Buddy Hughes, a seasoned home builder and developer from Lexington, North Carolina, has been elected as the 2025 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The announcement was made during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.
Hughes began his career in 1984 by establishing Hughes Construction, a general contracting business focused on home building and light commercial construction. Over the years, he has trained numerous builders in installing poured insulated concrete walls for various types of construction. He remains active as a product specialist and consultant within the residential and commercial construction sectors.
"Our top priority this year will be to work with the Trump administration and Congress to enact policies to ease the nation’s housing affordability by helping builders to construct more homes and apartments," said Hughes. "This includes policy changes such as repealing inefficient regulatory rules, speeding up permitting approval times and providing resources for skilled labor training to address the severe worker shortage in the construction industry."
Hughes has played an active role in NAHB's leadership at local, state, and national levels for decades. He is currently a life delegate of the NAHB Leadership Council and has been part of its Board of Directors for over 20 years.
Throughout his tenure with NAHB, Hughes has served on several key committees including the Executive Committee, State and Local Government Affairs Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, Building Systems Council, and Education Committee. In 2018, he chaired the Convention and Meetings committee and was involved with the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council from 2007-2012.
His involvement extends beyond NAHB; since 1993, Hughes has been an integral member of the Davidson County Home Builders Association where he served as president in 1998. He was recognized as Builder of the Year in both 1997 and 1998. Additionally, he led the North Carolina Home Builders Association as president in 2005.
Hughes is also known for his achievements outside professional circles; he is an Eagle Scout recipient of prestigious awards like NAHB S.A. Walters Award in 2018 and Richie Scott Award from Insulating Concrete Form Association in 2007.
