2026 Best in Building Awards
Each year, CRBRA’s Best in Building Awards entries are evaluated by independent industry professionals from outside the Capital Region. Judges score each submission using the published criteria and cannot see the company responsible for the entry, helping ensure a fair and objective review.
Founder
Irregular Agency (NC)
Kent Belle founded Irregular Agency, a Raleigh marketing firm serving home builders, remodelers and design firms. He brings 15 years of experience in film and marketing, including nearly a decade producing and directing national campaigns for Ferguson. Today, he helps building and design firms showcase their projects, improve search visibility and measure what generates new business. Kent is a member of the Raleigh-Wake County Home Builders Association.
Chief Visionary Officer
Group Two (PA)
Mollie Elkman is a founder, author and industry leader driving growth in the building and construction industry. As owner and chief visionary officer of Group Two, she leads a trusted full-service marketing agency serving top builders nationwide. She is the author of The House That She Built and founder of the She Built Foundation, advancing the industry through education and advocacy.
Owner
Stephen C. Gidley, Inc. (CT)
Stephen C. Gidley has provided top-quality home remodeling services for more than 54 years. As president of Stephen C. Gidley, Inc., he has successfully completed more than 15,000 home improvement projects throughout Fairfield and Westchester counties, ranging from full green-construction homes to minor repairs.
Founder & Principal Educator
Westhighland Designs Academy (PA)
Karen Hockley is an award-winning Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, and founder and principal educator of Westhighland Designs Academy. During nearly 30 years in the kitchen and bath industry, she has worked in residential design, cabinetry manufacturing and professional education. Karen has developed more than 100 courses and helps industry professionals strengthen their design skills, technical knowledge and business practices.
Owner
Stacey Kocevar Designs (PA)
Stacey Kocevar is an award-winning Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer with more than 20 years of experience creating functional kitchens, bathrooms and custom living spaces. Her honors include First Place and Judges’ Choice in the 2025 NKBA Susquehanna Valley Chapter Design Competition and recognition as a 2026 Kitchen & Bath Design News Innovator. A two-time NKBA chapter competition judge, Stacey brings extensive industry knowledge and a discerning eye to the awards.
Founder
Stacy McCarthy Design (FL)
Stacy McCarthy is a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, Certified Interior Designer and national design competition judge with more than 25 years of experience. She specializes in full-service and trauma-informed design, with additional experience in showroom leadership, luxury product representation and disaster-restoration project management. A longtime NKBA leader, CEU author, speaker and consultant, Stacy also advises international companies on design and brand strategy.
Founder & Lead Designer
Lokenvitz Design | Woodworking (IA)
Sarah Nielsen is the founder and lead designer of Lokenvitz Design | Woodworking, serving Des Moines and central Iowa. An NKBA Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer and Thirty Under 30 honoree, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in woodworking from Iowa State University. Raised by a master carpenter, Sarah combines craftsmanship, creativity and practical problem-solving to design kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry and custom built-ins with beauty, purpose and personality.
Owner
Larry Newquist Building & Remodeling (CT)
Larry Newquist brings more than 25 years of experience working on major construction and woodworking projects. A third-generation craftsman, he learned cabinetry and woodworking from his father, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was also a builder. Larry’s lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and quality continues to shape his work and perspective on design and construction today.
Founder
Platt Builders (MA)
Halsey Platt developed a deep respect for craftsmanship and thoughtful design while working alongside his father on construction projects. He founded Platt Builders in 1992, and the company has become one of Massachusetts’ leading custom home builders. Working with talented architects and designers, Halsey’s team creates distinctive homes, renovations and additions throughout Greater Boston with a focus on quality, innovative design and exceptional service.
Chief Executive
Payne|Bouchier (MA)
Lee Reid joined Payne|Bouchier more than 18 years ago on the site side and steadily grew into her leadership position. She earned her degree from the School of Natural Science at Hampshire College and previously worked in film, education and publishing. Today, Lee is the steady hand keeping Payne|Bouchier’s operations running smoothly, bringing compassion, clarity and humanity to her leadership.
Owner
Design Doctors Construction (WA)
Justin Ross established Design Doctors Construction, a proud veteran-owned company, in 2008. Design Doctors Construction specializes in top-quality kitchen and bathroom remodeling and large-scale interior renovations throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
Founder
Burrow Agency (FL)
Felipe Ruiz founded Burrow Agency in 2019 to help custom home builders and kitchen and bath remodelers connect with qualified homeowners. His approach combines local SEO, visibility in AI search tools and automated follow-up that turns leads into scheduled meetings. Based in Plant City, Florida, Burrow has been recognized by Yelp as one of the area’s top five marketing agencies.
Founder
Thyme & Place Design (NJ)
After 20 years with a top-50 design-build firm, Sharon Sherman founded Thyme & Place Design to create homes that balance health, wellness, function and beauty. She combines award-winning interior design expertise with extensive construction and technical knowledge of kitchen and bathroom remodeling and millwork. Her firm provides a seamless luxury design experience for homeowners in New Jersey and throughout the country.
Regional Vice President of Sales, Northeast
Builders Design (MD)
Jessica Steeves is the regional vice president managing sales in the Northeast for Builders Design. She has extensive design, trend and merchandising knowledge. Her experience includes managing a design department with more than 40 designers, designing a 40,000-square-foot showroom and serving as a high-volume inventory merchandise buyer for five stores. She is a Certified Professional Interior Designer.
Founder
Oak & Algorithm (NC)
Emily Wyatt founded Oak & Algorithm, a boutique fractional marketing firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. She develops search visibility, websites, content and follow-up systems for real estate professionals and home builders. Serving custom and production builders throughout Raleigh, the Triangle and Lake Norman, Emily’s work includes community pages, Google Business Profiles, Parade of Homes marketing, real estate agent outreach and lead follow-up.
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