NRVHBA Awards Annual Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship
The New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) is excited to announce the recipient of the annual 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 planning to enroll in construction-related studies at Virginia’s colleges, trade schools and within working internships.
The NRVHBA requests applications from graduating high school students in Montgomery, Giles, Pulaski, Floyd, Wythe, and Carroll Counties, as well as the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg and the City of Radford.
This year, the NRVHBA is proud to announce Ben Schmitt, of Blacksburg, as the Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship recipient. Though many outstanding applications were received, Ben’s combined educational, extracurricular, and work experience pushed him to the top of the group.
Ben became interested in the construction industry after building homes while on a mission trip in Mexico. He then started his own small business doing small construction and renovation projects. He has been accepted to Virginia Tech and plans to major in Building Construction. The NRVHBA looks forward to having Ben as a future building industry member of the community and wishes him luck in his educational and career endeavors.
About the Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship: Rick Whitney came to the New River Valley area in 1997 and was 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 Home Builders Association in 1997, Builder Director in 1997, Vice President in 1998 and President of the Association in 1999. As a father, Rick recognized the importance of education to young people. To encourage others to pursue their dreams, this scholarship was established to honor his many accomplishments.
The New River Valley Home Builders Association is a professional trade organization serving the residential and commercial building industry of the New River Valley since 1976. As the voice of the building community, the NRVHBA advocates, educates and gives back to better homeownership for all.
