Executive Director of Home Builders Association of Dayton
This past year, the Home Builders Association of Dayton continued its success with an outstanding scattered-site builders show
– the Homearama Touring Edition presented by Vectren – and made great strides in its efforts to remain a strong advocate for its members, their businesses and employees.
The Home Builders Association of Dayton has transitioned its leadership for the upcoming year and is positioning itself for the future of the residential construction industry. Taking the reins from home builder Josh Dungan of JM Dungan Custom Homes, is the Home Builders Association of Dayton’s 2019 president, Dona Niswonger of Union Savings Bank.
Niswonger is a proud Daytonian and longtime HBA member, as well as leader within the association. Born and raised in this area, she has a strong connection to our great community and the Home Builders Association of Dayton. She started her involvement in the residential construction industry more than 30 years ago, first as a Realtor and then as a mortgage loan officer; currently with Union Savings Bank.
Her knowledge of real estate and this region has made her an invaluable asset to the HBA while her work ethic has led to many professional accolades, such as being consistently recognized as one of the top loan officers in the Miami Valley and receiving the HBA’s President’s Award in 2015 for her service to the Association. Niswonger is an associate member and the second woman president to lead the Home Builders Association of Dayton.
She and her husband have been married for 39 years. They have two children and four grandsons. Giving back to the community has always been a priority and a passion for Niswonger. After serving on the boards and volunteering for several nonprofits for many years, Niswonger founded the Valentine’s Day Dance to benefit A Special Wish Foundation in 2004. She has continued to chair the annual Valentine’s Day Dance and to date has raised more than $900,000 to make the wish of a child or adolescent facing life-threatening disorder come true.
One of her goals for the year ahead is to encourage the association’s members to get more involved. Niswonger is a proponent of teamwork and the positive impact of many individuals working toward a common goal. Dona believes that the HBA needs a strong team of builder and associate members to propel the association into the next century. Another area the HBA will focus on is advocacy for the residential construction industry and its workers.
The HBA will seek to combat the labor shortage issue within our region through communication between our association and local industry-related job placement programs, as well as encourage expanded curriculum in schools and vocational training programs to teach the trades. This outreach should be able to assist our members in finding the right people for specific fields.
Starting a Next Generation Council to cultivate young professionals, continue to engage the up-and-coming associates, and hopefully inspire future builders is also on Niswonger’s agenda. To achieve these large goals the HBA will need every member to step up and get involved in its committees, councils and events. Lastly, Niswonger would like to create an association exhibition event that is open to the public and showcases new products and house trends, as well as highlights our builder and associate members.
A ceremonial Presidential Inaugural and Association Awards event will be held Jan. 25 at The Dayton Art Institute in downtown Dayton. The ceremony will bring together industry leaders, elected officials and friends of the association to honor the 2018 Home Builders Association of Dayton leadership, welcome and install the 2019 Board of Directors, and present prestigious industry awards to many well-deserving people and organizations.
Joining Niswonger on the 2019 Executive Committee is Vice President Robi Simms of Charles Simms Development; Treasurer Richard Graf of Hammerman, Graf, Hughes & Company Inc.; Secretary Greg Page of Gregory S. Page Co., LPA; Immediate Past President Josh Dungan of JM Dungan Custom Homes; Erika Deady of Oberer Homes and Chad Newdigate of Flooring America.
Returning officers and council chairs for the Home Builders Association of Dayton’s 2019 Board of Directors are Brian Albrecht of Rhoads Estate Homes, Inc.; Todd Casey of 84 Lumber; Scott Dorsten of Trails Partners LLC; Alan Lee of The Requarth Co.; and Adam Zengel of Adam Zengel Builder. New officers and council chairs for the 2019 Board of Directors are Gina Coates of Coates Custom Homes, Molly Dullea of R M Clemens Company, Cindy Gaboury of Audio Etc., Alex Melamed of Green Generation Building Co., and Dale Winters of Baughn Insurance Group.
The Home Builders Association of Dayton’s 2019 Board of Directors is comprised of builder and associate members with a wide array of experience. Each member is dedicated to advocating for and promoting the residential construction industry while maintaining the association’s standards and values.
To keep up to date with the Home Builders Association of Dayton’s 2019 Board of Directors, please visit www.HBADayton.com.