The IBS Scholarship Program offers NAHB members between the ages of 21-35 the opportunity to attend the building industry’s biggest event. This is part one of a three-part series.
Twenty-two ambitious young professionals have been awarded a scholarship to attend the 2020 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas this coming January. Many have never attended before. 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.
Katie Archibald | Wichita Area Builders’ Association
Katie spent 13 years working for a big corporation, but she never felt like she was living her dream. She finally decided to take a big leap by starting a residential construction business, Archibald Homes, LLC. Katie felt that her community of Wichita needed three things: 1) more women in construction, 2) a solution to reducing cost of construction so there are more affordable housing options and 3) more energy-efficient home building practices—all three of which she wants to be a driving force. “While at IBS, I want to learn about how building practices are being used across the country and discover what I can bring back to Wichita.”
Andrew Bettis | Greater Fort Worth Builders Association
Andrew is a project manager for his father’s Fort Worth, Texas-based company, Bettis Construction. He joined the family business in 2010 with aspirations of learning the building process from building science to supervision. Today he manages projects ranging from backyard remodels to $1 million home renovations. Andrew has attended a few similar shows at a regional level. “You get energy out of [these events] and become inspired to apply it to your business.”
Andrew Brindley | Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis
Andrew is the founder and owner of High Efficiency Homes (H-E Homes) based in Indianapolis. His company is dedicated to delivering custom energy-efficient infill homes for the urban market. While earning his architectural degree, he often saw the friction between design, construction and development teams. Because of that, he works hard to identify friction points and develop innovative and scalable solutions to the complex challenges of the home building industry. “Our company is growing. Unfortunately, we don’t always stay up-to-date on politics affecting the industry, or have time dedicated to professional development and learning about new products. Having it all in one place at IBS is an excellent opportunity for us to explore and learn.”
Jesse Brown | El Paso Association of Builders
Jesse is the owner/operator of Franklin Door & Trim in El Paso, where he has immersed himself in the building and supply practices. He is a former city counselor and university staff member from Wichita Falls, but he relocated to El Paso when his wife was accepted into Texas Tech’s Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. With no building background, $2,000 to his name, Jesse jumped straight into the building industry by purchasing Franklin Door & Trim in December 2018. “With only six months of industry knowledge, attending the Builders’ Show will be the catalyst my company and I need to grow and develop.”
Rachel Burton Williams | Home Builders Association of Jackson
Rachel is a marketing outreach specialist for CLEAResult and implementor of the Atmos Energy’s SmartChoice program for Mississippi. She plays a major role in the new construction of an existing residential energy efficient program for Atmos Energy. With commitment to this role, she has improved company presence throughout the state, increased energy savings and the number of rebates given. The latter allows builders, contractors and homeowners to save money. “I truly believe that helping people install energy efficient equipment into their homes is one step closer to a better life for all. While at IBS, I look forward to attending education sessions, networking and participating in the Professional Women in Building and Young Professionals activities.”
Yvette Dion Hall | Tallahassee Builders Association
Yvette is a residential design specialist for Dion Builders, LLC, a family-owned design/build company located in Tallahassee. She owns Dion Builders, along with her father and husband, and is a full-service Realtor. She grew up in the construction industry and remembers walking the show with her dad at a young age. “Walking the show floor is always exciting because you have the ability to watch product demonstrations and see things firsthand. As an IBS scholarship recipient, I am interested in learning more about CAD, boosting employee morale and running the office more efficiently. All of those opportunities are available at IBS, and will impact my personal development and benefit my business.”
Jessy Epley | Wilkes-Yadkin Home Builders Association
Jessy is a sales and marketing assistant for Sedgewick Homes, located in Statesville, North Carolina. She maintains the company’s website, social media accounts, assists with planning events and maintains the online homeowner portal. “My knowledge is limited to what I’ve been able to pick up in the year I’ve worked at Sedgewick, so having the opportunity to attend the show would allow me to see products from over 1,400 manufacturers. This would also help me in my marketing role to promote the benefits of the products we use and know what sets us apart.”
Learn more about the IBS 2020 scholarship recipients and the program.