SUHBA names its 2009 Members of the Year

 Businesses of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association are honored annually for extraordinary association, industry and community service excellence with the presentation of the 2009 SUHBA “Members of the Year” awards.

The selection criteria are derived from many factors including local association service (local, national or state), community service, and various other positive contributions the business makes to the community and the Association.

This year they are pleased to present (6) six SUHBA members with an award.

2009 SUPPLIER ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Chris Peterson, Riverwoods Mill
Chris Peterson has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Supplier Associate Member of the Year. He grew up working for his father, who was a general contractor and cabinetmaker.  After serving an LDS mission, Chris earned a degree in civil engineering from Brigham Young University.  In 1997, his love of woodworking prompted him to leave the engineering field and he founded Riverwoods Mill with Shane Ewell and Steve Peterson.  Riverwoods Mill continues to add new woodworking machinery and was one of the first cabinet shops in Utah to utilize CNC technology which allowed them to move into the specialized market of high-end furniture quality cabinetry. Riverwoods Mill has been named in the Utah 100 fastest growing companies for six years in a row. They have completed a variety of commercial projects, including the recently completed 5th District Courthouse in St. George.

Riverwoods Mill has been involved in several community projects over the years: they donated & installed cabinetry for the doctor’s free clinic; financially supported the Leveled Library Reading program for the school district; and provided millwork and installed cabinetry in the Extreme Home Makeover home in Las Vegas about 6 months ago. Chris has served for 3 years as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, providing non-emergency medical transportation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for SEED Dixie.

Chris’ experience and service has been a great benefit to SUHBA. He has served on the SUHBA Board of Directors where his contributions and insights have made a positive difference.  Riverwoods Mill has been a continual participant in the St. George Area Parade of Homes and is well known for the quality and craftsmanship they put into their work. Riverwoods Mill has been active in SUHBA since 1998 and Chris appreciates his association with great people in a community he loves.

Chris and his wife, Jennifer, celebrated their 15 year anniversary this past month, are the parents of three children, and reside in St. George. He enjoys cycling, cooking and studying American history.

2009 SERVICE ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Randy Hardy, America First Credit Union
Randy Hardy has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Service Associate Member of the Year. Randy is originally from Salt Lake City, graduated from the University of Utah and has enjoyed living in St. George for the past four years with his wife and child.

America First Credit Union was founded in 1939 and has been a SUHBA member since 2006. They have over 88 branches and 495,000 members. This company is part of the 100% for Kids Utah Credit Union Foundation which helps to provide assistance and resources directly to the classrooms in Utah schools. In 1989 AFCU started the Community Assistance Program which raises money to help the less fortunate and the homeless in the community. AFCU is also a part of the Warm the Soles of Kids program to provide new shoes to the less fortunate children in this area. They also hold numerous food drives each year to help the local food banks.

Randy has worked in the Mortgage industry for six years and has worked for America First Credit Union for two years. SUHBA appreciates the contributions Randy and America First Credit Union have made to this association, the building industry, and to the community. Randy has been instrumental in starting the SUHBA Parade of Gingerbread Homes fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity two years ago. This fundraiser has been successful in raising money to help provide housing in the area to those in need. Randy also has served on the Christmas Banquet Committee and is currently serving on the Parade Exhibitions Committee. America First Credit Union has also been a sponsor in the Scholarship Golf Tournament. SUHBA has enjoyed Randy’s willingness to serve and his cheerful attitude in making a positive difference.

2009 TRADE CONTRACTOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Brian Gholston, Mountain Alarm
Brian Gholston has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Trade Contractor Member of the Year. Brian was born in Los Angeles, California. He and his wife, Alma, have two sons. Brian moved to St. George in 2004 to get out of the hectic life associated with the Los Angeles area and to give their sons a better atmosphere to go to school. Brian began in the security industry in 1985 specializing in high end residential and large commercial projects including camera and security installations for the State of California protecting potential terrorist targets after the attacks on 9/11. Brian started working for Mountain Alarm as a technician and soon made the transition to sales specializing in the design of security, camera, access control and fire alarm systems.

Mountain Alarm has been a member of SUHBA since 2001. Brian enjoys being an active participant because he feels the association has given him the opportunity to meet many of the great people involved in the building industry.  Mountain Alarm consistently exhibits at the Ultimate Home Expo and Parade of Homes to further their business. He became a member of the Membership Committee in 2004 and is currently the chairman. Brian has strengthened this organization by his leadership skills and sharing the benefits of SUHBA membership with local businesses. He has become a Life Spike as a result of recruiting many members and encouraging them to renew. Brian recently was a Team Captain for SUHBA’s successful Membership Drive and has been a great asset to SUHBA over the years.

2009 BUILDER MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Rod Steurer, Sunwest Development
Rodney Steurer has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Builder Member of the Year. Rodney has been in St. George since 1994 and has been in the construction industry ever since. He has been involved in nearly every phase of construction.  He has owned his own custom cabinet shop for about 6 years and has won awards with cabinetry in previous Parade of Homes. He has been with Sunwest Development since spring of 2000 building custom homes in southern Utah and has a degree in Business Management from Southern Utah University. 

Being an active member of SUHBA has helped Rod to become more involved in the community and to gain leadership experience.  Rod is a second generation builder, following his father who was a past SUHBA President. Their contributions have played a vital role in the success of SUHBA and to the local building industry. Sunwest Development is active in this community and has supported service organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Free Clinic, and others.

Rod has enjoyed serving as a SUHBA Board member and then as President in 2008, and currently serves as the Parade Committee Chairman. He served recently as a Team Captain for SUHBA’s successful membership drive. Rod has become a Life Spike because he continues to recruit new members and encourages them to renew. He has served diligently and is always willing to help where needed. Rod and Sunwest Development have exhibited their support of the association by participating in 13 Parade of Homes. They are a current Century Club member. Their outstanding business skills, high ethics, and quality building practices have been a great asset to the Parade of Homes and SUHBA.

Rod is married with 4 children and enjoys taking his family camping, boating, and water skiing.

Special Awards

There are certain years when special awards are given to members who have exemplified outstanding service to SUHBA. These awards are not given out every year, but this year SUHBA wants to recognize two individuals.

2009 Above and Beyond Outstanding Service Award
Matthew Zitting, Legacy General Contracting
Matthew Zitting has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Above and Beyond Outstanding Service Award Recipient. Matthew, President of Legacy General Contracting, Inc., has worked in construction for over 20 years.  In 1998, Matthew started his business, which specializes in custom luxury homes and small commercial construction.

As an involved member of SUHBA, he has developed many valued and important business relationships to which he contributes much of his current success.  The broad education offered by SUHBA has been, and will continue to be, an important business tool.  In January 2008, Matthew received his Certified Graduate Builder and Certified Green Professional Designations from the National Association of Home Builders.  Also in 2008, Matthew started Green Building Certification & Consulting, LLC to assist industry professionals in their quest to go ‘Green’.

Matthew is currently a Builder Director on the SUHBA Board of Directors and the Utah HBA Board of Directors and is serving on several Committees. Additionally, Matthew is pursuing an Associate Degree in Business. Matthew continues to assist the Association in community development, improving industry standards, and promoting the values and goals of SUHBA.

The purpose for giving this special award to Matthew Zitting is because of his outstanding service in developing the Green Building Council. He has consistently encouraged the Board of Directors to create a Green Building Council. In April of 2009, the Southwest Green Building Council was established as an affiliate of the NAHB Green program. Matthew has been the chairman of the committee to establish the procedures and guidelines for the new Council. They anticipate kicking off membership in this new Southwest Green Building Council this spring. Matthew has continually performed “above and beyond” the recognized level as a Board Member and as a SUHBA member. Thank you!

2009 Hall of Fame Award
Nathan Fisher, Dixon Truman Fisher & Clifford
Nathan Fisher has been selected as the 2009 Southern Utah Home Builders Association Hall of Fame Award Recipient. Nathan of Dixon, Truman, Fisher & Clifford has been a member of SUHBA since 1998.  Nathan has served on the SUHBA Board of Directors as legal counsel for over 9 years. He is entering his 10th year on the Board. Nathan assists SUHBA and many of its members with their legal needs. 

Nathan has also served on the Education, Parade of Homes, and Executive Committees including Education Chairman. He feels SUHBA provides great education opportunities for its members.  Nathan recently served as the Team Captain of the successful membership drive and shared his passion for SUHBA, which resulted in recruiting several members. Nathan and his side-kick, David Hunter has taught many continuing education classes for SUHBA, and has even installed signs along the Parade route in the rain. (That’s a sight to see – an attorney in a white shirt and tie installing signs in the mud!) 

Although Nathan’s practice primarily involves business transactions and litigation, other attorneys in the firm practice in a wide variety of areas, including helping those who have been seriously injured.  Nathan has served as Judge Pro Tem with the Justice Court in St. George for many years. 

Community service is extremely important to Nathan and everyone at the firm. Dixon, Truman, Fisher & Clifford have donated countless hours of legal work to SUHBA and residents of Washington County. They have made a positive impact in this community. SUHBA’s sincere appreciation goes to Nathan and his partners for the many contributions they have made on this organization’s behalf. They are a strong association because of the outstanding service that has been rendered throughout the years. Nathan has spent many long hours to ensure SUHBA is safe and protected. He has been and will continue to be instrumental in the ongoing success of this organization.