President's message: May 2013 be a lucky year for all of us

First of all, and on behalf of all members of the Rhode Island Builders Association, I offer our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., in December. We are in touch with our neighbors at the Home Builders Association of Connecticut and are offering whatever moral and practical support might be needed by the people in that area. If you as a member know of anyone affected by that tragedy who has a special need that could be met by our industry, please let RIBA know. Contact executive director John Marcantonio at jmarcantonio@ribuilders.org or call (401) 438-7400. International Builders Show For you early birds who are reading The Rhode Island Builder Report online, there could still be time to get in on the National Association of Home Builders Convention and the International Builders Show (IBS), being held January 22nd through 24th at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. The IBS is the largest annual light construction show in the world. There are literally miles of the latest and most advanced building products and services, with hands-on demonstrations in over 300 building industry categories. There are more than 100 educational sessions too. For information and to register, visit www.buildersshow.com. Education Program We plan to have RIBA's expanded education program up and running by March. Watch for information in The Rhode Island Builder Report and in the 2013 RIBA Member Benefit Guide, which will be in your hands shortly. Insurance As we start 2013, I want to remind all our member companies to review their health insurance plans, options and current needs. All these can change over time and, busy as we all are, we sometimes neglect to review our plans so we can optimize them. If you have any questions about your health insurance policy, what's covered and what your options are, contact Joyce Therrien at the Builders Insurance Group, jtherrien@builderinsgroup.com or (401) 438-4244. Builders Helping Heroes Homes for Our Troops, an outstanding charity that helps the wounded combat veterans to whom we all owe so much, is looking for a piece of land so that RIBA's Builders Helping Heroes charity can build a house for a wounded veteran who will return from rehabilitation in the next two to three months. If you can help, please contact Marcantonio. May 2013 be a lucky year for all of us! Felix Carlone is the president of the Rhode Island Builders Assn.Felix Carlone, F.A. Carlone & Sons