President's message: A promising start to 2014

There are so many great things happening in and around the Rhode Island Builders Association these days that it's hard to know where to begin. Our not-for-profit subsidiary, Builders Helping Heroes (BHH), working with Homes For Our Troops, recently completed a daunting, year-long home-building project that has provided a 2,500 s/f, specially adapted home in Burrillville for wounded Marine Kevin Dubois, his wife, Kayla, and their soon-to-be-born son. Were it not for the dedication of BHH president Bob Baldwin, project supervisor Dave Caldwell, site supervisor Vin Marcantonio, the RIBA staff, and over 100 companies, mostly small businesses that donated labor and materials, this amazing project would never have begun, let along reached completion. Another hard-working group within RIBA, our legislative committee, has begun the annual task of preparing to present and advocate for our industry's legislative agenda to the Rhode Island General Assembly. The personal support of every member will be required if we are to achieve the success we saw last year and continue to help Rhode Island's economy. Let's boost that process by encouraging as many members as possible to attend our political action committee fundraiser at the Chapel Grille in Cranston on February 11. The 2014 Home Show, coming up in April, is another exciting prospect. Home Show committee chairman Ron Smith, working with many other members, show producer Bob Yoffe and executive director John Marcantonio, is leading up to the best show ever in 2014! As you read this, you probably still have time to get in on the International Builders Show and the National Association of Home Builders Convention in Las Vegas early in February. If you have never attended this annual event, make this the year that you do! Let's make 2014 a banner year! Felix Carlone is the president of the Rhode Island Builders Assn.Felix Carlone, F.A. Carlone & Sons