Meet the 2020 IBS Scholarship Recipients

Now in its fifth year, the IBS Scholarship Program for NAHB members between the ages of 21-35 received a record number of applicants — 125 from 39 states — to receive a scholarship to attend the 2020 NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS). From those 125 applicants, 22 were chosen to attend IBS this coming January. This year’s recipients are:

• Katie Archibald (Wichita Area Builders Association) – Archibald Homes, LLC
• Andrew Bettis (Greater Fort Worth Builders Association) – Bettis Construction
• Andrew Brindley (Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis) – High Efficiency Homes
• Jesse Brown (El Paso Association of Builders) – Franklin Door & Trim
• Rachel Burton Williams (Home Builders Association of Jackson) – CLEAResult
• Yvette Dion Hall (Tallahassee Builders Association) – Dion Builders LLC
• Jessy Epley (Wilkes & Yadkin Home Builders Association) – Sedgewick Homes
• Kristen Fowler (Home Builders Association of Metro Denver) – KGA Studio Architects, PC
• Ramy Hanna (Northern Virginia Builders Industry Association) – Golden Rule Builders, Inc
• Brady Johanson (Greater San Antonio Builders Association) – Brady Colt Custom Homes
• Jacob Kaplan (Home Builders Association of Raleigh & Wake County) – Garman Homes, LLC
• Amanda Kurt (Lakeland Builders Association) – Kurk, Inc.
• Kevin Lovoy (Association of Home Builders of Greater Birmingham) – ELM Construction LLC
• Cameron Medlin (Home Builders Association of Raleigh & Wake County) – Garman Homes, LLC
• Lauren Merritt (Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association) – Loren Homes, Inc
• Aaron Park (Dallas Builders Association) – Main Street Lumber & Millwork
• Brady Ramsey (Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association) – Brady Built Construction LLC
• Kenzie Reynolds (Home Builders Association of Spokane) – Strohmaier Construction Inc
• Lou Salge (Builders Association of Northeast Indiana) – Four Seasons Design & Remodeling
• Nick Scroggs (Asheville Home Builders Association) – Scroggs Construction Services, LLC
• Rachel Sparks (Home Builders Association of Metro Portland) – THE Remodel Group
• Ryan Spencer (Home Builders Association of the Upper Peninsula) – Dickinson Homes Inc.

Among the scholarship recipients, 20% are entrepreneurs/business owners, 76% are first-time IBS attendees and more than 10% serve on their local home builders association (HBA) board. All of them possess a passion for home building, with many looking for opportunities to engage more people — especially younger generations — in the industry. Applicants noted that one of the biggest challenges young professionals face in the industry is not only misconceptions about the home-building industry, but their generation as well, which can hamper growth and opportunity. "We've all heard it: Millennials are lazy and entitled; boomers don't like change. These stereotypes cause problems in every industry," shared Rachel Burton Williams. "However, even though colleges are being pushed upon millennials, they are still engaged with the building and construction industry due to ever-changing projects and having a sense of purpose," she added. "Millennials appreciate boomers' mentorships, good attitudes and work-related stories. Boomers appreciate millennials' fresh eyes and new ideas. Bridging the gap between tech-savvy students and experienced workers is a challenge I happily accept for our future." Learn more about these impressive individuals here.