The Tidewater Builder - January/February Issue by Tidewater Builders Association

T h e Ti d e w a t e r

The official magazine of Tidewater Builders Association

January/February 2010

The Tidewater

Vol. 57, Number 1 The mission of Tidewater Builders Association is to improve the climate for affordable housing; promote the growth and development of the shelter industry; promote excellence and professionalism among members through education and networking opportunities; and support and enhance the community through charitable projects. 2010 OFFICERS: William H. Halprin, president; Charles J. Miller II, vice president; James E. Jackson, associate vice president; S.L. “Sam” Cohen, treasurer; John F. “Jack” Schoch, secretary, Steven E. Lawson, appointee; Dennis M. Graf, appointee; Pete A. Kotarides, immediate past president 2010 BUILDER DIRECTORS: Richard L. “Tuck” Bowie, Scott G. Brooker, Christopher J. Ettel, Dennis M. Graf, Pete O. Kotarides, Steven E. Lawson, Lucky C. Peterson, Stephen B. Quick IV

Miles B. Leon installs William H. Halprin, right, as the 2010 president of TBA on Dec. 4, 2009.

2010 ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: G. Robert Aston Jr., Robert M. Boyd, J. Gregory Dodd, Thomas W. Dye, Scott M. Gandy, Gary T. McCollum, Brenda K. Reid, Edward O. Yoder DIRECTORS EMERITI: Edward P. Brogan, William J. Fanney, Richard D. Guy, Doyle E. Hull, Frederick J. Napolitano, Richard E. Olivieri, John H. Peterson Jr., The Honorable Owen B. Pickett, Julian Rashkind, Stanley Waranch, Howard M. Weisberg, Wendell A. White CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

Features 16 What color is your garden?

Get rid of the winter blues with some new spring hues at the Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show Feb. 5-7.

Channing A. Pfeiffer

Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Prier, APR Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Steil Advertising sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Powers Leigh Ann Sirmans Production coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . Stella Council Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Amidon Graphic Artist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Trumbull Copyright: 2010; all rights reserved. No permission to reprint unless expressly given by Tidewater Builders Association. The Tidewater Builder is published for all TBA member firms through the $15 subscription price, which is included in the annual membership fee. Opinions expressed by contributing columnist are not necessarily those of this publication.

The Tidewater Builder is published bimonthly, January through December, by Tidewater Builders Association, located at 2117 Smith Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23320. An editorial and advertising deadline listing is available at tbaonline. org/tbuilder or by contacting a sales representative or the editor. All advertising is subject to current rates, copies of which can be obtained from the Homearama, Home Shows and Special Projects, 420-2434. The magazine reserves the right to determine the suitability of any advertising or editorial copy, and all real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

24 TMHC takes over the Spirit of Norfolk More than 300 members of the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council

community celebrated the holiday season in style.

15 And the winners are… They went above and beyond the call of duty and were honored as TBA’s Members of the Year. Do you know who they are?

Departments 2

President’s Pen

Scholarship Foundation

Headliners

Builder Services

Shades of Green

Advertisers’ Index

Counsel’s Insights

Events Calendar

Shop Talk

About the cover: The former location of the aging Lafayette Motor Hotel on Granby Street is now home to the new luxury River House Apartments, a riverfront community. It is one of more than 100 apartment communities that TBA’s 2010 President Bill Halprin oversees as partner and senior vice president at S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

President’s Pen

New TBA President: “There’s no place like home” The following is an excerpt from 2010 TBA “nontraditional households” and many are likely President Bill Halprin’s installation address. to choose an apartment community as home. t’s an honor to be representing TBA this In fact, households making $50,000 or coming year, a year that we hope will lead more are the fastest-growing segment of the to better economic times. apartment market — thus the demand for A few months ago when I chose a upscale apartments. theme for this event, it seemed like “someAnd we’re seeing more “empty nesters” where over the rainbow” would be a very atdownsize to a rental — or they acquire a tractive place to be. rental as a second home. A place where “skies are blue” and where These days, multifamily housing is an im“troubles melt like lemon drops” was a place portant component of a vibrant community. many of those in the building industry were And the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Bill Halprin took the helm dreaming of. Council — also known as TMHC — is an rd as TBA’s 53 president on But as the visitors to the Land of Oz disimportant component of Tidewater Builders Dec. 4, 2009, at the annual covered, this wasn’t a place to escape, rather Association. Builders Ball. it was a place to gain a better perspective on We currently have 41 TBA members who what may have seemed like insurmountable problems. are owners and managers, who represent over 200 communiDorothy and her friends discovered that the Wizard had ties and over 35,000 units. no magic formula — that what they really needed was within Our annual banquet and RAM school graduation has bethemselves all along. come TBA’s largest annual event, with over 600 participants. What most of us in the building industry have is perseverWe host a range of educational opportunities for our ance, no matter what obstacles lay in the way. Whether the members. skies are stormy or the sun is shining — which by the way are And, with all the daily challenges we face, our TMHC perfect conditions for a rainbow — this industry will survive. Olympics are now a lively component of the annual TBA picAs we all know, Dorothy’s big discovery was that no matter nic and allow our member management firms to compete. where we may roam “there’s no place like home.” So far, our TMHC annual scholarship apartment has Thoughts of “home” conjure up different images to different brought in $55,000 to the TBA Scholarship Foundation. Our people. And those images are subject to change with the times. goal is to raise $100,000 for an annual TMHC Scholarship. The number of households who live on rural farms like And finally, TMHC is working with the TBA Building Dorothy’s has dwindled considerably. Trades Academy on an exciting new program. Back in the ’50s and ’60s, young people lived with their We will be helping to develop a curriculum to prepare stuparents until they got married and then made a home of their dents for careers in facilities maintenance. own. It’s a growing need in our communities and these jobs offer Then, in the 1970s, young singles started moving out and good salaries and benefits for those who are seeking a stable life. getting their own places — or should I say their own pads? During my term as president, I would like to examine more Usually it was an apartment they called home. ways that we can work to bring TMHC into the fold of the If it wasn’t for the multifamily housing community, just association — from recruiting new members to joining forces think how many adult children would still be living with on legislative issues. their parents! I’m open to new ideas about ways that TMHC and TBA The choice to rent in a multifamily housing community can work together to strengthen our industry. is not just for young singles anymore, but fits the needs of a After all, we share the common goal of providing safe, variety of households. quality affordable housing to the citizens of Hampton Roads. Today, married couples with children account for only a Together, we can assure that for our residents — whether buyfourth of the American population. The rest are considered ers or renters — home is where the heart is.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Thank you to the following companies for their support of the shelter industry:

Diamond $10,000

Platinum $5,000 Virginia Natural Gas

Wells Fargo

Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage

Superior Equipment Sales Inc.

Dominion Virginia Power

Monarch Bank/Monarch Mortgage

TowneBank

Cox Communications

Columbia Gas of Virginia

Gold $2,500 The Ainslie Group Bank of America Tidewater Home Funding Beach Ford Inc. The Virginian-Pilot Sykes, Bourdon, Ahern & Levy P.C. Hampton Roads Bankshares Williams Mullen William E. Wood & Assoc. Kotarides Builders

Napolitano Homes Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc. ABT Custom Homes L.L.C. Terry/Peterson Cos. Hearndon Construction Corp. L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc. Associated Development Real Estate Information Network Inc. iLevel by Weyerhaeuser The Closet Factory New American Mortgage JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

All aboard for Cornerstone Foundation fun

Year in review

t was the annual holiday social for members of Tidewater Builders Association’s Cornerstone Foundation and its Board of Directors. The event, held Dec. 8, 2009, is just one way that TBA shows appreciation to Cornerstone Foundation members for their support of the industry. They also get the VIP treatment at a spring social with allyou-can-eat shrimp at Steinhilbers. If that’s not enough to make you want to sign up, how about free tickets and prime parking for TBA events? Also, recognition at all TBA events and a full-page listing in the front of The Tidewater Builder membership magazine. Funds contributed by Cornerstone Foundation members go directly to support the operational costs of TBA and its Builder Services Division’s efforts to advocate for the industry. Members interested in joining this elite group of VIP members should contact Sandra Amidon at 305-9045 for more information.

Carroll Smith, Hearndon Construction; Scott Brooker, SGB Homes; and Jim Jackson, Superior Equipment Sales Inc.

Contributions add up Despite a difficult economy, The Cornerstone Foundation recruiters reported that they exceeded their goal of $125,000! Here are their totals: Trent Dudley, Wachovia Bank

$12,500

Paulette Frantz, Dominion Virginia Power

$20,000

Wayne Humphreys, TowneBank

$20,000

Toby Harris, New American Mortgage

$35,000

Mike Kos, Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage Don Parnell, BB&T

$10,000

Ted Yoder, Monarch Mortgage

$22,000

TOTAL:

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

$127,000

Bob Widener and Erin Widener Speckhart, The Widener Corp.; and Jeffrey McWaters, Republican candidate for the General Assembly.

From left, Fred Napolitano Sr., Cornerstone Foundation chair; recuiters; Wayne Humphreys; Paulette Frantz; Mike Kos; Ted Yoder, vice chair; Don Parnell and TBA President Bill Halprin. 4

$7,500

Wayne Humphreys and Jerry Passaro, TowneBank.

Headliners TBA offering lead paint removal certification class

New legislation will make it mandatory for remodelers and builders working on renovation or remodeling projects in homes built before 1978 to comply with new lead paint safety requirements. TBA will be offering the required certification class on Feb. 9, 10 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course, which costs $300 per student, will be taught at TBA. For more information, please contact Maggie Rickard at 305-9053 or mrickard@tbaonline.org.

Breaking down the IRC code

The next Builder Breakfast is set for 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, in the TBA boardroom. Code officials will be speaking about 2006 International Residential Code compliance issues, as well as providing a sneak peek at the changes builders can anticipate with the adoption of the 2009 IRC. The forum is FREE to TBA builder members (and their superintendents) and also features a catered breakfast. Sponsored by Please RSVP to Stacey Turner at 305-9042 or sturner@tbaonline.org.

Registration is under way for RAM school, which is the 40-hour entrylevel training program in on-site management that teaches successful management principles and practices. Classes will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings March 3 through May 5 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the TBA boardroom. Tuition costs $375 for members and $475 for nonmembers. To register, contact Maggie Rickard at 305-9053 or mrickard@tbaonline.org.

Green Building Council enacts membership dues

Green Building Council members voted to require a completed membership application and dues in the amount of $50 per company, per year. The dues will allow the GBC to pursue outreach and education oppoprtunities for members and the public. In order to continue membership or to become a new member, a completed application and dues will be required, effective Jan. 1, 2010. For more information or to request a membership application, contact Patrice Kyle at 305-9015 or pkyle@tbaonline.org.

It’s never too early to start planning

Mark your calendar now for some good food, music, fun and games at TBA’s annual Picnic. The rain or shine event will be held on Friday, June 11, from 4 - 8 p.m. at Chesapeake City Park. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or for more information, please contact Teresa Howell at 3059062 or thowell@tbaonline.org.

Napolitano Sr. and wife to be honored

Save the date to honor Jacqueline and Frederick J. Napolitano Sr., who were named the recipients of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award 2010. Napolitano is a past president of TBA, the Home Builders Association of Virginia and the National Association of Home Builders. His wife, Jacqueline, also has participated on numerous boards and advisory councils. The Napolitanos will be honored Feb. 27 at a gala hosted by Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel. For more information, please contact Jessica Lombardi at 456-2366, ext. 504, or e-mail jlombardi@cceva.org.

Get oriented in TBA

Learn how you and your business will benefit from your TBA involvement at the new member orientation at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the TBA boardroom. TBA President Bill Halprin will present an association overview and TBA staff vice presidents will educate new members on the array of services the association offers. Open to current, new and prospective members, the orientation includes networking opportunities and light breakfast. To RSVP, contact Stacey Turner at 3059042 or sturner@tbaonline.org.

Can you afford a fair housing violation?

TBA will offer a fair housing training session from 1 - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at TBA. Training costs $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Attendees will earn 7 RAM/CMS points for this seminar. If you have any questions, contact Maggie Rickard at 305-9053 or mrickard@tbaonline.org. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Say “hello” to Bill TBA’s newest president is a family man… and a multifamily man, too

Bill Halprin’s installation at the 2009 Builders Ball was a family affair celebrated with his son, Brian; daughter, Peri; and wife, Jeri Jo.

aking the helm as Tidewater Builders Association’s 53rd president is William H. Halprin, who was installed at the annual Builders Ball at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Friday, Dec. 4. A partner and senior vice president with S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., Halprin and his wife, Jeri Jo, both have the building industry in their blood. Halprin’s grandfather, Sol Halprin, developed shopping centers in Norfolk and his name lives on at “Halprin Drive.” Meanwhile, Jeri Jo’s father, Bert Englander, was a New York City accountant who moved to Hampton Roads to work with the builders and developers who came to the area from New York in the early 1950s to build some of the area’s largest communities. Many of them helped to create a vibrant Tidewater Builders Association. At S.L. Nusbaum, Halprin keeps his schedule full as a senior vice president and director of operations for all multifamily property, which consists of overseeing the operations of 115 properties totaling about 17,644 apartments throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Maryland. He establishes policies and procedures, coordinates annual budgetary process, oversees the master insurance program, reviews and meets with local assessors on real estate assessments and taxes, conducts property reviews and handles owner inquiries. Halprin was appointed to the TBA Board of Directors in 2000 as chairman of the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council. Since then, he has served in various leadership positions. Halprin has also been involved with the Home Builders Association of Virginia, serving as a multifamily representa6

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

tive for four years and as a legislative representative in 2009. His activities with the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council have earned him honors such as Property Manager of the Year and Multifamily Executive of the Year. When asked of his proudest TBA moment, Halprin said, “being presented the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. It was an honor to be recognized by my peers.” He admits that between TBA and his duties at S.L. Nusbaum, he rarely finds time for other activities. When he does, however, the Norfolk native enjoys participating in S.L. Nusbaum’s “Relay for Life” team, as well as attempting his hand at golf and playing a little poker with the boys. As Halprin’s term begins, he answered a few questions to help give some insight into TBA’s new leader. Describe a day-in-the-life of Bill Halprin: After watching Erin Burnett’s business segment on “Morning Joe,” I proceed to the office where I oversee hundreds of millions of dollars in properties, which can be eventful, but certainly not glamorous. What’s your birthday? I am a Pisces – March 7, 1952 Where did you go to high school? Lake Taylor – “Go Titans” What were your favorite and least favorite subjects? Favorite was any subject with numbers Least favorite was any subject with words What were your extra-curricular activities in high school and in college? Dating and drinking – not necessarily in that order. What was your first job? When I was 13, I worked for “Heavenly Creations” bagging artificial hair. What was your worst job and why? I worked for the NRHA during a summer manually clipping hedges for eight hours a day. Need I say why it was the worst job? What inspired you to pursue a career in the housing industry? I contacted my good friend Alan Nusbaum about an opportunity to work with his company. He gave me a

chance to be involved with the multifamily department. Describe your perfect day off: Spending time at my beach house in the Outer Banks. I decompress as soon as I reach the bridge. Favorite hobby? Reading a good mystery while relaxing on the beach. Favorite movie? “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” I find myself quoting the lines. Favorite restaurant and food? Angelo’s in New York City has a great stuffed veal chop. Do you have any nicknames? If so, what are they? Sort of — my northern cousins who are originally from the Deep South call me “Billy Bob.” Favorite indulgence? My wife! Last smart thing you did? Went on a diet. I feel much better about myself. Biggest pet peeve? People who are always late for appointments, whether business or social. Name a famous person — past or present — that you would like to meet: Roberto Clemente. I was fascinated by the way he played baseball and he made me a long time Pittsburgh Pirates fan. When he died in a plane crash while performing a humanitarian act, I went into mourning. Achievement you’re most proud of? Helping to raise two wonderful children. What are you looking forward to the most during your term as TBA president? Opportunities to meet with political leaders and acquiring their assistance on legislation that will benefit the building industry. If there were one thing you would want TBA members to know about you, but that most people don’t know, what would it be? I am highly competitive — whether it involves business or pleasure. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Dancing the night away

The dance floor was rockin’ all night long as partygoers took to the floor with the sounds of Top 40 band Fast Forward.

bout 330 guests filled the ballroom at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront to celebrate better times “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the annual Builders Ball on Dec. 4, 2009. With the help of some friends from the silver screen (Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow) family, friends and fellow TBA members, Bill Halprin started his term as TBA president with a bang.

Despite some ribbing from fellow TBA members, President Bill Halprin of S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. showed that he can dance at the annual Builders Ball and Installation of Officers at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Dancing with Halprin is his wife, Jeri Jo. 8

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

New board director Gary McCollum of Cox Communications dances with his wife, Fredericka “Cookie” McCollum.

Caroline Forehand, Ellis Gillespie, Corinne Mostrwardi, Diane Tyler and Matt Smith celebrate the installation of S.L. Nusbaum employee Bill Halprin as president, back center, with Halprin’s wife, Jeri Jo, and daughter, Peri.

Thank you to the following sponsors: Presidential Dominion Virginia Power Hampton Roads Apartment Book S. L. Nusbaum Realty Co. Band First Atlantic Restoration Inc. Video City of Norfolk Department of Development Diamond Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group K&D Round’s Landscape Service Inc. Wine Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council

Guests danced the night away to the sounds of Fast Forward, an eight-piece Top 40 band.

(Above) after cutting up the dance floor with his wife, Bill Halprin took to the floor with his mother, Annette Halprin.

Board members line up to take their oath for another year of leadership at TBA.

2008 President Ed Sadler presents the President’s Scrapbook to 2009 President Pete A. Kotarides, left.

Platinum Caffes-Steele of Virginia Inc. National Housing Corp. Gold The Ainslie Group BMR Investments Breeden Co. Champion Utility Submetering Solutions L.L.C Cintas Corp. Coinmach Corp. Dam Neck Properties General Electric Co. Jaffe, Caplan & Fleder Karen Jaffe Kempsville Building Materials Kotarides Builders L.L.C Monarch Bank Superior Equipment Sales Inc. Williams Mullen Young’s Flooring Silver Covington & Associates Harbor Group Management Co. HD Supply The Lawson Cos. Sherwin Williams/Duron Smith & Keene Inc. Spivey Rentals Inc. WBR Insurance Bronze George G. Lee Co. Inc. HAV Inc. Sadler Building Corp. Friend of the President Allied Door & Glass JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

TBA’s 2010 Executive Committee William H. “Bill” Halprin, President

William H. “Bill” Halprin is a partner and senior vice president with S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. of Norfolk. Halprin was first appointed to the TBA Board of Directors in 2000. In 2001, Halprin was named Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council’s Multifamily Executive of the Year and in 1995 he Halprin won TMHC’s Property Manager of the Year. The Norfolk resident graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in business administration.

Charles J. “Chuck” Miller II, Vice president

Charles J. “Chuck” Miller II, president of Miller Custom Homes of Virginia Beach, has been a TBA member since 1995 and served as a TBA executive committee appointee in 2006 and 2007. Miller served as a member of the Home Builders Association of Virginia board of directors and as an HBAV Legislative RepreMiller sentative in 2009. Miller was founding chairman of TBA’s Green Building Council in 2008. He also served as chair of the TBA Membership Committee in 2002 and as vice chair in 2000 and 2001. Miller is a TBA Life Spike and has built homes in Homearama 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Miller attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University.

James E. Jackson, Associate vice president

James E. Jackson, president/CEO of Superior Equipment Sales Inc. of Chesapeake, has been a TBA member for eight years. Jackson joined the TBA board of directors in 2006 as an HBAV director. He has served as co-vice chair of the Membership/Retention Committee and Builders Ball Task Force, as well as vice chair of the Jackson Home Show Committee and co-vice chair of the Building Trades Academy Committee. The Chesapeake resident is a graduate of Virginia Tech. He is active in the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Blue Hawk, a cooperative in the HVAC industry.

S.L. “Sam” Cohen, Treasurer

Sam Cohen, president of Joey Corp. of Chesapeake, has been a member of TBA since 1990 and also served as a TBA executive committee appointee in 2007. In the coming year, Cohen will serve as the chair of the Norfolk Municipal AfCohen fairs Committee. He first joined the TBA board in 1999. Cohen has built in Homearama since 1997, served as chair of the Homearama Committee for two years and built the 2000 Charity House. Cohen also built the 2005 TBA Scholarship House to benefit the TBA Scholarship Foundation. A Chesapeake resident, Cohen serves on the board of Kempsville Church of Christ. 10

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

John F. “Jack” Schoch Jr., Secretary

John F. “Jack” Schoch Jr., president of J.F. Schoch Building Corp. of Virginia Beach, has been a member of TBA since 1994 and has served as NAHB alternate director and as cochair for the TBA Building Trades Academy Schoch Committee. Schoch has built in Homearama since 1994 and served as Homearama Committee chair in 2005 and 2006.

Pete A. Kotarides, Immediate past president

Pete A. Kotarides is a partner in Kotarides Builders. He has served on the board of directors since 1998. Kotarides’ firm was involved in Homearama in 2002 and 1998, as develKotarides oper of Warrington Hall and builder of the Charity House in 1998. His firm also built the 2007 Scholarship House to benefit the TBA Scholarship Foundation. The Virginia Beach resident is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in commerce and is active in the University of Virginia Alumni Club of Tidewater, Greater Norfolk Corporation and HRACRE. Steven E. Lawson, Executive committee appointee Steven E. Lawson, president of The Lawson Cos., Virginia Beach, will be serving his second year as executive committee appointee. Lawson joined TBA in 1993 and was named to the TBA Board of Directors in 2007. He has served as a member of NAHB’s Housing Finance CommitLawson tee and Mortgage Roundtable, as well as chairman of the NAHB Housing Credit Group, the NAHB Multifamily Finance Subcommittee and the NAHB Affordable Housing Subcommittee. The Virginia Beach resident earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering and a master’s in business administration from Duke University. Locally, he is involved in include the Virginia Beach Foundation, the Nancy Bush Lawson Memorial Fund and the Virginia Beach Workforce Housing Working Group.

Dennis M. Graf, Executive committee appointee

Dennis M. Graf, president of Graf Construction Co., has been a member of the TBA Board since 2002. He built the 2001 Charity House for Homearama, and has also built in the 1999 and 2000 Homearamas. Graf also served five consecuGraf tive terms as co-chair of the Charity Golf Committee. This is his second year as chair. The Chesapeake resident earned his mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech.

New TBA directors appointed

ach year, Tidewater Builders Association appoints eight members — four builders and four associates — to serve on its Board of Directors for two-year terms. A total of 16 members serve as elected directors, half of which are newly appointed and the other half are fulfilling the second year of their terms. The newly installed TBA builder and associate directors highlighted here are joining builder directors Christopher J. Ettel of VB Homes; Pete O. Kotarides of Kotarides Builders LLC; Steven E. Lawson of The Lawson Cos.; and Lucky C. Peterson of Terry/Peterson Residential Cos.; and associate directors G. Robert Aston Jr. of TowneBank; J. Gregory Dodd of Horton & Dodd P.C.; and Edward O. Yoder of Monarch Mortgage. Robert M. Boyd of BB&T of Virginia is new to the board and will complete the unexpired term of Samuel G. Scott. The 2010 NAHB directors for TBA are Jeffrey W. Ainslie, William H. Halprin, William “Toby” Harris, John W. “Chip” Iuliano III and John E. Olivieri. The 2010 NAHB alternate directors for TBA are W. Trent

Richard L. “Tuck” Bowie, builder director

The 1994 TBA past president Tuck Bowie returned to the Board of Directors in 2008 after a brief absence. He chairs Bowie the Suffolk, Franklin and Southampton County Municipal Affairs Committee, which he has chaired since 2003. He also chaired the TBA 50th Anniversary Task Force and is a member of TBA’s Political Action Committee. Bowie is also serving his second term as vice chair of the Developers Council this year. He is president and CEO of the Terry/Peterson Residential Cos., which for 20 years has developed and built award-winning communities in Virginia and North Carolina. Bowie, a Virginia Beach resident, is a VMI graduate and active with the local Habitat for Humanity.

Scott G. Brooker, builder director

Brooker

Scott G. Brooker joined the TBA Board of Directors in 2009. He has been a TBA member for four years and is president

Dudley, Larry R. Hill, I. Reese Smith Jr., Erin Widener Speckhart and Norfolk City Councilman Donald L. Williams. The 2010 HBAV directors for TBA are John W. Ainslie Jr., William H. Halprin, Pete A. Kotarides, Charles J. Miller II, John C. Napolitano and Richard E. Olivieri. Paulette M. Frantz will serve as HBAV associate director. Christopher J. Dembitz will serve a third consecutive term as HBAV multifamily representative. New to the board are Donald L. Landle of Case Handyman & Remodeling, who will be serving as chair of the Remodelers Council, and Michael R. Devine of S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., who will be serving as chair of the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council. Michael D. Newsome will serve a seventh term as TBA Scholarship Foundation chair and C. Grigsby Scifres will be serving his 10th consecutive term as TBA general counsel. Highlighted below are the newly-elected Board of Director members. Dennis Graf, who is also serving as an executive committee appointee, will also be beginning a two-year term as a builder director in 2010.

of SGB Homes, a single-family home builder with branches in remodeling and light commercial construction. Brooker will be serving his second term as vice chair of the Scholarship Selection Subcommittee. He also built in the 2009 Homearama. Brooker is involved with Habitat for Humanity and Equi-Kids. He has received Generous Support Awards from Habitat for Humanity in 2007 and 2008. He also is a member of the Spike Club.

Stephen B. Quick IV, builder director

Stephen B. Quick IV is owner of Stephen Alexander Homes L.L.C., a family-owned home building firm in ChesaQuick peake. A long-time TBA member, Quick has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. In 2010, he will be serving his fifth consecutive term as chair of the Chesapeake Municipal Affairs Committee. He also has served on the Membership & Retention committee. Quick’s company has won several Stanley New Home Awards. He also built in the 2009 Homearama.

In the community, Quick serves on the Board of Directors of the REN (Reaching Emerging Nations) Group and is active in Sovereign Grace Church.

Robert M. “Bob” Boyd, associate director

Robert M. “Bob” Boyd, president of the Hampton Roads region of BB&T of Virginia, is new to the Board of DiBoyd rectors. Locally, Boyd has served as a chairman of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, chairman of the Development Committee of the ACCESS College Foundation, chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, as well as on committees with the Children’s Health Systems Inc., the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and WHRO. He also is on the Board of Trustees with the Chrysler Museum and on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Arts Festival. Hampton Roads Partnership and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. The Virginia Beach resident graduated with a bachelor of arts from Denison (continued on page 12) JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

New TBA directors (continued from page 11) University, as well as graduating from Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He also has a master of business administration from the College of William & Mary.

Thomas W. Dye, associate director

Thomas W. Dye, branch manager for Ferguson Enterprises Inc. of Virginia Beach, served as TBA associate vice president in 2007 and 2008. Dye He was first named to the TBA Board of Directors in 2005, chaired the Home Show Committee from 2005 to 2008 and served on the Picnic Committee from 1999 to 2004. The Virginia Beach resident has a business degree from Radford University. Quick

Scott M. Gandy, associate director

Scott M. Gandy, principal of Kempsville Building Materials of Chesapeake, has been a TBA member since Gandy 1974. Gandy will be serving as co-chair of the building Trades Academy Committee in 2010. He served four consecutive terms as co-vice chair. Gandy first served as an associate director in 1997. He was TBA’s associate vice president in 1998 and 1999. Gandy also has served on the Membership and Retention committee, the Home Show committee and as the co-vice chair for the TBA Building Trades Academy committee.

Gary T. McCollum, associate director

Gary T. McCollum, senior vice president and general manager at Cox Communications Inc. is new to the Board of DiMcCollum rectors and TBA. Before joining Cox Communications, McCollum served in

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

the U.S. Army and is currently serving as major in the U.S. Army Reserves. McCollum is also involved in the George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees, Joe Gibb’s Youth for Tomorrow Advisory Council, the Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program and is also a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. McCollum graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor of arts in Russian studies and political science. He also has a master of business administration in telecommunications from the University of Connecticut.

Brenda K. Reid, associate director

Brenda K. Reid is director of the New Homes Division for William E. Wood and Associates. She has more than 20 Reid years experience in new construction sales and marketing. This is Reid’s second term on the Board of Directors. Reid will be serving a second term as chair of the Homearama Awards Subcommittee. She served as vice chair for six years before being named chair. The Virginia Beach resident also serves on the Board of Directors for Thalia Elementary Parent Teacher Association and Richards’ Friends. Reid is a 1990 Virginia Wesleyan College graduate with a management degree.

Michael L. Devine, Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council chair

Michael L. Devine is vice president of S. L. Nusbaum Realty Co. and co-director of the HampDevine ton Roads multifamily portfolio and is serving his first term with the Board of Directors. A member of TBA since the early 1980s, Devine has served as vice chair

of the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council Executive Committee since 2007. He has also served on the Institute of Real Estate Management Chapter 30 Executive Committee. Locally, he is involved in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and is also a Norfolk Chapter Committee member of Ducks Unlimited. The Virginia Beach resident graduated from Washington & Lee University with a bachelor of arts degree.

Donald L. Landle, Remodelers Council chair

Donald L. Landle is vice president of production at Case Handyman and Remodeling. Landle is serving his first term on the Board of Directors and has been a member Landle of TBA since 1990. He served as vice chair of the Remodelers Council in 2008 and 2009 and as treasurer in 2007. Locally, Landle is involved with the Cub Scouts Pack 824 and Boy Scout Troop 824. The Chesapeake resident graduated from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners apprenticeship program.

Support our advertisers! ffff If you would like to get your products and services noticed by your building industry peers, contact Kim Powers at 305-9029 (kpowers@tbaonline.org) or Leigh Ann Sirmans at 305-9016 (lsirmans@tbaonline.org)

TBA 2010 Chairs/Vice Chairs BIG HOME SHOWS COMMITTEE Chair: Jim Jackson Vice Chair: Gary McCollum Staffed by: Sandra Amidon

GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL Chair: Allen Loree Vice Chair: Kathy Browning Staffed by: Claudia Cotton

BUILDERS BALL TASK FORCE Chair: Chuck Miller Vice Chair: Sam Cohen Staffed by: Joyce Hearn

MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP RETENTION COMMITTEE Chair: Chuck Miller Co-Vice Chairs: Jim Jackson and Sam Cohen Staffed by: Joyce Hearn

BUILDing Trades Academy Committee Co -Chairs: Sam Cohen & Scott Gandy Staffed by: Tony Davis CHARITY GOLF COMMITTEE Chair: Dennis Graf Co-Vice Chairs: Dick Adams and Jean Brackins Staffed by: Tony Davis DEVELOPERS COUNCIL Chair: John Olivieri Vice Chair: Tuck Bowie Staffed by: Claudia Cotton

PAC FALL GOLF OUTING COMMITTEE Chair: Lucky Peterson Vice Chair: Paulette Frantz Staffed by: Claudia Cotton POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Chair: Vince Napolitano Vice Chair: Bill Halprin Staffed by: Claudia Cotton

REMODELERS COUNCIL Chair: Don Landle Vice Chair: Frank Sgromolo Staffed by: Claudia Cotton SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Chair: Michael Newsome Staffed by: Mary Prier YOUNG DESIGNERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION SUBCOMMITTEE Chair: Chris Ettel Staffed by: Mary Prier TBA ANNUAL PICNIC COMMITTEE Chair: Paulette Frantz Vice Chair: Mike Devine Staffed by: Sandra Amidon TIDEWATER MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COUNCIL Chair: Mike Devine Vice Chair: Kathy Scott Staffed by: Claudia Cotton

Visit www.tbaonline.org for a complete listing of committees.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

TBA Calendar of Events for 2010 JANUARY 19-22 NAHB International Builders’ Show, Las Vegas 5-7 8 10 11 18

FEBRUARY Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show Virginia Beach Convention Center TBA Board of Directors meeting New member orientation Lets Make a Deal Quarterly Builder Breakfast

APRIL 7-8 DIRECTDrive Membership Training/Retention Boot Camp, Richmond 14 New member orientation 5 7 8-23 10 19-20 27

MAY TBA Charity Golf Tournament Spring Homearama Gala Charity Preview, Founders Pointe Spring Homearama, Founders Pointe TBA Board of Directors/Cornerstone Foundation Mid-Year Reception, Seinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn DIRECTDrive membership campaign Quarterly Builder Breakfast

2 9 11

JUNE Scholarship awards breakfast, Town Point Club New member orientation TBA Annual Picnic TBA Board of Directors meeting

Exciting News!

JULY 22 TMHC Associates Showcase/Awards Banquet/RAM Graduation, Virginia Beach Convention Center 11 13 14-29 19

AUGUST New member orientation Summer/Fall Homearama Gala Charity Preview Summer/Fall Homearama Quarterly Builder Breakfast

SEPTEMBER 9 PAC Fall Golf Outing TBA Board of Directors meeting NOVEMBER 10 New member orientation 11 TBA 4th Quarter Board of Directors meeting 18 Quarterly Builder Breakfast

The Green Building Council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. in the TBA boardroom. The Remodelers Council meets on the second Wednesday of every month at TBA at 5:30 p.m. The Developers Council meets on the third Thursday of every month at 8:30 a.m. in the TBA boardroom. ~ALL DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE~

TBA announces spring 2010 Homearama May 8-23, 2010

Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County

great ways to get your business out there. 1. Sponsorship 2. Exhibit space 3. Plan Book For more about the community, visit www.founderspointe.com The site is located off Route 17, just three miles south of the James River Bridge, or 10 miles north of I-664. It’s 15 minutes from Hampton and 25 minutes from downtown Norfolk. 14

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

TBA awards its Members of the Year

Grig Scifres, right, and wife Dawn share a moment following his Member of the Year Award at the annual Builders Ball.

Emil Viola received the Member of the Year Award for his many contributions to TBA throughout the year. With Viola is his wife, Geneva.

The Virginian-Pilot’s Home section editor Victoria Hecht was awarded the Homearama Extra Mile Award for her coverage of the showcase of homes.

Behind-the-scenes members take center stage for going the extra mile

ach year, TBA honors a member who has provided service to the industry above and beyond the call of duty. This year, two members were honored for their contributions to TBA with the Member of the Year Award. They are TBA’s general counsel Grig Scifres of Williams Mullen and Emil Viola of Vico Construction. The VirginianPilot’s Home editor Victoria Hecht was also honored with the Homearama Extra Mile Award. Grig Scifres

With banks under increasing government scrutiny, it has become more difficult for builders to obtain financing or renegotiate their loans. Scifres volunteered his time to counsel builder members on weathering the difficult economic climate. As co-chair of the financial services team at Williams Mullen law firm in Virginia Beach, Scifres focuses his practice on financing, creditors’ rights, commercial and real estate law and is intimately familiar with the banking industry. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Banking and Virginia Legal Elite for Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights. In addition to preparing several presentations for builder groups, Scifres also met with them individually and confidentially, helping them to better understand how to negotiate with bankers and measures that they can take to reposition their businesses during this economic downturn.

Emil Viola

Although Vico Construction’s Emil Viola has been a TBA member for years, he came forward this year to go the extra mile. When TBA headquarters underwent a renovation, Viola sent out his crews to repave the parking lot at no cost. He also helped TBA to receive a substantial discount on the topcoat and striping. Viola was also called in at the 11th hour to do the lot preparation for the Homes for Our Troops project in Chesapeake after the original contractor was unable to take care of it. The home was contributed to a wounded veteran of the Iraq war. And, as he has done for Homearama so many times in the past, Viola kept his eye on the weather and stood ready to help with the parking areas when rain threatened. Victoria Hecht

Homearama was a bright spot during a challenging year for the housing industry. Eight of the 12 showcase homes had sold after the show ended and visitors turned out in droves, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback. This year’s coverage in The Virginian-Pilot created a buzz and brought out the visitors. Anyone who picked up the Saturday Home section Oct. 3 or 10 knew that Homearama was in full swing, thanks to the efforts of Home editor Victoria Hecht. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

This colorful event is designed to stimulate new ideas and inspiration for the home and garden, just in time for consumers to start planning for those spring remodeling and landscaping projects. It’s the fourth year that TBA has joined with The Virginia Horticultural Foundation to present one of the largest consumer events in the area. Presented by Belgard Hardscapes, it is one of 30 events selected for The National Home and Garden Show Series with PremierHomeShows.com, sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens magazines. A free subcription to the magazine is available with online ticket purchases. The show is expected to draw over 25,000 guests and feature hundreds of products and services exhibits for the home. If you would like to participate, please contact Kim Powers at 757-305-9029 or Leigh Ann Sirmans at 757-305-9016.

Dr. Lori offers up free appraisals

Presented by

The Virginia Beach Convention Center Get more information at www.tbaonline.org Friday, Feb. 5

Saturday, Feb. 6

Sunday, Feb. 7

10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission: TBA members each receive 2 free tickets in the mail and can purchase for $7 in advance. Volume discount: 25 or more $5 each 50 or more $4 each Regular price: $10 for adults Free for children age 12 and under.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Active-duty military and senior citizens will receive a $5 discount on Friday and $3 during the weekend. A $3 discount coupon is also available at www.tbaonline.org. Parking is free.

The nationally known antique expert travels the country telling people the truth about their “treasures.” In a Home and Flower Show version of an antique road show, Dr. Lori will provide one free appraisal to each show guest in her “What is it worth?” sessions from the Belgard Idea Stage each day. Dr. Lori’s columns about antiques, travel and home and garden design are read nationwide in more than 85 publications reaching more than 8 million readers monthly. She is also an editor of several lifestyle magazines and has authored 30 books.

For the pet lovers An online contest to name the region’s top pet is under way on the Virginia Beach SPCA Web site and the finalists

will compete for People’s Choice honors at the Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show. Enter your pet’s photo online at www. vbspca.com, then ask friends and family to vote for your photo by making a tax-deductible donation to the Virginia Beach SPCA. The photo entry with the most votes will be named Tidewater’s Top Pet. Winners will be announced at the event at 2 p.m. Sunday. The SPCA is also hosting an “Ask the Experts Corner,” where pet experts can help visitors to better understand their animal companions, with “Ask the vet” on Friday, “Ask the communicator” on Saturday and “Ask the trainer” on Sunday.

Can-do designers

For nearly two decades, Pat Simpson has been recognized as national television’s home building and remodeling expert. When the HGTV network launched in 1994, Pat hosted one of the first series in their lineup. With his knowledge and laid-back style, he quickly became home improvement’s real deal. He continues to be a regular guest on national television and he still operates a remodeling business. Simpson grew up near Montgomery, Ala., lived in south Atlanta for 17 years and is now lives on an island in Orange Beach, Ala., on the Gulf of Mexico. He responded to questions from The Tidewater Builder:

Three local high schools will be vying for top honors in a CANstruction design competition featuring canned goods to be donated to the Southeastern Virginia FoodBank. Pictured at a planning session are – back row: Chuck Dyer, Tallwood High School; Karen Clements, food and fund drive coordinator, FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia; and Debbie Mergi, manager of commuinty events, FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia. Front row: Cecilia Hess, Ocean Lakes High School; Mark Hinckley of Clark Nexsen - CANstruction coordinator; and Kathy Willis, Western Branch High School.

Getting into the “green zone” TBA’s Green Building Council members will feature displays on how to create a greener home, with special seminars scheduled throughout the event.

How did you get into remodeling and television? All of my building knowledge was learned from my Dad and friends who were builders. By the time I was 15, I had helped him and my brother build boat docks, lake homes and furniture. In 1988, I went to work for a company in the lumber industry and this company saw an opportunity to buy a television production facility. My employer knew that I had built every type of home-related structure, so they asked me to co-host a show on The Nashville Network. Then in 1995 when HGTV launched, they contacted us and asked that we produce shows for them. I ended up hosting and co-producing three series: “Fix-It-Up”, “Room To Improve” and “Before & After.”

Plus!

What are some of the most common misconceptions consumers have about remodeling?

A full schedule of children’s activities.

Many consumers think remodeling is easier than building a new structure.

Remodeling can often bring “surprises” to homeowners. Unknowns behind walls, ceilings and floors can sometimes challenge a budget. And, many consumers feel they can save money by doing it themselves. If they have advanced experience in building, then they probably will save, but if they are novices, chances are good they need to call a professional. What advice do you have for those in the remodeling profession today? Have a business plan, don’t underestimate or under-bid a job, and don’t buy heavy equipment that you can easily rent. What are the biggest challenges the profession is facing? Building material costs are higher and disproportionate with what contractors are able to charge in a healing economy. And unqualified and inexperienced individuals calling themselves contractors, bidding jobs too low, and ultimately leaving the customer unsatisfied. What are common pitfalls to avoid as a remodeler? Inexperienced labor; unkept deadlines and promises and improperly budgeting a job. Are there any mistakes you made that we could learn from? I’ll share some of them at the show. Simpson will be offering two presentations during the show. • “Small projects... big impacts! Easy and inexpensive projects” covers practical ways to improve the comfort, the functionality and the value of your home. • “How well do you really know your tools – Name that tool” is a high-energy audience participation presentation where Simpson ties in a related true story and lesson with each tool, widget or gadget presented.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

reduce the use of harmful landscaping chemicals. • “Herbal sauces, sorbets and ice cream” Learn how to create herbal sauces for ice cream and other desserts. • “What’s going on under your bloomers?” Learn how to avoid a garden of disappointment by using plants and techniques that will create color interest.

Get inspired for greatness

Laugh about landscaping Laugh and learn with Don Engebretson, the Renegade Gardener, as he presents advice on landscape design, container gardening and blunders to avoid. Engebretson, who is rapidly becoming one of America’s best-known gardening authorities, appears on television as a gardening and landscape design expert on HGTV’s “TIPical MaryEllen” and PBSTV’s “HOMETIME.” His humorous, opinionated work as a garden writer for regional and national publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Garden, Deck & Landscape and others is also garnering national attention. What is renegade gardening? It isn’t always easy, Engebretson says, but mind your back, and the process is guaranteed to be a hoot. Engebretson will present two topics at the MidAtlantic Home and Flower Show: • Crafting Cool & Creative Containers: A hands-on presentation that teaches homeowners everything they need to know to create dazzling, out-of-thebox container arrangements. • Yes You Can! Landscape Design for Homeowners: Guides homeowners through the design process and instills the knowledge and confidence needed to create the beautiful yard, garden and landscape. 18

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Topiary expert and documentary star Pearl Fryar will inspire homeowners to create their own masterpiece in “The art of topiary” on the Belgard Idea Stage.

• “East meets west: A Ming Dynasty Chinese scholar’s garden” Step back in time to the Ming Dynasty’s garden complete with authentic wood, construction methods, plants and gardens.

Fryar has been an inspiration for people for more than 20 years, as he shares his journey from being a sharecropper’s son to becoming a self-taught, internationally acclaimed horticulturalist. Fryar was also the focus of a 2005 documentary, “A Man Named Pearl,” which spotlights his journey from rising above hardship to following his passion and setting his sights on personal excellence.

Signs of spring are everywhere Local horticultural experts will fill homeowners’ senses with an array of informative seminars on everything for their home gardening needs. Some of the topics include: • “Color in the landscape” Learn how to select, use and combine colors in gardens. • “Clean green – making green cleaning products” Learn how to make environmentally friendly cleaning products. • “Making your own barrel compost tumbler” Homeowners will learn how to make a barrel composter and compost for their gardening needs. • “Green care for your landscape – the way nature intended” Learn how to

Colorful gardens spring to life Local landscaping and design companies will feed homeowners’ senses and tempt them for spring with their lavish display gardens. Homeowners will journey from a hard day’s work to Tuscany, the moon and more to enjoy some comfort, solitude and solid ground in these retreats! Participating in the garden displays are: K&D Round’s Landscape Services; Terra Firma Landscaping; Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc.; Winesett Nursery; Becker Landscaping and Tree Service; Jack Frost Landscapes and Gardens; Coastal Landscapes Inc.; Beach Groundworks Inc.; Conceptual Outdoor Design; Dreamscape Designers and Xteriors.

Other highlights include: The popular Artist Alley depicting horticultural themes or take home a piece of spring with some fresh floral arrangements from the flower market. And don’t miss the floral design competitions!

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Shades of Green

By Allen Loree, GBC chairman

Builders team up to stop termite problems in their tracks

hat in the world do termites have to do with green building? Recently, concern has risen over the possible problems that can arise in regard to termites and encapsulated crawl spaces. Encapsulated crawl spaces, also known as closed crawl space or conditioned crawl space, refer to a system of sealing the crawlspace with a vapor barrier and insulating the vertical walls of the crawlspace instead of the floor, which can result in an energy savings of 10 percent to 15 percent when installed in a systems approach. For years, ventilation from the outside has been the standard for controlling moisture in crawl spaces. However, in more humid regions, this can worsen moisture problems. Yet research has found that crawl spaces without vents to the outside can improve moisture control and provide energy savings. As builders, we aim to give our clients the best sealed home possible. However, if we insulate and cover the entire wall, pest inspectors can’t do their job when inspecting for termite activity. This in turn may hold up closing on a home and can even void some termite warranties. To sort this out, members of Tidewater Builders Association on behalf of the Green Building Council recently sat down with code officials from Norfolk, and members of the Hampton Roads Realtors Association, Tidewater Pest Control Association and Real Estate Information Network to agree on a plan of action. It turns out that while not perfect, the solution may be quite simple. By leaving a 3-inch inspection area between the top of the block and the sill plate, everybody gets what they need without sacrificing the quality that the consumer deserves. However, other points that should also be considered include the following items of note, which were taken from Advanced Energy’s “Recommended strategies for avoiding problems and providing quality assurance in conditioned crawlspaces.” • Leave a minimum 3-inch inspection gap between the top of the wall insulation and the top of the masonry wall. 20

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

• Leave a 3-inch wicking gap between the bottom of the wall insulation and the crawl space floor surface . • Insulate the band joist with batt insulation to facilitate removal and reinsertion during pest control inspections. • Control moisture vapor in the crawl space with supply air from the house air conditioning system. • Grade the crawl space floor to one or more low points. Provide drain(s) or sump pump(s) at lowest point(s). Slope drains to daylight and include an accessible backflow valve. • Coordinate with your pest management professional to ensure that the closed crawl space system does not interfere with their treatment or affect their warranty. • Mechanically fasten the liner material to the perimeter wall in addition to sealing it to the wall. • Protect 6-mil unreinforced polyethylene ground vapor retarders to avoid damage in areas that will be accessed for servicing of mechanical equipment. • Install a monitoring system to inform the homeowner of relative humidity levels in the crawl space. • Install a water alarm to inform the homeowner of a buildup of liquid water in the crawl space • Post a sign informing anyone entering the crawl space of the system components maintaining the integrity of the system. • Offer a repair kit for fixing small amounts of damage to the vapor retarder after the house is occupied • Offer an annual monitoring service to replace batteries in monitoring systems and check the crawl space. • Consider a guarantee that relative humidity will be maintained below an agreed-upon target (typically 70 percent or lower) over specified periods of time with exceptions for water leaks or intrusion outside their control Loree is the chairman of the Green Building Council, which meets on the first Thursday of every month in the TBA boardroom. The next meeting will be on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Patrice Kyle at 305-9015 or pkyle@tbaonline.org. Loree used information from “A Quick Reference on Closed Crawl Spaces” in this column.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Counsel ’s Insights

By C. Grigsby Scifres

Kick off 2010 by planning for new beginnings

s business owners embark on a new fiscal year, it is always prudent to be sure your business is on a firm footing. This is even more important in the challenging economic times confronting all of us today. Below are a few suggestions about areas to consider at the outset of the new fiscal year.

Business documentation

Review all of your business formation documents, annual minutes and governmental filings to be sure that you are observing all required business formalities. Consider whether existing buy-sell provisions in your formation documents are

still relevant. If you have not addressed these issues among the business owners, now is the time to have a candid conversation. If your buy-sell pricing provisions are based on an annually agreed value for the business, then make sure you have updated and documented a current value.

Employment matters

Revisit your employee manuals and hiring policies — particularly in connection with immigration compliance — for compliance with current legal requirements. This area of the law is rapidly evolving and often results in unpleasant surprises to business owners that have not stayed abreast of the changes. If a reduc-

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tion in force is on the horizon as you align revenue and expenses, then be sure you have obtained competent legal advice before implementing any layoffs. Also consider whether key employees should sign nondisclosure and noncompetition agreements to protect against the value of your business assets (e.g., trade secrets, customer lists, business models and plans and other proprietary assets) heading out the door if a key employee is either discharged or decides to make a career move.

Intellectual property

Consider whether you have properly protected the value of your company’s intellectual property (e.g., trade names, trade marks, service marks, patents and copyrightable materials) from infringement by competitors. Similarly, give some thought to whether you have sufficient licenses for any software or other intellectual property that belongs to a third party and that is integral to the operation of your business.

Financial statements

Jesse James BUSINESS AC C OUNT EXECUTIVE for

Tidewater Builders Association

757.572.5813 j e ss e. j ame s @ spr i nt . c om

Review your year-end balance sheet and income statement and your 2010 cash flow projection, for consistency and accuracy. Similarly, business owners should update their personal financial statements and make sure that their personal financial statements are consistent with the assets and liabilities shown on the company’s balance sheet. Contingent liabilities (e.g., personal guaranties) and any potential income tax refunds generated by business operating losses should be reflected on the personal financial statements.

Indebtedness • Act now, limited time offer.

december 2009

Review the key provisions of any institutional debt that applies to your business (e.g., maturity dates, pricing, finan-

cial covenants, representations and warranties and events of default). Make sure the company is — and will remain — in compliance with the covenants, representations and warranties contained in your financing documents. If you need waivers or modifications from your lenders to remain in compliance or because changes in your business merit adjustment, then develop a plan to approach your lender to request and obtain those modifications. Maintaining good relationships with your lenders, which are a key source of capital for any business, is valuable under normal economic conditions but critical in today’s environment. Make a list of all of the business debt that has been personally guaranteed (leases, vendor credit applications, bank debt, etc.) and make sure that you fully understand what obligations have been personally guaranteed. It’s commonplace for business owners to sign personal guaranties on vendor credit applications or on various iterations of bank documents without keeping track of what obligations have been personally guaranteed.

Business plan

With your financial statements and cash flow projections in hand, revisit and update your business plan for 2010 and beyond. Make modifications to conform to existing market realities. If you do not have a written plan for your business, then invest the time to prepare one. The old adage still rings true today, “if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” As you work through these fundamental steps for business success, make sure that you have involved competent professional advisers such as a certified public accountant, an attorney, your banker and others as needed. Look for ways to minimize risks and take advantage of opportunities in the current economy. C. Grigsby Scifres, a partner in the Virginia Beach office of the law firm of Williams Mullen, is Tidewater Builders Association’s general counsel. Scifres specializes in finance, real estate and creditor’s rights matters. He can be reached at gscifres@williamsmullen.com or (757) 473-5370. december 2009

Rockin’ around the Elizabeth River

TMHC celebrates the season’s festivities aboard the Spirit of Norfolk

ore than 200 members of Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council hopped aboard the Spirit of Norfolk on Dec. 10 to celebrate the holiday season and the end of 2009. Cocktails, lunch and dancing was to be had by all, but only a few lucky people took home some raffle prizes, courtesy of the following companies: First Atlantic Restoration Inc.; Hampton Roads Apartment Book; James River Grounds Management Inc.; Move.Com and ServPro of Chesapeake/ServPro of Hampton.

1 4

2 1. Partygoers kicked off the festivities with streamers, which were placed on each table. 2. Pete Tortolini, Kelly Beck and Liz Rollins of Cox Communications take some time out of the office for some socializing and dancing aboard the Spirit of Norfolk.

3. The DJ opened the dance floor with his version of “Danc-

ing with the Stars” where selected audience members were given 30 seconds to woo the judges with their dance skills. Alexis Benjamin of The Lawson Cos. won the dance off with her version of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”

4. And the

winner of the golden raffle ticket is… Chris Dembitz of Clark Whitehill Enterprises Inc. played raffle emcee for the afternoon’s festivities aboard the Spirit of Norfolk.

5. The dance floor got bumping with a little electric slide, which proved to be a crowd favorite.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Scholarship Foundation

Acts of kindness

Thank you to the following individuals who contributed to Tidewater Builders Association’s Scholarship Foundation. Howard M. Weisberg, who was instrumental in establishing the foundation in 1965, and his wife, Nancye C. Weisberg, donated $2,500. Weisberg also is father of Michael Newsome, the scholarship foundation chairman of the past seven years. Nathan and Beth Jaffe contributed in honor of Bill Halprin’s recent installation as 2010 TBA president. Nathan Jaffe and Halprin work together at S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. The contribution will go toward the Tidewater Multifamily Housing Council annual scholarship. Lastly, Sara Kotarides, wife of 2009 TBA President Pete A. Kotarides, forewent the annual gift given to the wife of the outgoing president and instead asked that the money be donated to the TBA Scholarship Foundation. Since 1965, the TBA Scholarship Foundation has provided $1.47 million in financial assistance to 395 students.

Scholarship applications are now available

Do you know a local high school senior going to college who needs financial assistance? Is so, please visit TBA’s Web site at www.tbaonline.org. Under the scholarship link, there is an application and information that can be printed out. Senior guidance counselors at all local high schools and ACACESS college advisers also should have the applications and information. All applications must be received by April 16. For information about the Scholarship Foundation, please contact Mary Hearring at 305-9034 or mhearring@ tbaonline.org.

National spotlight on TBA builders The Mothership named Green Home of the Year The Mothership was named Green Builder magazine’s 2009 Green Home of the Year. The Georgian-style, 6,571-square-foot, five-bedroom home was built by TBA member Chuck Miller for the 2008 Homearama at Ashville Park in Virginia Beach. “Being selected from a national pool of renowned builders means a great deal,” Miller said in a VirginianPilot article about his selection. “It says a lot about what we have to offer right here in Hampton Roads.” The home has several energy-saving features and was featured in the December issue of Green Builder. “He (Miller) created some amazing designs and made sure to incorporate a green feature into everything,” said Green Builder magazine editor-in-chief Cati O’Keefe in the article. “He made sure to create healthy indoor air quality while designing a beautiful living space.” To read the entire story, visit www.greenbuildermag.com. Homearama 2008 house takes home the gold The national spotlight is also shining on Ken Cohen, president of Cohen Homes LLC. His 2008 Homearama entry, The Van Gogh at Ashville Park, won the gold 2009 Best in American Living Award, BALA, for best detail in a custom home category. “The Tidewater area has not been known as a design Mecca of late, subsequently, to be chosen for a national design gold award is truly an honor,” said Cohen. BALA, which is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine, has been recognized as the pinnacle of achievement in residential design for 26 years. “I have visited many lovely homes throughout the country and noted that the ceilings in our area are not being utilized as a design element,” said Cohen about why he chose to spotlight the details on the stairway. “I started with the ceiling concept and for size constraints chose a circular shape. In addition, round shapes are better received by the majority of humans as they better relate to our own body shapes.” Cohen’s design, as well as other winning BALA projects, will be featured in the February issue of Professional Builder magazine and on HousingZone.com. To submit items for Shop Talk, e-mail the items to Sara Steil at ssteil@tbaonline.com or by fax at 420-5539. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Advertorial

Here’s to an even more successful 2010 By Melissa Venable

about the environment. We care about It’s 2010 and we have made it! We our neighbors, our friends and military would like to offer a big thank you to families looking to buy their little piece all of our loyal clients of the dream. That may be a condominiand to our new clium in Chesapeake, a single-family home ents for sticking with with a nice rear yard in Virginia Beach us through 2009. We or a part of a traditional neighborhood made it through in one development or planned unit developpiece, literally, and are ment where you can walk to the local looking forward to a wine shop and the neighborhood kids better 2010! Venable can play together in the town green. Enthusiastically, we We research and were involved with develop great, sound Homearama 2009 at ideas that are successCulpepper Landing ful, and we work hard in Chesapeake. We We do our research and to make them happen. are continuing our You can look at work with Robinson find what the buying growth from several Development Group generations are looking angles; more developas this site grows and for and where they are ment the same stale prospers. We have way, easily approved also done quite a bit looking to live. We baland somewhat acceptof work in Elizabeth ance the municipalities’ able. Or you can supCity and Currituck needs with the developport positive growth. County, North CarGrowth must happen, olina, as well as in ers’ needs, but most even more, we want it Hampton, Newport importantly, we do not to happen because the News, Virginia Beach, reverse is detrimenforget about the famPortsmouth and Suftal. So as we grow, we folk. We have conily that will one day call strive to make it the tinued working with this place home. very best place that it several new builders can be. We do our reand developers and search and find what have formed wonderthe buying generations ful new relationships are looking for and where they are lookbecause of it. ing to live. We balance the municipaliWe believe that our success and ties’ needs with the developers’ needs, steadfastness is due to a few very simple but most importantly, we do not forget but powerful ideals. LPS is composed of about the family that will one day call loyal employees, and we are passionate this place home. about development, people and creating Thank you to our clients — new and great places! old. May 2010 be all that we have hoped Not only do we care about the folks for and may success find you. we are working with, but also we care

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Builder Services Success Story

Break-ins leave builders in need of more patrols Parties impacted Ashling Homes and other area builders Advocate Margaret Garner Issue A string of break-ins left Garner, as well as several other builders, with property damage and missing appliances in their new homes. When Garner asked the police for increased patrols in the area, they told her it would be almost impossible due to limited budget. Action taken Garner contacted Builder Services, who in turn discussed with city officials how the high costs associated with repairing the damage and replacing the appliances added costs in an already challenged market.

Result The police department increased patrols in the neighborhood and other new subdivisions. Garner has not had any issues since the increased patrols. Comment “I thought it went rather smoothly,” said Garner. “Builder Services got back to me and contacted the city. I was glad to see that people were being proactive in the issue because it wasn’t just me… but other builders have also had the same thing happen.” If you or your company has a building or development issue you would like help resolving or a question you need answered, please contact TBA’s Builder Services Specialist Patrice Kyle at 305-9015, or pkyle@tbaonline.org.

Did you know that as a member of the National Association of Home Builders, you could be saving money on everyday purchases? As an NAHB benefit, members have access to discounts and savings opportunities offered by many top companies. For deals with participating companies and the most up-to-date details on the Member Advantage discount program, visit www.nahb.org/ma.

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Big Picture

TBA Calendar January

Jeanell Willis of Coastal Lighting & Supply demonstrates how to operate lighting equipment at the Remodelers Council holiday social. The Remodelers Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, please contact Maggie Rickard at 305-9053 or mrickard@ tbaonline.org.

Welcome new members Associate

February 4

Green Building Council meeting

5-7 Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show, Virginia Beach Convention Center 8 TBA Executive Committee meeting

TBA Board of Directors meeting

10 Remodelers Council meeting

Maxwell Landscape Service Grounds maintenance; landscaping and sodding Warren Harding............... (757) 548-7737

builders A. Strickland Construction Builders/developers; remodeling; restoration and building repair Alan Strickland................ (757) 233-1289 www.astricklandconstruction.com

Ebb Tide Construction & Development LLC Builders/developers; construction management L. Keith Greer.................. (757) 855-8559 Luke Construction Builders/developers; remodeling; restoration and building repair David Luke......................(757) 635-0634

Here to stay Associates BMR Investments Caffes-Steele of Virginia Inc. Century 21 Nachman Realty Champion Utility Submetering Solutions LLC Coastal Home Mortgage LLC Coinmach Corp. Custom Closets & Specialties Davis & Associates Design Consultants Executive Cabinets Freedom Electric Inc. Hall Electrical Contractors Inc., John E. Heritage Title Igor Graphics Jett & Co. Kyle Thomas Hause Jr./Long & Foster LandMark Design Light House Electrical Services Monarch Mortgage NetTek LLC Ocean Air Heating & Cooling 28

7 Green Building Council meeting 13 Remodelers Council meeting 19 TMHC Executive Committee meeting 19-22 NAHB International Builders’ Show, Las Vegas 21 Developers Council meeting

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

Quality Turf Inc. Select Realty Inc. SmartSiding Southern Plumbing & Heating Supply Southside Containers Structural Technologies/ Sound Structures The Canada Co. Thomasson Enterprises Virginia Stucco Corp. W.H.E. Construction Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer

builders Allen Loree Homes Casa Builders E&J Enterprises LLC Hawk Residential JGM Enterprise Inc. Monaco Homes Murray Homes Inc. Rosewell Corp. Shoreline Custom Home Renovations Stephen Alexander Homes LLC

New member orientation

11 Let’s Make a Deal 19 TMHC Executive Committee meeting 18 Quarterly Builder Breakfast

Developers Council meeting

Jacqueline and Frederick J. Napolitano Sr. Bishop’s Humanitarian Award 2010 ceremony, Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel

Advertisers’ Index

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Builder David DeBord rests easy knowing he is protected by his BIIA policy.

“They tried to sue me.” With lawsuit behind him, builder “sleeps better” with TBA’s GL coverage. It began as a scenario all too familiar for many builders. The homeowners wanted the builder to be responsible for the warped hardwood floors and the mold on the floor of the laundry room months after closing, even though the problems were caused by the buyers. They even hired an attorney and filed a $1.5 million lawsuit. “I didn’t sleep much the night after I was served with the papers. I felt like my world was falling apart,” said DeBord. The next morning, after meeting with his GL insurance company, Building Industry Insurance Association, (BIIA) he felt “the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders.” BIIA provided him with legal representation and in the end, the BIIA team was able to resolve the case for both parties without going to court.

We know the business.

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Building Industry Insurance Association, Inc. A subsidiary of Tidewater Builders Association

www.biiaonline.com 757-420-3022 Call your agent for a quote today

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