Associates Are Key to Tennessee Builder's Success

NAHB Associate members support the industry in many different capacities as trade professionals, business suppliers, service providers, product manufacturers and more. Constituting more than 65% of NAHB membership, Associates come from a variety of fields that Builders rely on to do business every day. Those relationships are the key to what make our industry thrive and our Federation a community.

Alan VanWhy, president of the HBA of Greater Knoxville, understands this relationship well. He owns and operates Noble Knights Construction Services, Inc., a one-stop shop for custom home construction, design, renovation and cabinetry services. Each offering requires partnerships with Associate members. VanWhy credits those team members for his success.

"Associates represent my company, quality and end product," he said. "Without them, my business doesn't exist."

Not only are these members important to the success of his business, but they represent the type of members who bring strength in numbers to local and state associations and NAHB. "The more support we have in the Federation, the more voices we have and the more we are heard," he added.

Last year, VanWhy was the recipient of the NAHB Builders Engaging Associate Members (BEAM) Award. This honor is given to one builder or one local entity that best exemplifies the motto, "It's good business to do business with a member." Each local HBA is invited to submit one nominee for the award directly to NAHB.

Nominated by HBAGK Executive Officer Ashley Burnette, VanWhy's company exemplifies what the BEAM award stands for. "When Builder and Associate members work together, they both benefit from the relationship. Alan is an example of that," Burnette said. "He is a great champion of membership at our local HBA and does his best to use 100% of our members for his projects."

VanWhy was honored for his outstanding teamwork at the Associates of Excellence Awards Program held during the 2020 International Builders' Show (IBS).

The applications for the 2020 BEAM award are open through Sept. 18. Submit a nominee through the application on the awards portal. This year's award will be presented at the 2021 IBS in Orlando.