ANN ARBOR, Mich., (February 8, 2012)— Merillat Cabinetry and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have announced the recipients of the “Women of the Future” grant at the annual International Builders’ Show held Feb. 8–12 in Orlando. The seven women, who range from up-and-coming talent to highly established industry professionals, will utilize the grants in many ways, including degree programs or industry licensing.
Merillat and NAHB introduced the “Women of the Future” grant program more than a decade ago and have since honored more than 40 professional women in building. All of the grant recipients are members of the NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB), a select group of inspiring women who share strategies and solutions to promote, enhance and support professional women in today’s home building industry.
Sarah Reep, director of designer relations and education for Merillat Cabinetry and nationally recognized design leader in the kitchen and bath industry, presented the grants to recipients during a luncheon on Feb. 8.“There are so many skilled women in the building industry that it’s difficult to select just a handful every year,” said Reep. “These recipients are the future of the building industry and I take a personal interest in recognizing these talented women. I wouldn’t have made it where I am today without the amazing opportunities that others have given to me.”
The 2012 “Women of the Future” grant recipients are:
- JoAnn Bogese (Professional Women in Building of Southside: Va.), a home builder, will take courses that keep her up to date as a professional in many areas of the industry.
- Amy Cooper (Fla.), a marketing professional, is working to become a Certified Marketing Professional and Master in Residential Marketing designations.
- Judy Dinelle (N.C.) is working toward certification as an Accredited Master Associate.
- Tammy Kister (Big Country Professional Women in Building: Texas) plans to use the grant to help defray some of the costs of her business management education.
- Dawn McIntosh (Wis.) works in kitchen and bath design and building materials sales and plans to use the grant to fund classes in the basics of building and business management.
- Donna Mock (Capital Area Professional Women in Building; N.Y.), a decorative painter and muralist, will use the grant to take classes on the latest techniques in her field at specialized meetings for decorative artists.
- Melanie Spurgeon (HBA of Illinois Professional Women in Building; Ill.), who works for a small home builder, will be taking a required course on OSHA safety to earn the Certified Graduate Builder designation.
For additional details on Merillat Cabinetry products and initiatives, visit www.Merillat.com.
About Merillat
A dash of function. A pinch of innovation. Merillat cabinetry offers smart storage solutions and functional design to help make prepping, cooking and entertaining in the kitchen easier. Just ask Merillat spokesperson Curtis Stone, a renowned chef who knows the importance of a well-designed kitchen. To learn more about the many beautiful and intelligent cabinetry options from Merillat, along with kitchen tips and recipes from Curtis, visit Merillat.com.
About Professional Women in Building Council
The NAHB Professional Women in Building Council is the voice of women in the building industry, dedicated to promoting professionalism and supporting its members at the local, state and national levels with networking and educational opportunities, legislative awareness and outreach, and professional and personal development.
Through its publications, awards, scholarships, seminars and programs, the council gives women the advantage necessary to excel and succeed.
About NAHB
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 160,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.
Follow NAHB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NAHBMedia.
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Editor’s Note:
For more information, or to speak with Sarah Reep, please contact Anne Michaletz (
amichaletz@oco.com
) to arrange.
Agency Contact:
Anne Michaletz
Olson, for Masco Cabinetry
Email: amichaletz@olson.com
P: 312-854-7523 C: 612-719-1958
Merillat Contact:
Susan Cross
Masco Cabinetry
Email: susan.cross@mascocabinetry.com
P: 734-205-4659 C: 517-902-2156