Legends of the Industry

Penny Hammel was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association

Penny, a long-time member of the Northeast Builders and Remodelers Association (NEBA), is a Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer of Bangor Savings Bank with an office in Andover, MA. Penny’s banking career stretches over 19 years starting as a home mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, then as a Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Salem Five Bank before moving to Bangor Savings Bank.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Merrimack College in Business Administration she has received many accolades and awards throughout her career including, “Massachusetts Housing Originator of the Year” in 2013 and 2015 as well as the Northeast Realtor Association “Business Partner of the Year” in 2007 and 2015. She started in the building industry in 1985 as the first female line worker for Mass. Electric!

Penny has never turned down a request to volunteer at NEBA. She has served on the NEBA Board of Directors for over 10 years, is a life director and was President of the association in 2008. Always promoting the importance of membership in the home builders she has 132 recruitment spikes to her name.
A 30 year plus member of the Westford Rotary she has served as president of that organization and serves on the Board of Directors of the Psychological Center in Lawrence which runs the Daybreak Shelter as well as two woman’s residential treatment programs for addiction. She currently serves as President of the Community Network Referral Group out of Westford.

A 30 year plus member of the Westford Rotary she has served as president of that organization and serves on the Board of Directors of the Psychological Center in Lawrence which runs the Daybreak Shelter as well as two woman’s residential treatment programs for addiction. She currently serves as President of the Community Network Referral Group out of Westford and is the Eastern Massachusetts representative for the Australian Shepard Rescue.

Penny lives in Westford with her husband Jeff. They have two daughters Ashley, a robotics engineer and Nicole a nurse.

Betty Moore was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston

Betty is the publisher of Builder + Architect Magazine. If you have ever been to a BRAGB or state meeting you are sure to have met Betty. She is the one with the big smile and camera ready to take your photo. Betty has been a member and avid supporter of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston since 1993. That’s 28 years of commitment to the building industry.

During Betty’s membership she has served on the BRAGB Board of Directors, has been a member of the PRISM Awards Committee and the Membership Committee. Speaking of membership, Betty has amassed over 400 recruitment spikes during her tenure with the association, was inducted into the BRAGB Hall of Fame in 2018, and singled out as Associate of the Year in 2000.

Originally from Kentucky, Betty moved to Boston in 1988 when she was promoted to branch manager of World Book. In 1993 she teamed up with Sunshine Media the publisher of Builder + Architect and took over the regional publication of that magazine. Betty’s love of architecture, construction and art and her enthusiasm were a perfect fit that allowed Builder + Architect to increase sales and distribution. Betty’s success has led her to training other regional publishers of the magazine throughout New England, New Jersey and New York.

Betty remembers that her first issue of the magazine featured a member of the home builders association and she has continued to feature members throughout her 28 years as publisher. She also credits much of her success to her involvement in the home builders and the networking that it provided.

Betty resides in Hull and has one daughter, Leslie.

Tony Murad was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts

Tony Murad has never taken his membership in the builders association lightly. A. Murad Builder LLC has been in business for over 54 years and just as remarkable, the company has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders for over 38 years! Originally a member of the now defunct Berkshire County Builders Association (BCBA), Tony led the effort to merge BCBA with the Western MA Association when BCBA fell on difficult times. The new organization became the Berkshire County chapter of HBRAWM.

Tony’s building company specializes in high-end projects servicing the second home market in and around Lebanon Springs, New York. He relies primarily on subcontractors that belong to the home builders supporting his belief in the goals and strength of the association. Tony held many key positions in the BCBA including several terms as president. He currently serves as the Berkshire Chapter’s liaison to the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western MA.

Showing his passion for the industry and the community Tony has provided financial and personal support to the HBRAWM educational scholarships, vocational education efforts and membership activities. He has also been a huge supporter of Habitat for Humanity participating in over 40 projects in Berkshire County. Additionally, A. Murad Builder LLC hires vocational education students to give them practical knowledge in the field. Tony recently went so far as to pay for an employee to learn the building code allowing him to take the state’s construction supervisor license test.

Tony stated, “I’ve enjoyed almost every day of the building business. To me there is nothing more exciting than seeing a project grow and develop each day.” Tony resides in Lebanon Springs, New York with his wife Dawn and has been blessed with three daughters.

Guy Webb was nominated as a “Legend of the Industry” by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Massachusetts (HBRACM)

Guy has been at the helm of the HBRACM for 27 years providing leadership and support not only to his local association but to other associations throughout Massachusetts and surrounding states. He has life-long experience in the building industry, from swinging a hammer to architectural design, and that experience has provided him with a depth of knowledge of the industry and issues surrounding it that has greatly benefitted the state and local associations.

Guy has been the go-to person for the association when it comes to building and energy codes and has served as the state associations liaison with the Board of Building Regulations and Standards for over 15 years, keeping a watchful eye on code and regulatory efforts that affect the residential building community. HBRACM under Guy’s leadership has created an outstanding educational model for continuing education which has helped influence the quality of the home building and remodeling industry throughout the state.

Community service includes volunteering for the Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity in a variety of volunteer positions including president and interim director. In addition, Guy has supported Veterans Inc., a homeless veterans organization securing donations, providing rehabilitation and shelter for veterans. He was the founder of HomeAid Central Massachusetts, a chapter of a national organization that works with homeless organizations to create shelter and housing for the homeless. Guy’s service additionally includes serving as a board member for Oak Hill CDC supporting low income housing in Worcester and as  a board member and building committee chair for Baby’s Breath providing foster care alternatives for children under 3 years old in Central Massachusetts.

Guy received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of MA at Amherst in Marketing Communication. Guy resides in Worcester with his wife Jennifer.  They have four grown children – Katrina, Samantha, Max and Becky.

Ben Fierro was nominated as a Legend of the Industry by The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

Benjamin Fierro III is a partner in the Boston law firm of Lynch & Fierro LLP where he concentrates in legislative, regulatory and land use law.  He is a graduate of Lafayette College and Suffolk University Law School.  He was named one of the “25 Most Influential Lawyers of the Past 25 Years” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly with the accolade “. . . [he] has quietly exerted more leverage on legislation than perhaps any lawyer in the commonwealth.”

Ben began his career as associate counsel for the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, where his duties included providing legal advice, lobbying and regulatory advocacy. He was hired in the early 1980’s after interviewing with Garen Bresnick, then HBAM executive officer, and John Slavin  Following the interview, Mr. Slavin said to Mr. Bresnick, “He is definitely my choice.” No individual has been more important to the advancement of our Association’s agenda both on Beacon Hill and with State Agencies than Ben.  He has been a key player in every important legislative and regulatory effort for the HBRAMA over the past number of years, including: Chapter 40B, the Mass. Endangered Species Act; the Permit Extension Act; the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards Act; and, countless other reform efforts so important to HBRAMA.

Ben was also the former general counsel of the Massachusetts Bar Association where he served as its chief legal advisor and legislative liaison, and supervised the activities of both the Committee on Professional Ethics and Legal Fee Arbitration Board. He is also a founder of the Massachusetts Association of Professional Lobbyists and Citizens For Public Policy Advocacy.

Ben is currently Vice-Chair of the Town of Ipswich Zoning Board of Appeals, and has served on the Board for the past 17 years.  He also is the past chairman of the Town’s Master Plan Commission.

Benjamin Fierro is held in the highest regard in his profession based upon his mastery of public policy issues, his acute strategic thinking, quality interpersonal skills, integrity, and the enthusiasm with which he tackles new issues on behalf of his clients. His dedication to Massachusetts home builders has always greatly exceeded the requirements of his advocacy position on our behalf.

Ben and his wife, Marylou, live in Ipswich, and have a daughter, Meredith, and son, Jonathan.