Awards to Be Presented April 7th at the Atlantic Builders Convention

Hamilton, NJ – March 15, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) is pleased to announce its annual Industry Awards recipients. These awards honor professionals who have made outstanding contributions to housing and/or the building industry in New Jersey. The awards will be presented at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Atlantic City Convention Center during the NJBA Annual Industry Awards Luncheon featuring Lori Grifa, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs who will be the Keynote Speaker.

“Homebuilding is a respectable profession – one that requires dedication and a responsibility to the community,” shared Timothy J. Touhey, Chief Executive Officer of NJBA. “These individuals represent everything that our industry stands for – quality, integrity and the preservation of an American Dream – home ownership. Each of the NJBA Industry Award recipients has earned the respect and appreciation of everyone involved in the building industry.”

“These industry leaders have demonstrated their commitment to rebuilding the construction industry in New Jersey, as well as providing reasonably-priced housing options for all of the state’s residents,” said Thomas F. Critelli, NJBA President. “We are honored to recognize them for their exemplary efforts and achievements on behalf of the building industry.”

The winners of the New Jersey Builders Association’s 2011 Industry Awards are:

• Builder of the Year Award: Michael Karmatz, Orleans Homebuilders (Bala Cynwyd, PA)
• Associate of the Year Award: Nicole Hantman, Intercounty Mortgage (Hazlet, NJ)
• Remodeler of the Year Award: Donald Dobres, Fine Home Construction, Inc. (Westwood, NJ)
• Builder Hall of Fame: Stephen Patron, Paradigm Realty Alliance, LLC (East Windsor, NJ); and Linda Bernaski, Palatial Homes, Inc. (Oakhurst, NJ)
• Associate Hall of Fame: Michael Borodinsky, Metlife Home Loans (Somerset, NJ); Sean Olin, Hanley Wood Market Intelligence (Philadelphia, PA); and Howard Van Natta, VanNatta Mechanical Corp. (Mahawh, NJ)
• Remodeler Hall of Fame: Glen Lumia, Creative Design Construction, Inc. (Northvale, NJ)
• Builder Continuing Service Award:Barbara Chiusano, C&C Development Co. LLC (Marlton, NJ); and Timothy Schaeffer, Tim Schaeffer Development Corp. (Berlin, NJ)
• Associate Continuing Service Award: Jeanne Tomlinson, Sears (Allentown, NJ)
• Silver Hammer Award: Michael R. Fink, Fell Street, LLC (Trenton, NJ); and Joseph Riggs, K. Hovnanian Homes (Edison, NJ)
• Silver Handshake Award:Robert M. Washburn, Flaster/Greenberg, P.C. (Cherry Hill, NJ); and Leonard Yanchar, Lenny Yanchar, LLC (Wrightstown, NJ)
• Distinguished Service Award:Senator Jeff Van Drew, District 1
• Preservation of the American Dream Award: Builders League of South Jersey (BLSJ) Charitable Foundation (Cherry Hill, NJ)
• Affordable Housing Award: Hill Wallack, LLP – Thomas F. Carroll, III, Esq.; Stephen Eisdorfer, Esq.; and Henry T. Chou, Esq. (Princeton, NJ); and Community Investment Strategies – Barbara Schoor (Lawrenceville, NJ)
• Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Political Action: Jason Schaeffer, Tim Schaeffer Development Corp. (Berlin, NJ)
• Foundation for Housing Service Award: The Canuso Foundation (Haddonfield, NJ)
• Associate Appreciation Award: Michael J. Paparone, Paparone Housing Co., Inc., (Mount Laurel, NJ)

Additional information about this event, including a complete listing of the award recipients and ticket information, is available online at http://www.abconvention.com/events/?NJBA-Awards-Luncheon.

For more information about exhibit space reservations, registration information, event schedules, educational seminars, hotel accommodations, plus advertising and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.abconvention.com or call 609-587-5577. Updates to the site are made regularly.

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About the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA)
The New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) is the leading trade association for the construction industry. Members include residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, consultants and other professionals. NJBA serves as a resource for its members through continuing education and advocacy. NJBA and its members strive for a more vibrant, greener, and affordable housing market in New Jersey. Additional information is available at www.njba.org.