On March 1^st the Home Builders Association of Dayton held its annual Inaugural Dinner, an elegant black tie affair for two hundred area homebuilders and their spouses, as well as a number of distinguished community leaders from local, state, and national government. Held this year at Country Club of the North, this gala offers busy HBA members a once-a-year opportunity to meet, greet, swap notes on the industry and economy, and celebrate the achievements of their friends and colleagues.

Larry Phillips of the Phillips Companies was ceremoniously installed as the 2014 President of the HBA. Phillips is the 73rd president and the first Associate member or non builder or developer member that has become President.

Charlie with Outgoing President David Klass, Larry Phillips, and Walt Hibner

While the primary purpose of the evening was to install the HBA’s new officers for 2014, the Inaugural ceremony was also the occasion for the Association to recognize its distinguished leaders with several special awards. Family and friends cheered as Charlie Simms was recognized as the 2013 Builder Member of the Year.  Executive Director Walt Hibner cited Charlie’s successful efforts to bring market rate new residential communities to the downtown Dayton area, particularly Patterson Square in RiverScape, as a major factor in his receiving the award.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, upon receiving a certificate of appreciation from the HBA for the City’s continued efforts to promote new construction, personally called out Charlie as a major force in the revitalization of Downtown Dayton. She challenged the entire membership to consider pursuing urban development, and recommended they look to Charlie’s example for vision and cooperation as a blueprint to success.

This is the second time Charlie has been recognized with this honor. He was also named Builder of the Year in 2004.

The Home Builders Association of Dayton is the voice of the residential building industry in our region and one of its most respected membership organizations, promoting and enhancing the professionalism of home building and associated businesses in Montgomery, Greene, Preble, Butler, Warren and Darke Counties. Founded in 1942, the HBA is comprised of nearly 400 residential building professional firms and friends of the industry, each of which is dedicated to the proposition that home ownership should be within the reach of every American family.

Charlie with sons Grady, Robi and Crosby Simms

The Simms family has a long tradition of upholding the HBA’s mission. Charlie’s grandfather, William A. Simms served as HBA President in 1952. Charlie’s dad, Charles V. Simms, served in 1969, Charlie served in 1999, and his cousin Mike Simms was President in 2004.