BRANNJ President, Don DiNovi

President's Message

Thank you to all members and guests who attended our 71^st Annual Installation & Awards Dinner at The Graycliff in Moonachie on January 15^th. Many thanks to our Event Sponsor, Smolin Lupin and our Music Sponsor, Jacuzzi Luxury Bath. Special thanks to NJBA Officers David Fisher of K. Hovnanian, George Vallone of Hoboken Brownstone Company and Dwight Pittenger of Pittenger Builders who attended the event. Mr. Fisher officiated the ceremony installing our new President and 2015 officers and board of directors. Very many thanks to our past president, Jeff Matthieu, for perfoming the master of ceremonies role for our awards presentation.
Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening of great conversation, delicious food, and terrific music by Kemp Music.

Awards were given to the following deserving members: Special Recognition Awards are presented to newer members who exhibit outstanding dedication and participation during their initial membership years. The winners were Tony Cavallo of Pella Windows and Sarah Raleigh of Jacuzzi Luxury Bath. Special Appreciation Awards were given to longtime members Glen Lumia of Creative Design Construction/Creative Design Cabinet Solutions and Bob Schrumpf of North Jersey Media Group for their continued support and dedication to our local Association.

Other winners included: Associate of Fame, Richard Gaynor of Middleton & Company Insurance; Builder Hall of Fame, Leonard Herman of Remmington Construction; Chairman’s Award to Glen Lumia and President’s Award to Charles Baldanza. Congratulations to all and to see photos from the event please click here!

I hope to see many of you at some of our upcoming events. We have just added a Member Education Seminar on February 18^th featuring special guest speaker, Jim Kirkos, President & CEO of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber who will present an hour seminar on the 2015 economic and housing forecast for the Northern, NJ market. Also, don’t miss our Spring Fundraiser, Mystery Comedy Theatre Night on March 18^th. Please see below for more information on these and more 2015 events and register online at www.brannj.org!

Regards,

Don

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The Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern New Jersey is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Kurpiel, CGA, CGP to the National Association of Home Builders' BUILD-PAC officer ranks. Michael will began his position of Associate Vice Chairman at the conclusion of the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. This is the first time since Jirair Hovnanian, Legend of Housing builder from Builders League of South Jersey, served as BUILD-PAC Chairman that a member of New Jersey Builders Association has served our national PAC and only the second time a member from NJ has ascended to political leadership. Michael is the first associate, nationwide, to have served in all three associate leadership roles at the national level with past roles being the National Associate Vice President 2009 & 2010 and becoming the Associate Members Committee Chairman in 2011.

A few other milestones reached by Michael;

First associate from NJBA to chair two committees (Membership and Associates)
First associate from NJBA to serve more than one year on NAHB's Executive Board (5 years)
First associate from NJBA to achieve life director status (10 years on NAHB board of directors)
First associate from NJBA to receive four national awards; Associate of the Year, Bill Polley BUILD-PAC Award, BUILD-PAC's Associate of the Year and the Certified Graduate Associate of the Year.
Fifth associate from NJBA to be inducted into The Society of Honored Associates, NAHB's Hall of Fame for associate members and second from BRANNJ (Don Van Natta was the first)

Wednesday February 18^th~Join us for a Member Education Seminar from 5:00pm-6:00pm featuring guest speaker, James Kirkos, President & CEO of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, who will present a 2015 economic and housing forecast for the Northern, NJ market. $10 members; $20 non-members. Please call the BRANNJ office at 201-843-6868 or email kathleen@brannj.org by February 16^th to register.

Wednesday March 18, 2015—Murder Mystery Dinner & Comedy Night featuring Drop Dead Comedy. We are bringing back this favorite event for our Spring fundraiser this year. Always a fantastic evening, bring your colleagues, spouse, friends and come out to support your Association! 6:00PM, The Fiesta in Wood-Ridge.

Thursday, April 16, 2015—Lunch & Learn Codes Panel Seminar (panelists to include a DCA representative; local builder/developer; Green Codes Official and more). 11:30am-1:00pm at SaxBST, 855 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ

Wednesday, May 27, 2015—Annual Golf Outing & Scholarship Awards, River Vale Country Club. Join us for lunch and a great day on this beautiful course, or just attend our cocktail reception, dinner and golf/scholarship awards presentation. A great networking event and fantastic sponsorship opportunities available. 11:00 registration; 1:00 shotgun and 6:00PM Cocktails/Dinner/Awards.

Tuesday, June 9^th—Educational Event-Put the Law on YOUR Side-Part 2. Don’t miss this interactive seminar and learn valuable information for builders, contractors and associates on contract negotiation and how to protect your business in a fast changing business climate. 6:00PM Scarinci Hollenbeck, Lyndhurst, NJ.