PLANO, Texas – The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) presented seven “Of the Year” awards at the 2026 Excellence in Leadership Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center. The awards are presented annually to recognize members’ exemplary service and leadership contributions to the homebuilding industry.
2026 “OF THE YEAR” AWARD RECIPIENTS:
ASSOCIATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE YEAR: West Texas Home Builders Association
The West Texas Home Builders Association is being recognized for its successful community-wide effort to eliminate roadway impact fee collections in Lubbock. Through research, data-driven advocacy, coalition building and direct engagement with city leaders, the association demonstrated how substantial upfront fees were hindering housing affordability, business investment and economic growth. Its efforts helped persuade the Lubbock City Council to establish a zero-dollar roadway impact fee collection rate, delivering a significant policy victory for homebuyers, builders, businesses, and the broader community. This focused, fact-based advocacy reflects the association’s commitment to addressing barriers to development and strengthening the local economy.
ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR: James Hardie Building Products
James Hardie Building Products is being recognized for its longstanding commitment to Texas homebuilding through advocacy, innovation and association support. When TAB began working in 2018 to address costly municipal product mandates affecting housing attainability, the company stepped forward with time, testimony, and resources that helped secure legislation. Its commitment to builders also includes advancing sustainability and disaster-resilient building initiatives, with products addressing demand for fire-resistant, weather-tough, and low-maintenance homes. Through multiple local HBA memberships across Texas and engagement at the local, state and national levels, James Hardie’s team consistently builds relationships and contributes expertise. Its representatives regularly participate in TAB’s Developers Council, Government Relations and Board meetings, reinforcing the company’s dedication to the association’s work. Over the years, James Hardie has contributed more than $250,000 in sponsorships supporting TAB and Sunbelt Builders Show® events.
DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR: Shad Schmid, King Fish Development, LLC., Greater San Antonio BA
For nearly 25 years, Shad Schmid has helped shape residential growth in the San Antonio metro area, working with leading production builders to secure more than 20,000 residential lots. His efforts have laid the foundation for thriving neighborhoods and expanded homeownership opportunities for thousands of families. An active leader within the Greater San Antonio Builders Association and the Texas Association of Builders, Shad has served on numerous committees, most recently as a TAB Area Vice President and vice chair of the Developers Council. A trusted voice on housing policy, he has testified before city councils and planning commissions in six South Texas cities and provided key witness testimony to Texas legislative committees. Through his service as a director at the local, state and national levels, he brings builders’ concerns to policymakers and champions the needs of the industry.
PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR: Gene Lantrip, Lantrip’s Custom Homes
Gene Lantrip, a past president of the Texas Association of Builders, exemplifies the power of industry relationships to transform lives. Drawing on more than three decades of association involvement, he has rallied local companies and contractors to help build Amada House, a safe haven for young survivors of human trafficking. Through grants, donated building supplies and countless hours of skilled labor, these partners are creating a place of safety, healing and hope for a vulnerable population. The home will help address Texas’ critical shortage of beds and support services for young trafficking survivors, providing a sanctuary where they can begin rebuilding their lives. As Gene describes it, Amada House is “a godsend for people who need it. It will mean a whole new life for them.”
J.B. SANDLIN BUILDER OF THE YEAR: Jason Carothers, Carothers Executive Homes, Temple Area BA
Jason Carothers, a fourth-generation builder and member of the Temple Area Builders Association, has spent more than a quarter-century advancing Texas homebuilding through industry leadership, advocacy, and community service. Carrying forward a family legacy that now includes his children, he has helped grow his company from humble beginnings into an established homebuilder, developing hundreds of lots and constructing more than 150 homes annually. A Texas Association of Builders Life Director, Jason has chaired the Government Relations Committee and HOMEPAC, served on the Executive Committee for more than a decade and held the role of Area Vice President for four years. A dedicated HOMEPAC champion and fundraiser, he consistently answers the call to serve and has earned more than 500 NAHB Spike credits for his contributions to membership growth and retention. His commitment to service extends to his community, where he has served on his local school board.
TED SCHLOSSMAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Bush, Rudnicki, Shelton, P.C.
For almost three decades, Bush, Rudnicki, Shelton, P.C. has helped shape the legal framework supporting Texas homebuilding through legislative advocacy, education and association service. The firm was deeply involved in the passage of the Residential Construction Liability Act in 1989 and subsequent amendments in 2003 and 2023. Through service on TAB’s Building Standards Task Force in 2002, its attorneys helped draft legislation that created the Texas Residential Construction Commission, advancing express home warranties and building and performance standards that continue to serve the industry today. These efforts also helped establish the TAB Promulgated Contracts, warranties and performance standards, which have grown from a single contract into a comprehensive package of contracts and addenda used statewide. Updated after every legislative session, the package helps builders address evolving legal requirements and provides protections for builders and homebuyers, including provisions supporting eligibility for the six-year statute of repose established in 2023. Beyond developing these resources, the firm’s attorneys travel across Texas to educate association members on contract use and the business implications of new legislation and regulations. They also contribute their expertise through involvement with NAHB, local associations and numerous TAB committees and councils.
Presented alongside the “Of the Year” awards was the Excellence Under 45 award—created by TAB’s Young Professionals Council to recognize rising leaders who have dedicated their careers and efforts to advancing Texas residential construction. The 2026 winners of the Excellence Under 45 award are:
EXCELLENCE UNDER 45: Chance Beasley, Cornerstone Fine Homes | Texas Panhandle BA
Chance Beasley, a past president of the Texas Panhandle Builders Association and two-time recipient of its Builder of the Year Award, is recognized for his leadership, advocacy and commitment to developing emerging industry leaders. Since joining the Texas Association of Builders Board of Directors in 2019, he has earned Life Director status, represented the Young Professionals Council on the Government Relations Committee and served on the Codes & Standards, Contracts and Workforce Development Committees. Within his local association, Chance champions advocacy and HOMEPAC, chairs the Parade of Homes Committee and helped launch the Young Professionals Council, which mentors emerging leaders and supports college scholarships. Through mentorship and association service, he helps young professionals build relationships, develop leadership skills and strengthen their involvement in the industry.
EXCELLENCE UNDER 45: Jeremy McBrayer, Lantrip's Custom Homes | Big Country HBA
Jeremy McBrayer is known for his service-minded leadership and commitment to advancing Texas homebuilding. During two consecutive terms as chair of the Texas Association of Builders Young Professionals Council, he spearheaded the creation of the statewide HOMEPAC Fandango, helping engage emerging leaders in the association’s advocacy efforts. A TAB Life Director, Jeremy has chaired the Bylaws Committee and served on the Government Relations, Codes & Standards, HOMEPAC, and Workforce Development Committees. His contributions earned him the 2023 TAB Presidential Distinguished Service Award. Locally, he chairs the City of Abilene’s Building Standards Board and serves on the LIFT advisory board, supporting career and technical education in the construction trades for local students. Through his association service, advocacy and investment in the next generation, Jeremy continues to strengthen the industry and his community.
About the Texas Association of Builders: Founded in 1946, the Texas Association of Builders is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders and has 27 local home builders associations across Texas. With a membership of nearly 10,000 representing over 758,000 jobs and more than $71.5 billion annually in the Texas economy, TAB plays a crucial role in providing housing for Texans. For more information about the Texas Association of Builders, visit www.TexasBuilders.org.