The History of NARI National

NARI's roots go back to 1935 when President Roosevelt's National Recovery Act established the beginnings of NERSICA (The North East Roofing, Siding and Insulation Contractors Association).

In 1956 President Eisenhower established Operation Home Improvement, a nationwide effort emphasizing the rehabilitation of existing housing rather than new construction. The National Home Improvement Council (N.H.I.C) emerged from this effort.
By the mid-1960s, NERSICA no longer reflected the membership of the growing industry and its name was changed to the National Remodelers Association (NRA).

In 1983, the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council joined to establish the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Today, NARI has 58 chapters nationwide and has enjoyed a sizeable growth period during the past decade. In 2000, NARI moved its national headquarters from Alexandria, Virginia, to Des Plaines, Illinois, and as the Voice of the Remodeling IndustryTM, continues to prosper.

NARI’s Core Purpose is to advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism, product and vital public purpose.

The History of NARI Tampa Bay

The conception of our local chapter began in the early 70’s by a small group of contractors who formed what was known as the Home Improvement Council of Pinellas County. It originally started out mostly as a social club for a few Contractors to get together, share ideas, swill some beer, eat some food and generally have fun.
At that time the President and the secretary did all the work. In 1978 Jack Johnson joined the group and gave it some professionalism. Membership got up to about 20 and the “club” rocked along until 1983. Some of the other members who served in the early and late 70’s along with Jack were David and Gregory Swan of Windows Inc., Jack Vernick the House Doctor, Gary Howard of Howard ceilings, Ken Johnson of Express Construction, Mac Wells a mortgage broker (started the first newsletter), Tom Tefelski of Thomas Construction and Steve Platt (who joined in 1984).

In 1983 The National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodeling Council to form NARI. That’s when we became the Tampa Bay Chapter of NARI.
Around 1985 the Contractors and Builders Association formed their Remodeler’s Council (an outgrowth of a movement by NAHB and FHBA). Over ½ the current members left NARI to go to the Remodeler’s Council. NARI was left with about 8 members. Jack Johnson took over membership and grew the organization to about 15 that year.
In 1986 NARI had a trade show in Orlando. They tried to establish a chapter there in preparation for the trade show. It was made up mostly of National trade members and as a result, it died 6 months after the show. In 1987 chapters were attempted in Miami and Jacksonville. Those chapters failed from lack of leadership and self-interest on the parts of the chapter presidents.

Our local chapter grew to about 20 members by 1986 and hovered there. Chapter growth was symied from 1987 –1990. In 1991 Steve Platt became President. Steve was a strong leader and served until 1993. Membership grew to 30. Steve and Jack started bringing in speakers to the meetings, recruited David Mueller, Dan Ashline, Ken Ladelfa, Don Strobel and Mike Miano. The Board of Directors was expanded and committees were formed to take the burden off the President and 1st VP. Once they did that membership started growing exponentially.
With Don Strobel as President, Dan Ashline, Dave Mueller and Ken Ladelfa were part of the search committee, which enabled us to find and hire our first executive director in 1998. In 2003 we had our first Strategic Planning meeting. We’ve been on a quest since then to strengthen our committees, create systems and procedures, all of which will continue to create good leadership and insure that NARI meets its Summarized Envisioned Future. January of 2016 saw us bring on board a new professional association management company to help us go to the next level of professional service for our members and our community.

“Being recognized in the community as setting the highest standard in the Remodeling industry and the insurance of financial resources to fund the above”.