Michael Newsome dons goggles and a life jacket for his installation address
The scene outside
The “rising tide” was actually last year’s installation theme for Tidewater Builders Association President Pete A. Kotarides, who commented yesterday that when he chose the theme, he didn’t expect the rising tide to flood out his vehicle, as it did late last week during the prolonged Nor ‘easter that hit the Hampton Roads region.
The theme would have certainly been appropriate for Michael Newsome’s installation as president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). The lunchtime event took place in the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront just as the storms were gaining strength on Thursday, Nov. 12. The TBA past president and TBA Scholarship Foundation Chairman was sworn into office amid growing swells just outside the facility — making “keeping your head above water” another potential theme for the event (and for the industry.)
More than 100 dedicated HBAV members came out to show their support, braving wind gusts in the parking garage and ducking the inevitable leaks from the ceilings — all making for a memorable event. They say if it rains on your wedding day, you’ll have a long, happy marriage. Could it be if it rains on your installation, you’ll have a long, happy term of office?
Newsome’s term as president will be longer than usual as HBAV switches from a calendar year to a fiscal year that ends at the end of June. He will thus lead the association through June of 2011, a tenure that should usher in the turning of the tide for the economy and the housing market.
