National Housing Center Awards Recognize Outstanding Industry Legends

Several industry leaders were recently honored for their contributions to the housing industry during the National Housing Center Awards Ceremony on June 10 in Washington, D.C. The ceremony recognized the 2025 inductees to the National Housing Hall of Fame and the recipients of the Exemplary Service to Home Building Award.

2025 National Housing Hall of Fame Inductees:

• Calvin “Chip” Dence: From the very beginning of his career, Chip Dence saw the value of membership in the NAHB Federation. For more than 30 years, he was what many described as the “perfect volunteer desired by every organization.” In the midst of building his business, Chip was also building up builders’ associations at the local, state and national level through recruitment and active membership participation.
  
  
• Donald R. Horton: Don “D.R.” Horton founded his eponymous company in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, with the vision of providing affordable, quality homes across the United States. D.R.’s humble beginnings, frugal nature, desire to win and entrepreneurial spirit helped him create a culture that permeates his company even today.
  
  
• Heather McCune: Heather McCune’s work as a leading marketer for home building over the past several decades has elevated the message of residential construction in immeasurable ways. The driving force behind such influential publications as Pro Builder, Pro Remodeler and Custom Builder, and as marketing director for Bassenian Lagoni Architects, Heather has given a voice and a platform to builders, remodelers, designers, marketers and companies from across the nation.
  
  
• Karl “Randy” Noel: Randy Noel, 2018 Chairman of NAHB, has served as an advocate for home building both in his native Louisiana and across the country for many years. All who know him have expressed his passion for the industry and that he is undaunted by the task of changing minds in order to better "Build Homes, Enrich Communities and Change Lives."
  
  
• Gregory F. Ugalde: Greg Ugalde built his career in the industry on the foundation of service and connection. A lifelong NAHB member, Greg served as Chairman of the Association in 2019. Bringing people together is what Greg has found so special about being a home builder, an NAHB member and part of the larger residential construction community. His legacy of finding common ground in order to solve problems has left a lasting impression on his customers, his family, and his peers.

2025 Exemplary Service to Home Building Award Recipients:

• Lawrence F. Fiano: It is impossible to separate BUILD-PAC, NAHB’s political action committee, from the name Lawrence “Larry” Fiano. Larry’s leadership and commitment to the building industry through lifting up and supporting pro-housing candidates has set a benchmark for advocacy for the housing industry. His legacy in the industry will be his dedication to his community and his tireless fundraising for BUILD-PAC. In the 21 years since the Fiano family golf tournament started raising money for BUILD-PAC, they have raised over $1.5 million benefiting the PAC’s work in Connecticut and across the country.
  
  
• Charles and Emma Shinn: Dr. Charles “Chuck” C. Shinn Jr., PhD, is an NAHB legend, with a career that has shaped the landscape for over 55 years. His wife, Emma S. Shin, MBA, CPA, is also a highly respected leader in home building, renowned for her deep experience in managerial accounting and financial management. Together they own and run Shinn Consulting and Builder Partnerships. Chuck and Emma’s legacy in the home building industry is unparalleled. The work they have done has helped many leading builders weather the ups and downs in the industry. Several builders have expressed their gratitude for Chuck and Emma’s unwavering ability to speak the truth. As a result, many builders were able successfully navigate through the great recession. Today, their influence continues to drive innovation, excellence, and profitability for builders and manufacturers across North America.

Visit nahb.org to learn more about these individuals and their significant contributions to the home building industry.

Nominations Open for 2026 Awards

The National Housing Center Board of Governors is seeking nominations for NAHB’s two highest honors: Membership in the National Housing Hall of Fame and the Exemplary Service in Home Building award.

• The National Housing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to recognize those individuals whose spirit, ingenuity and determination have changed the face of housing for the better, making America one of the best-housed nations in the world.
• The Exemplary Service in Home Building award recognizes individuals for outstanding and commendable accomplishments in service to the housing industry.

Nominations for the 2026 Induction Ceremony may be submitted by an NAHB member or local home builder association. You can learn more about the awards and access the nomination form on the National Housing Hall of Fame webpage.

Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 17, 2025. For more information, please contact Cyndi McKinley.