VBRA / NAHB Monthly Newsletter

April 2024

Happy Spring Friends!

What a weird winter we had, huh?  Projects that might have stopped us in the past due to weather issues continued without a problem this year and spring project starts will happen sooner than normal.

The VBRA had an opportunity this summer to join a State study committee regarding the energy code, trades training requirements, inspections etc.  If you would like to be part of changing the status quo and raising the level of professionalism within our industry by joining the legislative committee, please contact me.   Jim Bradley, Hayward Design/Build, has put his all into our legislative committee and we need to give him a break :>) along with mega thanks for the time and effort he’s put in.

Hey, where were you on March 21^st?  Those of us who attended the Beer with Builders at Switchback Brewing (huge turnout by brand new members Vermont Construction) had a wonderful time sharing stories and learning about each other’s businesses, eating some delicious snacks and enjoying Switchback beer.  Keep watch of our website for the great photos of the event courtesy of Vermont Construction’s Wyeth Martin to see what you missed.

I am hopeful our members have signed up for the Contractor Registry by now.  If you’re unsure if you need to sign up or still have questions about it, please connect with the Office of Professional Regulations - https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/    We recently had an informative discussion with Gabriel Taylor-Marsh from the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program and learned how the state helps consumers AND contractors with this program.

If you or your team needs an OSHA 10 training, we have one upcoming on April 25^th and April 26^th thanks to our own Safety Lady Katie, Katie Frederick ASC, LLC.  I took the training provided by the State several years ago and it was dry as toast.  Trust me, you’ll enjoy Katie’s training better!

As always, I welcome your comments and ideas, your help and support to help us grow this Association and to be The Association for every building professional in Vermont.

Happy Trails!

Dixie

Dixie F. O’Connor, President

VBRA / NAHB Monthly Newsletter

February 2024

Hello Friends and Happy almost Spring!

The annual meeting was an amazing success with great food, networking opportunities, business attended to AND a birthday was celebrated – Safety Lady Katie Fredericks chose to celebrate with us this year.  She brought her family and the VBRA provided the cake and birthday song.

I’m pleased to announce that we have several new board members to introduce: Grace Amao from Vermont Gas Systems, Elizabeth Simak from Sterling Homes, Aldin Konjuhovac from BroadPeak Electric and Dana Kamencik from Vermont Construction Company.  Thank you all for stepping into this role.

Other board members are Denis Bourbeau, Bourbeau Custom Homes, Lew Castle, Gaines Insurance, Katie Frederick, ASC LLC, Steve Spatz, Efficiency Vermont.  Leslie Bourbeau remains in place as our accountant and acting EO.  Please join me in thanking them for their time and commitment to the VBRA the next time you see or speak to them.

Many thanks are extended to Lisa Campion, LMC Law, for her years of service on the board.  Lisa stepped down from the board and right into 2 committees – Education and Membership.  We look forward to working with Lisa to increase educational offerings and bring in new members.

I encourage you to reach out to any one of us to let us know how we’re doing, what your vision for the VBRA is, things you’d like to see offered and which committee you’d like to serve on to help us reach these goals.  We can’t do it all alone!

Safety Lady Katie is providing an OSHA 10 training on 3/11 and 3/12.  If you haven’t signed your crew up, now’s the time.

And please join us on March 21^st for another fun Beer with Builders event at Switchback.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

Dixie

Dixie F. O’Connor, President