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Bardwell is the President of Bardwell Homes, a Baton Rouge family-owned business founded in 1946.
Bardwell attended Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. After a career in real estate investment banking, Bardwell returned to Baton Rouge in 1999 to join the family business with a vision to build homes that blend intuitive touches and thoughtful designs with quality construction. Since that time, Bardwell Homes has concentrated on building single-family communities, condominiums, and townhomes throughout Greater Baton Rouge.
Diane started the Baum Environmental in 1995 after leaving the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with a vision to assist small businesses with the maze of new environmental regulations with lowered costs and better procedures. Diane is a licensed residential and commercial contractor and has credentials in LEED AP, Accredited Green Verifier, Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM) and a Third-Party IECC/Energy Code inspector.
Karen Zito was named President and CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge in August 2017. Karen has dedicated her work for over 20 years in association management, strategic planning, fundraising, and member engagement. She is a two-time graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Karen received the Army Achievement Medal while serving honorably for eight years in the Louisiana Army National Guard 415th MI BN. Her passion is people and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to be included in the mission of the organization she helps lead. Connecting people to the best resources to grow their business allows her to develop meaningful relationships with those in the industry. Karen is committed to enhancing the services and programs provided to association members. She is married to Devin Zito and a proud mother of three children.
Board of Directors
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After the original salvage store burned to the ground in 1967, the facility was demolished and remodeled into a brand new home center, which laid the groundwork for the company you see today. Under the current leadership of father-son duo, John and Matthew Holmes, Holmes Building Materials has expanded its reach and services to include two full-line hardware stores, three showrooms, a specialized contractor division, a fleet numbering 100 strong, a Do it Best seal of approval and a staff who is trained, committed and ready to help with all of your building needs.
Board of Supervisors
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Diane started the Baum Environmental in 1995 after leaving the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with a vision to assist small businesses with the maze of new environmental regulations with lowered costs and better procedures. Diane is a licensed residential and commercial contractor and has credentials in LEED AP, Accredited Green Verifier, Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM) and a Third-Party IECC/Energy Code inspector.
Brandon is a Baton Rouge native, grew up in Central and attended Victory Christian Academy, Central High School and LSU. Brandon, his lovely wife Andria, and their five precious children are members of Victory Harvest Church. With over 12 years new construction and reconstruction experience, reaching from Baton Rouge to North Carolina, Brandon moved back to his hometown in 2013 to launch Ivey Construction, LLC to serve the people in his community and state. The place he’s proud to call home.
Staff
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Karen Zito was named President and CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge in August 2017. Karen has dedicated her work for over 20 years in association management, strategic planning, fundraising, and member engagement. She is a two-time graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Karen received the Army Achievement Medal while serving honorably for eight years in the Louisiana Army National Guard 415th MI BN. Her passion is people and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to be included in the mission of the organization she helps lead. Connecting people to the best resources to grow their business allows her to develop meaningful relationships with those in the industry. Karen is committed to enhancing the services and programs provided to association members.
Karen has proudly served as a member of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge since 2020 and has represented the homebuilding industry on the Louisiana Watershed Initiative Steering Committee for Region 7 and the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Housing Task Force.
She is married to Devin Zito and a proud mother of three children.
Rebecca Harris serves as the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge. Rebecca brings 10 years of experience in membership, development and marketing for both non profit and for profit organizations. Rebecca is a two time graduate of Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and a master’s degree in Business Administration. A former HBA | GBR member and Chair of The Thirty, Rebecca is dedicated to executing our organization’s mission to promote, protect and preserve the home building industry in Greater Baton Rouge.
She is married to Wesley Harris and is the mother to two beautiful children.
She is married to Wesley Harris and is the mother to two beautiful children.
