The PBA Board of Directors gathered in Lancaster last week for the Summer meeting. Apart from the business at hand, members took time out to present the annual PBA Awards. The awards were judged from nominees in six different categories. The winners are…
Distinguished Achievement Award – Andrew Kaye, Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties
Andrew Kaye received PBA’s highest honor. Mr. Kaye has been a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the home building industry. He has worked tirelessly at all three levels of the federation to recruit members, inform those in the industry of challenges and successes, raising awareness of issues, generating contributions to political action campaigns, and mentoring members and future leaders.
Mr. Kaye has held various positions at his local, PBA, and NAHB. He served as President of the HBA of Bucks and Montgomery Counties as well as President of PBA in 2017. He is currently the Pennsylvania State Representative for NAHB. He has been active on the NAHB Budget and Finance as well as the State and Local Government committees and the NAHB Leadership Council. We can all agree that Andrew Kaye has been an effective and committed champion of our industry.
(Andrew Kaye accepts the award from PBA Awards Committee Chair Frank Thompson)
Builder of the Year Award – Cynthia Cepko, Wayne Pike Building Industry Association
Ms. Cepko, of Granite Homes, has demonstrated high ethical standards by being fair and honest in both her business efforts and in the positions held in all three levels of the federation for the past 20 years.
Ms. Cepko has held many leadership positions starting at the Professional Women in Building level as Area Trustee, Regional Trustee and 2016 National PWB Chair.
She has served as a past PBA membership committee chair and is the current chair of the workforce committee. On top of that, Cindy was the PBA President in 2021 and is a PBA and NAHB Life Director and a member of the NAHB Membership Committee. She has played a vital role in the PBA Marketing Campaign and is spearheading the launch of a campaign to promote workforce education.
She has been the recipient of many awards including numerous Outstanding Achievement Awards from the NAHB Professional Women in Building Council.
(Cynthia Cepko accepts the award from PBA Awards Committee Chair Frank Thompson)
Associate of the Year Award – Hurley Kane, West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association
Hurley Kane has been a West Branch Susquehanna Builder Association board member for 25 years.
Mr. Kane has served on virtually every local committee over the years. When the Executive Officer left the association, Hurley stepped up to assist in the training and mentoring of the new Executive Officer.
Mr. Kane has been honored by his local as Life Director, Associate of the Year, and as the 2017 President’s Award recipient. He is also a PBA Board Member, current Regional Legislative Officer – a position he has held for three years now, PaCAH representative, and member of the PBA Associates Council. Hurley was in the home building industry for 43 years before his retirement.
(Hurley Kane accepts the award from last year’s Associate of the Year Heather Dieckmann)
Affiliate of the Year Award – Chris Sukonik, Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties
Chris Sukonik has made a tremendous impact on workforce development at both the local and state levels. As Chair of the HBA of Bucks and Montgomery Counties’ local committee, he has led the growth of scholarship funds from $3,000 to more than $10,000 annually. He is also a member of the PBA Workforce Task Force and provides expertise on the development of recruiting materials. In addition, Mr. Sukonik is creating a Young Professionals initiative at his local.
(Chris Sukonik accepts the award from PBA Awards Committee Chair Frank Thompson)
Community Service Project of the Year Award – The BIA of Lancaster County for the BIA Building Futures: Construction Career Day Project for the Raven Wildlife Center
In response to the industry and its members’ needs, the BIA of Lancaster County took a proactive step to promote careers in the residential building trades. The result was the successful launch of BIA Building Futures: Construction Career Day. As part of the experience, organizers focused on giving students the chance to create something that would help the community. Those attending built – with BIA members – nesting boxes for wildlife at the wildlife center.
(From left: Karen Watkins, BIA of Lancaster County Executive Officer; Pauline Wilton, BIA of Lancaster County Director of Member Services; Kevin Kozo, BIA of Lancaster County President)
Media Project of the Year – The Business to Business Buyer’s Guide produced by the Home Builders Association of Northeastern PA
Since COVID shut down many face-to-face meetings, the HBA of NEPA produced the guide as an attempt to engage members as well as keeping the association top-of-mind for them on a regular basis. The quarterly issues included benefit information, directories, member spotlights, and relevant issues to help members with their business. The local also includes the issues on their website as a resource for consumers. Executive Officer Karen Martin organized and designed the guide.
(Dave Balent accepts the award on behalf of the HBA of NEPA)
All award designs, except for the Distinguished Achievement Award, were created and produced by the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center’s Cabinet Shop – a participant in the PBA Endorsed Trade Program.
Congratulations to all the winners!