Local builder to be installed as president of Home Builders Association of Massachusetts

Date: 6/7/2010

GREATER SPRINGFIELD The Home Builders & Remodelers' Association of Western Massachusetts is pleased to announce that two of its members will be recognized for signifi-cant achievements at the organization's Annual Installation Dinner to take place June 15 at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Walter Tomala Jr. of TNT General Contracting Inc. of Westfield will be sworn in as the president of the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts for the 2010-11 fiscal year during the event.

In addition, one of its prominent associa-tion members, Andrew Crane of Chicopee, will receive the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts' "Leg-end of the Industry" Award that evening.

The Legend Award is awarded annually to an individual that:

&bull: Exemplifies excell-ence in the home building industry;

• Has made significant contributions to the industry, either directly or indirectly, through professionalism and generous community service over the course of their professional career; and

• Has been a member of the building industry for minimum of 30 years.

Tomala To Be President

Tomala is president of his company, TNT General Contracting Inc., which was established in March 1994. The company started out as a remodeling business but progressed into home construction and light commercial build outs.

He has been a member of the local Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts since 2003, has served on numerous association committees and was the chairman of the association's BuildersTrade '05 industry show and the Ideas for Living Fall Home Show. He currently serves as the co-chair of the "Original" Western Mass Home & Garden Show which takes place in March. He has served on the HBRA-WM Board of Directors since 2003, and is presently finishing his term as the association's president.

Tomala is also very active in community affairs, and has volunteered with the Make A Wish Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Westfield Little League/Senior League Baseball. He was also an instrumental part of the recent Hill Family "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" in Suffield, Conn.

Crane Receives Legends Award

Andrew Crane has been a tireless worker and volunteer for the Home Builders & Remodelers Associ-ation of Western Mass-achusetts and the building industry for over 30 years. He is owner of A-Crane Construction Company in Chicopee. A very active member, he has served on many committees including the Building Industry Expo, clambake, nominating, member-ship, scholarship, Christmas dinner dance, budget and long range planning comm-ittees. He has also been the chair of the "Original" Western Massachusetts Home Show and presently serves on its comm-ittee. In 1993, Crane served as the associa-tion's president. He served as the project manager for the construction of the association's head-quarters on Cadwell Drive. In 2000, he earned the Edward R. Pedersen Distinguished Service Award which is awarded to a local member that has shown exemplary service to the association in a calendar year. In 2006, Crane received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by our local association because he epitomized the essence of "dedication and service" to the association and the industry.

Crane has also been recognized for his industry involvement on a state and national level having won numerous awards. He has been a state and national director. In 1999, he was bestowed the highest honor from the state when he was named the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts Builder of the Year. He served as the President of the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts in 2007.

Crane's community partici-pation has included the Boy Scouts, Make a Wish Foundation, Knights of Columbus and the Chicopee Comprehensive High School Vocational Advisory Board.

The Home Builders Association of Massachusetts is a non-profit trade association with almost 1,300 member companies in six local associations representing professionals in the residential construction industry. Their goal is to promote integrity in the residential construction market throughout Massachusetts.