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

Energy
Aug 17, 2026
HUD Releases New HOME and HTF Energy Standards Following NAHB Win

Following key code victories secured by NAHB earlier this year, HUD has revised the energy standards that HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Participating Jurisdictions and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) grantees must meet for newly constructed housing.

Economics
Aug 17, 2026
Affordability Pressures Keep Builder Confidence Low

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 35 in August, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics
Aug 18, 2026
Housing Starts Retreat on Market Headwinds

Housing starts fell in July as economic uncertainty, rising construction costs, labor shortages and elevated financing expenses continued to challenge builders.

Economics
Aug 18, 2026
Cash Purchases of New Homes Fall to Lowest Share Since 2007

New home sales rose in the second quarter but were lower than a year ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau New Residential Sales release.

Economics
Aug 17, 2026
Consumer Credit Slowed in Q2

In the second quarter of 2026, consumer credit growth slowed over the quarter and was lower than a year ago. According to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report, total outstanding U.S. consumer credit reached $5.17 trillion in the second quarter of 2026.