BIA announces 2018 member awards

Members of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina (BIA) have selected Stan O’Brien, Paradime Construction, Inc. as the 2018 Byron Crosthwaite Builder Member of the Year Award. The sponsor of the award is Movement Mortgage.

O’Brien was born in Watertown, NY and his family moved to South Carolina when he was young. He attended Stratford High School in Goose Creek, SC and continued his education at Clemson University where he attained a BS in Architecture in 1992 and a BS in Construction Science in 1993. In 1999 he founded Paradime Construction, Inc., a custom home building company. O’Brien and his wife, Kristen, have two sons, Trey and Evan.

O’Brien joined the association in 1999 and became more active in the association in 2007 when the High Performance Building Council was formed by members. He was involved in developing the council’s Certified High Performance (CHiP) Home Program and has built certified homes, including the first one in the program that now boasts nearly 5000 certified homes.

O’Brien has also been an active member in the BIA’s Building Code Review Committee for many years. He has spent countless hours at many meetings to help keep building codes robust yet cost effective and usable by all builders in the state. In 2016, O’Brien helped develop the BIA Remodelers Council’s Certified Universal Living Program and built the first three certified homes in the program. He is currently a Builder Director on the BIA Board of Directors.

The 2018 BIA Associate Member of the Year is Brandon Jeffcoat of Clark’s Termite & Pest Control. He served on the BIA Board of the Board of Directors as the 2018 Associates Vice President and on the SMC Board of Directors as Chair of the Program Committee. In addition, he serves on the committees for the BIA Golf Classic and the Michael P. Nieri Bass Classic and he is Chief Oyster Cooker for the annual BIG THURSDAY Rivalry Party. A previous recipient of the SMC Member of the Year, he volunteers to deliver school supplies for St. Lawrence Place. The Associate Member of the Year Award is sponsored by Essex Homes.

C. David Tuttle of Lake Carolina Development, Inc. was named the Richard N. Sendler award winner. This award sponsored by BMC is voted on by past presidents and associate vice presidents of the Building Industry Association and the recipient 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. Tuttle served as President of the Association in 2015 and currently serves on the Richland County Planning Commission and will serve as the 2019 Treasurer of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina and the National Association of Home Builders Leadership Council.

Sponsored by Synovus Mortgage, the Commercial Contractor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Commercial member company of the BIA of Central South Carolina, and the award goes to 84 Lumber. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber is a privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings. 84 Lumber was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers in 2016 and 2017. 84 Lumber is the presenting sponsor at the annual BIA Golf Classic that benefits the Building Industry Charitable Foundation.

The BIA Corporate Member of the Year is Southeastern Insurance Consultants, LLC (SIC). They are an independent insurance sales/consulting agency specializing in both individual and group health, life, and retirement licensed products for customers with a focus on insurance needs for the construction industry. SIC was founded in 2000 by Eric Wells and George Routon. Ed Byrd merged his firm (Professional Group Benefits, LLC/dba Norris-Byrd Group Benefits) with SIC in 2007. Byrd joined the HBA of Greater Columbia (now BIA of Central South Carolina) in 1987, and currently serves on the Remodelers Council Executive Committee. He has been nominated by the National Association of Home Builders as the 2018 Associate of the Year. SIC employees are active in many clubs and committees in the BIA and can be found at many events serving up BBQ and fixin’s that they prepare.

Saluda Hill, Inc. was named Trade Contractor of the Year by vote of the Builder Members of the association.

Saluda Hill, Inc. has been a member of the BIA since 2005.

The Trade Contractor of the Year recognizes an independent contractor that contracts with builders to do construction work, repairs, or improvements which requires special skills and involves the use of specialized trades or crafts and represents the association in an outstanding manner in the business community.

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.