Regional Builders Group Honors Young Designers As It Previews 2023 Float

Local leaders and young would-be home builders and designers gathered at Tournament House Thursday as the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) celebrated its 99th year and unveiled a rendering of its 100-year anniversary 2023 Rose Parade float concept. 

The New Years’ Day float, focused on the future of sustainable communities designed by BIASC’s Junior Builders, will feature a hydrogen-powered demonstration home by SoCalGas, showcasing the future of Southern California sustainable communities.

SoCalGas also announced a $100,000 donation to the BIASC Junior Builders Program, which supports youth interested in careers in the Southern California building industry. 

LA County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger presented the group a County proclamation,  and addressed the organization and its history, saying, “So much has been accomplished by you over the last century. You’ve grown and evolved, even in times of seemingly insurmountable challenges.”

Barger noted that during World War II, the federal government restricted building and materials in response to the war effort, but the soldiers who returned “helped propel the development of housing and new communities.”

And during the pandemic, Barger added, shutdowns directly impacted the operations of the building industry.

“But even in the midst of those hurdles,” said Barger, “BIASC and its members stood tall and pressed forward.”

Jeff Montejano, CEO of BIASC gave an overview of the BIASC Junior Builder program and introduced his two daughters and a Junior Builder, who talked about the process of conceiving the float project, which was rendered by Fiesta Floats, a long time Rose Parade float builder.

Pasadena District 5 Councilmember Steve Madison thanked the BIASC leadership and addressed the challenges of the building industry in the last few years, and praised their commitment to young people.

“You’ve had a rough few years,” said Madison, “and I think especially for young people, we’ve got some making up to do. This sort of commitment to civic life and community is the right way to do it.”

Current Tournament of Roses President and Chairman of the Board  Amy Wainscott closed the presentation with a history of the iconic Tournament House building, built by George W. Stimson and son G. Lawrence Stimson,  and completed in 1914.