NAHB Podcast: Journey to a Successful Spring Leadership Meeting
In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez sit down with special guest Lori Asaro, chair of the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), during the Spring Leadership Meeting.
As Tobin and Lopez touted in last week’s episode, Asaro made a cross-country journey to the Spring Leadership Meeting and stopped at various NAHB associations and other locations along the way. The idea to visit associations and document the journey (#nahbontheroad) stemmed from a conversation with the NSMC communications subcommittee.
“This was literally about a week before we left that this idea came to fruition, and everybody at NAHB was on it,” Asaro explained, even sending out NAHB hats that she could give out along her trip.
The associations Asaro visited included her home base of San Diego; Phoenix; New Mexico; Tulsa, Okla.; and West and East Tennessee, where she got to learn more about what the issues they’re dealing with and how they’re tackling them.
“They were all fantastic people, and their teams were so wonderful and welcoming,” Asaro shared.
“I’m really thankful to NAHB not only for the support but for the trust, going out there as an ambassador,” she added.
Tobin and Lopez also celebrate the successes of this year’s Legislative Conference, which kicked off with remarks from Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). More than 900 NAHB members then made the trek to Capitol Hill to discuss transformers, energy codes and workforce development.
“I love getting messages from people on Capitol Hill saying, ‘Your guys are everywhere,’” Tobin shared.
Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
Apr 17, 2026
9 NHE Grants Boost Residential Construction VisibilityThe National Housing Endowment (NHE), NAHB's philanthropic arm, created its Homebuilding Education Leadership Program (HELP) to increase the number of qualified graduates entering the home building industry. Since 2009, HELP has invested more than $6.2 million in grants to 60 colleges and universities.
Apr 16, 2026
Iran War Adds to Economic HeadwindsA multidimensional supply shock is weakening the U.S. economy, fueled by the delayed effects of the 2025 trade wars and tariffs, elevated oil prices, and persistent policy uncertainty. NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz provides a high-level summary of key economic markers.
Latest Economic News
Apr 17, 2026
Count of Second Homes Declines in 2024In 2024, the number of second homes in the U.S. was 6.2 million, accounting for 4.3% of the nation’s housing stock, according to NAHB estimates. This reflects a modest decline from 2022, when the number reached 6.5 million. This decline suggests some cooling following the pandemic-era surge in second home demand.
Apr 16, 2026
Young Adults Report More Interest in the Construction Trades: 2026 SurveyNAHB estimates the U.S. has a structural housing deficit of 1.2 million units. Among the myriad of headwinds home builders face trying to close that gap is the industry’s chronic shortage of workers in the construction trades.
Apr 15, 2026
Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic UncertaintyEconomic uncertainty coupled with rising building material costs and interest rates resulted in a sharp decline in builder sentiment in April as the housing market enters into the heart of the spring buying season.