NOTE: This is Part 3
of a 3-part series. You can read Part
1 and Part
2 on the Builders Show blog.
21 ambitious young professionals have been awarded an IBS
Scholarship to the 2018 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Orlando
this coming January. Many have never attended before and all are eager to learn
more about the building industry by exploring new products, networking with
other industry pros and attending the many education sessions available. Here
are their stories.
Nick Hollenbeck,
Sterling Properties
Livingston, New Jersey
Nick is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Sterling
Properties—a multifamily rental and for sale builder. “By attending IBS, I know
I’ll be exposed to products and techniques that I wouldn’t otherwise have the
opportunity to see in my region,” explains Nick. “I look forward to meeting
people from across the country and hearing what they are doing so I can bring
back those ideas and apply them to what we are doing.”
Dayson Johnson,
Willowood Homes
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dayson is the Vice President of Willowood Homes, a
third-generation custom home builder. He was able to attend IBS a few years
ago, and by far, the education sessions were his biggest takeaway from that experience.
For IBS 2018, he has three goals, “1) learn how to better manage the company,
2) determine how to price homes to match the economy and 3) explore innovative
materials and products on the show floor.”
Zeke Keel,
Southern Window Supply
Birmingham, Alabama
Zeke is a millwork outside sales associate with Southern
Window Supply, and he is also active in the Greater Birmingham AHB’s Young
Professionals committee and chairs the Remodelers Council. “When I attended IBS
for the first time in 2017, I saw the power of NAHB and the value it provides
to its members. I plan to share the knowledge I get from attending this year’s show
with other young professionals at my local association.”
Bo Owens, Quality
Homes of Port Charlotte, Inc.
Port Charlotte, Florida
Bo has been working for Quality Homes of Port Charlotte,
Inc. for two years, and while he didn’t start off in the construction industry,
he quickly found a passion for it—deciding to make it his career. He learned of
the IBS scholarship from the Charlotte Desoto BIA, and while at IBS 2018, he
plans to “fill up with knowledge by walking the show floor, attending education
sessions, meeting people and coming home to apply it all to my career.”
Stanton Ragland,
McCray Lumber & Millwork
Kansas City, Kansas
Stanton handles outside sales for Kansas City-based
McCray Lumber & Millwork. He is looking forward to attending IBS for many
reasons, but one stands out: “Seeing the manufacturers, especially those that I
sell on a day-to-day basis. It would be good to get to know them and make a
connection.” He also plans to attend a few of the how-to Builder Clinics.
Dana Spanjer,
Spanjer Homes
Fort Collins, Colorado
Dana is a second-generation home builder and has proudly
worked beside her parents for the last six years. She notes that while she’s attended
the Builders’ Show before, every time she is able to take away something new
and exciting. This year Dana’s focus is on networking with other young
professionals. “I’d like to ask other people what they are doing in their
market and hear how they are moving their businesses and the industry forward.”
Kelly Whelan, EYA
Washington, D.C.
Kelly is a development analyst at EYA; since 1992, EYA has built more than 4,000
homes in more than 30 neighborhoods across the Washington metropolitan area. While
at IBS, she hopes to meet and form connections with other young professionals
in the industry and learn from the many exhibits and learning opportunities.
However, her biggest goal in attending IBS is “hearing ideas for solving the
‘missing middle’—and who better to work on those solutions than a Millennial.”
Learn more about the 2018
IBS Scholarship program.