WEHBA celebrates industry champions

The West End Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) recently held its annual President’s Gala at Liuna Station in Hamilton, in a celebration of the hard work and success of the association and Bianca Bruzzese, 2022 and 2021 president, and Robert Molinaro, 2020 president.

Bruzzese began her two-year WEHBA presidency in 2021, in the middle of a global pandemic and after a very difficult and eventful 2020. In addition to external factors that made 2021 challenging, WEHBA had just gone through a major rebranding exercise and substantial internal restructuring. Even before her term began in 2021, Bruzzese had stepped up and substantially supported the association on administrative and financial matters. She is a partner at BDO and an established accountant, with years of experience in the industry. Her expertise was crucial to the association’s success during the past three years, and her commitment and devotion to WEHBA is unparalleled. In addition to the demanding nature of her work and busy schedule, Bruzzese dedicated multiple hours to the association on a weekly basis, to ensure steady growth and stability. We are looking forward to following and cheering on her work on a local, as well as on a provincial level, as treasurer of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association.

Robert Molinaro, vice-president of The Molinaro Group, was president of the WEHBA in 2020, a very challenging year for our industry and people. After the news of the global pandemic broke in 2020, Molinaro immediately stepped up and supported the association on internal management and administrative matters. During a very uncertain period and when social distancing and isolation were the main parameters for survival, Molinaro joined a group of local businesses as a WEHBA representative, in personally delivering food to front line workers. For numerous months and in the middle of the gravest global pandemic our generation has encountered, Molinaro and representatives from nine other local businesses were dropping off weekly meals at various local organizations, including St. Joseph’s Hospital, various local fire and EMS Stations, and St. Joseph’s Villa, one of Ontario’s largest long-term care facilities. During his presidency year, Molinaro was present and ready to help on a daily basis, supporting the association on governance matters, and dedicating a large portion of his time for our industry and community.

Bruzzese and Molinaro, along with incoming WEHBA President Terri Johns, are three of the most committed and involved presidents the association has even known and great champions of our industry. The association was and is extremely lucky to be under their leadership, and we owe them a great deal of our ongoing success and growth.

During the President’s Gala, WEHBA also recognized the efforts of very hardworking members and friends of the building industry. The following is a list of this year’s award recipients:

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – BUILDER MEMBER
New Horizon Development Group

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Steven Frankovich,
S. Llewellyn & Associates Ltd.

RENOVATOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Phil Authier, Integrimark Inc.

THE KEVIN MCINTOSH MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE UNDER 40 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Anthony Pizzuti, MNP LLP

PAUL WRIGHT MEMORIAL AWARD
Bob Schickedanz, OHBA

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Molinaro Group Inc., Community Garden Bunchberry Connections

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
Robert Molinaro, Molinaro Group

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
Terri Johns,
T. Johns Consulting Group Ltd.