2024 Leadership Board
Austin Tenpenny President aDoor Properties
Josh Rayls Secretary Holiday Builders
Heath Kelly 1st Vice President
Heath Kelly Construction
Kevin Sluder 2rd Vice President Gene’s Floor Covering
Shon Owens Tresurer Owens Custom Homes
Janson Thomas 3rd Vice President Swift Supply
2025 Home Builders
Association of West Florida Board of Directors
SENIOR OFFICERS
Austin Tenpenny, aDoor Properties, President
Heath Kelly, Heath Kelly Construction, First Vice President / President-Elect
Shon Owens, Owens Custom Homes, Treasurer
Josh Rayls, Holiday Builders, Secretary
Kevin Sluder, Gene’s Floor Covering, 2rd Vice President
Janson Thomas, Swift Supply, 3rd Vice President
Wilma Shortall, The First Bank, Past 2nd Vice President
Dax Campbell, CamCon, Immediate Past-President
Josh Peden, Hudson, Peden & Associates, Financial Officer
Stephen Moorhead, Moorhead Law Group, Legal Counsel
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Bill Batting, REW Materials
Keith Branch, Good Foundations, Cost and Codes Chair
Rick Byars, Florida Power & Light
Mickey Clinard, Renasant Mortgage
Laura Gilmore, Fairway Ind. Mortgage, Affordable Housing Liaison
Chris Graye, Graye’s Granite
Thomas Hammond, Hammond Engineering, Civil Engineering Liaison
John Hattaway, Hattaway Home Design
Lindy Hurd, First International Title, Sales & Marketing Committee Chair
Shellie Isakson-Smith, SWBC
Mary Jordan, Gulf Coast Insurance, Tradesmen/Workforce Development Committee Chair
Daniel Monie, KJM Land Surveying
Alex Niedermayer, Underwood Anderson & Associates
Zach Noel, Clear Title of NW FL
Suzanne Pollard-Spann, Legacy Insurance Brokers, Ambassadors Committee Chair
Marty Rich, University Lending Group
John Scanlon, Pensacola Energy
Pam Smith, Real Estate Counselors, Pensacola Assn. of Realtors Liaison
Chris Thomas, Acentria Insurance
Wilma Shortall Past 2nd Vice President The First Bank Stephen
Legal Counsel Moorhead Law Group
Dax Campbell Immediate Past-President CamCon
Josh Peden Financial Officer Hudson, Peden & Associates,
BUILDER DIRECTORS
Joel Coleman, P.E., Lennar
Chad Edgar, Joe-Brad Construction
Amir Fooladi, ParsCo, Jessica Ford, FD Builds
Fred Gunther, Gunther Properties
Drew Hardgrave, Landshark Homes
Thomas Henry, Thomas Homes
Alton Lister, Lister Builders, Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
Kyle McGee, Sunchase Construction
Jennifer Reese, Reese Construction Services
Douglas Russell, R-Squared Construction
Anton Zaynakov, Grand Builders
EX-OFFCIO / PAST PRESIDENT BOARD MEMBERS
Edwin Henry, Henry Company Homes
Shelby Johnson, Johnson Construction, Remodeler’s Council Chair
Russ Parris, Parris Construction Company
CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE
JENNIFER MANCINI
Executive Director jennifer@hbawf.com
HBAWF News
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com
Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com
Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Ryan Dugger advertise@ballingerpublishing.com
Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com
Assistant Editor Nicole Willis nicole@ballingerpublishing.com
Sales & Marketing
Paula Rode, Account Executive, ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com
Geneva Strange, Account Executive, ext. 31 geneva@ballingerpublishing.com
Cornerstone, the monthly publication of the Home Builders Association of West Florida serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, is published monthly, twelve (12x) per year. Send address changes to HBA of West Florida, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910. Cornerstone, is published in the interests of all segments of the home building industry and is distributed to its members and others associated with the HBA of West Florida. HBA of West Florida and Ballinger Publishing does not accept responsi-bility for, or endorse any statement or claims made by advertisers or authors of any articles. Every effort has been made to assure ac-curacy of information, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of Home Builders Association of West Florida, Copyright ©, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910, 850.476.0318. Advertisers and advertorials in Cornerstone do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited by law.
Austin Tenpenny President
Properties
Dear Members,
As we step into February, I want to take a moment to discuss the state of new construction home sales and what it means for our industry in 2025.
The good news is that demand for new homes remains steady, particularly in growing markets like ours along the Gulf Coast. While mortgage rates have leveled off compared to the volatility of the past two years, they still remain high, and affordability challenges continue to persist for many buyers. However, builders who have adapted by offering incentives, rate buydowns, and more efficient home designs are seeing continued success in moving inventory.
Nationally, new home sales have been outpacing resales due to the ongoing shortage of existing home listings. Many would-be sellers are still locked into ultra-low mortgage rates from previous years, limiting supply in the resale market and driving more buyers toward newly built homes. This trend presents a strong opportunity for homebuilders, especially those who can deliver entry-level and mid-priced homes where demand is highest.
Locally, our market continues to benefit from population growth and inmigration, keeping demand for new homes strong. However, challenges remain, including high construction costs, regulatory pressures, high interest rates, and skilled labor shortages. As an association, we are working to address these issues by advocating for pro-growth policies, workforce development initiatives, and streamlining permitting processes to help builders bring homes to market faster and more affordably.
Now more than ever, collaboration within our industry is critical. I encourage each of you to stay engaged with our association—whether through advocacy, networking, or professional development—so we can navigate these challenges together and keep our local housing market strong.
Thank you for your continued dedication to building the homes our communities need. I look forward to working alongside you throughout 2025.
Best regards,
Austin Tenpenny President, Home Builders Association of West Florida
NAHB Members Surpass $40 Million in Savings in 2024, with More to Come in 2025
2024 marked yet another banner year for NAHB member benefits, as members saved more than $40 million through the Member Savings Program. With an expanding lineup of exclusive offers, the program remains dedicated to delivering significant savings to NAHB members in 2025 and beyond.
Savings Highlights in 2024
During this past year, the Member Savings Program introduced several exciting new partnerships with leading companies including Microsoft Office, Sam’s Club, BMW, Holman Fleet & Automotive Services, SiriusXM, and Indeed, while discontinuing Rho. These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to meeting members’ evolving needs.
Our savings partners have continually gone above and beyond to support NAHB members. Among the notable offers and contributions:
• Dell Technologies: A long-standing partner, Dell provides more than just exclusive pricing on laptops and hardware. They also continue to offer free onsite or virtual IT consultations, helping members assess and optimize their business-tech infrastructure.
• Lowe’s: In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Lowe’s pledged $2 million toward relief efforts, playing a vital role in rebuilding impacted communities.
• T-Mobile for Business: T-Mobile Emergency Response teams worked tirelessly on the ground to restore connectivity in disaster-stricken areas. They also pledged up to $1 million to support ongoing recovery efforts.
Additional Opportunities in 2025
The Member Savings team is taking a strategic approach in 2025, focusing on partnerships that address the unique challenges facing the industry.
• Indeed: Recognizing the ongoing labor shortages, Indeed is a highly anticipated addition. Members can now receive a $250 sponsored job credit to help streamline their hiring process from start to finish, ensuring they find the right talent for their businesses.
• Holman Fleet & Automotive Services: Holman provides members with fleet management solutions, including vehicle sourcing, flexible lease plans, and maintenance services. NAHB members will also enjoy a free first-month lease payment upon signing up.
• Microsoft Office: Members can get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office at up to 90% off — a significant value for businesses aiming to stay productive and cost-efficient.
Expanding Value for Members
NAHB is actively pursuing new partnerships to enhance the value of membership. Look out for more savings opportunities in auto and business management solutions in the first half of 2025.
For a complete list of current savings programs, visit nahb.org/savings
U.S. Population Growth Rate Reaches
23-Year High
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of U.S. residents grew by 3,304,757 in 2024, raising the total population to 340,110,988. The population grew at a rate of 0.98% — the highest rate since 2001.
The rise in 2024 marked the growth rate’s third straight increase, following six consecutive years of declines and reversing an overall downward trend dating back to the early 1990s.
The largest source of population growth was net immigration, which totaled 2,786,119 in 2024. The other component was natural growth (births minus deaths), which equaled a gain of 518,638.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024; NAHB Analysis
Population Growth by U.S. State
At the state level, 47 states and the District of Columbia experienced population growth in 2024. Texas recorded the largest population increase with a gain of 562,941, followed by Florida (467,347) and California (232,570).
The upward trend in population growth is a welcome statistic for the housing market. However, even if immigration levels remained similar to those in recent years, household formations are projected to decline in the coming decades, according to a recent studyfrom the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. A slowdown in household growth would ultimately put a damper on housing demand.
Source: NAHB Eye on Housing
NAHB Promotes Key Housing Priorities to Trump Administration
Over the past month, NAHB has been met with members of President Donald Trump’s transition team to promote our policy agenda. NAHB recently submitted a detailed housing policy paper to the Trump team to tackle the housing affordability crisis.
Acting on these housing policy priorities will help remove barriers that hinder the construction of new homes and apartments and allow builders to build more attainable, affordable housing.
The policy recommendations in the document outline practical solutions to key issues affecting the housing industry that are acting as headwinds to increase the nation’s housing supply, including the need to:
• Extend and improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to spur new housing supply;
• Fix material supply chains and lower construction costs;
• Address the labor shortage; and
• Reform the rulemaking process and eliminate excessive regulations.
NAHB looks forward to working with President Trump and the new administration to enact policies that will enable builders to increase the supply of single-family and multifamily for-sale and for-rent housing to bring down rising housing costs and meet the needs of the American people.
$75 Expo Pass | $595 Expo+Education Pass
* NAHB Member pricing valid through January 10, 2025
Members of our local association are automatically NAHB Members, which means that you can experience the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) at the member rate.
Top trends & strategies to wow your customers
Construction
Trump Imposes Additional 25% Tariff on Canadian Softwood Lumber
President Trump on Feb. 1 announced an across-theboard tariff of 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods coming into the United States, and these tariffs on building materials will raise construction costs and harm housing affordability.
The 25% tariff on softwood lumber products from Canada is in addition to an effective 14.5% duty rate already in place, meaning that the overall effective Canadian lumber tariffs will rise to nearly 40%.
NAHB Chairman Carl Harris issued the following statement in response to the White House action on tariffs:
“On President Trump’s first day in office, he issued an executive order directing departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief by pursuing actions to lower the cost of housing and increase housing supply. This move to raise tariffs by 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods will have the opposite effect. More than 70% of the imports of two essential materials that home builders rely on — softwood lumber and gypsum (used for drywall) — come from Canada and Mexico, respectively.
“Tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development, and consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices. NAHB urges the administration to reconsider this action on tariffs,
and we will continue to work with policymakers to eliminate barriers that make housing more costly and prevent builders from boosting housing production.”
In the week prior to the president’s announcement, NAHB had been in contact with administration officials seeking a building materials exemption on the tariffs because of their harmful effect on housing affordability. In addition, NAHB sent a letter to the president stating that “bringing down the cost of housing will require a coordinated effort to remove obstacles to construction, be they regulatory, labor or supply-chain related. NAHB stands ready to work with you to accomplish these goals.”
The letter further stated that the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be counterproductive by slowing down the domestic residential construction industry.
NAHB will continue to sound the alarm to the administration on the detrimental effects that tariffs on building materials have on housing affordability and continue to seek a tariff exemption for building materials. And we will actively engage with policymakers to reduce regulatory burdens and eliminate other obstacles that are preventing builders from constructing more attainable and affordable housing.
Source: NAHB
Explore the Many Ways to Connect with NAHB
ContentNAHB has a wide range of communication channels for members, HBA staff, and anyone interested in the residential construction industry to stay on top of the latest housing news and the Federation’s efforts to tackle top priorities.
Blogs
The NAHB Now blog is the premier news destination for the home building industry. The blog keeps members apprised of efforts by NAHB’s staff experts to tackle key issues, updates from Capitol Hill and state houses, the good work being done by HBAs across the country, and more.
For nationally acclaimed economic analysis, NAHB also publishes Eye on Housing, featuring content by NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz and his expert staff. For the latest on the International Builders’ Show, check out the Know the Show blog. And the Best in American Living blog offers inspiration in home design and development.
Social Media Outlets
Beyond blogs, NAHB has a robust presence on popular social media and digital communication channels. Follow NAHB on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram for the latest from NAHB. And check out some of NAHB’s specialized groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, such as Professional Women in Building, NAHB Remodelers, NAHB Associates, and other dedicated content areas. Just search in Facebook and LinkedIn for NAHB groups.
The International Builders’ Show has its own social accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and X to keep IBS attendees informed about the latest developments for the upcoming show. These accounts are must-follows for anyone planning to attend the show in Las Vegas.
Podcasts and Videos
NAHB also produces a podcast, Housing Developments, featuring CEO Jim Tobin and Chief Operating Officer Paul Lopez, that dives into important topics in the home building industry. Subscribe to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider or watch each episode on YouTube.
Speaking of YouTube, NAHB has an award-winning production department that makes professional videos for the industry. The NAHB YouTube channel features content such as the popular safety video toolbox series, skilled trades promotional videos, the Chairman’s Update, and much more. And be sure to check out the IBS YouTube channel for videos from the show.
Member Community and Updates
Engage with other members directly on NAHB Connect, a platform exclusively for NAHB members to exchange ideas and network digitally. No staff, no non-members — just home builders, remodelers, and associate members discussing their businesses.
NAHB also offers a wide range of email newsletters covering all areas of the Federation to help keep members up to date on the latest news. Check our list of newsletters and subscribe to those that suit your interests.
Learn more about these and other key digital media and publications from NAHB on nahb.org.
SPIKE CLUB
In construction, a spike is a steel object that is essential to making a building strong. As in construction, the HBA of West Florida sees a Spike as someone that works to keep our association strong. Spikes work on the recruitment and retention of members in addition to keeping members active with the association. Anyone is eligible for Spike status. On Spike credit is awarded for each new member recruited and an additional credit is awarded for that new member’s renewal on or before their anniversary date. If you help to retain a member, you are eligible to receive a half point for each member.
Spike Club Levels
Spike Candidate 1-5 Credits
Blue Spike 6-24
Life Spike 25-49
Green Spike 50-99
Red Spike 100-149
Royal Spike 150-249
Super Spike 250-499
Statesman Spike 500-999
Grand Spike 1000-1499
All-Time Big Spike 1500+ Spike Club Members and their credits as of 09/30/2023.
Statesman Spike
Super Spike
Royal Spike
Rick
William “Billy” Moore
Charlie
Kim
Spike Credits
Shelby
Mary
Shellie
