The Builder of the Year award is presented annually to a member of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) who has demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence. This award recognizes a builder for their contributions to furthering the goals and mission of the HBA through volunteer efforts within the association, the housing industry as well as community and charitable service. The 2013 Builder of the Year is Neal Davis of Neal Davis Homes.
Neal Davis, owner of Neal Davis Homes, was born in Carrollton, raised in Lancaster, S.C. and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Pre-Law. Following graduation, Davis went to work for UPS as a supervisor. After several years with UPS, Davis recognized that the corporate world wasn’t the best fit for him.
1996 was a pivotal year for Davis both professionally and personally. He moved back to Atlanta, got married and took a position with a home building company. Learning the business from the ground up, Davis eventually became a partner in the company. Equipped with knowledge of the construction process and the desire to become an entrepreneur, Davis struck out on his own and founded Neal Davis Homes. With a focus on quality and energy efficient features, Neal Davis Homes specializes in the construction of custom and semi-custom homes.
For more than a decade, Davis has generously put his leadership skills to work in support of the HBA’s goals. In 2002, he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Metro South Chapter, and he served as Chapter President in both 2005 and 2006. As Chairman of the Government Affairs Council in 2009, Davis put his expertise to work in the regulatory and legislative arenas, and in 2010 served as a Builder at Large on the HBA Executive Committee. Davis, a Life Member of the HBA Board of Directors, held the office of Vice President in 2011 and led the HBA as its President in 2012.
Under Davis’ leadership as HBA President, the association established and enhanced a variety of member services. The HBA re-designed and launched an improved, interactive and user-friendly website and published the third edition of the Homeowner Handbook. Additionally, the Atlanta Chapter of the Professional Women in Building Council was formed and is currently the largest chapter within the NAHB federation.
Davis is also involved in the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG). He has served several terms on the HBAG Board of Directors and is a member of both the Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs Committees. Davis is also a founding member of the “A Livable Lifestyle” (ALL) program. Through the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, he participated in the development of the contractor examinations and was instrumental on the DCA task force that reviewed the 2012 IRC and the establishment of the new deck construction amendment. In recognition of his many contributions, Davis was honored as the 2012 recipient of the HBAG’s Presidential Award. Most recently, Davis was elected as the 2013-2014 Vice President/Secretary of the HBAG.
A former Sergeant in the Unities States Marine Corps and a combat Veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Davis is described as steady and consistent, and he is respected throughout the building community for his industry service and professional integrity. Davis enjoys all shooting sports, especially long range rifle shooting, and is a photography enthusiast. A loyal friend and a devoted family man, Davis is married to his childhood sweetheart, Pam and is the very proud father of five-year-old daughter, Sara Anne.
The HBA is proud to recognize Neal Davis as the 2013 Builder of the Year.