The winners of the PBA Annual Awards were announced at the Bedford Omni Springs Resort during the Summer PBA Board of Directors meeting.
Honors were presented to members for their service to our industry and the community. Members and projects were nominated by members and the final selections were chosen by a panel of judges made up of two PBA Past Presidents, two Builder Members, two Associate Members, and one Executive Officer.
Awards Committee Chair Kert Sloan made the announcements accompanied by PBA President Greg Harris and Gary Lenker.
Gary Lenker, PBA Past President and previous recipient of the PBA Distinguished Achievement Award presented the 2026 honor to Jon Sukonik, of Sukonik Homes LLC and a member of the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
The Distinguished Achievement Award is PBA’s highest honor and is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions benefiting members of PBA and the housing industry.
He has been a member of his local’s Board of Directors as well as local president.
Soon he was involved in PBA and has been a voting member of the Board of Directors since 2012. He served as PBA President during 2020 where he was the key in getting our industry back to work.
Jon, whose unwavering dedication to the builders of Pennsylvania – and his knowledge in the UCC adoption process has consistently set the standard for excellence within our organization.
Here are just a few positions Jon has held:
- Chair of NAHB’s Construction Codes and Standards Committee
- Chair of PBA’s Uniform Construction Code Committee
- Appointment to the International Code Councils for 2021, 2024, and 2028 ICC Code Development Committees.
- PA Senate Pro Tempore Senator Kim Ward also appointed Jon to the residential contractor seat for the New Construction PA Uniform Construction Code Review Advisory Council.
Jon’s fight against excessive energy codes has had a profound cost-savings impact on the building industry, demonstrating his true leadership and commitment.
PBA has three levels of membership – Builder, Associate, and Affiliate. Awards are presented in all three of these categories based on Industry Leadership, Building Community Involvement, Achievements and Recognition, and Reputation and Character within the Industry and Community.
PBA Past President and longtime member Jim Brown was honored as the PBA Builder of the Year. Jim, President of J.R. Brown Construction in Hollidaysburg, has spent decades being an advocate and example of what a Builder in Pennsylvania should be. He brings dedication, commitment to excellence, and a sense of humor to everything he does. He has been the president of his local and is now serving as the local’s 
executive officer. Jim’s impact extends to the broader PA Builders Association where he has held significant roles, including Past President, a National Delegate to NAHB, and he has served on many committees, including chairing the awards committee, and continues to serve on multiple councils. He has also been a member of the NAHB Board of Directors. His involvement has helped to advocate for policies that benefit builders, improve industry standards, and support community development in our region. Jim’s wife Maureen was on hand to celebrate his award.
The Associate of the Year award was presented to Donald Olsommer, Jr.
of the Wayne Pike BIA. Mr. Olsommer has been a member of the Wayne Pike BIA for over 20 years. He has served as PBA Treasurer and is currently the chair of the PBA Workers’ Compensation Committee. He also serves on the BSI Board of Directors and provides licensing for the workers’ compensation. Don has served on the board of the Wayne Pike BIA for many years.
This year’s Affiliate of the Year award went to Liam Brennan of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. Liam is actively involved and supportive of BAMP’s initiatives. He consistently promotes best practices, advocates for the industry, and contributes to a positive, professional environment that benefits builders, associates, and affiliates alike.
The Builder & Shaker Award was designed to recognize individual PBA members, under 40 years old as of 
December 31 of the awards calendar year, that are positioned to become (or already are) a leader in the industry. Builder and Shakers are industry professionals that are ambitious, hard-working, civic-minded individuals that demonstrate distinguished service to PBA, NAHB, and their local association. The year the honor went to Nathan Weaver, a member of the HBA of Metropolitan Harrisburg. Nathan is a member of the Harrisburg Board of Directors and has participated in the HBA’s strategic planning sessions and has also supported PBA’s efforts to challenge First Energy.
The Rookie of the Year award goes to a candidate that must have been a member of their of their local for no more than three years from the date of nomination. Rookies should be industry professionals that are ambitious, hard-working, civic-minded individuals that demonstrate distinguished service. The winner of this award was GME Construction of Mount Pocono, PA. GME Construction is a member of the Pocono Builders Association.
The Community Service Project of the Year award recognizes members and locals that understand the importance of reaching out and doing positive things in their communities that are related to the home building industry. This year the award went to the Tri-County Housing’s project of Normandy Heights – a 48 unit housing project that provides safe, affordable housing across income levels. The award was accepted by PBA Past President Gary Lenker.
The Media Project of the Year is awarded to the local home builders association for creative innovation in digital,print, or multi-media messaging. This year, the 
award went to the HBA of Metropolitan Harrisburg for the redesign of their website. HBA President Rob Wright and member Gary Lenker was on hand to accept the award.
Congratulations to all the PBA Award recipients!