BIA names Corporate and Commercial Contractor Member of the Year

The Board of Directors of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina (BIA) have announced that Great Southern Homes, Inc. has been named 2019 Corporate Member of the Year and Hood Construction has been chosen as the 2019 Commercial Contractor of the Year.

The Corporate Member of the Year 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 the association, including financial support, use of company resources and representation of the association in an outstanding manner.

Great Southern Homes, Inc. coordinated the renovation of the BIA office in downtown Columbia. The Company is a Platinum Level Elite Partner and participates in many community service projects including, Centennial Park at Fort Jackson, Camp Cole, Christian Assistance Bridge; the Scholarship Program of the Building Industry Charitable Foundation as well as financial support of Clemson University’s Construction Science and Management Department.

In the most recent Builder 100 list of the nation’s largest homebuilders, Great Southern Homes rose 14 positions to become the 54th largest builder in the nation (Builder Magazine, May 2019). In 2018, the company achieved $200 million in closed sales volume with 947 homes closed, an average settlement pace of 79 new homes per month.

This past year, the privately-held Great Southern Homes with headquarters in Irmo, SC had record-setting performance with over 1,000 new home sales and topping over $200 million in sales for the first time in the company’s history. The company now builds in over 100 communities throughout South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia and its footprint extends to most new housing markets across the state.
The Commercial Contractor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Commercial Contractor member company of the BIA of Central South Carolina. This award takes into account a company’s contributions on the whole toward the betterment of the association.

In 1986, Mark Hood began Hood Construction Company as a small service provider. Their early years involved renovating offices for emerging businesses, large office buildings and medical service providers. Hood quickly gained a reputation for providing quality work, standing behind their promises, and satisfying clients. This reputation encouraged steady growth during our foundation years, and provided the solid philosophical principles that the company exemplifies today. After 33 years in business, privately held Hood Construction has built a wide-ranging portfolio that covers everything from college sorority houses to corporate headquarters and distribution centers. Nearly half its work comes in the healthcare sector.

The company’s support of the Building Industry Association includes support of the Construction Workforce Training Coalition by providing Job Shadowing opportunities for high school students and providing personnel to serve on educational panels and task forces in support of good government throughout the Midlands as well as support of Centennial Park at Fort Jackson and Camp Cole.

In addition to Mark Hood’s service on the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina Board of Directors he is an active member of the Carolinas AGC, serving as 2011 Executive Board Chairman as well as serving as Chairman for the Carolinas AGC/AIA Joint Committee. Numerous community affiliations include positions on the Board of Directors for Citizens For Sound Conservation, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Hammond School Board of Directors, and Board Chairman of the Oliver Gospel Mission.

The BIA of Central South Carolina would like to commend Great Southern Homes, Inc. and
Hood Construction on their hard work and dedication to the building industry 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.

At the annual BIA Holiday Ball on December 13, 2019 the association will announce the recipients of the Byron Crosthwaite Builder Member of the Year, Associate Member of the Year, Trade Contractor of the Year and the Richard N. Sendler Award. In addition, Thom Chumney of Southern Traditional Homes will be installed as the 2020 President of the association.

For more information about the BIA of Central South Carolina, please visit www.BIAofCentralSC.com or call (803) 256-6238.