HBA Honors Late Builder by Creating Grants for Young Professionals

IBS
Published

Derek Weiss was an ambitious business owner whose work brought bespoke and handcrafted millworks, cabinetry and furniture pieces to Detroit. The third-generation carpenter who worked at Home Dimensions Custom Carpentry in Holly, Mich., tragically passed away at the age of 39 in 2021.

In his honor, the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan announced four $1,000 grants for HBA members to attend the 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS), an event Weiss greatly benefited from in growing his business.

The grants were made by the 3 Rivers Community Foundation to four individuals aged 40 or younger, who are licensed remodelers or builders in Michigan and current members of the HBA.

The awardees are:

  • Jacob Morris Beer of Nosan Signature Homes in Farmington Hills
  • Hussein Mokahal of The LED Lion, Inc. in Dearborn Heights
  • Gordon Russell III of Russell Building Company in St. Clair Shores
  • Maxwell Zervos of Zervos Construction in Farmington

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics
Sep 08, 2026
How Are Rising Costs Impacting the Cost of Single-Family Homes?

The housing industry is experiencing elevated costs across the board — from land to labor and building materials. NAHB’s Economics team is in the process of measuring how these rising costs impact the cost to build single-family homes. And we need your help.

Advocacy
Sep 04, 2026
National Flood Insurance Program Extended Through Dec. 11

Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution extending funding at current levels for federal programs through Dec. 11.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics
Sep 07, 2026
Shorter Apartment Construction Time in 2025

The average time needed to complete construction of a multifamily building after obtaining authorization edged down in 2025, according to the 2025 Survey of Construction (SOC) from the Census Bureau.

Economics
Sep 04, 2026
Beating Expectations: U.S. Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs in August

The U.S. labor market rebounded in August, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 162,000 and upward revisions adding 55,000 jobs to June and July. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, as both employment and the labor force participation rate rose over the month.

Economics
Sep 04, 2026
New vs. Existing Home Prices: What the National Median Misses

In the second quarter of 2026, the national median price for a new single-family home was $410,700, $25,000 lower than the national median price of an existing home, which stood at $435,700.