It is a tremendous honor to be elected chairman of the board of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As chairman, I pledge to support our councils, including the NAHB Remodelers, to ensure they have the association’s full support in providing key services and its full engagement on critical advocacy initiatives.
Remodelers are an integral part of the NAHB federation, and I will strive to elevate their voices on important issues.
The chairman of NAHB Remodelers in 2024 is Mike Pressgrove. Pressgrove is a fellow Kansan, so I might be a little biased in my assessment, but I’ll say this with confidence:
Pressgrove is a born leader with a big heart and an old-school attitude about the value of hard work. He learned a lot from the seasoned professionals in the Remodelers Council, and now he wants to pass along that knowledge to the next generation.
NAHB Education and Networking Opportunities
NAHB education, including the amazing programming at the recent International Builders’ Show (IBS), is one of the best ways to improve your business. NAHB offers regular webinars led by industry experts on topics ranging from business management to legal issues. The association also offers certification programs, such as the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program geared toward remodelers.
But there’s no way to learn like networking with peers, which begins at the local and state NAHB Remodelers Councils. And NAHB offers multiple ways to connect with your fellow industry professionals at the national level, including leadership events, town hall meetings, and the annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C.
Of course, the annual IBS, Feb. 25-27, 2025 in Las Vegas, offers more than 100 education sessions and endless opportunities for connecting, such as Remodeling Central at IBS.
Remodeling Central is the best place to learn from experienced remodelers.
Advocating for the Industry
Beyond education and networking, there is NAHB advocacy. Of course, many of us join our local associations for local advocacy. I also encourage remodelers to get involved at the national level. NAHB has expert staff representing the industry’s interests in the U.S. Congress, regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA, and the federal courts.
That outstanding advocacy is even better when we connect our staff experts—regulatory, leg affairs, legal, and codes, as well as data from NAHB’s Ph.D. economists—with our member volunteers.
Our grassroots takes that deep expertise and research and combines it with strong connections to policymakers at the state and local levels. When local elected officials hear our message and understand the builder perspective, they make better policy.
Remodelers have a voice—a strong voice—in this association.
Positive Look for NAHB Remodelers
Remodelers’ share of total residential construction is high and likely to enjoy considerable strength for some time.
One can see that strength reflected in remodelers’ engagement in the association. NAHB Remodelers is one the proudest, most vocal constituencies in the NAHB federation.
Last year, Bill Owens, a long-time remodeler from Ohio, joined the NAHB leadership ladder as third vice chairman.
And this year, as Owens was moving up to second vice chair, Bob Peterson, a remodeler from Colorado, was elected as NAHB’s 2024 third vice chairman. Both have previously served as chairmen of NAHB’s Remodelers Council. Remodelers have a voice—a strong voice—in this association.
Carl Harris is a Wichita, Kan.-based custom home builder with 40 years of experience and NAHB’s 2024 Chairman.