About BIAGC · Our story

Building Chicagoland together since 1939

BIAGC represents the entire building industry, from builders and remodelers to developers, architects, designers, suppliers and trade partners.

Who we are

The voice of Chicagoland’s building industry

Since 1939, BIAGC has brought Chicagoland’s building industry together: builders, remodelers, developers, architects, designers, suppliers and trade partners.

Our mission & vision →
Our mission

To be the voice of Chicagoland’s building industry: advocating for the businesses that design, build, remodel and supply our region’s homes and communities, connecting them, and helping them grow.

1939Founded in Chicago
1972The Key Awards begin
3-in-1BIAGC + HBRAI + NAHB
85+Years serving Chicagoland
Our names

Every era of Chicago building

Every name marks a chapter in how Chicagoland builds. Today’s name includes everyone who builds the region.

1939MCHBAMetropolitan Chicago Home Builders Association
1944CMHBAChicago Metropolitan Home Builders Association
1958HBACHome Builders Association of Chicagoland
Until 2022HBAGCHome Builders Association of Greater Chicago
2022BIAGCBuilding Industry Association of Greater Chicago
Our history

More than 85 years of building together

Swipe through the years and open the full story from the BIAGC archives.

Photo: Chicago River, Spring 2015 issue
Meanwhile, nationally
1942NAHB is founded, breaking away from the National Association of Real Estate Boards. Chicago is its first affiliate.
1945NAHB holds its convention in Chicago with 94 exhibits.
1949NAHB reaches 14,000 members, 120 chapters and 35 staff.
1955NAHB hosts a delegation of Russian builders.
1959NAHB runs its first member survey; the typical new home sells for $13,000–$20,000.
Read the 1939–1960 story →Story by Wendy Pasher Higgins for Brandit360, Greater Chicago Building News, Spring 2015
Leadership

Board of Directors

The BIAGC Board of Directors brings together some of Chicagoland’s most influential building industry leaders. The board meets monthly to address the most pressing issues facing the association and its members.

Officers

Michael Freiburger

Michael Freiburger

PresidentNEWLOOK DevelopmentView member profile →
Eric Pickell

Eric Pickell

Vice PresidentOrren Pickell BuildersView member profile →
Kevin O'Leary

Kevin O'Leary

2nd Vice PresidentHighgate BuildersView member profile →
Dave Eastham

Dave Eastham

TreasurerLurvey
Read bio

Dave has been part of the wholesale landscape and building industry since 2000, building his career around relationships, operational leadership, and product expertise. He currently serves as Location Manager of Lurvey’s Volo facility and as Product Line Manager for Natural Stone across the company’s multi-location footprint. He specializes in natural stone for both building and landscape applications, with deep experience in sourcing, specification, and custom stone fabrication. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with builders, contractors, architects, and designers to ensure materials are not only beautiful, but practical, profitable, and built to perform in the Midwest climate. A lifelong Illinoian, Dave is passionate about the Chicagoland market and its impact on the broader building industry. He believes strong industry associations play a critical role in education, advocacy, and strengthening connections between professionals. As part of the incoming BIAGC leadership team, he looks forward to supporting members, encouraging collaboration, and helping advance the residential building community throughout Greater Chicago.

View member profile →
Dusan Ugarkovic

Dusan Ugarkovic

SecretaryLowe’s ProView member profile →

Leadership Committee

John Wozniak

John Wozniak

Past PresidentRyan Building GroupView member profile →
Frank Binetti

Frank Binetti

Past PresidentFCM Home LoansView member profile →
Pat Cardoni

Pat Cardoni

Sponsorship ChairCardoni Custom HomesView member profile →

Committee Chairs & Members

Ryan Searls

Ryan Searls

Membership Committee ChairSearls WindowsView member profile →
Justin Bucy

Justin Bucy

Key Awards Committee ChairCOBU Architecture StudioView member profile →
James Burke

James Burke

Membership CommitteeWintrustView member profile →
Will Wicklander

Will Wicklander

Membership CommitteeGrand ApplianceView member profile →
Brendan Loughrey

Brendan Loughrey

Events CommitteeFergusonView member profile →

Advisory & Staff

Scott Sevon

Scott Sevon

NAHB Senior Life Director · Advisory BoardMAW ChicagoView member profile →
Corey Stern

Corey Stern

Legal CounselChitkowski Law OfficesView member profile →
Chantel Beauregard

Chantel Beauregard

Executive OfficerBrandit360View member profile →

Be part of the next chapter

Join the association that has spoken for Chicagoland’s building industry since 1939.

Our 2026 Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors

These companies invested in Chicagoland’s building industry this year. Please thank them with your business.

Brandit360NEWLOOKWalk Thru PlansTruGolfChitkowski LawHighgate Builders
Charity Golf International
Trades Group National ConstructionCreative MillworkTandemWell Managed HubPellaWines for HumanityBiagi Plumbing

Join Chicagoland’s Most Influential Building Industry Professionals

Join Chicagoland’s Most Influential Building Industry Professionals