2022: A Year In Review

December 8, 2022

As we wrap up another year, let’s take a look back at all that was accomplished over the last 12 months. BIAW is proud to celebrate so many positive milestones and occasions.

January

•  Joseph Irons becomes the 2022 BIAW President, strives to support small businesses, encourage equality, develop our future workforce, grow the BIAW Certified Builder program and improve affordable access to homes.
• BIAW offers a new Contract Subscription Service to builder members with unlimited online access to a suite of more than two dozen contracts and addenda as well as training.
• BIAW’s legislative advocacy team went to work during a mostly virtual legislative session with priorities of permit timeline reform, eliminating repeat planning, investing in the future workforce and fee reform.

February

• BIAW launches the “Cut the Costs” digital advertising campaign to educate millennials on housing prices and encourage them to take action.
•  After two years of being canceled, BIAW’s winter board meeting and legislative reception were held in person on Feb. 21-23, 2022, at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake.
• The Certified Builder program received a refresh, including a new website with a search-by-map feature, a new promotional video and new branding materials. The program expanded to 52 total Certified Builders.

March

• On March 12, Washington ended its indoor mask mandate.
• The 2022 legislative session ends.
• Thanks to BIAW members and the Government Affairs team, every anti-housing bill is blocked except for one.

April

• Government Affairs launches new housing policy center with reports on the real cost of zoning tax and how permit delays drive home prices.
• BIAW and Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC) won a major legal victory and a $70,000 settlement in our fight to secure representation on the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC).

May

• After a hard-fought battle to ensure a seat for a BIAW nominee, Gov. Inslee appoints Olympia builder Damion Doyle to the SBCC to represent the construction industry.
• ROII leads the industry, with participants earning an average refund of 53%, and over half the participants got 56% back on their L&I premiums for the 2018-19 plan year.
• BIAW has the unique opportunity to recognize two builders for the honor of Top Spike, one from each side of the state: Cory Condron of Condron Homes, LLC, member of the Spokane Home Builders Association, and Chuck Neibert of Affinity Homes, LLC, member of the Building Industry Association of Clark County

June

•  The 2022 BIAW Summer Board Meeting kicks off at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash., June 6-8, celebrating the winners of the 2022 Excellence in Remodeling Awards and honoring our Spikes.
• Roughly 30 BIAW members joined President Joseph Irons, Executive Vice President Greg Lane and the BIAW Government Affairs team in Washington, DC, to meet with Washington’s congressional delegation during NAHB’s 2022 Legislative Conference after two years of being canceled.

July

• BIAW Executive Vice President Greg Lane sends a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee on behalf of BIAW members urging him to take serious action to ease the housing supply shortage.

August

• BIAW wins Grand Awards from NAHB for outstanding membership and growth retention. From 2020 to 2021, BIAW’s membership grew by 221 members and our member retention rate increased from 83.4% to 88.7%.
• BIAW awarded $70,000 in scholarships and grants to 21 students and seven construction trades programs across Washington.

September

• The cut the Costs campaign reaches nearly 1 million people, and 59% of those who saw our videos watched 100% of them.
• BIAW Health Insurance Program partners with First Choice Health to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) included with all medical plans to offer employees support throughout various life challenges.

October

• BIAW’s workforce development team celebrates Careers in Construction month by sponsoring the Association of Career & Technical Education and School Counselors’ conferences to raise awareness, updating website assets and toolkits, and shooting a new video for classroom use.

November

• BIAW installs 2023 President Gary Wray and senior officers during the Installation and Awards Gala.
• BIAW inducts Rick Hjelm and Jan Rohila into BIAW’s Hall of Fame.