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Building Resilience, Rebuilding Futures: Inside HBI & Team Rubicon’s Pilot Partnership at the Orlando BuildStrong Academy

We’re proud to shine a spotlight on a powerful new collaboration taking shape in Central Florida: the pilot partnership between the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Team Rubicon, launched at HBI’s BuildStrong Academy Orlando.

This initiative brings together the strengths of two nationally recognized organizations – HBI’s industry-leading construction training and Team Rubicon’s Veteran-led disaster response expertise – to create a new pathway into the skilled trades for Veterans, transitioning service members, and local community members.

A Pilot Program With Real-World Impact

Launched on September 22, 2025, the pilot program offers 9 weeks of no-cost, hands-on training in:

  • RESILIENT Carpentry
  • RESILIENT Roofing
  • OSHA-10 Certification
  • Job placement assistance upon graduation

Classes are hosted at the HBI BuildStrong Academy Orlando, a fully equipped, industry-aligned training hub where students learn by doing – building the confidence and technical skills needed to enter a high-demand, high-paying field.

#BuildStrongAcademy

Tuition-Free Construction Training

HBI Academies offer hands-on, industry-recognized training in the skilled trades, preparing students for rewarding careers in residential construction. Our nationwide BuildStrong Academy programs are available to individuals aged 18 and up who are interested in starting or enhancing their career in the construction industry. 

On November 21, 2025, the first 13 students officially graduated from the inaugural class of Team Rubicon’s Workforce Development (WFD) Program. These graduates will enter the skilled trades workforce with OSHA certification and hands-on exposure to resilient building practices that align with fortified standards, preparing them to support the local construction workforce and help improve community resilience ahead of future disasters.

Why This Partnership Matters

Construction continues to face a critical national labor shortage, especially for credentialed contractors trained in resilient building standards. At the same time, disaster-vulnerable communities across the U.S. need more professionals with the skills to rebuild safer, stronger homes.

This partnership directly addresses both challenges.

A Shared Commitment to Community Resilience

Ed Brady, HBI President and CEO, noted:

“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to resilience – both in the homes we build and the lives we help rebuild.”

Team Rubicon CEO Jim Brooks echoed this mission-driven approach:

“This program is more than just skills training. It’s a pathway into a high-demand, well-paying industry that helps communities build long-term resilience.”

Team Rubicon’s Workforce Development Program: A New Chapter

This pilot is Team Rubicon’s first Workforce Development (WFD) class, marking a milestone for the organization. WFD is designed to help individuals:

  • Access no-cost, credential-backed training
  • Gain personalized career counseling
  • Overcome employment barriers
  • Transition into sustainable, recession-resistant careers

Team Rubicon’s mission has always focused on serving and strengthening communities before, during, and after disasters. This training program expands that mission – giving participants the skills and opportunity to support their community’s housing sustainability and  build lasting, self-sufficient careers.

HBI’s Training Excellence at BuildStrong Academy Orlando

As the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of trades training in residential construction, HBI brings:

  • Tuition-free, hands-on industry-recognized curriculum
  • Expert instructors and a staff that focuses on career preparedness for students
  • A structured pre-apprenticeship model
  • Strong employer and community connections
  • Proven career placement pathways

This partnership further strengthens HBI’s footprint in Florida and expands opportunities for Veterans, military families, and local residents seeking a career in construction.

Graduation Day: November 21, 2025

The first class graduated on November 21st at the Orlando BuildStrong Academy.

The graduation event for the 1st class of 13 included:

  • A formal ceremony with guest speakers
  • Interviews with program staff and graduates
  • Reflections on the impact of the pilot program

For many of these graduating students, it’s the start of a new chapter – one built on purpose, skill, and the power to change lives and communities.

What’s Next for Team Rubicon & HBI?

The success of this pilot will inform future workforce development initiatives across the country. As disasters become more frequent and severe, and as housing needs grow, partnerships like this are essential.

HBI is proud to partner with Team Rubicon in this meaningful work – helping individuals gain the skills they need, helping communities build stronger, and helping the construction industry fill critical workforce gaps. We are excited to share that another cohort will begin in December 2025. 

Interested in learning more about HBI’s construction training, BuildStrong Academies,
or future Team Rubicon training?
Visit hbi.org to explore programs, locations, and enrollment opportunities.

If your organization is interested in collaborating with HBI to expand access to skilled trades training, reach out – together, we can build stronger communities and stronger futures.

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MARIO GONZALEZ

Vice President of Workforce Training & Employment

Mario joined HBI as a Regional Career Development Coordinator of HBI’s Military Services in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Vice President of WTE Community & Corrections Programs in 2022.
Now serving as Vice president of WTE (2024), he oversees the daily operations of HBI’s WTE Community & Corrections, Military Services, & Academies programs, working with partners to advance HBI’s expansion and enhance job placement opportunities for graduates. Mario serves as the liaison between HBI and external stakeholders to include military installations. He ensures successful outcomes for HBI graduates from transitioning service members & veterans to justice involved adults & youths. Internally, he provides strategic operational perspective to HBI’s senior leadership team. Prior to joining HBI, Mario served for 21 years in the U.S. Army across multiple locations globally & nationally and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Mario resides in Tennessee with his wife and children and spends time in Texas where his mother, adult children, and grandchildren reside. He enjoys the outdoors and serving in his community. 
JOSEPH F. LANDERS

Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

Joseph F. Landers, 71, is the Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts having assumed that role in 2018 with a mandate from the Board of Directors to harmonize the five MA local associations, increase communications from the state to the membership, increase the public profile of the association,

create a path to financial stability and elevate the states lobbying efforts. Prior to taking on the challenging state association role, Joe was Chief Executive Officer and founder of Customized Structures Inc., a custom manufacturer of single-family, multi-family and commercial modular and panelized structures which began operations in 1984. Joe has been involved in the building industry, both site-built and factory-built, since 1973 and has worked in all phases of construction from development through design and production including on site management and sales. Customized Structures produced on average 330 single family homes per year, had an employee base as high as 180 and was known as the innovator in the production and design of modular components.

After the sale of Customized Structures Inc. to a private equity firm in 2003 Joe remained on the Board of Directors of the Company and functioned as a consultant to the CEO. He further took on the role of helping failing building systems companies return to profitability and successfully oversaw the sale of those companies. Mr. Landers has lectured frequently on the benefits and utilization of systems-built construction to building professionals around the country and has utilized his substantial professional and industry background to provide consultation services to both national and foreign companies interested in the processes and pitfalls of building and developing utilizing building systems components.

Joe attended Northeastern University and St. Anselm’s College graduating with a B.S. in 1972. 

Joe has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 1974. He is past president of two local Home Builders Associations and has served two terms as President of the  State of NH Home Builders Association. Joe is also a past president of the Modular Building  Systems Council of the NAHB, has been Chairman of the National Building Systems Council (BSC)  and has served five terms as a Trustee of the BSC during which time he created the BSC logo and  wrote the brochure “Most Frequently Asked Questions about Modular Homes”. 

In 1989, Joe received the National Pacesetter Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership  and contribution to the housing industry and in 1991 was awarded the title of Builder of the Year  by the Home Builders Association of N.H. In 1992 he was appointed by the Governor to the NH  Board of Fire Control within the Department of Safety and since then was reappointed three times.  He has served as a member on the State of New Hampshire Building Code Review Board and was  appointed by the Governor of NH to the Shore Land Protection Commission. Joe was selected to  receive the 2000 S. A. Walters Chairman’s Award, the premier award in the U.S. Systems Built  Housing Industry and was installed to the New Hampshire Housing Hall of Fame for his significant  and lasting contributions to the housing industry in the State of New Hampshire.  

Joe is a Senior Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders; he is served six terms on the NAHB Budget & Finance Committee serving as Vice Chair for four of those years, he has served  as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, the International Housing Committee and the Building  Products Issues Committee of NAHB serving on the NAHB Executive Committee multiple times. 

In 2001 Joe was elected an Area Vice President of the National Association of Home Builders  representing builders through out the northeast. 

Joe is active in his community having served as finance chairmen of his church, is a member of the  International Order of Odd Fellows, and has served on multiple boards and committees on a  volunteer basis.  

Joe and his wife, Denise, reside in Plymouth, MA, they have two children, Jessica and Brad and two  grandchildren, Lily and Jack ages 13 and 11. 

Seth Appleton

President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers

The Honorable Seth Appleton is President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers. In this role, he leads USMI’s efforts to enable sustainable access to affordable mortgage credit for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Seth previously served as President of MISMO, the real estate finance industry’s standards organization. Prior to that, Seth served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
a position for which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. In addition to his service as Assistant Secretary, Seth concurrently served as the Principal Executive Vice President of Ginnie Mae, a government corporation guaranteeing the timely payment of
principal and interest on more than $2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities.

Before joining HUD, Seth worked on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer for more than eight years. A native of Missouri, Seth is a graduate of Stanford University and is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Council. 

Zach Harris

BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans Graduate

Zach Harris is a native New Orleans resident, two-time graduate of Tulane University and a 27-year-old construction entrepreneur. Zach comes from a family of builders and grew up around real estate and residential construction. In fact, Zach enrolled in no-cost trades training at the BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans with his mother in 2022, followed by his father and two brothers in 2023.

Zach Harris - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate

His construction company, Zach the Builder, crafts safer New Orleans homes via reliable roofing services. “The Academy classes cater to different experience levels and different interests. I had the construction business experience but needed to understand the craft,” says Zach. “You can’t be a great coach if you haven’t played football before.”

Outside of running his company, Zach enjoys using his in-demand skill set to give back to the community. To commemorate Memorial Day 2023, Zach and other students and graduates from BSA Greater New Orleans volunteered to help build a home for a veteran in the Lower 9th Ward.

2023 MVP Class Schedule
2023 MVP Class Schedule - HVAC