Five future home builders were honored for their respective talents at the International Builders Show in Orlando this month.
The five who received awards were graduates of the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and were given scholarships and honors by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The honors are designed to support and advance those who are heading into those skilled trades.
NAHB officials say the awards are particularly poignant this year because there is a growing shortage of skilled workers in America.
“Tackling this shortage and expanding the skilled labor workforce is essential to protecting builders and homebuyers. HBI is working to train American workers for American jobs, to make housing more affordable,” an HBI news release said.
John Pomelow, a carpentry professional from North Carolina, was the recipient of the NAHB Chairman’s Award. “John has quickly emerged as a leader in North Carolina’s homebuilding industry, building homes, leading both professional and volunteer crews, and helping build communities across the state,” the news release said.
Savanna “Rae” Patterson-Jarrell was bestowed the 2025 Shirley McVay Weisman Award for work in entrepreneurship and community service. The U.S. veteran “founded a home repair company that provides affordable, trustworthy construction and repair services… (and) leads volunteer projects in her community including remodeling an animal shelter and helping the local HBI academy.”
Zavier Parker, a member of Bartow High School’s Construction Academy is heading into the construction management program at the University of Florida. “He recently helped lead his school’s team to a first-place national victory at the NAHB Student Competition… (and) has earned multiple HBI certifications, and volunteers with organizations such as Wounded Warriors.”
Aaron “A.J.” Mitchell is a skilled trades professional in carpentry and electrical work from Norfolk, Virginia. “He has also participated in volunteer projects supporting community and veteran housing efforts.”
And Dawson Lai, an electrical construction student and shop foreman from San Francisco, California, “has helped improve training outcomes by developing simplified tools that make complex electrical concepts easier to understand.”
