Donald J. Ruthroff, AIA
Pleasanton, Calif.
2019 BALA Subcommittee and Judging Chair
As principal and leader of DAHLIN’s neighborhood residential sector, Don has more than 25 years of experience in architecture, extending from production residential communities in the U.S. and China to local neighborhood convenience centers. With training in both structural engineering and architecture, Don’s work benefits from his well-rounded breadth of expertise, and his clients include public and private home builders as well as landowners and developers. A distinguished industry leader, he is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences on the latest design trends and to judge industry awards programs.
David O’Sullivan, AIA
Boston, Mass.
2019 BALA Subcommittee and Judging Vice Chair
David H. O’Sullivan has 40 years of experience in both residential and commercial design. As principal of O’Sullivan Architects, David and his team have won awards for residential, commercial and mixed-use projects. David has been an active member of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) for over 30 years, elected to serve as a member of the Executive Committee, and in 2020, he will serve as President. He has been chairman of the 50+ New England Housing Council and Director of the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston.
Joe Atalla
Boise, Idaho
President of Berkeley Building Co., Joe Atalla is an award-winning residential builder/designer and land developer. Joe has poured his time and talent into Berkeley Building Co., which is consistently ranked within the top ten largest home builders in its marketplace, and Idaho’s Treasure Valley community for the greater part of ten years. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in architecture and a former project manager with a major architecture firm in the San Francisco Bay area, Joe now utilizes his strengths and experience to build homes and new home communities that embody his belief in “more thought per square foot.”
Jared Carlon, PLA
Denver, Colo.
Jared Carlon is a principal and partner with Norris Design, a planning, landscape architecture and branding firm with eight offices in Arizona, Colorado and Texas. With degrees in both land planning and landscape architecture, he has worked on a wide variety of interesting projects during his 18-year tenure with Norris Design. A Colorado native, Jared is always ready to create the state’s next great space. In addition to working on many great current projects, Jared currently helps lead Norris Design’s three Colorado offices.
Patti Guthrie
Orlando, Fla.
Patti Guthrie is the president of PFG Interiors and a seasoned marketing and design expert with over 30 years of successful model home installations. She prides herself on the relationships she builds with her clients and thrives on repeat business. Her dedication is undeniable and her commitment to excellence far exceeds expectations. Organization, attention to detail and follow-through are just a few of the building blocks that create her foundation for success. Patti is a favorite design-award judge nationwide and is often sought after for her expertise.
Nigel Maynard
Hyattsville, Md
Nigel Maynard is editor-in-chief of Custom Builder and PRODUCTS magazines. His current home was featured in The Washington Post and his previous home was covered in Home Magazine, The Washington Post, and HGTV. Prior to joining SGC Horizon, Maynard was the editor-in-chief of Lebhar-Friedman’s all-digital products magazine, Residential Building Products & Technology. Previously, he spent 14 years at Hanley Wood as senior editor of Builder magazine and its sister publication Residential Architect, where he amassed eight prestigious honors for editorial excellence, including AZBEE and NAREE awards.
Alaina Money
Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Alaina Money-Garman is a homebuilder, writer and founder/CEO of Garman Homes and Fresh Paint by Garman Homes. She is known for her blog, Build Like a Girl, and was named to Professional Builder’s list of 40 Under 40 in 2015. Alaina was named Builder of the Year in 2015 by the Home Builders Association of Durham Orange Chatham County, and in 2017 by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake as the first female recipient of the award. Alaina is a member of the Urban Land Institute and serves the Residential Neighborhood Development Council as vice chair.
Tami Swingler
Cedar Park, Texas
Tami Swingler is president and co-owner of New Edge Design Studio, and formerly vice president and co-owner of Five Star Interiors, Inc., both nationally recognized interior merchandising firms in Austin, Texas. With multiple projects throughout Texas and Florida, she has helped the home building industry create distinctive and award winning, model homes, sales offices and apartment clubhouses for over 25 years. As a member of NAHB, Tami has had the pleasure of serving as a judge for home building and design award programs. Her passion is merchandising excellence and developing every project to its greatest potential.