BAWN CEO resigns, cites struggling construction market

The CEO of the Builders Association of Western Nevada resigned last week, citing the still-struggling construction market as the cause.

Rick DeMar still has 60 days on his contract and, unless his board acts faster, he plans to finish it out. Mark Turner, president of BAWN, said he and the board don't feel that it's appropriate to comment on the resignation at this time.

BAWN's mission statement is to represent "the building industry to promote the highest standards in construction, education, and fair legislation for the benefit of our communities."

DeMar, reached by phone, said he was struck with lethargy after four years of working within a down market.

"I don't know how you would describe the pain (of working with the industry)," he said before agreeing with the word lethargy. "I don't know, maybe circumstances just made me lose my drive. Advocating for any industry requires your heart to be in it."

He said he hopes the association "continues to thrive and find someone that's not lethargic" about the work.

He said he was able to accomplish a lot during his 10 years with the advocacy organization, increasing membership from 200 in August 2001 to a peak of 700 in June 2008. It now sits at about 525, he said.

DeMar "struggled" with the decision to resign, especially with unemployment being what it is.

DeMar said he wants to stay in the industry in some fashion but will likely look around in states with better economies, such as Nebraska, with its 4.2 percent unemployment rate, a far cry from Nevada's 13.4 percent.