2026 EDITION - ISSUE #5
CHALK LINE magazine
voters guide
2026 EDITION - ISSUE #5
voters guide 03 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 14
Letter from the Executive Officer, Angela White Letter from the 2026 OMB President and Upcoming Events Voters Guide. The Affordable Housing Council and Why Your Vote Matters Voters Guide: Thurston County Endorsed Candidates Voters Guide: Grays Harbor and Lewis County Endorsed Candidates Voters Guide: Mason and Pacific County Endorsed Candidates Industry Advocacy: Policies Shaping the Way We Build
Tour of Homes Wrap Up and Plans for 2027!
October Is Careers in Construction Month
New and Renewing Members and Member Appreciation Recap
2026 EDITION - ISSUE #5
CHALKLINE magazine Your Ballot. Your Research. Your Decision. Campaign signs are everywhere. Mailboxes fill with brochures, while our phones deliver a steady stream of political ads, endorsements, and opinions. Before long, it can feel like everyone has already decided what we should think.
ANGELA WHITE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
That’s exactly why it’s worth slowing down. The people we elect make decisions that can shape our communities for years. Taking time to understand the choices in front of you is one of the most important things you can do as a voter.
Start by knowing what’s on your entire ballot—not just the races getting the most attention. Local positions and judicial races may not generate as much advertising, but their decisions can have a lasting impact. This year, Washington voters have an especially important reason to research judicial races. Five of the nine Washington Supreme Court positions are on the 2026 ballot. Supreme Court justices serve six-year terms, and their decisions can have long-lasting effects on how Washington law is interpreted. The importance of the court was recently demonstrated by its 6-3 decision striking down Initiative 2066, which Washington voters approved in 2024. The majority ruled that the initiative violated the state constitution’s single-subject requirement. For OMB and others who supported I-2066, the decision has heightened attention on judicial elections. Take time to research candidates’ professional backgrounds, experience, qualifications, and publicly available records. A candidate’s website is a useful starting point, but it shouldn’t be your only source. Read the official voters’ pamphlet. Review multiple sources. Watch candidate debates and forums. For incumbents, look at their record in office in addition to what they plan to do next. And be skeptical—even when you agree.
The Olympia Master Builders is a professional trade association representing 490 member companies located in Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific Counties. Our members come from all sectors of the building trades and are committed to “building strong communities, one home at a time.”
2026 Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President – Gina Carlson First Vice-President – Mark Brown Second Vice-President – Chris Winters Treasurer – Kim Asay Associate Vice-President – Christina Janis Second Associate Vice-President – Melissa Kirkeby Secretary – Melissa Stone Immediate Past President – Jeff Kuster Builder at Large – Michael Robinson
NATIONAL DIRECTORS
Gina Carlson Daniel Doyle Linda Moiser-Vaudt
STATE DIRECTORS
Gina Carlson Rusty Ruiz Andrew Spear Kelly Jensen Karen McClennen Kai Fyrst Kevin McCrea Adriane Vincent Janine Ezzell Val Parsons Lindsay Grantham Bob Kagy Melissa Stone
BUILDER DIRECTORS
Daniel Doyle Matt Lemier Kai Fyrst Rob Cook Mark Shepard
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Amber Bevacqua Jackson Maynard Zack Pryde
Before believing or sharing political content, ask: Who created it? What is the original source? Is it current? Can the claim be independently verified? Would I scrutinize it the same way if it supported a position I disagreed with?
GRAYS HARBOR CHAPTER OFFICERS
For Olympia Master Builders members, the OMB Voter’s Guide is another resource. The Affordable Housing Council of OMB evaluates candidates through the lens of our mission to support affordable housing opportunities across all economic segments of society. Candidates complete a detailed questionnaire addressing housing and building industry issues before being considered for endorsement.
President – Kelly Jensen, DJs Plumbing
Use the guide alongside the official voters’ pamphlet and your own research. No single source should be your only source. Talk with your neighbors and coworkers. Listen to different perspectives. Ask questions. Check the facts. But remember the difference between listening to others and allowing someone else to make your decision. Before you mark those boxes, take the time to know who and what you’re voting for. Your ballot. Your research. Your decision.
President – Rusty Ruiz, Hung Right Doors, LLC
LEWIS COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS MASON COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS President – Andrew Spear, Andrew Spear Construction, LLC
LEGAL COUNSEL
David Vanderpol, Goldstein Law Office, PLLC
Association Staff
Executive Officer – Angela White Events Director – Brianna Bedell Communications Director – Jill Williams Membership Director – Jenn Wasson Government Affairs Director – Jessie Simmons Office Administrator – Payton Beaulieu
Chalk Line • 3
Let us Design Your Forever Kitchen We Proudly Work with US-Based, Family-Owned Cabinetry Manufacturers. 4 • Chalk Line
•
Experienced, custom cabinetry design
•
Quality, semi-custom and custom indoor & outdoor cabinetry
•
Custom closet & garage cabinetry systems
•
Flooring: LVT, engineered, and hardwood
•
Tile, sinks, plumbing fixtures...and more!
4444 Lacey Blvd SE Suite G Lacey, WA
(360) (360) 539-5057 539-5057 maplenmarble.com CabinetsByTrivonna.com License: MAPLEM*764PD MAPLEM*764PD Contractor License:
2026
MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT
Your Vote, Your Voice:
Why This Election Matters to Our Industry and Our Communities As we head into another important election season, I want to encourage every OMB member to take the time to learn about the candidates and issues on the ballot and, most importantly, VOTE. The decisions made by elected officials at both the local and state levels have a direct impact on the building industry—and on each of us personally. Housing policy, permitting, land use, taxes, fees, building regulations, energy policy, and the overall cost of housing are all influenced by the people we elect.
GINA CARLSON 2026 OMB BOARD PRESIDENT
Recent developments reinforce just how important it is for our industry to stay informed and engaged. Initiative 2066, approved by Washington voters in 2024 and supported by the Building Industry Association of Washington, was recently struck down by the Washington Supreme Court. At the same time, Initiative 645 is headed to voters and addresses Washington’s new 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1 million and the broader issue of state and local individual income taxation. Regardless of where each of us stands personally on individual issues, these are significant policy decisions that can affect businesses, housing, our economy, and Washington families. They also demonstrate why participation in local and state elections matters.
The Affordable Housing Council (TAHC), Olympia Master Builders’ political action committee, conducts extensive candidate research with a focus on housing and issues affecting the residential building industry. The TAHC Endorsed Candidate Voter Guide is designed to help members understand which candidates align with TAHC’s housing and building-industry priorities. You can find the TAHC Endorsed Candidate Voter Guide at OMB.org under Advocacy → TAHC (The Affordable Housing Council). Please use this resource as part of your own candidate research, and share this wealth of information with your family, friends, coworkers, professional networks, and on your personal social media. The decisions being made today affect our industry, our businesses, our employees, our families, and our communities. Your participation matters. Your vote is your voice. Please get informed and VOTE. — Gina Carlson, 2026 President Olympia Master Builders
upcoming events you don't want to miss! General Membership Meeting October 22, 2026
General Membership Meeting
OMB Christmas Party
Home Builder's EXPO
This meeting will bring OMB members together for an informative afternoon of educational breakout sessions, followed by social time to connect and network with fellow members, then followed by our keynote speaker, Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, from NAHB, who will give an update on the economic forecast as we wind down 2026. The GMM will include social time for networking, heavy appetizers, a no-host bar, and a program with our keynote speaker.
Come celebrate with us! The night will include Christmas cocktails, a plated dinner, a photo booth, awards and installation, and more. Snacks, bevvies and dancing will ensue as we celebrate the end of our year and prepare to ring in 2027!
Builders, this event was created for YOU! Meet associate members, discover new products and services, enjoy heavy appetizers and a drink ticket, and enter to win great prizes. Each builder company receives one FREE event ticket.
Price includes a plated dinner and drink ticket for the main event, and a ticket to the after party.
Associates, this is your opportunity to get your company, products, and services directly in front of local builders. Vendor tables are limited, so reserve your space early and get ready to WOW our builders!
Thursday, October 22 at 4:00pm Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
Friday, December 11 at 6:00pm Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
Friday, January 28 at 5:00pm Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
Chalk Line • 5
voters guide YOUR VOTE MATTERS! ARE YOU REGISTERED? In the political world, every year is an election year. This year we have some important races from local county commissions on up to the President of the United States. For our membership, the most impactful elections are at the local and state levels. TAHC reviewed candidate questionnaires and interviewed candidates prior to making endorsements.
If you are not already registered to vote, you can register online or by mail until October 26th. For more information on registration, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at: wa.gov/elections/register.aspx
REMIND
ER:
Electi o Tuesd n Day is ay, No v. 3rd Drop boxes ! close prom p 8:00p tly at m.
Every election matters to the homebuilding industry because government decisions affect nearly every stage of producing a home. Land availability, permitting, infrastructure, utility connections, taxes and fees, environmental regulations, public safety and the basic efficiency of local government all contribute to the environment in which our members build homes and operate their businesses. The Affordable Housing Council of Olympia Master Builders (TAHC) is the political action committee of Olympia Master Builders. During the 2026 election cycle, TAHC invited candidates to complete a comprehensive questionnaire and conducted candidate interviews across our five-county service area. Candidates were considered according to the responsibilities of the office they were seeking, their understanding of housing and affordability, effective government, fiscal responsibility, property rights, accountability and their willingness to engage with the building community. The committee's August endorsement decisions included Charlee Paull, Stan Sturgeon, Pattie Gray, Tammy Clark, Randy Neatherlin, Christy Peters, Derek Sanders, Troy Kirby, Arny Davis, Randy Lewis and Wes Cormier. TAHC subsequently completed interviews with Nic Dunning, Dan Lindgren and Garrett Cady on September 21 and has now completed its 2026 endorsement process.
What We Mean by a Housing Champion
Not every elected office writes zoning codes or issues building permits. TAHC considers candidates within the actual responsibilities of the offices they seek. For county commissioners and utility commissioners, decisions can directly affect land use, infrastructure, development regulations, fees and housing production. Assessors and treasurers influence the administration and predictability of the property-tax system. Clerks, auditors, prosecutors and sheriffs affect the efficiency, accountability, public safety and institutional stability of the communities in which our members live and conduct business.
6 • Chalk Line
PAID FOR BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL
Garrett Cady
Thurston County Endorsed Candidates
THURSTON COUNTY CLERK Garrett Cady currently works within the Thurston County Clerk's Office and emphasized preserving institutional knowledge, maintaining staffing stability, restoring and improving in-person services and strengthening relationships throughout the county's law and justice system. His questionnaire also expressed support for streamlined permitting, infrastructure investment, ADUs, regulatory-cost reduction and a diversity of housing types, although those policies fall outside the Clerk's direct authority. TAHC's endorsement focused on Cady's office-specific experience and his emphasis on efficient, accountable government. For builders, contractors and property owners who interact with Superior Court records and legal processes, efficient administration and reliable access to public records remain important parts of the local business environment.
Derek Sanders
Nic Dunning THURSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5 Nic Dunning identified permitting reform, fiscal accountability, property rights and making Thurston County a more attractive place for housing and economic development as central priorities during TAHC's process. He told the committee that housing affordability requires making it less costly and difficult to build and expressed concern about regulatory barriers, fees and the increasingly top-down nature of growth-management policy. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's support for the housing and development priorities Dunning presented during its process. The office is particularly consequential to the industry because county commissioners make decisions involving planning, development regulations, public works, infrastructure and county budgets, the same office-specific responsibilities identified in TAHC's evaluation framework.
THURSTON COUNTY SHERIFF Derek Sanders is seeking another term as Thurston County Sheriff and participated in TAHC's July interview process before receiving the committee's endorsement. His public candidate statement emphasizes regional partnerships, community relationships and a broader approach to public safety. TAHC evaluates the Sheriff's race primarily through public safety, leadership, accountability, and the responsibilities of the office rather than land-use policy. A safe and functioning community is part of the environment necessary for housing investment, employment and economic activity, and TAHC's endorsement reflects its review of Sanders within those responsibilities.
Troy Kirby
Christy Peters
THURSTON COUNTY PUD COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1
THURSTON COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY Christy Peters participated in TAHC's candidate interview process in July and received the committee's endorsement in August. Peters brings experience from within the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, where county records identify her as Chief of Staff earlier this year. TAHC considered this race through the responsibilities of the Prosecuting Attorney rather than treating it as a land-use position. The office provides an important legal function within county government, and its interpretation and defense of county actions can affect how local government operates. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's candidate review and interview process, including its consideration of institutional competence, accountability and effective government.
Few non-land-use offices have as obvious a connection to housing costs as a public utility commission. Troy Kirby centered his campaign on utility affordability, connection charges, infrastructure costs, property rights, competitive procurement and financial transparency. The materials provided to TAHC specifically connect his platform to General Facility Charges and other utility costs imposed on new development. The PUD board sets policy, adopts budgets and rates and oversees capital planning, meaning decisions about utility infrastructure and cost allocation can directly affect whether new housing is financially feasible. TAHC endorsed Kirby following its questionnaire and interview process.
PAID FOR BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL
Chalk Line • 7
Grays Harbor and Lewis County Endorsed Candidates
Charlee Paull
Stan Sturgeon
Wes Cormier
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY AUDITOR Charlee Paull participated in TAHC's July candidate interview process and subsequently received the committee's endorsement. TAHC approached the Auditor's race as an administrative office rather than a housing-policy position, focusing on the candidate's ability to operate an important county office effectively, transparently and professionally. County government functions best for residents and businesses when records, elections and other administrative responsibilities are handled accurately and predictably. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's questionnaire and interview process and its office-specific consideration of those responsibilities.
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY TREASURER
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3 Stan Sturgeon participated in TAHC's questionnaire and interview process and received the committee's endorsement for Grays Harbor County Commissioner District 3. His questionnaire addressed OMB's positions on impact fees, energy codes, workforce development and other issues affecting housing production. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's consideration of those responses and its interview with Sturgeon. Because county commissioners make decisions involving land use, infrastructure, budgets and development regulations, the policies adopted by the commission can have a direct effect on housing supply, project costs and investment in Grays Harbor County.
Wes Cormier received TAHC's endorsement following the organization's 2026 candidate review process. The Treasurer does not establish zoning or building regulations, so TAHC considered this race primarily through fiscal administration, taxpayer service, accountability and the efficient management of public funds. Those responsibilities matter to property owners and businesses operating within Grays Harbor County, even though their connection to housing production is less direct than that of the County Commission. TAHC's endorsement recognizes the importance of sound fiscal administration as one component of a predictable local-government environment.
Dan Lindgren
Arny Davis
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY ASSESSOR Incumbent Assessor Dan Lindgren brought nearly 20 years of property-assessment experience and almost 12 years as elected Assessor to TAHC's process. He identified fair, accurate and predictable assessments, continued modernization of the Assessor's Office and advocacy on statewide property-tax issues as his three priorities. Lindgren also distinguished between the Assessor's responsibility to determine property values and policy decisions made elsewhere in county government. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's consideration of his experience, emphasis on predictability and understanding of the relationship between property assessment, investment and development.
LEWIS COUNTY TREASURER Arny Davis received TAHC's endorsement for Lewis County Treasurer through the committee's 2026 candidate process. TAHC considered the Treasurer's race through the actual responsibilities of the office rather than treating it as a land-use position. Property-tax administration, fiscal stewardship, customer service and responsible management of public funds all affect the relationship between local government, property owners and businesses. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's consideration of those responsibilities and the information Davis provided through the candidate process.
8 • Chalk Line
PAID FOR BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL
Mason and Pacific County Endorsed Candidates Tammy Clark
Randy Neatherlin MASON COUNTY PUD 3 COMMISSIONER, POSITION 2 Randy Neatherlin received TAHC's endorsement for Mason County PUD 3 Commissioner, Position 2 through the organization's 2026 candidate process. Utility commissioners make decisions involving rates, infrastructure investment, system capacity, and long-term capital planning. Those decisions can affect existing homeowners as well as the cost and feasibility of extending service to new development. TAHC's consideration of this race therefore focused on responsible utility governance, infrastructure, affordability and the relationship between utility costs and future growth.
Pattie Gray
MASON COUNTY CLERK Tammy Clark brings more than 20 years of law-office management experience and presented TAHC with a reform agenda centered on modernizing filing, improving staff training, increasing timeliness and accountability and managing backlogs through better systems rather than relying on repeated overtime. Her questionnaire also expressed support for OMB positions involving permitting, development costs and property rights, although those issues are outside the Clerk's direct authority. TAHC endorsed Clark after evaluating her according to the administrative responsibilities of the Clerk's Office and her emphasis on efficient and accountable government.
Randy Lewis
PACIFIC COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3 Pattie Gray participated in TAHC's questionnaire and interview process and received the committee's endorsement for Pacific County Commissioner District 3. Her campaign materials and questionnaire addressed development regulations, permitting, fees, infrastructure and economic development, issues that fall squarely within the broader responsibilities of county government. TAHC's endorsement reflects the committee's assessment of the housing and regulatory priorities Gray presented during the process. For the building industry, the race is particularly relevant because county commission decisions can affect developable land, project timelines, infrastructure investment and the overall cost of producing housing.
Why Local Elections Matter to Housing
MASON COUNTY TREASURER Randy Lewis received TAHC's endorsement for Mason County Treasurer following the committee's candidate-review process. The Treasurer's Office has an indirect but important relationship with the building industry through property-tax administration, public finance, and the management of county funds. TAHC evaluated the race within those responsibilities, with an emphasis on effective government, fiscal responsibility, accountability and service to property owners and taxpayers.
There is no single policy responsible for Washington's housing-affordability challenge, and there will not be a single policy that solves it. TAHC's evaluation framework treats affordability as a system involving housing supply, land availability, permitting, infrastructure, labor, construction costs, taxes and fees, energy, regulation and broader economic opportunity. That is why these local races matter to the building community. A county commissioner may decide whether land can accommodate additional housing. A utility commissioner may determine what it costs to connect that home to essential infrastructure. An assessor or treasurer administers systems affecting the property owner after the home is built. Clerks, auditors, prosecutors and sheriffs perform different roles, but the effectiveness and accountability of those offices contribute to the functioning of the communities in which our members build, employ people, and invest. TAHC's 2026 endorsements are the decisions of The Affordable Housing Council of Olympia Master Builders, reached through its candidate questionnaire, interview and non-partisan deliberation process.
PAID FOR BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL
Chalk Line • 9
INDUSTRY
ADVOCACY
Behind the Scenes: The Policies Shaping How We Build
JESSIE SIMMONS OMB GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
As we head into the final stretch of 2026, there is no shortage of work happening across OMB's fivecounty region. Several jurisdictions are moving from comprehensive planning into implementation, others are updating development regulations and critical areas ordinances, and infrastructure continues to be a major issue in some of our fastest-growing communities. These processes do not always get much public attention, but they are often where decisions are made that ultimately determine how much housing we can build and what it will cost.
THURSTON COUNTY
Thurston County continues to be one of our busiest jurisdictions. The Critical Areas Ordinance update is moving through the Planning Commission, and OMB has been heavily engaged throughout that process. We have submitted comments and raised concerns about the cumulative effect these regulations could have on buildable land, property rights and housing capacity. Wetlands and fish and wildlife regulations return to the Planning Commission this fall, and we will continue to be at the table as the remaining sections move forward. The County is also updating development codes for the Lacey and Tumwater Urban Growth Areas, which will be important as we look at where future growth can actually occur. There is plenty happening within the cities as well. Lacey continues working through infill, middle housing and ADU requirements, while Tumwater is moving from its Comprehensive Plan into implementation. In Olympia, we have been working through an issue affecting remodelers and when the scope of a residential remodel triggers fire sprinkler requirements. We are also keeping an eye on West Bay Yards and the City's ongoing sea level rise work. In Yelm and south Thurston County, infrastructure capacity continues to be one of the bigger questions as the area grows. I also continue representing OMB on the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board. In September, the board adopted a 2027 priority focused on capital projects that create, acquire, rehabilitate or preserve affordable housing serving households at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income. That is an important piece of the housing conversation, but it is only one piece. We cannot subsidize our way out of a housing shortage. We also have to make it possible to build more housing across the market.
10 • Chalk Line
LEWIS COUNTY
In Lewis County, attention is beginning to shift from the recently updated Comprehensive Plan to what those policies mean on the ground. Centralia has proposed a substantial package of development regulation changes that we are reviewing, and we have also joined the conversation surrounding the Fords Prairie nitrate issue and plans to extend municipal water and sewer service to affected properties. The infrastructure problem needs to be addressed, but there is also a very real question about how existing homeowners will afford the cost of connecting. In Chehalis, we continue watching growth, infrastructure and development activity, particularly along the I-5 corridor.
MASON COUNTY
In Mason County, our attention remains on the Comprehensive Plan process and the development regulations that will follow it. Zoning, subdivisions, critical areas, housing and development review are all part of that work, and those details will ultimately determine what the plan means for our members. We are also continuing to monitor development and infrastructure issues in Shelton and using our Mason County Chapter meetings to hear directly from members about what they are seeing in the field.
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY
Our work in Grays Harbor County, Aberdeen and Hoquiam comes with a different set of challenges. Redevelopment, aging infrastructure, housing reinvestment and the economics of making projects pencil are especially important on the Harbor. What works in Olympia or Lacey does not necessarily work in Aberdeen or Hoquiam, and that matters when regulations are written or new requirements are considered. We will continue working with our Grays Harbor members to make sure those realities are understood.
PACIFIC COUNTY
Finally, Pacific County is moving through its 2027 Comprehensive Plan update. Planning Commission work has included housing needs, transportation, critical areas, stream buffers and riparian management, with utilities and economic development also coming into the discussion. This is exactly the point in a comprehensive planning process where staying engaged matters. Decisions made now can eventually become the regulations our members will be working under for years.
GENERAL ASSOCIATION
On the political side, The Affordable Housing Council of Olympia Master Builders has now completed its 2026 candidate endorsement process. TAHC reviewed questionnaires, conducted candidate interviews and spent a lot of time discussing the races throughout our five counties. You can find the complete list of endorsed candidates and more about why TAHC selected them in our 2026 Voter's Guide in this issue. There is a lot moving at once, but that is the nature of local government advocacy. Our job is to be in the room before the decisions are made, ask the questions that need to be asked and make sure the people writing these policies understand what they mean for the people who actually have to build under them.
And That’s a Wrap on the 26th Annual Tour of Homes! What a fabulous weekend! We had an amazing turnout for this year’s Tour of Homes, and we couldn’t have done it without our incredible participants, sponsors, volunteers, and OMB members who helped make the event such a success. A huge THANK YOU to our builders and remodelers who opened their projects to the community and showcased the incredible craftsmanship, innovation, and talent within our local building industry. And, of course, thank you to our generous sponsors! Your support helps make it possible for OMB to continue offering the Tour of Homes as a FREE community event and gives our members an opportunity to connect directly with homeowners throughout our region. To everyone who toured, shared the event on social media, invited friends and family, volunteered, or simply helped us spread the word—thank you for being part of another fantastic Tour!
Missed Out on Being Part of This Year’s Tour? It’s never too early to start planning for 2027! The Tour of Homes offers participating projects valuable exposure before, during, and long after Tour weekend. Tour projects remain featured on the OMB website year-round, which receives more than 15,000 dedicated Tour of Homes visits annually—giving your company and your work continued visibility well beyond the two-day event. Have a new home, remodel, addition, ADU, or other exciting residential project coming up? Start thinking now about how you can showcase it in next year’s Tour of Homes. Contact Brianna at brianna@omb.org for more information about participating in the 2027 Tour. Thank you again to everyone who made our 26th Annual Tour of Homes such a success. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
11 • Chalk Line
Chalk Line • 11
Careers in Construction
October is Careers in Construction Month Recognize contributions made by the professionals working in construction, instill a sense of pride in the industry, increase awareness and foster a positive career image. October is officially “Careers in Construction Month,” and the purpose is to increase public awareness of the opportunities available on construction trade professions. You can choose any month, week or day that works for you. The most important thing is for local and state associations and members to do something each calendar year. Ongoing efforts are important to achieve your goal of increasing the number of professional construction related employees in your area. The goal is to get involved in your community to help increase public awareness of the opportunities available in construction careers, inspire a positive image of all construction trades professions, and instill a sense of pride in the industry. To meet future workforce demands, educators and employers need to reach out to the next generation of construction craft professionals. It is through industry and education partnerships that students get first-hand work experience. Here a few ideas and activities that you could consider to help spread the message of Careers In Construction in your community! 12 • Chalk Line
Activities WALK AND LEARN
Coordinate a walk to get children thinking about the built environment. Help students understand how construction affects every aspect of their lives. Explain the various jobs involved in building the things you see on your walk.
HUNT FOR KNOWLEDGE
Organize a construction treasure hunt in your neighborhood. Have your students walk a prearranged course around the community and search for answers to questions about the built environment.
OPEN UP YOUR SITE
Open your construction site and host a field trip. Arrange for students to tour the site and gather firsthand information on what it takes to have a successful career in construction.
BUILD A RESUME
Help students prepare for a career in construction by coordinating a resume building session. Provide interview and resume tips.
get help navigating a workers’ comp claim with l&i.
Reward #3 is your friend in the L&I world. Because ROII knows the ins and outs of navigating a claim with L&I. You’ll also save an average of 39% on workers’ comp and get tips for keeping your people and business safer. No wonder ROII is Washington State’s largest workers’ comp safety program.
Get started today at ROII.com
Chalk Line • 13
thank you to our
Renewing Members! Renewed in July-August 2026
1-4 YEARS
PetroCard Evergreen Permitting and Consulting Carpet Liquidators Sunrise Landscaping and Tree Service, LLC Olympic Mountain Millwork Veristone Capital KMB Architects, Inc. P.S. BECU Devaney Electric Co. MAR Construction, LLC Carve Architects Projects By Piper Dickey’s Remodel and Repair Olympia Painting Company Stich Electric, LLC KimIan Family Construction, LLC
5-9 YEARS Signarama Lacey Toepelt Log, Inc. Extreme Excavation South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Mr. Appliance of Olympia DRP Holdings, LLC (dba: Hansen Construction Group) General Sheet Metal, Inc.
10-14 YEARS Lifetime Granite Prime Building & Development, LLC PIONEER Technologies Corporation High Definition Homes Water Doctor of Washington, Inc. Trimtek, Inc. Print NW Scherer Trucking & Excavation Seabrook Construction Sterling Breen Crushing
Chalk Line • 14
15-19 YEARS Custom Source Woodworking Capital Electric, Inc. Virgil Adams Real Estate, Inc. A-1 Roofing, Inc.
20-24 YEARS Allied Electric Service, Inc. Heritage Restoration, Inc. Goebel Septic Tank Service, Inc. Hung Right Doors, LLC
25-29 YEARS Town & Country Roofing, Inc. Hinkle Homes, Inc. John Erwin Remodeling, Inc. Andrew Spear Construction, LLC
30-35 YEARS Desco Audio & Video Holroyd Company, Inc. Rainier Valley Construction Doors Unlimited, Inc.
50+ YEARS B & R Flooring
Member Spotlight:
B&R Flooring Celebrates 50 Years with OMB! 50 years—that’s something worth celebrating! This month, we’re shining the spotlight on B&R Flooring as we celebrate an incredible milestone: 50 years as a member of Olympia Master Builders! For five decades, B&R Flooring has been a valued part of the OMB community and the local building industry. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the company’s long-standing commitment to the industry and to being part of an association that works to support and strengthen our local building community. We’re incredibly grateful for B&R Flooring’s continued membership and support of OMB over the years. Members like B&R Flooring are a big part of what makes our association strong—and their 50 years of membership is an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations to B&R Flooring on 50 years with OMB! Thank you for being part of our association and for helping make OMB what it is today. Here’s to many more years!
PHCCWA
(206) 745-3225 jessie@phccwa.org Gig Harbor, WA Sponsor: Gina Carlson
welcome to our
New Members! Joined in July-August 2026
DIMENSIONS
Superior Home Solutions
(928) 273-9969 todd@dimensions.one Tenino, WA Sponsor: Daniel Doyle
(253) 921-2695 shs@superiorhsremodeling.com Lacey, WA Sponsor: Daniel Doyle
Eternia Digital
Jollymon Contracting, LLC
(360) 489-6817 justin@eterniaweb.com Centralia, WA Sponsor: Jesse Field-Borodin
(360) 915-4461 jeff@jollymoncontracting.com Rochester, WA Sponsor: Lara Anderson
Kobza Homebuilders, Inc.
Capitol Real Estate
(360) 507-3068 jkobza@reachone.com Olympia, WA Sponsor: Merrilee DeForest
(360) 489-6439 markellis@capitolregroup.com Tumwater, WA Sponsor: Stuart Drebick
A Strong Membership Means a Stronger Voice
LVG Painting
(360) 584-2372 luisgarciapaint@gmail.com Yelm, WA Sponsor: Maddy Cantrell
USSMart
(360) 561-4952 ussmart061@gmail.com Lacey, WA Sponsor: Debbi Boyd
EnviroVector
(360) 790-1559 info@envirovector.com Olympia, WA Sponsor: Daimon Doyle
Apex Engineering, LLC (253) 473-4494 nix@apexengineering.net Tacoma, WA Sponsor: Rusty Ruiz
OMB Member Appreciation Celebration!
As we all know, having a strong and active membership is invaluable to an association like Olympia Master Builders. Our members make OMB’s events, programs, and meetings possible—but just as importantly, our membership is what gives OMB a strong voice when advocating for our industry. Whether we are working with a city or county on a local issue or advocating at the state level during the legislative session, having a strong membership behind us matters. The more businesses and individuals we represent, the more effectively we can communicate how decisions and policies impact the homebuilding industry. That’s where recruitment and retention come in. Every member makes our association stronger. When you encourage another builder, subcontractor, supplier, or business you work with to join OMB, you are helping expand the number of voices we can bring to the table. And when you stay involved and encourage other members to remain engaged, you help ensure that OMB can continue doing the important advocacy work happening behind the scenes. We know that politics, elections, and legislative issues may not be everyone’s favorite topic—and that’s okay! But the decisions being made at the local and state levels can have a real impact on our industry. As this issue of Chalk Line shows, elections matter, and having a strong, unified industry voice matters too. So, how can you help? It’s easy! • Recruit a new member. Talk to your subs, suppliers, business partners, and others you work with who could benefit from OMB membership. Growing our membership helps strengthen our voice. • Stay involved. Attend an OMB event, meeting, or chapter gathering. Your participation helps keep our association active and connected. • Share your voice. When OMB puts out an all-call for input on an important issue, take a few minutes to respond. Your experience and perspective can help tell the story of how proposed policies affect your business and our industry. • Get involved in advocacy. If you really want to make an impact, come testify! During each legislative session, hearing directly from members of the building industry is vital to making sure lawmakers understand the real-world impact of proposed legislation. A strong membership gives OMB the ability to speak up for our industry. By recruiting new members, retaining the members we have, and staying engaged, each of us can help make sure our industry has a seat at the table—and that our voice is heard.
Chalk ChalkLine Line••15 15
1211 STATE AVE. NE OLYMPIA, WA 98506 $1.25 per copy 360-754-0912 800-456-6473 www.omb.org