BIA Membership Helps Fight for Industry Livelihoods

Southern California Builder: As one of the Association’s most enthusiastic members, tell us about AnnMarie Quinn and the BIA.

AnnMarie Quinn: I have been a member of the BIA since I was first introduced to it 17 years ago and I am still continually active. I am passionate about the Association because it has helped me with building new and existing client relationships. My first job in the industry was in builder services at First American Title, where I was told to meet the builders by going to BIA meetings, events and getting involved in committees.

I walked in and said, “What can I do? I want to get involved.” The contacts and relationships just followed naturally from there. Later, when GeoTek hired me, one of my primary responsibilities was to stay involved in the BIA, by networking, building relationships and representing GeoTek. Building clientele base is a marathon created by relationships, not a sprint of sales pitches. People are not going to care what I’m offering if they don’t trust me and like me. The BIA has been the vehicle that allowed me to build that needed trust by showing up, getting involved, and being everywhere. Being such an active, enthusiastic member of the BIA lead to people coining me as “Miss BIA.”

SCB: Is Miss BIA also the Queen of Membership?

AMQ: I have always been passionate about membership and have been on the Membership Committee for the entire 17 years that I’ve belonged to the BIA. I have lost track of how many new members I have recruited, but it’s enough to earn a “Spike,” the award from the National Association of Home Builders for member recruitment. I am also good at member retention, which I do by getting new members further involved. I helped start the Liaison Program which guides new members for their first six months in navigating the waters of the building industry to further value their

AnnMarie Quinn Clarity Real Estate Advisors, Vice President

place within the industry. The BIA is the only association I have been able to immerse myself in and really get results that are mutually beneficial for GeoTek, and the building industry. I believe that Membership is the “heartbeat” of the association. The founder of GeoTek once told me, “Being successful is about being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.” The BIA is the vehicle that allowed me to put into action his words.

SCB: Speaking of getting results, considering who you work for, here is a chance for you to tell BIASC’s members all about GeoTek.

AMQ: GeoTek is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, construction material testing and inspections. I like to explain to people that we are in the business of “safety.” If you are not on solid ground, then you cannot build a safe dwelling. This is especially true here in California with our earthquake faults and unstable slopes. Everything we do is about ensuring that buildings are safe so that occupants can be safe too.

SCB: In your line of work, you participate in other associations. What sets BIA apart?

AMQ: BIA members are in this industry to ensure that the dream of homeownership can come true! When you are part of the BIA, you are supporting the American Dream. Everyone wants a place to “call home.”

The primary purpose of the BIA is to advocate for our industry and for builders to fulfill the housing needs of the people. Your BIA membership supports all homebuilding and industry partners. The BIA stands in support of all of us. If the BIA was not here to advocate for our industry, then the builders are not building, GeoTek isn’t testing the soil, and the HVAC company isn’t putting in air conditioning.

Nobody is doing anything unless the builders are building. This makes it a mutual bond between us – and the BIA’s advocacy makes it all happen.

SCB: When you are talking to someone about membership, do they understand the importance of BIA’s advocacy efforts?

AMQ: Most do, and if they don’t, I have this example for them: If it wasn’t for the strength of the BIA during COVID, the industry might not have been deemed essential, thus requiring a shutdown. The BIA caught the attention of Sacramento, and suddenly, here we all were, still working! The BIA also sent out COVID updates to educate us on what we needed to do to have COVID-compliant and safe workplaces according to government regulations.

SCB: You mentioned retention. We are in a down market now and people are looking for ways to cut costs, so what is your message to them as they consider their BIA membership renewal?

AMQ: I can speak to this because I was hired with GeoTek during a down market. Down markets are when you need to be active the most, reinforcing the relationships you have, while simultaneously building new ones. Times like these are when everyone should be a part of the BIA. Moments of weakened markets are the perfect opportunity for coming together to strengthen relationships that will lead to future successes when the economy recovers.

SCB: Aside from personal achievements, what have you gained from membership with the BIA?

AMQ: I have met wonderful, dear friends through the BIA. I have friends that I have come to admire and respect, and if we all stopped working in this industry, we would still be friends. These friends I have made through BIA are irreplaceable.

SCB: We have talked to a lot of people in these Southern California Builder Q&As, but never someone so passionate about BIA. You really are Miss BIA, aren’t you?

AMQ: There are many who are just as passionate as I am because this is an industry that is always doing something positive. The building industry in its entirety is wonderful. 