NAHB Names Outstanding Educator, Professionals of the Year
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) honored six individuals who have excelled in teaching NAHB education courses and who have displayed notable professionalism as NAHB educational designation holders, naming them the 2021 Educator and Designees of the Year. The awards were given during the 2022 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) this week in Orlando.
“These home building industry professionals are true leaders in their respective fields,” said NAHB Education Committee Chair Joanne Theunissen, CAPS, CGP, CGR. “They are committed to staying on top of current trends and improving their own skills, which sets an example for their fellow industry professionals.”
The honorees are:
Builder Designee of the Year. Donny Mack, CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB, is the president and CEO of Beaver Builders located in Sanger, Texas. A 30-year industry veteran of the Dallas home building industry, Mack believes in giving back and plays an active role in the local, state and national levels of the industry. He has also held various leadership positions within the industry, including the Dallas Builders Association president (2008). Mack holds four NAHB designations and frequently attends classes to gain new insight. He is also an NAHB Master Instructor for professional designation courses.
CAPS Designee of the Year. Matt Mitchell, CAPS, CGB, CGP, CSP, GMB, Master CGP, is the owner of James Andrews Custom Homes LLC in Dallas, Texas. Mitchell has been a builder and realtor since 2002 and has been actively involved in the Dallas Builders Association (BA) since he first joined in 2011. Mitchell has held various leadership roles at the Dallas BA, including his role as 2020-2021 president. His quest for knowledge has earned him several college degrees, including an associate of arts and science degree in construction management from North Lake College.
HCCP Designee of the Year. Thomas Stagg, HCCP, is a partner in the metro Seattle office of Novogradac. As a recognized expert in the industry, he specializes in audit and tax services for real estate transactions. Stagg is experienced in auditing affordable housing developments and specializes in the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and federal governmental auditing requirements. He has extensive experience with LIHTC deal structuring, including assisting developers and investors navigating acquisition/rehabilitation developments and Year 15 disposition issues, and has assisted many clients in applying for and obtaining the LIHTC. Frequently speaking at industry events as well as Novogradac’s affordable housing conferences and webinars, he also works with real estate firms and fund organizers that are working on opportunity zones funds and investments.
Green Professional Designee of the Year. Nicolas Ray Ream, CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CSP, is the senior vice president of sales and marketing at Montana Heritage Home Builders Inc. in Columbia Falls, Mont., an award-winning family owned and operated luxury design/build company. Specializing in social media, advertising and marketing, Ream educates individuals at the HBA of Metro Denver annual meeting regarding the designations he has earned and the benefits of those. He also promotes earning NAHB designations at the University of Denver Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management.
Sales & Marketing Designee of the Year. Shawn P. McGuire, CAPS, CSP, Master CSP, a sales manager with Celebrity Homes in Omaha, Neb., has nearly 30 years in the new home industry. He is a true professional with incredible knowledge of the real estate industry. McGuire is continually training and coaching his sales staff and is always looking for innovative ways to conduct business.
Educator of the Year. Tag Gilkeson, CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CGR, CMP, CSP, GMB, Master CGP, Master CSP, MIRM, is the owner of Tag & Associates, LLC, a design/build company located in Carrollton, Texas. Gilkeson got his start in the real estate and construction industry in 1999 after obtaining his Texas REALTOR license. In 2009, he turned his attention to gaining more knowledge in his field by earning an associate degree in architecture and a bachelor’s degree in construction management. A believer in lifelong learning, Gilkeson is passionate about education and works diligently as an NAHB Education approved instructor. He is also an active member of the Dallas Builders Association.