Exceptional EOs Recognized by NAHB

The 2023 Association Excellence Awards (AEA) Individual Winners were announced during the Association Management Conference, Aug. 20-22, in Salt Lake City. The Individual AEA is an annual program designed to recognize Executive Officers outstanding accomplishments in association management.

This year, Michele Leppard, Jessie Spradley, Kathy Raab and Russell Davis were honored in four distinct award categories for their career achievements and dedication to the home building industry.

Small Office Honor

Michele Leppard of the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey is the Small Office Honor recipient. The award is traditionally presented to an EO from a small association who is judged to have made exceptional accomplishments despite limited resources.

HBA members say Leppard takes pride in her work, gets along with members and goes above and beyond to help them. As EO, she's the HBA's biggest supporter and wants everyone to be successful.

New Executive Officer Award

Jessie Spradley of the Northeast Florida Builders Association (Jacksonville, Fla.) received the New Executive Officer Award. The award is presented to an EO who has served no more than three years in an association management position but who is judged to have made major contributions to the profession during that time.

Spradley has fostered an environment of open communication, according to the HBA members. He brings the team together to push for a common goal and membership has also increased under his leadership.

Executive Officer of the Year Award

This year's Executive Officer of the Year Award winner is Kathy Raab, CAE, CNAP, of the Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee (Wisc.). This award honors a dedicated EO whose actions, commitments and accomplishments in a single year have been truly exceptional.

Among her many accomplishments as EO, the association has achieved membership growth under Raab's leadership, increased member retention and spearheaded an initiative to recruit young professionals.

Career Achievement Award

This year's Career Achievement award honors Russell Davis of the Home Builders Association of Alabama. The award pays tribute to EOs who exemplify the highest level of dedication, loyalty and commitment, and is the highest recognition that can be awarded in the Executive Officers Council.

Davis was hired as an EO in 1984 and in his first year he established the Alabama Home Builders Self Insurers Fund. The fund now provides workers' compensation coverage to more than 5,000 members statewide. He also led the charge to create a small group health insurance program for members, one of the HBA's most sought out member benefits.

View the AEA individual winner views in the video playlist above to learn more about each honoree's contributions and accomplishments. Nominations for the 2024 AEA Individual Awards will be accepted at the end of the year. Visit the AEA webpage to learn more.