VALDOSTA — The home construction industry is an integral part of the South Georgia economy. Carl Shapiro, outgoing president of the Home Builders Association of South Georgia, proved that point with statistics he presented at the organization’s annual dinner Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Valdosta Country Club.

Shapiro’s statistics showed that last year, the home building industry created $127 million in local income, 3,514 local jobs and $13 million in taxes and local revenue. The homes that were built generated $23 million in local income, $6.7 million in taxes and 700 local jobs.

This vital industry is supported by the Home Builders Association of South Georgia, which, according to its Web site, “serves as an advocate for South Georgia’s housing industry and as a corporate channel through which home builders contribute time, money and services to local community service projects and education initiatives.”

The association’s annual dinner gave area builders a chance to relax, enjoy a great meal, hear updates on different seminars and projects, reward deserving individuals and install the officers for the next year.

Membership is up to more than 400 now, and two people received Spike Awards for recruiting/retaining. Marshall Biles received this award for recruiting/retaining six members, and Shapiro received the Lifetime Spike Award for recruiting/retaining 25 members.

Awards were also given to those who served on one or more of the many committees necessary to keep the organization productive. Committees include Governmental Affairs, Education/Regulatory Affairs, Associate Council, Membership and Publicity/Web site. There are also committees for each of the association’s annual fund-raisers: the golf tournament, sporting clays tournament, silent auction/reverse raffle and Home & Garden show.

Those awarded include Jack Henry, golf tournament committee chairman; Rodney Childre, sporting clays tournament committee chairman; Kristi Jones, the silent auction/reverse raffle committee chairwoman; and Vicky Biles, Home & Garden Show chairwoman. Other awards went to Bill Gaskins (Chrismill Homes), Scott Orenstein (M&M Construction), Rusty Thornton (Thornton Construction and New Venture Realty), Bruce Bailey (Colquitt EMC), Jack Henry (Blanton and Griffin Insurance), Bill Slaughter (Waller Heating and Air Conditioning), Marti Johnson (Park Avenue Bank), Vicky Biles (Georgia Power Company), Merrill Guice (Atlanta Gas & Light) and Lynn Purvis (Southeastern Federal Credit Union).

The George L. Nichols Scholarship was also presented at the dinner to Anthony Gill, a student who holds a 4.0 at Valdosta Technical College. Named after a founding member and first president of the association, the scholarship is presented annually to individuals intending on entering the building industry. Gill is studying industrial/electrical technology.

Builder member of the year was given to Steve Quinn of Quinn Construction, who has served on many committees at the local and state levels as well as contributing a great deal to the association and the industry.

Associate member of the year was presented to Bill Slaughter of Waller Heating and Air, who has also served on a variety of boards and committees at the local and state levels. His business was also one of the major sponsors of the annual dinner.

Bill Gandy installed the 2006-07 officers that include President Scott Orenstein, Vice President Bill Gaskins, Associate Vice President Jack Henry, Treasurer Rusty Thornton, Secretary T.C. Brown Jr.; builder directors, Mark Courson, Michael Miller and Alex Sharpe; Thomasville directors, Danny Braddy, Amy Smith and Kurt Lamon; associate directors, Spencer Dawkins, Marti Johnson and Lynn Purvis; and lifetime directors, Bruce Bailey, Vicky Biles, Bill Slaughter, Bill Gandy and Scott Lyons.

New president Scott Orenstein presented Shapiro with his past president pin and plaque before giving members a hint as to what is in store for the next year.

As part of the governmental affairs committee, he was pleased with the advancements made recently and hopes to put his primary focus on governmental affairs. He is also interested in starting a developer’s council, an organization focused on keeping development costs to a minimum. Finally, he is looking at creating a third chapter in the association’s 17-county area.

Contact Jill Pope, executive director for the Home Builders Association, (229) 247-8422, for information.