NRVHBA Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship

The mission of the NRVHBA Scholarship Committee is to support the future growth of the Construction Industry by providing aid to deserving students enrolled in construction-related studies at Virginia’s Colleges, Trade Schools and within Working Internships. We will present a scholarship of $500 to a graduating senior from a NRV High School who is interested in entering the Building Profession.

Download Scholarship Application (doc 52 Kb)
Submit your completed application to Jeff Porter at porterj@1707.84lumber.com
To be eligible applications must be received by April 15th, 2008

Richard S. Whitney, Jr.

December 5, 1949 - May 14, 2002

A Graduate of North Cross School and attended the University of Virginia and graduated from East Tennessee State University. Former Vice President of Homebuilders Association of Virginia. He served on a multitude of Homebuilders Association committees, many of which he served as chairman. In 1992 Rick was named RRHBA Builder of the Year.

In 1997 he came to the New River Valley area. Employed as Vice President of Construction for SAS Construction, LLC, Rick was instrumental in developing and constructing Knollwood Townhomes, the Glen, and The Meadows at Northside Park, Cedarfield Subdivision and Cedarfield Apartments. He became an avid member of the New River Valley Homebuilders Association in 1997, Builder Director in 1997, Vice President in 1998 and President of this Association in 1999. While active in the New River Valley Homebuilders he also found time to serve on the board of directors of the Virginia Community Development Corp, American Red Cross, the Blue Ridge Small Business Development Center and the Better Business Bureau. He also served on the board of directors and was treasurer of the Jefferson Center Foundation.

As a father, Rick recognized the importance of education to young people. So, to encourage others to pursue their dreams this scholarship was established to honor his many accomplishments. He is sadly missed but will never be forgotten.

HBAV awards scholarships to Virginia Tech students

The Home Builders Association of Virginia awarded two $2,500 scholarships to students enrolled in the Building Construction Program at the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech.

On Friday, Nov. 16, HBAV Educational Foundation Chairman Doug Fahl visited Virginia Tech to present Ryan Althizer of Mechanicsville and Nicholas Pauley of Bland with their awards before they returned home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Fahl was accompanied by James Oliver and Ed Tuchler of the New River Valley Home Builders Association.

The two young men were selected from 26 third-year students who applied for the scholarships.They were chosen based on their academic record, community and campus involvement, and their desire to pursue a home building-related career in Virginia after graduating from Virginia Tech.

The HBAV Educational Foundation was formed in 1991 to enhance industry professionalism and to invest in the Commonwealth’s future leaders of the home building industry.Students enrolled in housing-related studies at Virginia’s colleges and universities are eligible to receive financial assistance from the foundation.

(From left) Nicholas Pauley and Ryan Althizer proudly display the checks they received from the HBAV Educational Foundation, represented by Ed Tuchler, current President of New River Valley HBA; Doug Fahl, foundation chairman; and James Oliver, HBAV Region I vice president.