"Celebrating a Housing Legend"

What is our federation of home builders associations if not a proud organization built on literally the blood, sweat and tears by those who came before us? We didn't just wake up this morning and started our day by saying "hey, look, a home builder association!" Sometimes though the newer members don't realize that what we currently have was created by others, carefully molded by others and delivered to today, by others. One man, in particular, helped with our association, with such passion and determination one could call it legendary. In fact, in New Jersey one such man is a housing legend, Leonard "Lenny" Sendelsky,

Back row, left to right: Dean Mon, NJ State Representative, Kevin Kelly, NAHB Chairman-elect, Bill Tuyn, National Area 2 (NJ/NY) Chairman. Front row, left to right; Michael Kurpiel, Event Chairman & Master of Ceremonies, Len Sendelsky, NJBA "Lifetime Achievement Award" Recipient, Steve Bomberger, DE State Representative. (not shown, but in attendance, National Area 3 (DE, PA, MD, VA) Chairman, Steve Black)

On October 24th 2014, the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) honored NAHB Housing Hall of Fame and NJBA Legend of Housing Lenny Sendelsky with the their first ever "Lifetime Achievement Award." NAHB Chairman-elect, Kevin Kelly, as well as other NAHB leaders (shown in above picture), were in attendance. Lenny, an NJBA and NAHB member since 1957, was honored by his family, friends and building industry colleagues for his years, which span 7 decades of extremely active volunteerism and devote leadership. Known lovingly around the NAHB BUILD-PAC circles as "The Godfather," Len has been a tremendous inspiration to all, particularly when it comes to the political arena of our industry. I have inserted a link (see below) to Len's tribute video that will demonstrate the lives Len has touched but I would also like to ignite a passion in all of our leaders, from the local level up to NAHB, to remember who it was that delivered to your association such lasting contributions in time, talent and treasure and look to honor those members like New Jersey has done with their very own, Lenny Sendelsky.

Leonard Sendelsky Tribute site (click here)

submitted by Michael Kurpiel, CGA, CGP