- February 10, 2026
The Flagler Home Builders Association held their annual gala on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Hammock Dunes Club and installed the 2026 president, executive committee and board of directors.
Frank Whalen, of East Coast Building Corp., is the Flagler HBA's 2026 president. He has served on board of directors since 2008, making him a life director, and has been a Flagler HBA member for over 25 years.
The 2026 executive committee includes: Vice President Neftali (Tali) DeJesus (1621 Building & Remodeling; Secretary Teresa Schwarzkopf (Anchor Electric); Vice President of Committees Michelle James (Space Coast Credit Union); Treasurer Donald O’Brien (Hayward Brown); Immediate Past President Robbie Barrick (Integrity Homes); and Past Vice President of Committees Kaleigh Rickard (Smart Guard Shutters).
The 2026 board of directors includes: Builder directors Sam Bond (Ascent Homes), Walker Douglas (Douglas Property & Development), Scott Sowers (Cline Construction), David Whelan (Hulbert Homes); and Associate directors Richard Collins (Goosehead Insurance), Jayme Lunt (Builders First Source), Debby McAlister (Gotcha Covered), Anjanette Stevens (Southern Title) and Joseph Wright (Quantum Electrical Contractors).
Life directors serving on the board include Tony Amaral Jr., Jim Gonce, Sandra McDermott, Luis Medeiros, Eric Phillips, Robbie Richmond, Charles Rinek, Budd Severino, Brad M. Thomas, Roy Waldhauer II and Frank Whalen.
In addition to the installation of the leadership team, the following awards were presented:
2025 Builder of the Year: Tali DeJesus, 1621 Building & Remodeling. Tali has been a committed member of the Flagler HBA for years. He upholds the values of the association and is always looking to bring in new members. He is actively involved in the community and owns multiple businesses here. He brings an amazing energy to everything he does and treats all association members like family. He works tirelessly to protect our industry, especially from unlicensed activity.
2025 Associate of the Year: Teresa Schwarzkopf, Anchor Electric. Teresa represents the very best of what it means to be an associate member. She is engaged, dependable and always willing to help when needed. She’s a mom, a wife and business owner (where a lot of her family also works). She always has a camera ready to capture a funny moment and prioritizes her commitment to the association.
2025 New Member of the Year Award: Kim Lyznicki, Daisy. When Kim joined, she didn’t waste a moment. Not just showing up, or networking, but offering and providing. Next thing we knew, we had two private tours booked at the Official Show Home of IBS followed by lunch and a tour of her companies' Experience Center. This is what membership is all about – relationship building and connecting.
2025 Good Government Award: Rick McFadden, City of Flagler Beach. Rick understands that good government depends on cooperation, communication and mutual respect between local government and the building industry. His willingness to work collaboratively, solve problems and keep the focus on the community has earned him the respect of colleagues, builders and public officials alike.
2025 Advocate of the Year Award: Annamaria Long, Flagler Home Builders Association executive officer. This award was created this year for Annamaria. She shows up every day with a fierce passion and a relentless commitment to doing what is right. She speaks up and ensures that voices are heard that might otherwise be overlooked. Her work creates real change, and the impact she makes reaches far beyond what you see on paper.
She is the biggest advocate for her friends. She’s the person who believes in you before you believe in yourself, who stands beside you when things fall apart, and who will fight for you without a second thought. She celebrates your wins like they’re her own and carries your struggles as if they’re hers too. She leads with heart, stands with purpose and advocates fiercely for everyone lucky enough to be in her world.
