Jereme Montgomery, Stephens & Smith Construction Co., 2025 President
LOOKING BACK
75th Anniversary Video
INVOCATION
Beau Daffer, BIC Custom Homes
DINNER
REMARKS BY MAYOR GAYLOR BAIRD
SPECIAL GUESTS AND HONORED MEMBERS
ANNUAL HBAL AWARDS
Membership Award
Building & Safety Employee of the Year
Associate of the Year
President’s Awards
INSTALLATION OF 2026 PRESIDENT DAN LOECK
Aaron Loeck
REMARKS
Dan Loeck, Loeck Designs, 2026 President
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Perry Haralson, Cornhusker Bank
2026 HBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Dan Loeck, Loeck Designs
PRESIDENT ELECT
Scott Schneider, Schneider Custom Homes
1 ST VICE PRESIDENT
Marlene Stroup, Schwinn Homes, LLC
2 ND VICE PRESIDENT
Perry Haralson, Cornhusker Bank
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Jereme Montgomery, Stephens & Smith Construction Co.
SECRETARY
Ryan Trausch, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank
TREASURER
Bob Bryant, Bryant, Katt & Associates, P.C.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Michaela Schwarten, HBAL
DIRECTORS
Jeremy Bishoff, X Foundations
Chris Collins, Oncenter Construction, Inc.
Andrew Hartman, Hartland Homes
Jordan Kreifels, Action Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical
Megan McKay, Mod Wattage Electric, LLC
Matt Murray, Murray Custom Homes, LLC
Jeff Pankoke, RED Custom Homes
Maria Semerad, Synergy Homes, Inc.
Tim Svoboda, Home Guardian, LLC
Jeff White, Aqua Systems
Tim Zeng, Zeng Countertops & Surfaces
REMODELERS COUNCIL
Kelly Krueger, Rainwood Interiors
PAST PRESIDENTS
Jim Christo, Retired
Beau Daffer, BIC Custom Homes, LLC
Ward Fred Hoppe, Hoppe Development
Justin Johnson, Hoppe Development
Bo Jones, Tru-Built Construction
Matt Kinning, RED Custom Homes
Mike Kinning, Kinning Design Build, Inc.
Herb Reese, Reese Construction, Inc.
Roger Reynolds, Retired
Denny Van Horn, Van Horn Custom Homes
Lori Wellman, Lincoln Cabinet
HBAL STAFF
Michaela Schwarten
Jennie Korth
Laure Husmann
HISTORY
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln was originally chartered as a local association on January 21, 1951. Charter officers were: Ervin Peterson, President; Karl Witt, Vice President and W.F. Hoppe, Secretary and Treasurer. HBAL was incorporated in the State of Nebraska as a non-profit corporation on December 15, 1954, by Ervin Peterson, John Strauss and Dale Higgins.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Austin Real Estate Company (Leonard Wenzl)
H. A. Brown Construction
Card-Adams Company (Clyde F. Card)
Cook Paint & Varnish (Paul C. Herr)
Carl J. Dietrich
Don E. Dixon
Evans & Moore (H. K. Evans)
Homes by C. E. Kessler
W. F. Hoppe Lumber Co.
A. T. Jensen
Johnson Supply & Coal (Wilber O. Johnson)
C. C. Kimball Company (C. C. Kimball)
Lincoln Construction & Supply (T. M. Sweeney)
Peterson Construction Company (E. E. Peterson)
Irl Reed
Reimers-Kaufman Concrete Products (Karl Engstrom)
Irvin Schappaugh
Don Shurtleff & Company
Strauss Brothers (James A. Strauss)
Wasemiller Construction (L. W. Wasemiller)
Chas. Wilscam & Son
Witt & Juckette Construction (Karl A. Witt)
HBAL PAST PRESIDENTS
1951 ................ Ervin Peterson (dec)
1952 Ervin Peterson (dec)
1953 ......................... Karl Witt (dec)
1954 ............... Ervin Peterson (dec)
1955 ............... M.W. Anderson (dec)
1956 ....................... Clyde Card (dec)
1957 ...................... H.J. Dutton (dec)
1958 ............... M.W. Anderson (dec)
1959 .................. Harold Evans (dec)
1960 ............... H.H. Heumann (dec)
1961 ................... Joe Hampton (dec)
1962 ....................... Jim Strauss (dec)
1963 ....................... Jim Hacker (dec)
1964 ............Clarence Krueger (dec)
1965 .............. Robert Peterson (dec)
1966 ..................Bill Hoeppner (dec)
1967 ................... Les Lindburg (dec)
1968 ................. Duane Larson (dec)
1969 Clarence Krueger (dec)
1970 ..................... Jim Johnson (dec)
1971 .............. Charles Corning (dec)
1972 ................... Ken Petersen (dec)
1973 ............ Joseph E. McKee (dec)
1974 ............. John D. VerMaas (dec)
1975 ............ Warren Firestone (dec)
1976 .......................... Hub Hall (dec)
1977 .......................... Hub Hall (dec)
1978 ......... L. Harlan Weingart (dec)
1979 .......... Chris Grabenstein (dec)
1980 ........... Jim W. Bartolome (dec)
1981 ....................... Bob L. Stephens
1982 ............... John P. Kramer (dec)
1983 ............... John P. Kramer (dec)
1984 .................................... Jerry Call
1985 ............................. Ken Whyrick
1986 Jerry Johnson (dec)
1987 ............................... Donn Mann
............. Steve C. Schleich (dec)
................................. Don Rowe
............................. Greg Shinaut 1997 .............. Ken Westerhold (dec) 1998 ............................. Rick Krueger 1999 ......................... Roger Reynolds 2000 ...................... Robert Hampton
......................... Roger Reynolds
........................... Marty Fortney
.............................. Steve Fulton 2004 ................................ Jim Christo 2005 .............................. Mike Goings 2006 .............................. Allen Barber 2007 Ward Fred Hoppe 2008 ................................ Jerry Boyce 2009 .............................. Mike Benker
................................ Mike Rezac
.............................. Lois Hartzell
..................Dan Klein, Sr. (dec) 2013 ................................ Mike Rezac 2014 ............................ Mike Kinning 2015 ................................... Mike May 2016 ........................... Justin Johnson 2017 ...................... Matt Kleinschmit 2018 ..................................... Bo Jones
2019 ...................... Denny Van Horn 2020 ................................ Herb Reese 2021 ............................. Matt Kinning 2022 .................... Ward Fred Hoppe 2023 ............................. Lori Wellman
2024 Beau Daffer
2025 ................ Jereme Montgomery
1988 ............................ Sam Manzitto 1989 ................................ Jim Christo 1990 Dan Kubr 1991 ....................... Richard Robison 1992 ........................ J. Greg Schwinn 1993 .................... John L. Hoppe, Jr.
75-YEAR MEMBERS
Green’s Furnace & Plumbing Co., Inc. – 1951
Home Real Estate – Charter
Hoppe, Inc. – Charter
Lincoln Electric System – 1951
Nebraska Title Company – 1951
Ready Mixed Concrete Co. – Charter
Reimers-Kaufman Concrete Products Co. – Charter
70-YEAR
MEMBERS
Black Hills Energy – 1954
Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing Co. – 1955
Midwest Steel Works, Inc. – 1952
Nebraska Building Products – 1955
Woods Bros. Realty – 1952
Yankee Hill Brick – 1955
65-YEAR MEMBER
Pioneer Overhead Door 3G, LLC – 1961
60-YEAR MEMBERS
Capital Concrete Co. – 1965
Culligan Water Conditioning – 1966
Lincoln Federal Savings Bank – 1963
55-YEAR MEMBERS
Alpha Media – 1969
LL Countertops – 1968
50-YEAR MEMBERS
Action Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical – 1972
Harley’s Heating & A/C, Inc. – 1973
Mann Customs, Inc. – 1975
NRG Media – Broadcast House – 1975
Southeast Community College – Milford – 1970
Pella Products of Omaha & Lincoln – 1972
Stephens & Smith Construction Co. – 1972
45-YEAR MEMBERS
Usher Custom Cabinets, Inc. – 1978
Wolfe Electric Co., Inc. – 1977
40-YEAR MEMBERS
Bath & Kitchen Idea Center by Lincoln Winnelson – 1982
Bonsall Pool & Spa – 1986
Bryant, Katt & Associates, P.C. – 1986
Custom Countertop, Inc. – 1985
Drywall Unlimited, Inc. – 1983
Hans Electric, Inc. – 1984
Hartland Homes – 1985
Heritage Builders, Inc. – 1986
Kinning Design Build, Inc. – 1986
Lincoln Glass, Inc. – 1984
Loeck Designs – 1984
Nebraska Furniture Mart – 1986
New Ventures, Inc. – 1986
Minuteman Press – 1986
Rainwood Interiors – 1984
Reynolds Design & Remodeling – 1986
Schwinn Homes, LLC – 1982
Wellmann Plumbing, Inc. – 1985
35-YEAR MEMBERS
ABC Seamless of Nebraska – 1989
Lincoln American Electronics (LAE) – 1988
Bill’s Heating & Air Conditioning – 1988
Buhr Homes, Inc. – 1987
CS Kitchen & Bath Studio – 1990
Campbell’s Kitchen Cabinets, Inc. – 1989
Capital Overhead Door Co. – 1991
Carpetland – 1988
Cornhusker Bank – 1990
Cummins Sprinkler – 1988
Dworak Plumbing – 1988
Fireplace Center – 1990
Fulton Construction, Inc. – 1989
Handy Man Home
Remodeling Center – 1989
Hoppe Development – 1990
Krueger Development – 1987
Lincoln Cabinet – 1988
May Custom Homes & Cabinets, Inc. – 1988
Millard Lumber Inc. – 1987
Nebraska Sod Co. – 1989
Prairie Home Builders, Inc. – 1990
Realtors Association of Lincoln – 1990
Reese Construction, Inc. – 1987
Rezac Construction, Inc. – 1991
Signs Now – 1991
Stewart Title Co. – 1991
Structural Component Systems – 1988
Union Bank & Trust Co. – 1989
Zimmer Insurance Group – 1991
30-YEAR MEMBERS
AAA Rents – 1993
Art F/X – 1996
Aspen Builders, Inc. – 1993
Capitol City Electric, Inc. – 1996
Central Lumber Sales, Inc. – 1995
EcoWater Systems of Lincoln – 1996
Ernie’s Store, Inc. – 1994
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery – 1994
Home Innovations Spas – 1993
KLKN-TV 8 – 1996
25-YEAR MEMBERS
Advantage Remodeling, Inc. – 2001
Al’s Johns – 1999
Aqua Systems – 1999
Boyce Construction, Inc. – 1997
Brian Hester Heating & A/C, Inc. – 2001
Briggs Inc. of Lincoln – 1999
Capitol Heating & A/C, Inc. – 2001
CKF – Consolidated Kitchens – 1998
Dallman Drywall, Inc. – 1999
Don Johnson Homes II, Inc. – 1998
Eric’s Electric, Inc. – 2001
Gana Trucking & Excavating – 2000
Humm & Sons
Poured Concrete – 2001
Hunt Irrigation, Inc. – 1998
John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical – 2000
Kuhlman Construction, Inc. – 1997
Lincoln Housing Authority – 1995
Moser Well Drilling & Service, Inc. – 1994
Nebraskaland Siding & Windows – 1993
Olsson – 1993
Pinnacle Bank – 1994
R&D Custom Homes – 1996
Regal Building Systems, Inc. – 1993
Schaefer’s, Inc. – 1993
Wellmann Heating & Air – 1992
West Gate Bank – 1992
Liberty First Credit Union – 2000
Lincoln Concrete Specialists – 1999
Maher Custom Homes – 2000
Neighbors Family Homes, Inc. – 2001
Pride Homes – 2001
Raymond Contracting, Inc. – 2001
Remodelers, Inc. – 1997
Sark Tile – 2001
Seacrest & Kalkowski, PC, LLO – 1998
Seal-Rite Insulation, Inc. – 2000
Sierra Builders – 2000
The Glass Edge – 1998
Thrasher Foundation Repair – 1998
Weathercraft Co. of Lincoln – 1997
Willet Construction Inc., Remodeling Specialists – 2000
Window Option Specialists – 1997
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Jim Christo
Jim Crawford
Duane Helmink
Ward Fred Hoppe
Larry Kness
Jo Lewis
Ron Petsch
Roger Reynolds
J. Greg Schwinn
Robert Stephens
Dan Walker
ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
1983 L.D. “Bud” Robinson
1984 ........................... Robert Gabriel
1985 ............................. Robert Knuth
1986 .............................. Jim Crawford
1987 .............................. Vince Collura
1988 ........................... Cheryl Haecker
1989 ..........................Robert Marshall
1990 ................................ Larry Kness
1991 ......................... Mike Stranathan
1992 .......................... Duane Helmink
1993 .......................... Roger Reynolds
1994 ................................. Ron Brooks
1995 .................................. Paul Schaer
.................................... Sue Eaton 2023 .................................... Ben Klein
.............................. Ryan Trausch
BUILDING & SAFETY OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
1998 .................................. Dale Stertz 1999 ............................... Lana Tolbert 2000 ................... Michele Williamson 2001 ............................. Mike Petersen
2002 ................................... Rick Dunn 2003 .................................... Ron Peery 2004 .......................Wilma McCamley 2005 .......................... Gordon McGill 2006 ............................... Allen Gilbert 2007 ...........................Shawn Johnson 2008 .................................Ray Paulson 2009 .................................. Steve Weiss 2010 .................................. Steve Weiss
1951 Erv Peterson, President. The Home Builders Association of Lincoln was founded with 15 builder and 45 associate members. Ervin Peterson was the first president and also the only representative of the National Association of Home Builders from Nebraska.
1952 Erv Peterson, President. Ralph Gillian was hired as the first Executive Secretary. Zoning, warranties for owners, Air Force and base housing dominated discussions. A house was built at 3421 Touzalin and sold for $14,000, with proceeds going to Cedars Home for Children. In 2000, the County Assessor’s Office appraises this home at $91,800.
1953 Karl Witt, President. Land was donated for a Trade Secrets House located at 44th and Valley Road, with admission charged to tour. Homebuilders Village at 56th & Fremont, to be rentals for air base housing – 80 fourplexes and 13 fourplexes under FHA 608 Program. Program ended in 1955 because of FHA rule change.
1954 Erv Peterson, President. Hammer & Plank became the official HBAL publication. Lois Hillyer was hired as Executive Secretary. 100-house Belmont project planned by Belmont Construction for base personnel. This was a record year for building. Membership grew to 132.
1955 M. W. Anderson, President. Parade of Homes in Park Manor. Design contests at NU Architectural School.
1956 Clyde Card, President. $1,200 in prizes offered to NU architectural students for Parade of Homes competition. Prize-winning house sold for $35,000.
1957 H. J. Dutton, President. Worst building year since 1949. HBAL won first place at NAHB for outstanding creative achievement in education for architectural contest. Licensing of contractors was proposed. Realtors tried to set a “closed on Sundays” policy. It lasted 60 days.
1958 M. W. Anderson, President. Electrical code and standardization of fees was passed. Association had $618 in bank.
1959 Harold Evans, President. HBAL went on record as opposing compulsory bomb shelters. Building construction doubled over 1958.
1960 H. H. Heumann, President. 2,543 new families in Lincoln, the most since 1942. Second biggest year in building history.
1961 Joseph R. Hampton, President. Endorsed storm sewer policy and subdivision lighting. Eight-week construction strike brings union and labor discussions. HBAL members supported commercial contractors by not hiring their “on-strike” people.
1962 Jim Strauss, President. Built the equivalent of the average Russian’s home at Home Show. Great deal of comment and educational interest.
1963 Jim Hacker, President. Don Skillman hired as Executive Secretary. Members were charged $2.25 for steak dinners at meetings, with complaints about prices being too high.
1964 Clarence Krueger, President. Office moved to 49th & Calvert. Air base being phased out of Lincoln.
1965 Robert Peterson, President. HBAL donated Junior Golf Course Club House. A “scattered site” Parade was held.
1966 Bill Hoeppner, President. Herm Hempel, new Executive Secretary of HBAL. Nebraska State Home Builders Association was formed. Registered Remodeler program organized on a national level.
1967 Les Lindburg, President. HBAL purchased office at 2536 “O” Street from Bob Crowl. Purpose of association is cited as service to members, and to the community.
1968 Duane Larson, President. NAHB President Lloyd Clark visited Lincoln. Both Spring and Fall Parades were held. Experimented with group tours through the homes.
1969 Clarence Krueger, President. HBAL Credit Union chartered with assets of $25,000. On-the-Job-Training Program started. Training for poverty level and jobless people.
1970 Jim Johnson, President. The tradition of flag salute began at close of meetings.
1971 Charles Corning, President. Membership at 232 and growing. Multi-Family Council started.
1972 Ken Petersen, President. Jack Burnham hired as Executive Officer. Public Relations plan adopted. Resolution adopted to assist Vietnam-era veterans in obtaining jobs. First Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show was held.
1973 Joseph E. McKee, President. Twenty entries in Parade of Homes. Energy and natural resources crisis were concerns. Codes study was major issue.
1974 John D. VerMass, President. Chuck Brazie hired as Executive Vice President. Janet Grabenstein President of HBAL Auxiliary.
1975 Warren Firestone, President. Membership included 53 builders and 202 associate members. Association and its members gave financial aid to Congressional High School Intern Program. Labor and materials contributed to repairing a home.
1976 Hub Hall, President. HBAL publication renamed to Housing Industry Digest. HBAL sponsored first Home Show under registered trade name.
1977 Hub Hall, President. Home and Sports show sold out lower level of Pershing.
1978 L. Harlan Weingart, President. HBAL Parade house sold for $53,500. Approximately 114 homes sold as direct result of contacts made during Parade.
1979 Chris Grabenstein, President. Membership increased to 333 members. Bob Peterson was named chair of NAHB’s Energy Committee.
1980 James W. Bartolome, President. Codes Administration Division removed from Public Works Department to Urban Development Department. HBAL members issued licenses to work in Grand Island to rebuild after tornado.
1981 Robert L. Stephens, President. American timber industry devastated by housing slump. Half of industry either shut down or on short time. Only 394 single family permits were issued.
1982 John P. Kramer, President. Housing and Urban Development selected Lincoln as one of only nine cities to take part in a housing affordability project. Only 169 single family permits in Lincoln this year.
1983 John P. Kramer, President. HBAL’s Community Action Committee helped remodel a basement for Genrich family quadruplets. 459 Single family permits in Lincoln.
1984 Jerry Call, President. Joe McKee topped NAHB’s 100 level of Spike for membership recruitment. First Fall Festival of Homes held.
1985 Ken Whyrick, President. HBAL sold building at 1115 K Street. Children’s Zoo Project a big success. Janet Grabenstein named NAHB Women’s Council President.
1986 Jerry Johnson, President. HBAL leased space in Terminal Building. Remodelors Council formed.
1987 Donn Mann, President. Fire Safety House was built to serve the children of Lincoln. Remodelors Council renovated a house in the Malone area and won award for Community Service.
1988 Sam Manzitto, President. Nadine Condello hired as Executive Vice President. Community service projects for SCC-Lincoln and Elks Field. Started their first toys for Santa Cop project. HOMEPAC was formed as political action committee. Publication renamed Lincoln Business Builder. First computer and fax machine in office.
1989 Jim Christo, President. Thirty HBAL members installed underground sprinkler system at Midget Football Field–$25,000 in donated labor. Remodelors donated $45,000 in labor to Sniffles. Held Careers in Construction event during Home & Garden Show.
1990 Dan Kubr, President. Governor Kay Orr and Ben Nelson spoke at “nondebate” at General Membership Meeting. First Builders’ Dream Street held in Williamsburg Village. First Tour of Remodeled Homes held by Remodelors Council.
1991 Dick Robison, President. Office space purchased at the Lincoln Trade Center. Membership at 419.
1992 J. Greg Schwinn, President. HBAL completed first blitz build for Habitat for Humanity. Supported $54.5 million bond issue to build 6 new schools in Lincoln.
1993 John L. Hoppe, Jr., President. Average home prices jumped 16%. Remodelors Council built ramp for St. Monica’s home.
1994 Steven C. Schleich, President. Impact fees proposed in draft of new Comprehensive Plan. Registration of contractors in Lincoln and Omaha required by State. Average home sale nearly $100,000. Remodelors Council remodeled Matt Talbot Kitchen.
1995 Don Rowe, President. Omaha World Herald reports that Lincoln is experiencing growing pains. Local costs for housing rank near country’s lowest. Buy Now Campaign held. Remodelors Council pours basketball court at Lighthouse.
1996 Greg Shinaut, President. Development at N. 27th & I-80 opened by City. Affordable Housing Trust Fund introduced in Unicameral. HBAL built a complete bedroom, bathroom, porch and ramp for shooting victim at no cost to the homeowner.
1997 Ken Westerhold, President. Labor shortages, licensing issues and construction liens hot topics. Median price of homes sold topped $90,000. Antelope Valley studied. Importance of being involved in Affordable Housing Trust Fund stressed.
1998 Rick Krueger, President. Non-profit affordable housing project and Nebraska Housing Resource (NHR) started. Growth issues at top of the list of concerns with traffic flow a major issue. Development of Stevens Creek on the horizon.
1999 Roger Reynolds, President. First website developed for HBAL. Bond issue passed for two new high schools. Labor shortage major issue for builders. Work begins on NHR project at Cyrilla Court. HBAL wins YWCA Bertha Galloway award for promoting women in construction. Members build a bedroom and bathroom for severely handicapped foster child at no cost to the family. Planners approve Wilderness Park expansion and protection.
2000 Bob Hampton, President. City says Stevens Creek should be opened for development. City considering licensing duplexes. Impact fees are being studied by the City. Arterial street widening a goal of city planners. City Council approves Antelope Valley 20-year, $227 million, public works project.
2001 Roger Reynolds, President. Lien law education a big item on the agenda. The association agreed to donate to the Eastern Saline Wetlands Environmental Trust.
2002 Marty Fortney, President. Effective effort was put into lobbying for the Comprehensive Plan. Impact Fees were approved. The Home & Garden Show was moved to the Lancaster Event Center with tremendous success. 10th Habitat for Humanity House built by HBAL.
2003 Steve Fulton, President. The legislature passed LB759, a tax on remodeling construction labor. A record 100 homes in the Spring Parade and 79 in the Fall Parade, partially due to builders trying to beat the deadline for impact fees and record low interest rates.
2004 Jim Christo, President. Sales tax on remodeling repealed. HBAL contributed $3,000 to the Eastern Saline Wetlands Project and $2,000 to retain green space in Wilderness Park. City approved new flood plain standards.
2005 Mike Goings, President. 116 entries in Spring Parade of Homes and 109 entries in Fall Parade. Six educational seminars. Collaborated on production of Growth is Good video. Held two Buy Now campaigns. Gave to National Housing Endowment for Hurricane Katrina victims.
2006 Allen Barber, President. Held a Strategic Planning Meeting on Government Affairs with assistance from NAHB. Took part in “Support Growth Luncheon.” HBAL received BBB Integrity Award.
2007 Ward Fred Hoppe, President. Lighthouse build project completed with major assistance from HBAL members. Contributed to a Growth Dividend study, in cooperation with Realtor Association of Lincoln and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
2008 Jerry Boyce, President. Held Buy Now campaign. International Codes Council voted to require residential sprinklers. Arc fault protectors required by state. First Sporting Clay Shoot was held in October.
2009 Mike Benker, President. Formed Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation. Built new porch for Friendship home. Largest membership drive in HBAL history with 121 new members in two-day drive.
2010 Mike Rezac, President. Contributed to the successful Arena campaign. Remodelers Council received BBB Integrity Award. Six educational opportunities provided for members. Eighth largest Remodelers Council in the country. Promoted Green building and working with the city on various levels.
2011 Lois Hartzell, President. Nadine Condello retired from HBAL after 24 years. Mike Benker hired to be the next Executive Vice President. New home permits began to improve slightly after many years of decline due to economy and Impact Fees. HBAL supported the implementation of the City of Lincoln’s Accela software upgrade.
2012 Dan Klein, Sr., President. HBAL built their 16th Habitat for Humanity Home. The Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show was the largest to date (291 Exhibitors) at the Lancaster Event Center. Both golf tournaments were very successful, and the Sporting Clay Shoot had 145 participants. The Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation supported the Lincoln Children’s Museum.
2013 Mike Rezac, President. 14 entries in the Tour of Remodeled Homes. 67 Homes in the Spring Parade. Redesigned website went live in May giving members an opportunity to market new homes and lots for sale and a more friendly buyer’s guide for the public to use. The “Mike Dynasty” membership drive was held to promote the next three years of Mikes as HBAL presidents.
2014 Mike Kinning, President. HBAL purchased Ste. D of the 6100 building. Completely remodeled and expanded office space. Young Building Professionals had a launch party in September with over 100 people in attendance. The Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation supported Pilger and Beaver Crossing to assist in the rebuilding of their communities after being hit with tornados.
2015 Mike May, President. The Career Academy, a joint venture between LPS and SCC-Lincoln, opened in August with support from The Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation. HBAL became a stand-alone association in September, no longer affiliated with the State and National Associations. Oneday membership drive held on November 5 gained 82 new members. Michaela Harrison was hired as Executive Vice President in November.
2016 Justin Johnson, President. HBAL topped $1M in assets during the year, which according to Treasurer Bob Bryant, not many non-profits can claim. A new logo was designed for HBAL to replace the decades old round logo. HBAL opened an investment fund.
2017 Matt Kleinschmit, President. A ban on cardboard in the landfill was instituted by the City of Lincoln. Staff created a Corporate Sponsorship Program for members to bundle their sponsorships with HBAL.
2018 Bo Jones, President. The City of Lincoln approved zoning to allow accessory dwelling units on certain lots zoned for duplexes. A permanent change to open Board of Directors meetings with an invocation was approved. The State of Nebraska adopted radon resistant construction practices. The County adopted rules which allow accessory dwelling units on certain acreage properties.
2019 Denny Van Horn, President. HBAL built its 17th Habitat for Humanity Home. HBAL’s first Construction Career Day was held. City of Lincoln approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund street improvements. The HBAL office was remodeled to make the conference room larger and add storage space, eliminating the need for offsite storage of Parade of Homes and Tour of Remodeled Homes yard signs.
2020 Herb Reese, President. The City of Lincoln released their Affordable Housing Plan with a goal of 5,000 new affordable housing units in the next 10 years. The global pandemic, COVID 19, started in March. Historically low, 30-year interest rates on home mortgages, around 3%, spurred new construction and there were 926 single family building permits issued. The highest number since 2004.
2021 Matt Kinning, President. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Home & Garden Show was moved to March instead of February. HBAL built a greenhouse for Lincoln Lighthouse which was dedicated in November. HBAL joined the Stormwater Coalition to look at updates to the City’s Drainage Criteria Manual. Building remained strong with 848 single family permits issued.
2022 Fred Hoppe, President. Young Building Professionals rebranded to Future Leaders of HBAL. The City of Lincoln privatized curb cuts, changing the process to a saw cut instead of grinding. The City of Lincoln started looking to build a downtown convention center. Rising interest rates cooled the home building market and 575 single family permits were issued.
2023 Lori Wellman, President. The City’s Drainage Criteria Manual/Stormwater runoff was updated. Past President Bo Jones launched a new program called CareerPathway.com. This product is designed to help students find careers in their field of interest. There was a second and last Cruisin’ for the Trades car show held in May.
2024 Beau Daffer, President. Discussions began about renewing the Lincoln on the Move, 1/4 cent sales tax for street repairs and construction. The Arbor Day tornado devastated the Elkhorn area and Garner Industries in Lincoln was destroyed. The Home Builders Golf Tournament was renamed the Nadine Condello Memorial Golf Tournament, and a scholarship was established in her name through SCC-Milford to provide tools to incoming students in Building Construction Technology.
2025 Jereme Montgomery, President. ¼ cent sales tax for roads funding was renewed for another 8 years with support from HBAL. Building & Safety and Planning Departments were merged to become the Planning and Development Department at the City. The last Lincoln Business Builder was published in September, replaced by a weekly “HBAL Update” email.
