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CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE

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2026 Leadership Board

Heath Kelly President Heath Kelly Construction

Jessica Ford Secretary FD Builds

Tom Hammond 3rd Vice President Hammond Engineering

Stephen Moorhead Legal Counsel

Moorhead Law Group

Shon Owens Vice President Owens Custom Homes

Janson Thomas 2nd Vice President Swift Supply

Josh Peden Financial Officer Hudson, Peden & Associates

Josh Rayls Treasurer Holiday Builders

Kevin Sluder Past 2rd Vice President Gene’s Floor Covering

Austin Tenpenny Immediate Past President aDoor Properties

2026 Home Builders

Association of West Florida Board of Directors

SENIOR OFFICERS

Heath Kelly, Heath Kelly Construction, President

Austin Tenpenny, aDoor Properties, Immediate Past President

Shon Owens, Owens Custom Homes, Vice President

Josh Rayls, Holiday Builders, Treasurer

Jessica Ford, FD Builds, Secretary

Kevin Sluder, Gene’s Flooring, Past 2nd Vice President

Janson Thomas, Swift Supply, 2nd Vice President

Tom Hammond, Hammond Engineering, 3rd Vice President

Josh Peden, Hudson, Peden & Associates, Financial Officer

Stephen Moorhead, Moorhead Law Group, Legal Counsel

ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS

Keith Branch, Good Foundations

Wayne Briske, Community Bank

Mickey Clinard, Centennial Bank

Laura Gilmore, Fairway Mortgage

John Hattaway, Hattaway Home Design

Lindy Hurd, First International Title

Shellie Isakson-Smith, Guild Mortgage

Mary Jordan, Gulf Coast Insurance

Daniel Monie, KJM Land Surveying

Nick Newkirk, FPL

Zach Noel, Clear Title of NW FL

Suzanne Pollard-Spann, Legacy Insurance

Marty Rich, University Lending Group

John Scanlon, Pensacola Energy

Pam Smith, Real Estate Counselors

BUILDER/DEVELOPER BOARD MEMBERS

Dax Campbell, CamCon

Amir Fooladi, ParsCo

Travis Gottstine, Homewood Construction

Fred Gunther, Gunther Properties

Thomas Henry, Thomas Homes

Alton Lister, Lister Builders

Matthew Peek, Expedition Homes

Jennifer Reese, Reese Construction

Doug Russell, R-Squared Construction

Wilma Shortall, FD Builds

Anton Zaynakov, Grand Builders

2026 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Ambassadors – Suzanne Spann

Builder Member Services – Zach Noel

Cost & Codes – Keith Branch

Dream Home – Amir Fooladi

Education/Professional Development – Janson Thomas & Lindy Hurd

Governmental Affairs – Austin Tenpenny

Past Presidents – Amir Fooladi

Tradesmen/Workforce Development – Mary Jordan

CORNERSTONE MAGAZINE CONTENTS

JENNIFER MANCINI

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com

Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com

Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com

Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Ryan Dugger advertise@ballingerpublishing.com

Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com

Assistant Editor Dawn Gresko dawn@ballingerpublishing.com

Sales & Marketing

Geneva Strange, Account Executive geneva@ballingerpublishing.com

Maggie Banks, Account Executive maggie@ballingerpublishing.com

Cornerstone, the monthly publication of the Home Builders Association of West Florida serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, is published monthly, twelve (12x) per year. Send address changes to HBA of West Florida, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910. Cornerstone, is published in the interests of all segments of the home building industry and is distributed to its members and others associated with the HBA of West Florida. HBA of West Florida and Ballinger Publishing does not accept responsibility for, or endorse any statement or claims made by advertisers or authors of any articles. Every effort has been made to assure ac-curacy of information, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of Home Builders Association of West Florida, Copyright ©, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910, 850.476.0318. Advertisers and advertorials in Cornerstone do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited by law.

President’s Message

Heath Kelly President

Heath Kelly Construction

Dear Members,

While March is off to a strong start for our association and our industry I would like to look back over the last month for a second.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Clay Shoot. The turnout was outstanding, and it was great to see so many members connecting outside of the day-to-day demands of work. Events like that remind us that what we build goes beyond homes and commercial spaces — we’re building relationships that strengthen this association.

Last month, many of our members attended the International Builders’ Show in Orlando. As expected, IBS delivered innovative products, new technology, and valuable insight into where our industry is headed. Construction continues to evolve quickly, and staying engaged at every level ensures we remain competitive and prepared for what’s next.

Looking ahead, I want to personally invite you to our upcoming networking event at Ferguson on March 12. Doors open at 5:30 PM. These events are a great opportunity to connect with others in the industry we all serve. You never know when you might meet your next client, trade partner — or even your next best friend.

Our 2026 Dream Home in Carrington Lakes is progressing very well. We are finishing the rough-in phases of the MEPs and look forward to starting drywall soon, with the pool taking shape in the coming weeks. Projects like this showcase the talent within our membership. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for making this Dream Home possible.

Parade of Homes entries are now being accepted. If you have a home you would like featured alongside the Dream Home, I encourage you to reach out and get signed up. This is one of the best ways we highlight the quality and professionalism of builders across our region.

As we move through the year, engagement remains a priority. Our association exists to advocate for every segment of the building industry. If you’re new, get involved. If you feel your sector needs a stronger voice, reach out. There is somewhere you can plug in and make a difference! We are stronger when everyone has a seat at the table.

The momentum is real — let’s carry it forward.

Heath Kelly, HBA President

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF WEST FLORIDA

Each year, the Home Builders Association of West F lorida's Parade of Homes stands as a longstanding community tradition and the premier showcase of craftsmanship, innovation, and design excellence in our area. For decades, committed builders have used the Parade to make a statement-to show up, stand out, and remind the market who they are. The Parade is open exclusively to HBA members-one o f the many valuable benefits of being an HBA builder.

PARADE OF HOMES

Participating builders consistently highlight the unmatched exposure and real results the Parade delivers. As shared by fellow builders, the event brings phenomenal traffic-motivated buyers, Realtors, trades, lenders, and community supporters-generating strong leads, increased brand recognition, and long-term credibility. Homes receive full-page magazine features with exterior and interior photos and floor pla ns enhanced navigation tools that make touring easy, and visibility in a professionally produced magazine with over 15,000 copies distributed throughout the community.

Registration is now open for the June 12-14 event. We are also seeking Presenting Sponsors-with only two spots remaining. At $2,000, Presenting Sponsors receive premier logo recognition across HBA and Parade websites, social media, the Parade of Homes Magazine (15,000+ copies), and recognition at the KickOff Party. New this year, sponsors may provide a company write-up to be featured in the magazine.

The Parade isn't just an event-it's opportunity. Secure your builder entry or Presenting Sponsor spot by contacting Stephanie at stephanie@hbawf.com.

2025 People's Choice Winner: Candor Construction

2024 People's Choice Winner: FD Builds

The Home Builders Association of West Florida Clay Shoot continues to be one of our longeststanding and most anticipated traditions and this year ’s event on Februar y 26th was no exception. Held at the Santa Rosa County Shooting Range, members and guests enjoyed a full day of f riendly competition, networking, and great fellowship across all 15 shooting stations.

Thanks to our generous sponsors breakfast, lunch, and beverages were provided, giving par ticipants plenty of time to connect before and after competing Once again, American Concrete went above and beyond not only sponsoring lunch but cooking it onsite for ever yone to enjoy. Their continued suppor t and hands-on involvement truly make this event special year after year.

Awards were presented to the 1st and 2nd place teams, along with individual recognition for the Top Male Shooter and Top Female Shooter These honors highlight the skill and sportsmanship that make our Clay Shoot such a standout event

This year, we added a fun new twist that had everyone talking a complimentary eye exam awarded to the lowest scoring shooter This reinforced what makes this event so great: competitive spirit balanced with camaraderie and good humor.

HBAWF News

The HBA Clay Shoot remains more than just a sporting event It’s an oppor tunity for members to build relationships, strengthen par tnerships, and celebrate the community that suppor ts our industr y We are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and par ticipants who continue to make this long-standing tradition one of the highlights of our annual calendar.

C2N Code Solutions LLC.

Continuing Education

(Provider # 0001213)

New and Updated courses, 14 Hours necessary requirements for license renewal (Not approved for Electrical Contractors)

All 14 Hours for $250.00 Meals, drinks & snacks included

3 dates to choose from all starting at 7:00 am May 6 and June 16 Location: Pace Community Center, 5976 Chumuckla Hwy., Pace, FL July 15 Location: Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, FL

How to register:

1. Email us at code2solutions1llc@gmail.com and we will reply by the end of the day or call Cassie at (337) 654-8356 to have your name added to the roster.

2. $50.00 to reserve a spot, payable to: C2N Code Solutions, LLC, Mailing address 3534 Burnt Mill Road, Navarre, FL 32566

SPIKE CLUB

In construction, a spike is a steel object that is essential to making a building strong. As in construction, the HBA of West Florida sees a Spike as someone that works to keep our association strong. Spikes work on the recruitment and retention of members in addition to keeping members active with the association. Anyone is eligible for Spike status. On Spike credit is awarded for each new member recruited and an additional credit is awarded for that new member’s renewal on or before their anniversary date. If you help to retain a member, you are eligible to receive a half point for each member.