WASHINGTON — Businesses of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association are honored annually for extraordinary association, industry and community service excellence with the presentation of the SUHBA “Members of the Year” awards.
The selection criteria are derived from many factors, including local association service (local, national or state), community service and various other positive contributions the business makes to the community and the Association. This year, they are pleased to present several deserving SUHBA members with an award.
2015 Supplier Associate Member of the Year
Marion Turley, Contractors Heating and Cooling Supply
In 1989, Turley joined the Contractors Heating & Cooling Supply group. He has served on the Board of Directors, is a company vice president and is a manager of the St. George location. Turley has been a member of SUHBA for 11 years, served on committees and the Board of Directors and participated in several SUHBA charity projects.
2015 Service Associate Member of the Year
Joe Christopher, Newby Buick, Pontiac, GMC Truck
Christopher passed away Dec. 26, 2015. Prior to his passing, he was made aware of the award and was thrilled to be honored. This award was presented in memory of him. Christopher was an active member of SUHBA for 10 years and served on the Board of Directors, the Parade of Homes Committee and the Parade Exhibits Committee.
Christopher will be missed tremendously. Anyone who knew him will never forget him.
2015 Trade Contractor Member of the Year
John Costanza, Riverbend Landscape
Costanza stays busy as a licensed landscape architect and in landscape construction. He served on the St. George Shade Tree Board, the Dinosaur Museum Board and, currently, on the Friends of the Washington County Children’s Justice Center Board. He has been active in SUHBA for 17 years helping with the Doctors Free Clinic.
2015 Builder Member of the Year
Jair Almaraz, Ivory Homes
Almaraz has been in the home construction and development industry for over 13 years. He joined Ivory Homes in 2006 and has witnessed the continued growth of the Hidden Valley development. He became a SUHBA member 10 years ago and has participated in the Parade of Homes for the past 5 years.
Almaraz served on various SUHBA committees, participated in service projects with the Home Builders Care Foundation, served on the SUHBA Board of Directors for the past 4 years and was the 2015 SUHBA president. He has been serving on the Membership Committee for several years focusing on creating awareness of the many benefits associated with SUHBA membership.
2015 Associate Member of the Year
Kerry Lewis, Fairway Independent Mortgage
Since moving to Utah, Lewis has found her fit with Fairway Independent Mortgage, voted best company to work for two years running. She is also an event coordinator for SunRiver. Lewis has served on SUHBA’s Membership Committee since joining SUHBA in 2013. She attends almost every SUHBA event and always offers assistance and support.
2015 Home Builders Care Volunteer Award
Steve Stone, Steve Stone Masonry
Stone learned his trade and trained with Earl Barney Masonry until the year 2000 when he started his own company. He now has a very busy and thriving business in Hurricane where he employs several masons landscapers. Stone has donated time, labor and materials to the Southern Utah Home Builders Care Foundation for the construction of the new pavilion and outdoor amphitheater currently being built at the BSA Quail Creek Scout Camp.
2015 Above and Beyond Award
Cary Blake, C. Blake Homes
Blake obtained his contractor’s license when he was 21 and started his company. He does concrete and framing by trade and is also a general contractor and developer. Blake has served on various committees with the Southern Utah Home Builders Association and has been showcased nine times in the St. George Area Parade of Homes since 2001.
C. Blake Homes has contributed countless hours to the Southern Utah Home Builders Care Foundation and other community service projects. They have been very involved in the current project with the pavilion being built at the BSA Quail Creek Scout Camp.
2015 Hall of Fame Award
James Sullivan, S & S Homes
Sullivan became a partner in S & S Homes in 1996. S & S Homes has developed and built over a thousand home sites and homes in the St George area. Sullivan has worked with numerous city officials and government agencies, such as SITLA, Washington County HCP and the Washington County Water Conservancy District, in developing various neighborhoods in Southern Utah.
He served on the Board of Directors as well as president of SUHBA. He has donated his time as the Parade of Homes chairman, Government Affairs chairman and Utah HBA State director and has served for the past two years representing SUHBA on the Uniform Building Code Commission’s Architectural Advisory Committee. He donates many hours for the Southern Utah Home Builders Care Foundation.
2015 HBA Lifetime Achievement Award
Garret Bangerter, Bangerter Homes of Southern Utah
Bangerter started general contracting in Northern Utah in 1978. Bangerter has had 20 entries in the St. George Area Parade of Homes and has been an active member of SUHBA for 21 years, since 1995. He has served on the Parade Committee for eight years, as well as president and chairman. He served on the State HBA Board of Directors for many years and currently serving as a director. He also represents the local housing industry by serving on the Olene Walker Housing Authority Board.
Thanks to all honored members who give of their time and provide service to SUHBA and to their communities.
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