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Category: Blog

Building Strong Futures: 84 Lumber Scholarships Empower Minority Women in Construction

At HBI’s BuildStrong Academies, we’re committed to providing tuition-free, hands-on training that leads to real careers in the construction industry. Thanks to a generous partnership with 84 Lumber, that mission just received a powerful boost.  In 2025, 84 Lumber awarded eight $5,000 scholarships to support female students at four of our BuildStrong Academies: Orlando, Charlotte, Greater New […]

Job Corps & Kent County Habitat

Job Corps and HBI Blog

On a crisp Tuesday morning, March 18th, 2025, a black Job Corps van pulled up to a bustling construction site on Fox Street Southwest in Grand Rapids, MI. The site was alive with the sounds of hammers, saws, and the chatter of volunteers. This particular day was special, as five eager Job Corps construction students, […]

Building the Future: Celebrating Women in Construction for Women’s History Month

HBI Women in Construction Month

​March is a significant month for recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women, particularly in fields where they have been historically underrepresented, such as construction. This year, Women’s History Month carries the theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” emphasizing the collective strength and influence of women dedicated to education, mentorship, and leadership. […]

CTE in Action: Success Stories from HBI Graduates

CTE Month

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and we are celebrating by spotlighting HBI students in our programs! HBI CTE programs offer hands-on learning, real-world skills and careers that pay well. Instead of just sitting in a classroom, you get to learn by doing, exploring trades like carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and more. HBI graduates have taken […]

The FHLBanks Help Home Builders Increase the Nation’s Housing Supply

FHLBanks

It takes a significant amount of money to build homes. Builders need funds for land acquisition, labor, and materials. And not just substantial sums of dollars but also the confidence that the availability of such funds is dependable. That’s where banks, big and small, come into the picture. Financial institutions not only lend to mortgage […]

Level Up Your Life: Start a Rewarding Construction Career Path with HBI in 2025

HBI programs

Do you want a job that’s hands-on, pays well, and lets you build something real? A career for your future? Forget the desk job – a career in construction could be your perfect fit. HBI is here to help you get started.At HBI (Home Builders Institute), we have a 5-pillar approach to construction education and […]

Building Futures Together: HBI Partner The Home Depot Foundation’s Support for Schools, Veterans and 100 Black Men of America

Building Futures Together: HBI Partner Home Depot’s Support for Schools, Veterans and 100 Black Men of America

At Home Builders Institute (HBI), we know that a career in construction can change lives. The opportunities in this industry are vast, from hands-on skills to leadership positions. Thanks to partners like The Home Depot Foundation, those opportunities are expanding for even more people, including young adults, veterans, and underserved communities. The Home Depot Foundation […]

Blueprints for Tomorrow: Support HBI’s Student Success Fund this Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday Campaign Donate Today

As we approach Giving Tuesday 2024, HBI is proud to launch our campaign, Blueprints for Tomorrow, focused on creating lasting success for students entering the construction industry. Giving Tuesday, celebrated on December 3rd this year, is the perfect opportunity to help us shape the future of this vital resource that can support our student’s needs […]

Honoring Military Families: Explore Career Opportunities in Construction This November

Honoring Military Families: Explore Career Opportunities in Construction This November

November is Military Family Appreciation Month—a time to recognize the immense sacrifice and commitment of military families and veterans. The Home Builders Institute (HBI) proudly supports veterans and their families by offering a clear path to a new, fulfilling career in the construction industry through our free training programs. If you’re a veteran or a […]

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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 Story Card - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate
2023 MVP Class Schedule
2023 MVP Class Schedule - HVAC