Ohio Builder Elected Chairman of NAHB
Bill Owens, a Worthington, Ohio-based, remodeler and home builder with more than 40 years of experience in the residential construction industry, today was elected as the 2026 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.
Owens is founder and principal of Owens Construction, a leading residential design/build firm in central Ohio that he established in 1982. The company’s award-winning designs focus on integrating seamless appearance, energy efficient technology and creating welcoming home environments.
“With the lack of homes the primary cause of growing housing affordability challenges, this year NAHB will work with the Trump administration and Congress to remove barriers that are raising housing and remodeling costs and preventing builders from increasing the nation’s housing supply,” said Owens. “We will also work with policymakers to adopt practical workforce development and immigration policy that will help our industry fill open jobs and reduce the cost of remodeling and home construction.”
For decades, Owens has been an active participant in the NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels. He currently serves as a senior life delegate of the NAHB Leadership Council and has been a member of the NAHB Board of Directors for more than 20 years.
Demonstrating outstanding leadership at the national level, Owens has served as Chairman of the NAHB Remodelers Council, the Home Builders Institute and the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Home Innovation Research Labs, as an NAHB State Representative and as NAHB National Area 6 Chairman.
Owens also previously served as the Chairman of The New American Home and The New American Remodel Task Forces, and also led the following NAHB committees: Public Affairs and Communications; Environmental Issues; Education; and the Construction Liability, Risk Management and Building Materials.
Active locally in the leadership of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, Owens served on its Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2005. He was named the association’s Remodeler of the Year in 1999, 2000 and 2003 and recognized as Builder of the Year in 2009.
On the state level, Owens has been a member of the Ohio Home Builders Association’s (OHBA) Board of Trustees since 1999 and is a life director. He was also president of the OHBA in 2011. In 2025, the OHBA presented Owens the Garson-McDaniel Memorial Award. This prestigious lifetime achievement award recognizes his significant, long-term dedication to the residential construction industry and the association.
A member of Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies Remodeling Futures Program, Owens has worked with non-profits such as the Better Living Design Institute and Partners for Community and Character. He holds designations as a Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and Certified Green Professional™.
Believing education is a cornerstone of the future, Owens devotes time to professional development, workforce development and the International Builders’ Show. His educational pursuits led to his leadership at the Home Builders Institute, where he served as chairman of its 2010 Board of Trustees.
Owens and his wife, Betsy, enjoy working together in their business and serving their community. Betsy is now president of Owens Construction.