Education Awards Winners

The 2021 NAHB Designees and Educator of the Year awards honors housing professionals who have displayed notable professionalism as NAHB designation holders and those who have excelled in teaching NAHB education courses. “These home building industry professionals are true leaders in their respective fields,” said NAHB Education Committee Chair Joanne Theunissen, CAPS, CGP, CGR. “They are committed to staying on top of current trends and improving their own skills, which sets an example for their fellow industry professionals.”

Builder Designee of the Year

Donny Mack, CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB, is the President and CEO of Beaver Builders in Sanger, Texas. A 30-year industry veteran of the Dallas home building industry, Mack believes in giving back and plays an active role in the local, state and national levels of the industry. He has also held various leadership positions within the industry, including the Dallas Builders Association president (2008). Leading his business by example, Donny’s approach to education is no different; he’s a firm believer of gaining skills that help him succeed in everything he does. Mack holds four NAHB designations and frequently attends classes to gain new insight. He is also an NAHB Master Instructor for professional designation courses.

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Designee of the Year

Matt Mitchell, CAPS, CGB, CSP, GMB, is the owner of James Andrews Custom Homes LLC in Dallas, Texas. Mitchell has been a builder and realtor since 2002 and has been actively involved in the Dallas Builders Association since he first joined in 2011. Mitchell has held various leadership roles in the Dallas Builders Association, including his role as 2020-2021 president. His quest for knowledge has earned him several college degrees, including an associate of arts and science degree in construction management from North Lake College. Mitchell also uses his designations when speaking to groups and encouraging individuals to increase their knowledge base by taking classes and earning designations to show proficiency in their profession. He also lists his designations on his resume/bio and website for clients to review.

Green Professional Designee of the Year

Nicolas Ray Ream, CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CSP, is the senior vice president of sales and marketing at Montana Heritage Home Builders Inc. in Columbia Falls, Mont., an award-winning family owned and operated luxury design/build company. Specializing in social media, advertising and marketing, Ream educates individuals at the HBA of Metro Denver annual meeting regarding the designations he has earned and the benefits of those designations. He also promotes earning NAHB designations at the University of Denver Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management.

Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Designee of the Year

Thomas Stagg, HCCP, is a partner in the metro Seattle office of Novogradac. As a recognized expert in the industry, he specializes in audit and tax services for real estate transactions. Stagg is experienced in auditing affordable housing developments and specializes in the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and federal governmental auditing requirements. He has extensive experience with LIHTC deal structuring, including assisting developers and investors navigating acquisition/rehabilitation developments and Year 15 disposition issues, and has assisted many clients in applying for and obtaining the LIHTC. Frequently speaking at industry events as well as Novogradac’s affordable housing conferences and webinars, he also works with real estate firms and fund organizers that are working on opportunity zones funds and investments.

Sales & Marketing Designee of the Year

Shawn P. McGuire, CAPS, CSP, Master CSP, a sales manager with Celebrity Homes in Omaha, Neb., has nearly 30 years in the new home industry. He is a true professional with incredible knowledge of the real estate industry. McGuire is continually training and coaching his sales staff and is always looking for innovative ways to conduct business. An approved instructor for NAHB Education, he encourages students attending classes to get involved in NAHB, to embrace courses offered, and move toward being a future leader of the industry.

Tag Gilkeson, CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGP, CGR, CMP, CSP, GMB, Master CGP, Master CSP, MIRM, is the owner of Tag & Associates, LLC, a design/build company located in Carrollton, Texas. Gilkeson got his start in the real estate and construction industry in 1999 after obtaining his Texas REALTOR license. In 2009, he turned his attention to gaining more knowledge in his field by earning an associate degree in architecture and bachelor’s degree in construction management. A believer in lifelong learning, Gilkeson is passionate about education and works diligently as an NAHB Education approved instructor, educating his industry peers while doing what he loves best, teaching. He is also an active member of the Dallas Builders Association.