BUILD-PAC on Track to Meet $4 Million Cycle Goal
At the beginning of the 2006 election cycle, a $4 million goal for BUILD-PAC seemed incredibly ambitious. After all, that goal is $1 million more than what was raised the previous cycle. Earl Sharp, 2005 BUILD-PAC Chair put any worries that the goal was unattainable to rest at the International Builders Show in Orlando last month when he announced that half the goal; $2 million was raised in 2005.

Sharp noted in remarks to several different groups, that raising $2 million is extraordinary because traditionally far less is raised in the "off" year to an election cycle.  Raising half the $4 million goal is an indication that $4 million is well within reach.

The success of 2005 is mainly due to a strong concentration on renewing large donor club memberships and on penetrating the grassroots through targeted direct mail pieces and telemarketing highlighting the key federal legislative issues in 2005.  Targeted mailings and follow-up phone calls alone raised over $300,000 for BUILD-PAC.  The success of 2005 ranks BUILD-PAC #5 among trade association PACs at this half way point in the election cycle.

Mak Koebig, 2006 BUILD-PAC Chair, notes that BUILD-PAC will continue the programs that worked in 2005, but is going to concentrate even more on generating fundraising events at the state and local level.  "We are not going to re-invent the wheel on anything that proved successful in 2005, but it is my goal to penetrate grassroots even further than we did last year.  The most effective way we can do that is through fundraising events and peer-to-peer solicitation." 

Koebig has a team in place that has been charged with generating events and promoting BUILD-PAC throughout the country.  "For far too long, a very small percentage of the NAHB membership has carried the water for the entire industry on Capitol Hill.  My goal is to spread out the responsibility; encourage the membership to make an investment in their businesses through a contribution to BUILD-PAC.  Every contribution counts, whether it is $50 or $5000."  To carry out the goals he has set for BUILD-PAC, Koebig is joined by 1st Vice Chairman Charlie Kasko, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania; 2nd Vice Chairman Ed Brady of Bloomington, Illinois and Immediate Past Chairman Earl Sharp, of Knoxville, Tennessee.  BUILD-PAC's 3rd Vice Chairman will be nominated and elected at the Spring Board Meeting in Washington, DC in May.  Koebig has chosen the following individuals to chair the donor clubs:  Marsha Elliott, of Oakbrook, Illinois is the Capitol Club Chairman.  Lynne Pratt, of Auburn Hills, Michigan is the Platinum Club Chairman.  Robin Newhouse, of Fredericksburg, Virginia is the Gold Key Chairman.  Other assignments Koebig has made include Steve Cates, of Brentwood, Tennessee to Chair the Fundraising Subcommittee and Gerald Kosmensky, of Trenton, Michigan to Chair the Golf Subcommittee

Meet the 2006 BUILD-PAC Officers

Mak Koebig  2006 BUILD-PAC Chairman

Mak Koebig has been involved in the development and construction industry since 1986 and has been a member of NAHB since 1990.  He is a past president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV) and the Piedmont Virginia Building Industry Association (PVBIA) where he is a Life Director in addition  to being a Life Director of the Shenandoah Valley Builders Association(SVBA). 

He has been active in all leadership posts and various committees at both the state and local level, including being the current HBAV Build-PAC Chairman.  Mak is the president and CEO of Peak Construction Co., Inc., a subsidary of  The Resorts Companies, where he is also the vice president and COO. 

Koebig believes the key to being an effective Build-PAC Chairman is teamwork and establishing an enviroment where everyone feels comfortable focused on raising money. "The more folks we have involved in the process, the more great ideas we can incorporate, the deeper we can penetrate and the more we can raise.  This is our purpose and the reason this committee exists."  Mak Koebig resides in Culpeper, Va. with his wife of 39 years, Emily. They have a 20-year-old parrot named Hooter!

Charlie Kasko  2006 1st Vice Chairman

Charlie Kasko has been involved in the housing industry for the last 20 years and has been a member of NAHB since 1989.  Charlie is a past president of the Building Industry Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA).  Before taking the office as president of the PBA, he served as vice president, treasurer, regional vice president, board member and regional legislative officer, as well as serving on various committees and task forces.  Kasko currently serves as an Account Executive at Avis America. 

Kasko believes that communication will be the key to BUILD-PAC’s success, “By keeping members informed, we can increase the level of participation and become the #1 PAC that I believe we truly can be.” Charlie Kasko resides in Shavertown , Pa. with his wife of eight years, Karen. They have a 4-year-old daughter named Hannah.

Edward Brady 2006 2nd Vice Chairman

Edward Brady has made the housing industry his career for the past 17-1/2 years and has been a member of NAHB since 1988.  Brady is a past president of the local Bloomington-Normal Area Home Builders Association and the Home Builders Association of Illinois. He has served on many committees, including the Federal Government Affairs Committee, the Resolutions Committee and the Budget Committee among others. 

Brady serves as president at Brady Homes.  He believes it is in the NAHB membership’s best interest to help protect the housing industry and BUILD-PAC is the ideal means to do so.  Ed Brady resides in Bloomington, Ill. with his wife 17 years, Michelle. They have four children ranging in age from 9 to 15 years old.

Earl Sharp  2006 Immediate Past Chairman

Earl Sharp has worked in the building industry for 47 years.  Sharp started his first construction company 41 years ago and has loved the building industry ever since.  Sharp's involvement in the building industry led to his involvement with NAHB.

He has served as president of his local home builders' association, as a National Vice Pesident twice (1988-1989 and 2000-2001) and he has served on several NAHB committees.  

Sharp believes that if you don't get involved in politics and legislative action, you don't really have your business' best interest at heart.  Sharp believes that BUILD-PAC will achieve its 2005/2006 cycle goal as long as the membership is properly educated on the importance and necessity of a strong PAC.  Earl Sharp resides in Knoxville, Tenn. with Libby, his wife of 47 years. They have three daughters, four granddaughters and three grandsons.[return to top]

Race Watch: 2006 Political Overview

The 2006 mid-term elections may be nine months away, but there seems to be a lot of energy in the air with respect to this election.  In light of scandals in Washington and lagging approval numbers for the President, the Democrats see a golden opportunity to gain control of either one chamber or both. 

The Democrats have a long way to go before they start celebrating victory.  As it stands now the GOP has a majority in the Senate 55-45 which means the Democrats will have to pick up six seats to regain the majority.  On the House side, the GOP has more comfortable majority at 232-203, which means Democrats will have to have a net gain of 15 seats on Election Day.  These margins are going to be tough to overcome due to the fact there aren’t many competitive seats in this election. 

Senate

One of the keys to winning a majority in the Senate is to win the other party’s open seats.  This will be difficult for the Democrats because the GOP has only one open seat in this election and that is Tennessee.  On the other hand the Democrats have three open seats of their own to defend and they are Maryland, Minnesota and Vermont (it is an independent seat but caucuses with the Democrats).  Both sides of the aisle will also have to defend vulnerable incumbent seats. 

The Republicans have to defend Santorum (Pa.), Chafee (R.I.) and DeWine (Ohio), which have been classified as toss-up races. Burns (Mont.), Kyl (Ariz.) and Talent (Mo.) have been classified as "leans Republican but vulnerable."  The Democrats have Maria Cantwell (Wash.) to defend as their only very vulnerable incumbent, however there are six Democrat incumbents who will have very competitive races but are expected to hold their seats. 

The bottom line in the Senate races is that unless there is a overwhelming anti-Republican wave at the polls and the Democrats make a clean sweep, the Republicans will hang on to their majority. Political analysts have hypothesized that the Democrats are in good position to pick up between two and four seats and narrow the GOP majority to about 51-53 seats.

House

It is much of the same situation in the House where there aren’t enough competitive seats for the Democrats to overturn the Republican majority in the mid-term elections.  The number of open seats in an election is the biggest factor on how many a party could lose. 

As of mid-December there were only 21 open seats (14 Republicans and seven Democrats).  Of those Republican seats only three are considered a toss-up and they are Kolbe (Ariz.-8), Beauprez (Colo.-7), and Nussle (Iowa-1).  Only another three Republican seats are considered vulnerable but leans Republican and they are Cunningham (Calif.-50), Kennedy (Minn.-6), and Green (Wis.-8). 

There doesn’t seem to be enough competitive races out there for Democrats to get a 15-seat swing.  The Democrats also have to defend some highly vulnerable incumbents without losing any.  The most vulnerable Democrat out there right now is Melissa Bean (Ill.-8) which her race is considered a toss-up.  Some other vulnerable Democrat incumbents that need to be watched are Marshall (Ga.-8), Salazar (Colo.-3), Barrow (Ga.-12), Boswell (Iowa-3), Melancon (La.-3), Edwards (Texas-17) and Larsen (Wash.-2).

The bottom line in the House is that if the Democrats don’t put more Republican seats in play they will fall short of their majority.  Political analysts believe that the Democrats will pick up between four and nine seats which will shave the GOP majority so much that it will be tough to get anything passed without bipartisan cooperation. 

Stay tuned to the BUILD-PAConnection Race Watch for more poltical insider information.  The next BUILD-PAConnection will go out on May 3. [return to top]

Inside Scoop: Lobbying Scandals Rattle Washington

Recent scandals involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) have rocked Washington and sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill.  Fair or unfair, scathing media coverage has portrayed this sort of activity as "business as usual," while insinuations and outright indictments have saddled terms such as "lobbyist" and "Political Action Committee" with sinister connotations.  The fact is that while such acts are shameful, and reflect a serious breakdown in our system, they only occur in the rarest of cases.

The vast majority of lobbyists in Washington and throughout the nation never engage unethical or illegal behavior.  For that matter, the lobbyists on the NAHB Government Affairs staff are considered among the finest in their field, and have earned their reputations in Washington through years of hard work, developing a rapport congressional offices based on their professionalism, candor, and expertise on the issues.

Political Action Committees, or "PACs," have recently been maligned as well for a perceived
lack of ethics inherent in political fundraising.  In electoral politics today, campaigns cost a great deal of money, and fundraising is a reality.  Our elected officials must raise money if they hope to stay in office.  The American public, afterall, has consistantly frowned upon the notion of publically financed elections.  Contributions to BUILD-PAC, therefore, are what allow the voice of the Home Building industry to be heard on Capitol Hill.  This access ensures that the priorities of the industry are protected in legislation.  The simple fact is that PACs are not the problem, nor have they been implicated in the recent ethics scandals. 

If any degree of lobbying reform at all is inacted, PACs will be come more important than ever.  In fact, a PAC is the ideal safeguard for these uncertain times.  BUILD-PAC is the perfect conduit for the political action efforts of the NAHB because it is mandated and controlled by the membership itself.  BUILD PAC is guided by a board of trustees, governed by extensive bylaws, and administered by a professional staff to ensure complete transparency and compliance with federal election laws.

Despite the turmoil that will come with inevitable lobbying reforms, the scandals have not hurt
the advocacy efforts of NAHB or BUILD-PAC, and if anything have underscored the high ground which we occupy.[return to top]

Donor Clubs Continue To Grow at Record Pace

Led by its major donor clubs — the Capitol Club ($5,000), Platinum Club ($2,500) and Gold Key Club ($1,000) — BUILD-PAC has enjoyed across-the-board success in fundraising in 2005. There has also been tremendous growth in each of the major donor clubs, as well as the Dollar-A-Day Club ($365).

2006 is poised to be a record-breaking year for BUILD-PAC. Membership in the Capitol Club is at an all-time high, up from 129 at the beginning of 2004 to 169 in 2006. The Platinum Club currently has a record 75 members, up from 65 going into 2004.

The most significant increase in membership is reflected in the Gold Key Club, which now boasts 914 members — up nearly 150 from 778 in 2004! The Dollar-A-Day Club has also reached new heights, with 105 new members recruited in 2005 alone.

The 2006 BUILD-PAC officers have made renewals and increased membership within the clubs a top priority for this year. To help retain 2005 club members, renewal notices for the first quarter of 2006 were mailed two weeks ago.

Club Members are asked to mail or fax back their “BUILD-PAC Contributor Information” form with their correct contact information and method of payment IF they are not already signed up for the auto-charge program. All first quarter renewals are due by Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Those members who are part of the auto-charge program will automatically have their first quarter contribution billed to the credit card number BUILD-PAC has on file. Members are also encouraged to contribute online at www.nahb.org/BUILD-PAC.

(If you have questions about your club membership, e-mail BUILD-PAC staff at BUILD-PAC@nahb.com, or call 800-368-5242 x8470.)

BUILD-PAC is well on its way to reaching its record-shattering $4 million fundraising goal thanks to its major donor clubs! If all club members renew and fulfill their first quarter membership contribution, BUILD-PAC will raise an aggressive $1,577,977 in the first three months of 2006. It is clear from this number that BUILD-PAC’s club members are the backbone of its fundraising effort.

As the Capitol Club, Platinum Club, Gold Key Club and Dollar-A-Day Club continue to grow, so will BUILD-PAC’s membership profile. NAHB’s BUILD-PAC members will be considered the power players of Washington, D.C. Please continue to support BUILD-PAC in 2006 and beyond.[return to top]

Legislative Watch: NAHB on the Hill

With the second session of the 109th Congress now under way, builders are keeping NAHB issues in the forefront on Capitol Hill. On Feb. 2, NAHB President David Pressly testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the need for sensible Flood Insurance Reform.

And today (Feb. 8),  Texas builder Bobby Bowling appeared before the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity to testify on behalf of NAHB in support of a Military Housing Bill that would expand opportunities for enlisted personnel and their families to obtain safe, decent and affordable housing.

For more information, e-mail BUILD-PAC staff at BUILD-PAC@NAHB.COM, call 800-368-5242 x8470 or visit www.NAHB.org/news.[return to top]

Don't Miss the NAHB 2006 Legislative Conference

Attending NAHB’s 2006 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 10 … could be the best business decision that you make this year.

Decisions that affect your company’s bottom line are being made every day in the halls of Congress. Environmental regulations, tax policy, soaring health care costs and many other issues can add thousands of dollars to your annual operating budget, and Congress weighs in on each and every one of them.

The NAHB Legislative Conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss builder issues on Capitol Hill that will have a dramatic impact on your business and your bottom line.

The Legislative Conference also gives you the status of a Washington insider, allowing you to speak face-to-face with your members of Congress and to take a stand on the issues that affect you.

Take advantage of this special opportunity to educate your lawmakers on the issues that are impacting your business, costing you money and driving up the price of new homes.

Attending the 2006 Legislative Conference will provide you an unparalleled opportunity to:

1. Lobby members of Congress to protect your business
2. Establish lasting relationships with your elected federal officials
3. Share builder concerns in a national forum in Washington, D.C.
4. Learn the latest policy developments on the key issues affecting your business
5. Demonstrate your industry’s commitment to responsible policies, pragmatic reforms, effective programs and providing the resources necessary to meet our nation’s ongoing housing needs
6. Network and share business strategies with your peers
7. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your business and your industry
8. Make your views known on Capitol Hill
9. Do your part to ensure that NAHB’s issues are heard by Washington policymakers 
10. Galvanize a united front on Capitol Hill

Your participation can make a difference! In these challenging times – when other interest groups are clamoring to push their agenda in Washington – a strong builder turn out on May 10 will send a powerful message to members of Congress:  Housing must remain a national priority.

Come to Washington and show your members of Congress the great work you do back home in building your communities. Urge your lawmakers to adopt sensible policies to enable your business to thrive and allow the nation’s home builders to fulfill their mission of providing safe, decent, affordable housing to all Americans.

We look forward to seeing you in Washington. For more information and to register for NAHB’s 2006 Legislative Conference, log on to www.nahb.org/legcon or call Jessi Boyce at 800-368-5242, x8334.

 [return to top]

2006 BUILD-PAC Contacts

BUILD-PAC Staff

Denise Mills
Assistant Staff Vice President, BUILD-PAC
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8459
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    202-329-8427
E-mail:  dmills@nahb.com

Oversees all BUILD-PAC fundraising strategy.  Primary contact for all BUILD-PAC matters.  Main contact for Associate Member, Building Systems Council and EOC matters.  

Wendy Perez
Manager, BUILD-PAC
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8289
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    703-855-0193
E-mail:  wperez@nahb.com

Oversees the Gold Key Club, Fundraising for Womens Council, 50+ Housing, Sales and Marketing Council.  Responsible for fundraising in the following states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

Vanessa Barrera
Manager, BUILD-PAC
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8114
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    202-329-8450
E-mail:  vbarrera@nahb.com

Oversees the Capitol and Platinum Clubs, Fundraising for the Multifamily, Remodelers and National Commercial Builders councils.  Responsible for fundraising in the following states:  Alabama, Alaska, Arkansa, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisianna, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconisn and Wyoming. 
  
Nick Gentile
Political Affairs Manager
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8542
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    202-297-1228
E-mail:  ngentile@nahb.com

Oversees coordination of BUILD-PAC disbursements and communication on such issues with Trustees. Coordinates all contribution requests that come in from Members of Congress and candidates. 

Liam Donovan
PAC Assistant
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8510
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    202-267-4297
E-mail:  ldonovan@nahb.com
 
PAC assistant.  Oversees processing of contributions, maintenance of website and other PAC communications.

Joseph Stanton
Senior Staff Vice President
Government Affairs
NAHB
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Work:  202-266-8402
Fax:    202-266-8572
Cell:    202-744-1097
E-mail:  jstanton@nahb.com

Heads up entire Government Affairs Department, including Legislative, Political and State and Local.

PAC Officers       

Mak Koebig
Chairman
Peak Construction
3779 Palmer Rd.  Ste. 2
Massanutten, Va. 22840
Work:  540-289-9020
Fax:    540-289-9120
Cell:    540-560-1028
Cell2:  540-607-0894
E-mail:  peak1@massresort.com
E-mail: makoebig@massresort.com

Charlie Kasko
1st Vice Chairman
Avis America
588 Kasko Rd.
Shavertown, Pa. 18708
Work:   570-696-4844
Fax:     570-696 -4687
Cell:     570-772-5582
E-mail:   clkasko@aol.com

Edward Brady
2nd Vice Chairman
Brady & Associates Construction and Development
2201 Eastland Dr.
Bloomington, Ill. 61704
Work: 309-663-5301
Fax: 309-662-7812
Cell: 309-275-0857
E-Mail: edbrady@bradyhomes.com
  
Earl Sharp
Immediate Past Chairman
The Sharp Companies, Inc.
3347 Rudy Street
Knoxville, Tenn.  37921
Work:  865-524-5550
Fax      865-523-0399
Cell:    865-803-4005
Email: esharp@thesharpcompaniesinc.com

Club/Committee Chairs

Marsha Elliott
Capitol Club Chairman
Terrestris Development Co.
1301 W 22nd St.,  Ste. 210
Oak Brook, Ill. 60523
Work: 630-573-0460
Fax: 630-573-0782
Cell: 630-710-8512
E-Mail: mbetdc@aol.com

Lynne Pratt
Platinum Club Chairman
Pratt Building Co.
1080 N. Opdyke Rd., Ste. 200
Auburn Hills, Mich. 48326
Work: 248-475-5770
Fax:    248-475-5750
Cell:   248-891-0669
E-mail: lpratt@wakepratt.com

Robin Newhouse
Gold Key Club Chairman
Dominion Virginia Power
980 Warrenton Rd.
Fredericksburg, Va. 22406
Work: 540-582-1013
Fax: 540-752-2023
Cell: 540-845-2899
E-Mail: robin_newhouse@dom.com

Steve Cates
Fundraising Committee Chairman
Cates Construction Co.
1612 Westgate Circle, Ste. 220
Brentwood, Tenn. 37027
Work: 615-377-9106 
Fax: 615-370-4742 
Cell: 615-812-2177
E-Mail: STCATES@aol.com
  
Gerald “Jerry” Kosmensky
Golf Committee Chairman
Gerald Building Company
13230 Trenton Rd.
Trenton, Mich. 48195
Work: 734-282-3838  
Fax: 734-282-1030 
Cell: 734-260-5252
E-Mail: geraldbuildingco1@netzero.com
              gkosmensky@yahoo.com[return to top]