NAHB Elects New Officers

WASHINGTON D.C. - Vowing to continue his organization's focus on the challenges of providing affordable and market-rate homes for the nation's working families, Idaho custom builder David F. Wilson was elected as 2005 president of the 220,000-member National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the International Builders' Show in Orlando.

?EUR??,,????'??After two record-breaking years for housing, we're anticipating another solid showing in 2005,?EUR??,,????'?? Wilson said. ?EUR??,,????'??Even with interest rates on a gradual upward trend, as the economy improves we can expect resilient buyer demand heading forward.?EUR??,,????'??

Wilson pledged also to step-up his organization's inward focus on its membership, including efforts to expand and improve member resources.

?EUR??,,????'??We're looking forward to working with Congress and the Bush Administration to ensure that efforts to re-regulate the housing government-sponsored enterprises do not impede the housing finance system that has helped generate the strongest U.S. homeownership on record,?EUR??,,????'?? he said.

Known as a ?EUR??,,????'??hands-on?EUR??,,????'?? builder who personally oversees all aspects of a project down to the finest details, Wilson's primary guiding principle is his commitment to excellence and getting the job done right. He started in the home building business 25 years ago in Seattle before relocating to the resort community of Sun Valley, Idaho in 1982, where he became a Registered Master Builder and began taking a leadership role in the local building industry as well as local politics. He served as president of the Wood River Building Contractors Association and was eventually elected president of the Idaho (state) Building Contractors Association. There, he worked closely with then-U.S. Senator Dirk Kempthorne on Endangered Species Act reform and was instrumental in getting state legislation passed to rein-in excessive impact fees.

In addition to the election of Wilson, David Pressly, president of Pressly Development Inc. of Statesville, N.C., was elected NAHB First Vice President.

?EUR??,,????'??This is a great opportunity to represent an industry that builds about 1.8 million housing units annually and employs millions of Americans,?EUR??,,????'?? Pressly said.

With more than 25 years of experience in the home building business, Pressly constructs single-family homes and apartments and light commercial projects in the Statesville area.

Brian Catalde, a home builder based in Playa del Rey, Calif., was elected Vice President/Treasurer of the NAHB.

A driving force in the Southern California home building industry for more than 30 years, Catalde is president and chief operating officer of Paragon Communities, which develops and builds single-family and multifamily communities as well as commercial properties.