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Category: Blog

Celebrate Careers in Construction Month Build Your Future with HBI

Careers in Construction

October is Careers in Construction Month, a time to celebrate the rewarding, well-compensated, and essential career paths available in the building trades industry. With endless opportunities for growth, the construction industry is more than just a job—it’s a lifelong career that makes a lasting impact on our communities. At HBI, we believe in exposing students […]

Celebrating Professional Women in Building Week: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures

Celebrating Professional Women in Building Week: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures

Professional Women in Building Week is from September 9-13, 2024, and is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the incredible women who are making their mark in the construction industry. This annual celebration, recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), highlights the achievements of women who are paving the way for […]

Celebrating the Builders of America: Labor Day Reflections and Opportunities

LABOR DAY

As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the hardworking individuals who have built and continue to build our great nation—literally. From the skyscrapers that define our city skylines to the homes where we find comfort, the construction industry has laid the foundation of our American lifestyle Labor Day is not just a day off; it’s […]

HBI and MiTek: Building a Strong Future for the Construction Industry

Mitek and HBI partnership

The Home Builders Institute (HBI) is thrilled by our remarkable partnership with MiTek, a company renowned for its innovation and leadership in the construction technology industry. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to prepare the next generation of skilled workers and support at-risk youth through our various programs and initiatives. MiTek’s […]

2024 Young Leader of the Year Announced: Alfonso Costa Jr.

2024 Young Leader of the Year Announced: Alfonso Costa Jr.

ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council is proud to name Alfonso Costa Jr., Chief Operating Officer of the Falcone Group as the 2024 Young Leader of the Year ULI’s Young Leader of the Year Award honors inspiring industry professionals aged 35 or younger whose outstanding achievements and contributions are advancing the industry and positively shaping our region’s […]

Empowering Future Tradespeople: DEWALT® Equips Graduates at Home Builders Institute’s BuildStrong Academies

Orlando BuildStrong Academy Dewalt Sponsorship

On Friday, July 26, 2024, the Home Builders Institute (HBI) celebrated the graduation of its students from several BuildStrong Academies, including the summer electrical students in Orlando. The Academies, known for offering tuition-free construction trades training, saw their graduates take a significant step towards their careers with special ceremonies held simultaneously across multiple locations. The […]

HBA CEO Renee Zentz to lead Careers in Construction Colorado

Renee HBI Advisory Board HBA CEO

The Housing and Building Association (HBA) of Colorado Springs today announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Renee Zentz will become the full-time President of Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC). For over six years Zentz has held two titles: CEO of HBA and President of CICC. She is excited for the opportunity to now focus solely […]

Building Careers in Construction

HBi National Nail Stinger

HBI and National Nail’s Partnership At Home Builders Institute (HBI), our mission is to provide top-notch training, hands-on experience and job sourcing to individuals pursuing careers in the construction industry. Thanks to our sponsorship with National Nail, we’re more equipped than ever to help build the future of construction. A Partnership for Progress In December […]

Honoring Our Founding Builders

Statue of Liberty

Celebrating Historic American Landmarks As we gather with family and friends this Independence Day, it’s important to remember the foundations of our nation’s freedom—not just the principles and battles, but the very structures that symbolize our independence. For those considering a future in construction, understanding the legacy of America’s iconic buildings and monuments offers valuable […]

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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