The IBS Scholarship Program offers NAHB members between the ages of 21–35 with the opportunity to attend the building industry’s biggest event. This is the final installment of a 3-part series. You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 on the Builders’ Show blog.
Twenty-one ambitious young professionals have been awarded a scholarship to attend the 2019 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas this coming February. Many have never attended before, and all are eager to learn more about the building industry by exploring new products, connecting with other industry pros and attending the many education sessions available. Here are their stories.
Taryn McQuown | HBA of Metro Denver
Taryn is originally from central Pennsylvania and moved to Colorado in 2014 shortly after completing her degree in Building Science and Sustainable Design at Penn State. She’s been a product designer with Thrive Home Builders for the past four years. Because she understands that housing affordability is a challenge for many young people in Denver, Taryn’s main objective in attending IBS is “to find affordable products and how I can incorporate affordability into my designs.”
Jordyn Osenbaugh | HBA of Metro Denver
Jordyn works with Oakwood Homes, a builder/developer that constructs single family and multifamily homes throughout Colorado and Utah. She was the first associate to be selected for Oakwood Homes’ unique Accelerated Leadership Program in 2018. In this program, Jordyn will work in four different departments within Oakwood—purchasing, sales/marketing, construction and land development/acquisition. “In previous years, I attended IBS as a student,” she begins. “This year I hope to attend as an associate of a home builder who is constantly trying to innovate and to find new ways to deliver better houses to more people.”
Tyler “TJ” Snyder | HBA of Greater Cleveland
TJ grew up doing hands-on work for his father as a framer, landscaper and carpenter, so when it came time to select a career, he knew it would be in construction. In 2015, TJ Joined JEMM Construction and has worked his way up to becoming a project manager, where he runs numerous projects ranging from $20,000–60,000. He knows that by attending IBS, he’ll be able to gain more knowledge and access. “I can improve and reach the goals I want to reach in the next three to five years.”
Taylor Stout | Utah Valley HBA
Taylor is an assistant project manager in the Estate Homes Group at Magleby Construction. He grew up around construction and has always been drawn to the residential custom home sector because it gives him the opportunity to build people’s dreams. He is excited to learn more by attending IBS. “It will give me the opportunity to network and gain relationships with people I believe will help me in my career—now and in the years to come.”
Eric Visser | Anchorage HBA
Construction and home design are in Eric’s blood. His father has owned a paint contracting business in Iowa for almost 30 years and his sister owns an interior design firm. His uncle even owned a construction company on Grand Cayman island, so it’s no surprise that Eric founded Visser Construction in Anchorage, Alaska. Eric attended IBS 2018 in Orlando and knows first-hand how valuable that experience can be. “The thing I am looking forward to the most at IBS is networking—having connections to be able to call if I have questions—and seeing the vendors and technologies that are coming out.”
David Wilson | Tampa Bay BA
David is an entrepreneur who has made forays into the worlds of both technology and real estate. Currently working as a land acquisition analyst with Meritage Homes, David specializes in real estate investment and land acquisition/development. At IBS 2019, he hopes to network with others around the country to gain more insights into affordable housing (an important topic for him) and also trends of what’s happening across the country. “My goal is to determine what can I take away from talking to different builders and apply here, in Tampa, to add creativity and value.”
Tony Wolff | Greater Fort Worth BA
Tony is the outside sales manager for EnergyGuard Foam Insulators, and while the company has been in business in Houston for 13 years, 2017 brought on the new challenge of opening a division in Dallas-Fort Worth, of which Tony was a big part. There are two big reasons Tony is looking forward to attending IBS: 1) to see new products and their applications, and 2) to gain insights for the Forth Worth Builders Association’s Young Professionals group. “We have a growing group of young professionals, and I’d like to meet other young pros across the country and hear what they are doing within their Young Professionals groups so we can implement a few of their ideas into our YP group.”
Learn more about the IBS 2019 scholarship recipients and the program here.