Ontario Construction News staff writer
Roy Nandram of RND Construction took the helm as the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) president at the association’s annual general meeting on April 16, assuming the responsibilities for a two-year term from Josh Kardish of eQ homes.
In passing the gavel, Kardish described the association’s significant changes in the past year, including the selection of Jason Burggraaf as its new executive director, as the association embarked on a thorough strategic plan review, which it is now implementing.
The review “contains active milestones” and includes measurement and tangible indicators, including initiatives to improve housing affordability and choice, and the introduction of a new “industry human resources, education and training committee” to deal with labour shortage issues. Kardish said he will lead this committee as it is established.
The associations’ financial numbers for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 2018 showed a $52,794 deficit and the 2019-10 budget shows a further significant operating deficit. “We’re working with a new adviser to develop an investment strategy” for the association’s reserves, Kardish said.
The association’s balance sheet shows an increase in membership fees but a change in “interest and investment gain (loss)” from a gain of $35,188 in 2017 to a loss of $11,775 in 2018. Salaries and employee benefits also increased substantially from $334,401 to $518,311.
However, the association’s overall financial health is still solid, in part because the losses last year and projected for this fiscal year were offset by a $187,804 gain in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Overall, the association had $1,454,572 in net assets at the end of the last fiscal year.
In taking office, Roy Nandram described his childhood in Guyana, and how he got his start as an engineering student in Algonquin College, learning the basics of development and construction from mentors, setting the stage for his successful business.
In a speech, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson outlined the city’s opportunities and progresss as it reaches the one million population milestone this spring.
The association awarded a rare lifetime honorary membership to Michael Martin, who led the association’s Renovation Council and advocated for the RenoMark program.
Other 2019-2010 GOHBA executive members include: First vice-president – David Renfroe, Renfroe Land Management; second vice-president – Pat Daniels, Tartan Homes secretary – Linda Oliveri, Aftercare; and treasurer – Ray Charon, Yamagata Homes.
Committee chairs are: Builder Developer Council – David Renfroe, Renfroe Land Management; Builder/Trade Council – Ron Ingram, eQ Homes; Building innovation Committee – Serge Desjardins, Minto Communities; Communications Council – Pierre Dufresne, Tartan Homes; Housing Design Awards Committee – Linda Oliveri, Enercare; Membership Committee – Josh Doran, Smith & Bradley’s Insurance; Renovators’ Council – Bob Ridley, SkilBilt Construction; Sales and Marketing Committee – Shelley Beck, Postmedia; Social Committee – David Walton, Cricket Home Comfort; and Urban Infill Council – Murray Chown, Novatech Engineering.
Ex-officio members induce; Giuseppe Castrucci, Laurysen Kitchens; Greg Graham, Cardel Homes; and Chuck Mills, Amsted Design-Build.
