2016 BIA award recipients

Members of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina (BIA) voted for their choice of nominees for the Byron Crosthwaite Builder Member of the Year Award and the Associate Member of the Year Award. The Byron Crosthwaite Builder Member of the Year is Clint Galloway, CMB, Galloway Family Homes.

Clint has been a Builder Member since 2003 and served as Treasurer of the BIA Board of Directors in 2016. He supported BIA legislative efforts by attending the annual Day at the Capital and the HBA of SC Bird Supper, and by donating at the Gold Hammer level in the SC Builders PAC and a Gold Key Club level of the NAHB Build PAC. He participated in the Sumter Clarendon Chapter Golf Tournament and has earned the Certified Master Builder (CMB) designation. Clint is a member of the Membership Committee and is an active new member recruiter.

The BIA Associate Member of the Year is Kim O’Quinn, Corporate Vice President of Marketing, Mungo Homes. In 2015, Kim served as the Secretary of the Sales and Marketing Council, and on the Scholarship Selection Committee. In memory of her late husband, Jon Ryall, Kim established the Live Big™ group to raise funds to establish the Jon Ryall Scholarship to Clemson University that is awarded through the Building Industry Charitable Foundation.

Frank Mitchell of Orion Construction was named Commercial Contractor of the Year. Frank started Orion Construction Co. in 1985 to handle renovation and repair jobs. Over the years, the company transitioned into government contracts, residential construction and then, in 2011, to light commercial construction. Frank joined the association in 2007, served on the BIA Board of Directors in 2014 and 2015, and continues to be an active member of the association and the BIA Commercial Council.

The BIA Corporate Member of the Year is Mungo Homes. This award was created to recognize an outstanding member company of the association. This award takes into account a company’s contributions on the whole toward the betterment of our association, including financial support, use of company resources and representation of the association in an outstanding manner.

Currently ranked the 37th largest builder in the country by Builder magazine, the Mungo family started building new homes in Columbia, South Carolina in 1954. Principals, Steven and Stewart Mungo, recognize their role as community leaders and are honored to participate on many civic boards and philanthropic committees. Employees are also encouraged to get involved, and they do, including three past presidents of the Association. Many serve on boards and committees supporting education, healthcare, non-profit and civic organizations, the arts, and, of course, the home building industry. Many are either officers in their churches or teach Sunday school.

On a corporate level, Mungo Homes supports The National Kidney Foundation, South Carolina National Guard, Oliver Gospel Mission, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Keep America Beautiful, Pawmetto Lifeline, Wofford College, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and many, many other organizations. To commemorate the company’s 60th anniversary in 2014, the Community Builder Award was established in partnership with WIS-TV to recognize unsung “heroes” in our community who give their time and talents to help others.

John Covert of Covert Homes was named the Richard N. Sendler award winner. This award is voted on by past recipients and nominees must project a community image that adds stature to the association, exemplify standards promoted and supported by the association, institute innovative and creative ideas that have improved the housing industry and have unquestionable character and integrity. John Covert is a Columbia native with over 15 years in the construction industry. In addition to his work with Covert Homes, John is heavily involved in the betterment of the home building business community.

John served as the Association’s President in 2014 and was recognized as the Sales and Marketing Council’s Builder Executive of the Year in 2009. John and his wife Tami were both involved as directors of “Salkehatchie Summer Service” for 14 years and with Christian Assistance Bridge in Blythewood for the last 5 years, and now with Homes Works of America. These missions provide for free home repairs and essential need for families living in poverty in our area.

Columbia Shelving & Mirror was named Trade Contractor of the Year. The company is recognized for their outstanding quality of work for BIA Members. The company has been affiliated with the association since 1990 and they have been active in many ways over those years. William Godshall, owner of Columbia Shelving & Mirror is a previous member of the association’s Board of Directors and was the 2005 Associate Member of the Year.

The Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina would like to commend the award winners on their hard work and dedication throughout the year. They have not only served the building industry well, but the Columbia community and the entire state have benefited from their dedication and work.