President's Message
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| BANNJ President, Derek Weissman |
Dear BANNJ Members,
Happy New Year! As we stand on the threshold of 2024, I am excited to embark on a new journey as your President at the Builders Association of Northern New Jersey (BANNJ). The possibilities that lie ahead are limitless, and I am eager to share with you the vision for this year, focusing on building a stronger membership, elevating our educational initiatives, and fostering increased engagement within our organization.
1. Strengthening our Membership:
This year, our primary goal is to fortify the foundation of our association. To achieve this, we will be continuing our Ambassador Program. I encourage each of you to become ambassadors, representing BANNJ in your respective counties and spreading the word about the invaluable benefits of joining our community.
2. Elevating Education and Advocacy:
Our commitment to helping our membership be the most up to date and best version of themselves remains unwavering. This year, we aim to elevate our educational initiatives and advocacy efforts. Through targeted programs, workshops, and collaborative partnerships, we will empower our members with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in our industry. By amplifying our voice on the local and state level, we will ensure that BANNJ is at the forefront, actively shaping policies that benefit our members’ future.
3. Fostering Greater Engagement:
Engagement is the heartbeat of any successful organization. In 2024, we are committed to creating an environment that encourages active participation and collaboration. Our events will not only be informative but also serve as platforms for networking and relationship-building.
I am honored to have Kathleen, our dedicated Executive Officer, by my side. Her commitment to our local has been instrumental in propelling BANNJ forward, and I am confident that together, we will achieve new heights.
80th Anniversary Celebration
BANNJ had a wonderful 80th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, February 8th at Biagio’s & The Terrace in Paramus. Over 125 attendees enjoyed a fantastic evening of industry networking, delicious menu selections, good cheer and live music as we honored our members at the awards ceremony. Congratulations to the following Officers and Directors and to our new President, Derek Weissman of Procida who were installed by special guest NAHB Chief of Staff Meghan Everngam. Also in attendance were NJBA President Debra Tantleff and Billy Prempeh, 9th District Congressional Candidate from Paterson who attended in support of the industry.
President-Derek Weissman, Procida; Chairman of the Board-Thomas Petersen, SportProsUSA/TP Builders; VP Treasurer/Accountant-Candy Gordon-Geanoules, Sax, LLP; Associate VP-Kimberly Little, Sub Zero, Wolf & Cove; 2nd Associate VP-Jackie Giraldo, Ferguson; Legal Counsel-Jared Lans, Esq, Jared Lans & Associates. Board of Directors: Alan Archuleta, Archuleta Builders; Ashley Brito, 9 Mile RE LLC.; Kristie Davida, Home Ateliers; Arnold DeMasi, DeMasi Construction; Richard Gaynor, Middleton & Company; John Kelly, Builders First Source; Michael Kurpiel, Carter Lumber; Sharon Minto, Crown Point Cabinetry; Sal Orsillo, Marvic Corporation.
Prior to the Installation Ceremony, our own John Cioletti of Reno’s Appliance was presented with an NAHB Proclamation honoring his years of service to the local, state and national levels of the association. John is a BANNJ Past President, Past Chairman of the Board, Past Associate Vice President, NJBA Board Member and Immediate Past Associate Vice President and Associate Committee Chair. He is the first Premier Partner at BANNJ, starting this valuable program for our local and has served on numerous committees and won many awards in honor of his service and dedication to the industry. In 2024, John will represent New Jersey on the NAHB Associates Committee with his recent appointment by the NAHB leadership.
Very special congratulations to all our award winners: Young Professional Rising Star Award: Ashley Brito; Associate Member Cornerstone Award: Kimberly Little; Associate Member Cornerstone Award: Candy Gordon; Associate of the Year Award: Kristie Davida; Builder Member Cornerstone Award: Derek Weissman and Builder Member of the Year Award: Thomas Petersen.
Special thanks to John Cioletti as our Master of Ceremonies, Arnold DeMasi, Installation Dinner Chair, Aimee Petersen of The Perfect Shindig and Amanda Krakowiak of Heritage WBE, Inc. Printing for their great work to help make this event such a success and to our fantastic band, Whiskey Helps.
Special thanks to all our generous Installation Sponsors including Event Sponsors: Titan Engineers and Reliance Surfaces; Cocktail Reception Sponsors: Crown Point Cabinetry and Carter Lumber; Photo Sponsors: The Perfect Shindig and Procida; Music Sponsors: Sax, LLP. and Andersen Corporation; Decoration Sponsors: Dream Builders and Heritage WBE, Inc., and Award Sponsors: Archuleta Builders and Peggy Mathieu in Memory of Jeffrey C. Mathieu.
Many thanks also to all those who placed an ad in the commemorative ad journal. View Photo from this and all events at https://www.bannj.org/image-gallery/
Very special thanks to our outgoing President and Chairman of the Board, Thomas Petersen, for an incredible two years as our president. Coming up Next…Please join us for an informative virtual educational seminar on March 7th as our expert, Jared Lans, Esq. discusses The New Corporate Transparency Act and How it Will Affect All Businesses. Don’t miss this valuable information! On Friday April 26th, come out to a fun networking event with Metro and NKBA for a Night at the Races at Meadowlands Racetrack. Save the Date for our Annual Golf Outing & Scholarship Awards at White Beeches Golf & Country Club on Monday, May 13th.
NEW PREMIER PARTNER
Special Note: U.S. Expected to Increase Lumber Tariffs in 2024 The U.S. Department of Commerce has signaled that it plans to raise tariffs later this year on imports of Canadian softwood lumber products from the current rate of 8.05% to about 14% following its annual review of existing tariffs. Housing Affordability Remains Near Historic Low Level Mortgage rates that hit more than a 20-year high, coupled with elevated construction costs and excessive regulatory costs, left housing affordability in the fourth quarter of 2023 virtually unchanged from the previous quarter and holding near its lowest level in more than a decade. When Will the Fed Begin to Cut Rates? The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee held the federal funds rate constant at a top target of 5.5% at the conclusion of its January meeting. |
The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage crossed over 7% on Monday for the first time since December, hitting 7.04%, according to Mortgage News Daily. |
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.64% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.12%. |
Americans took advantage of falling rates as they added billions of dollars worth mortgages in the fourth quarter, data from the New York Fed shows, and experts told Newsweek what that means.
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| Michael A. McDonough, Esq. |
2024 College and Trade School Scholarship Applications Now Available! BANNJ Members- If you know a student who plans to pursue a degree or career training in the building industry and resides in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson or Sussex Counties, kindly pass along. Please see https://www.bannj.org/scholarship-foundation/ for more information and to download applications. Deadline for submissions is April 1, 2024.
Builders:
NYCM
Construction Management
Vicktor Lysenko
2461 E 16th Street
Brooklyn, NY 1235
718-569-5172
nycmgov@gmail.com
OTAP
Contracting Corp.
Piero Abballe
20 Ann Street
Old Tappan, NJ 07675
201-270-9178
otapcontractincorp@gmail.com
Sponsor: AMT
NB Home
Improvement
Mike Rizzi
1227 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
908-307-2591
info@nbhomesnj.com
Associates:
Tara
Wohltman
Advancing Opportunities Home Assessments
16 Bergen Trl
Hopatcong, NJ 07843
609-401-7763
tarawohltman@gmail.com
IPRG
(Commercial Real Estate)
Kelly Bastidas
160 Morgan Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
551-556-3738
kelly@iprg.com
A-Z
Installs
Wagner Monge
PO Box 2966
Clifton, NJ 07011
201-686-7319
info@azinstalls.com
Spray
Foam Genie/Northern NJ
Dawn Dino
220 Franklin Road
Randolph, NJ 07869
201-201-8227
dawn.dino@sprayfoamgenie.com
Thursday, March 7th 4:00PM-5:00PM Virtual Educational Seminar
on The New Corporate Transparency Act & How it Will Affect All
Businesses by Jared Lans, Esq.
March 19-21 Atlantic Builders Convention
Friday, April 26th-Night at the Races with METRO@ Meadowlands Racetrack
Monday, May 13th-Annual Golf Outing & Scholarship Awards
Thursday, July 11th Multi-Association Summer Business Social at Reno’s Appliance
Register for all events at
https://members.bannj.org/events
