexander Dantes, LLC

Amerock

AO

Bassenian/Lagoni Architects

Best Management Construction, Inc

BMLA

Boudreau Pipeline Corp.

Brooks Street

Buccola Landscape

Builders FirstSource

Burbridge Design Group, Inc

Cabinets 2000 LLC

Cal State Solar

Champion Framing

Citibank

Concept Builders

Contech Engineered Solutions

Crawford & Bangs, LLP

Denis Wolcott The Wolcott Co.

Desmond & Louis, Inc

Dolphin Group, Inc

DoubleTree Hotel Ontario

Douglas Pancake Architects

EA VE Construction

Emily Grene

Encore Capital Management

Esfahani Construction Company

Felesia Dailey/ Simple Reverse

First American Property Disclosure Services

FirstService Residential

GMEP Engineers

Greenfield Fence Inc

Guilin Cabinets

H.A. Lewis, Inc.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Hagle Lumber Company, Inc

Hannouche Architects

Homes 4 Families

Horizon Lighting, Inc.

Housing Capital Company, A Division of US Bank

Hunsaker & Associates Irvine Inc

Hur Flooring Co

Impact Sign & Graphics LLC

International Conference Management

Irvine Company

Jag Interiors, Inc

JBR Engineering, Inc

Land Baroness

LiftMaster

loanDepot.com

LunaPearl Studio

Marinita Development Co

MConsensus

Mega Western Sales MeterNet

Mohawk Industries

Momentum Roofing + Solar MP Digital Strategies Nortek Control

Northtown Housing Development

Omega Products International Outfront Media

Pacific Cove Development Inc Pacific Utility Installation, Inc.

Panasonic Eco Systems North America IAQ Division

Paolucci Salling & Martin Communication Arts

Paragon Framing Inc Park & Velayos LLP

Passantino Andersen Communications, LLC

PatioShoppers Commercial Pool & Outdoor Furniture Poole Shaffery & Koegle, LLP Quantum Fiber Rain Bird Corporation Resource Building Materials Rinnai

RM Project Development Sabre Residential Incorporated Sapetto Real Estate Solutions, Inc. Savannah Design Group SB & O Inc

Shaw & Sons

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

SJA Landscape Architecture l Land Planning SpectraTurf

Spinnaker Development, LLC Stantec

Stuart Kane LLP

Sukut Construction, Inc. Suncoast Post Tension, Ltd

Tejon Constructors Inc

Therma Tru Doors & Fypon Tinnelly Law Group

Toll Brothers Inc

Trilogy Plumbing Truss Creative

United Engineering Group

Unscripted Interior Design

Vanguard Builders, Inc

VCA Structural

W Contracting Corporation

Walton Global Holdings

Watson Legal Group, APC Weiland Design Group, Inc Whittingham Public Affairs Advisors

Woodbridge Pacific Group Wright Engineers

NextGen Update:

Lindsay Hezmalhalch 2022 NextGen Chair VP of Marketing, WHA

Networking, Mentorships, and Site Tours Galore! NextGen is wrapping up the year as busy as ever and we are so looking forward to the growth of our team as we continue to learn from industry professionals.

Working towards our goal to provide members with tools to enhance their careers and industry relationships, the NextGen 2022-2023 Mentorship Program is officially kicking off this month. The success of past programs makes our team eager to embark on this journey with more participants than ever with 28 mentor/mentee pairings. Mentorship groups will connect monthly between September through June to hold impactful career discussions covering topics such as time management, leadership, and goal setting. We’re thankful for the industry leaders from all disciplines who have joined this year as mentors, and we cannot wait to touch base with everyone at our Mid-Year gathering in February.

October is a busy month for NextGen members as we also hosted Evening Buzz with Steve Cameron, CoFounder of Foremost Pacific Group. Attendees were able to learn from industry leaders in a round-table setting discussing Steve’s career path, and Foremost’s build-torent experience and portfolio. We encourage all who can attend to join us for future events like this for engaging conversations and networking opportunities.

For those interested in joining us for an upcoming event, NextGen will be holding a site tour mid-November at Prado West, a luxury mixed-use property in Dana Point.

Participants will tour the mixed-use space, units, and community amenities with a Q&A session and happy hour at Station Craft Brewery and Kitchen to immediately follow. Keep an eye out for further details, and we hope to see you there!

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we’re looking for additional ways to serve our community. HomeAid Orange County’s Family Care Center is now open with volunteer opportunities to serve families experiencing homelessness. NextGen will be providing a meal service and activity for the families in the coming months. Limited space is available, so if you are interested in joining our team’s volunteer efforts, an email will be sent out soon with sign-up information.

If you’re looking to get more involved in NextGen beyond general membership, 2023-2024 Executive Committee applications will be released in November/December. This is a great opportunity for those interested in holding a leadership position, build your network, and be involved in the decision-making within NextGen!