Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1496538
FROM THE PRESIDENT Getting Back to Our Roots Means Working Together I am proud to serve as 2023 President of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. I've had the honor to meet and work with many of you during the 25 years that I have been a member, including countless courageous volunteers who have given freely their time and talent for the greater good of the Association and the housing industry at large. I am also thrilled with the 2023 Board of Directors' leadership team and eager to begin our work carrying out the five-year strategic plan developed at the leadership retreat in October. My theme this year is "Root Connection—Together We Are Stronger." Guided by this theme, we are already working with past MBAKS presidents and national leaders at the National Association of Home Builders to renew our roots and work together for housing. At the October retreat, Past Presidents Joseph Irons, Peter Orser, and Jack Tenhulzen freely shared their own stories, including trials and triumphs, offering a rare opportunity to dig into the Master Builders' history and rediscover and rejuvenate its roots. One root is government advocacy, and our discussion about it at the retreat resulted in a new Board strategy: build homes, not barriers. Permit delays, supply chain issues, and materials demand have resulted in rising costs that prevent the industry from successfully building and renovating homes. We need to redouble our efforts to work with policymakers to reduce these barriers. Also important, we must focus on the homebuyer side of the equation. Thus, one of my goals this year is providing opportunities for first-time homebuyers to put down roots, gain a sense of belonging, and create strong, thriving communities. Other goals this year include revealing the possibilities of membership value, highlighting the opportunities available through advocacy and member-to-member business relations, and overseeing the successful implementation of the five-year strategic plan so our initiatives continue beyond 2023. Master Builders members are the professionals representing every aspect of homebuilding, and we believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home. Let's begin this journey, together. We are already working with past MBAKS presidents and national leaders at NAHB to renew our roots and work together for housing. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES BY TRACI TENHULZEN 2023 PRESIDENT TENHULZEN RESIDENTIAL 5 SPRING 2023 | master BUILDER IN EVERY ISSUE