Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The Home Builders Association of South Georgia honored past and present officers, as well as dedicated members, during its 43rd Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center Thursday.

The association saluted Bill Gaskins of ChrisMill Homes as he presided over the meeting for the last time as the 2007-08 president. Gaskins praised the HBA for its support and left members with words of encouragement.

“Yes, it has been a bad year for builders with these hard economic times,” Gaskins said. “But we have had several good years. We are going through a struggle now, but we have seen more difficult times in the nation. We have to realize that tomorrow morning, we will still wake up Americans, and just as we have gotten through hard times in the past, we will get through this.”

Gaskins was then presented a past president plaque. He also received the 2007-08 Builder Member of the Year Award.

Other award recipients include Lynn Purvis as Associate Member of the Year and Southern Builders Supply, which received the President Award. Committee awards were presented to the chairs of each committee within the HBA as well. The recipients of the George L. Nichols Scholarship were Brandon Bradford, a student at Southern Polytechnic State University, and Savannah Sanes, a student as Georgia Southern University.

HBA of Georgia Vice President Kurt Cannon installed the 2008-09 officers and Board of Directors. The new officers are T.C. Brown Jr., vice president; Marti Johnson, associate vice president; Michael Miller, treasurer; and Kurt Lamon, secretary.

Members then welcomed Rusty Thornton as the 2008-09 president. Thornton expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the HBA and adjourned the meeting after a short address.

During the meeting, the HBA also approved a budget of $312,000 for the 2008-09 year.

The HBA of South Georgia is a professional trade organization that serves 16 counties in South Georgia, including Lowndes, Berrien, Lanier, Brooks, Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Irwin, Thomas, Bacon, Ben Hill, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Telfair and Ware.