NAHB Mourns the Passing of Past Chairman Dean Mon

Dean Mon, 2020 NAHB chairman, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Actively involved in the New Jersey building industry for more than 30 years, Mon was president of the D.R. Mon Group, Inc., which specializes in the development and construction of green urban living projects throughout New Jersey.

Mon was active in NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels throughout his career, including chairing NAHB’s Government Affairs Committee, Construction Safety and Health Committee, and Single-Family Production Builders Committee. He also served three terms as the NAHB National Area 2 Chairman and was a member of the NAHB Transitional Board.

“Dean Mon was a leader of remarkable charisma and strength,” shared NAHB CEO Jim Tobin. “In his brief tenure as NAHB Chairman, Dean brought an unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of home builders across the nation. His decades of leadership at the local, state and national levels — from championing practical, cost-effective building codes in New Jersey to guiding key federal and safety initiatives — reflect a career defined by service and impact. As the first Hispanic Chairman of NAHB, Dean’s election marked an important milestone for our Federation and underscored his deep respect among his peers.”

Mon held every leadership position at his local association, the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey, and served as director, executive board member and president of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA). As the 1996 NJBA president, Mon led the charge to amend the state’s Uniform Construction Code Act to require all codes to be necessary, practical and cost-effective. This review resulted in an annual savings of approximately $4,000 per home. He was inducted into the NJBA Hall of Fame in 1996 and named the NJBA Builder of the Year in 1998. In 2000, he received the NJBA Affordable Housing Award.

A New Jersey resident since 1964, Mon attended Newark College of Engineering where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. Mon served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, achieving the rank of sergeant, and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.