Legends of the Industry

Mark Herlihy was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Massachusetts.

Mark has been a member and staunch supporter of the central MA builders association for over 18 years. He is Vice President of the family-owned business that was founded in 1927 by Jim Herlihy, Mark’s grandfather. Today the firm services over 5,500 clients with a staff of over 25 employees at their Worcester location. Three brothers, Jim, John and Chris as well as sister Colleen all work for the insurance firm.

His association with the HBRACM is a known one and reflects positively on our industry. 95-percent of Mark’s clients are in the construction industry and his professionalism and commitment to his clients have made him a respected leader in that industry. The building profession is a complicated one and the unique part of Mark’s work is that he is able to uncomplicate a vital part of that business to protect his clients professionally and personally so they can go about doing the things they do best, which is to provide housing to our citizens.

Mark has been a supporter of nearly every charitable effort undertaken by the HBRACM over the years.  In addition, Mark is an integral part of “Team Herlihy”, which is the name under which Herlihy Insurance Group provides charitable support to the Central Mass community through a number of means. Those contributions include financial support, material donations and volunteering of time.

During the past two decades, Mark and Team Herlihy have supported many worthwhile causes. Recipients of their generosity include Habitat for Humanity, Dana Farber, the Alzheimer’s Association and Veteran’s Inc. among others. Mark’s current focus through Team Herlihy is in support of Be Like Brit, Net of Compassion, and the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. It should be noted that several of these groups have also been the focus of the HBRACM as well as the State Association, particularly Be Like Brit, Habitat for Humanity and Veterans, Inc.

Beyond traditional philanthropy, Mark has served his association in a variety of ways. He steered the association as president for two years from 2011 to 2013 and has maintained a seat on the central MA Board of Directors and Executive Committee while serving as treasurer for a number of years including 2022. He has recruited over 73 members to join HBRACM during his tenure.

Paul Sullivan was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston.

Paul began his remodeling business in 1988 and since that time has earned a reputation for quality work and excellent service. Paul has more than 40 years of industry experience and that experience is evident in every job his company performs. Offering a full-spectrum of services – from complete renovations to maintenance – the Sullivan Company has created lifetime clients who appreciate the company’s wide range of services, conscientious care and reliability.

A member of BRAGB since 1993 Paul has also held memberships at the Collier BIA in Florida and the Lakes Region B&RA in NH. He served as President of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association in 2016 as well as President of BRAGB in 2001. BRAGB awarded Paul “Remodeler of the Year” in 1995 and 2008.

On a national level Paul served as Chair of the NAHB Remodelers Council in 2014 and served as a trustee of that group for 8 years. He was the Area One National Area Chair in 2017 and 2018 and achieved his Life Delegate status with NAHB in 2013 having served a minimum of 10 years in that position. Additionally, he served as the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council as co-chair in 2020 and served on the NAHB Executive Committee from 2014 to 2018.

The Sullivan Company has received over 40 regional and national awards including induction into the NAHB Remodelers Hall of Fame, HBRAMA Remodeler of the Year, NAHB Green Advocate of the Year and Remodeler Magazine Big 50 and a Blue-Chip Enterprise award from the US Chamber of Commerce.

A fierce advocate for the building and remodeling industry Paul has testified both locally and nationally concerning bonding for remodelers and EPA issues among others.  His commitment to the industry has taken him twice to the White House, the Federal Reserve, the EPA and the Small Business Administration.

Community service throughout Paul’s career has included serving as a Board member for the West Roxbury Boys and Girls Club, member of the Waterville Valley Conservation Commission as well as a member of the Dover, MA School Building Committee.

Bill Laplante was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts.

Bill joined the family business, founded by his father in 1964, when he was in high school. He worked weekends, school vacations and summers as a laborer, mason tender and carpenter and continued working while earning his bachelor’s degree in economics at Trinity College. Upon graduating in 1992 Bill joined the company’s framing crew and spent the next five years in the field learning the business from the ground up before entering into management of the company in 1997.  He became president of Laplante Construction Inc. in 2003.

Laplante Construction has been a member of the HBRAWM since 1969. For over 50 years, the company has had a stellar reputation for quality of workmanship and developing trusted relationships with its clients. The longevity and reach of the Laplante Construction name have helped to create a positive impression about the home building industry in Massachusetts. Over the past ten years, Bill has guided his company’s marketing efforts strategically, creating a brand and image that reflects the quality and client dedication that is emblematic of the firm. This highly visible image of excellence that Laplante Construction has established further enhances the public’s perception of the home building industry in Massachusetts.

Although the firm has been a member of the home builder’s association since 1969, Bill joined the association in 1992 and served as president of the HBRAWM from 2001 to 2002. He has also served on a multitude of committees, including the Western MA Home Show and the education committee.

Active in both civic and community service undertakings, Bill has fought to curtail local and state regulation over-reach and has helped to develop streamlined permitting processes for various municipalities. Bill has participated in the Pan Mass Challenge for 10 years, raising in excess of $250,000 in support of childhood cancer research. Additionally, Bill is an avid supporter of the Make A Wish foundation, Pathlight – which provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial.

Ronal D. Langell Sr.  was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association (NEBA).

Ron has been a member of The Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association since 1997. He joined the association after forming his own remodeling business in Westford, MA in 1996 at the age of 48.

Ron was honored as the first ever remodeler to be awarded “Builder of the Year” by NEBA and voted “Member of the Year” in 2005, He was given the “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 2012 by then President Clayton D. Mersereau, and the “President’s Award of Excellence” in 2013 by Everett Chandler. He led the NEBA in 2015 serving as President. He is a Life Director of the Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association.

Ron’s passion for both the industry and association are evident in many facets of his career. Becoming somewhat of a building code expert he regularly updates his local association on code issues, continuing education requirements and educational course availability. He organized a meeting with Dig Safe which brought both builder and utility providers together. The facilitation of this important connection led to quarterly meetings of the group giving the home builders a seat at the table to discuss the processes and obstacles facing the industry with the program.

Ron has always been available to help the association and other members; whether helping to organize meetings or working an annual golf tournament he is always a willing volunteer. Whenever his Executive Officer calls, he stands ready to help regardless of the request.

Ron has been a resident of Westford, MA for 45 years with his wife Lori. Ron has a son Ronald Jr. who, along with his wife Karen, have provided Ron and Lori with two grandchildren Ryan and Melyssa.

Rob and Bob McPhee were nominated as a Legend of the Industry by The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HB&RACC).

McPhee Associates started in 1972 by Bob who had gained a passion for the building industry working for Cape Cod builders during summers while in college. He was determined to make home building his career and, at the age of 25, applied for and received his first loan to build a duplex. He quickly expanded the company to spec homes, maintaining a strong work ethic and a commitment to high quality craftmanship. During this time Bob served his community on multiple terms of the Dennis Planning Board and as a member of the Old King’s Highway Historic Committee.

Rob officially joined his dad in the family business in 2000 after securing a bachelor’s degree in business management from Bryant University. Rob grew up around construction sites and worked summers in the trade during high school and college, Today, as President of the firm, he oversees all day-to-day operations maintaining the core values his dad, now semi-retired, built the company on: a strong work ethic and a commitment to high quality craftmanship.

McPhee Associates of Cape Cod have been members of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod since 2003. Rob has served as the Associations President and helped spearhead the development of the BRICC Awards as well as the development of “At Home on Cape Cod”. An upscale publication featuring the work of Cape Cod builders and remodelers while generating revenue for the association.

The McPhee’s believe the success they have had over the last 50 years was due to their philosophy of people first. Respect and professionalism with and for customers, employees and partners in trade has resulted in long-lasting relationships and a thriving referral business.