President's message: A turnaround year for our association

First, let me wish every member and friend of the Rhode Island Builders Association a wonderful holiday season! Beyond that season is 2014, a new year with many challenges old and new. Along with RIBA's capable and hard-working executive director and staff are our committees. These are the people on the front lines with the issues facing our industry. They put in long hours in meetings and in the field, and that work shows. Members know about our legislative committee, environmental committee, remodelers committee, Professional Women in Building Council and home show committee, because their work is very visible and is covered extensively in The Rhode Island Builder Report. But there are many other committees whose work is crucial to RIBA and our industry. These include our State Political Action and PAC fundraising committees, along with committees on building codes, contractor education, education and workforce development, green building, land use, marketing and public relations, membership, multi-family, and programs and events. We urge members to serve on a committee. A turnaround year This has truly been a turnaround year for our trade association. In fact, I have never felt such a strong spirit of enthusiasm, cooperation and all-around "can-do" energy as I have felt over the past two years! More members than ever are getting involved, and it shows in our legislative successes, in our committees, in our revitalized Home Show and in attendance at our educational and networking events. I know that I am always praising our energetic executive director, John Marcantonio, and the RIBA staff, but they obviously deserve it. So my message is: Let's keep it going and let's keep it getting better! In December, we are looking at the completion and presentation of another major achievement: The house that our charity, Builders Helping Heroes (BHH), has built for Marine Cpl. Kevin Dubois, who lost both legs in combat in Afghanistan. Well done to BHH, well done to our cooperating organization, Homes For Our Troops, and many thanks to the myriad of donors without whom this project would never have been possible. And special thanks to BHH president Bob Baldwin, project supervisor Dave Caldwell and all who brought it together. Felix Carlone is the president of the Rhode Island Builders Assn.Felix Carlone, F.A. Carlone & Sons