February 20, 2009 - The National Association of Home Builders’ National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) has named Mary DeWalt, MIRM, the 2009 recipient of the Bill Molster Award. The award was presented to DeWalt, president of Mary DeWalt Design Group, at The Nationals^SM Awards gala, held during the 2009 International Builders’ Show last month.

The award is named for Bill Molster, who was responsible for the development of NAHB's Marketing Department and ultimately the National Sales and Marketing Council. Bill joined NAHB in 1955 as a special assistant to the executive director, and in that position was responsible for finding ways of increasing and expanding the services of the association. He was recognized by his peers with the establishment of the "Bill Molster Award" as a tribute to his extraordinary service to the NSMC. Since 1965, this award has been given annually to individuals who have made major contributions to furthering the goals of the NSMC and the Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM).

“Throughout her career, Mary has demonstrated great leadership and dedication to the National Sales and Marketing Council, the Institute of Residential Marketing, and to the industry,” said Tom Stephani, 2009 NSMC Chair. “She embodies everything this award represents, and we are proud to honor her for her hard work.”

As president of a national, award-winning model home merchandising firm based in Austin, Texas, DeWalt has been working with home builders nationwide for more than 20 years. During this time, DeWalt acquired a vast working knowledge of the model home merchandising industry and what it takes to be a success.

DeWalt is past chair of the National Sales and Marketing Council, past president of the Institute of Residential Marketing and has served on NAHB’s Executive Board. She is a certified instructor of NAHB’s Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising, and Promotion Strategies (IRM III) course, and regularly contributes to industry magazines including Sales + Marketing Ideas. She conducts seminars on model home merchandising for Sales and Marketing Councils and Home Builders Associations across the country and has been a featured speaker at the International Builders’ Show for more than 15 years.