Meet the Board Behind the Association

Peterborough & The Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) is a non-profit organization, which is organized as a network of local professionals. PKHBA has represented the professional home-building industry in Peterborough and the Kawarthas since 1956. Members include new home builders, renovators, sub-trade contractors, service professionals, manufacturers and suppliers of building products and government agencies.

Our mission is to associate the residential construction industry to create a collaborative, supportive forum to:

• Facilitate the development of sustainable businesses for our members

• Advocate for effective government policy

• Maintain positive consumer experiences

• Exchange experiences, information and best practices

Mitch Cleary, President – Century 21 United Realty Inc.

Mitch grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, and his want to learn was greatly fueled by his upbringing. He spent his youth working for the second generation family home building business, Cleary Homes, charging his love in the technical fields of carpentry, new home construction, and building science.

Mitch’s grandfather, Leo Cleary, was integral in the early formation of PKHBA, and the Cleary’s have been active members from day one, including Leo, Pat, and Monique Cleary having the roles of President through the years.

Mitch is a Realtor and Partner with The Kamar | Cleary Team in Peterborough, which is a top producing team out of the Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage. Mitch and the team provide an innovative, full coverage approach to all things real estate. He is known for his Peterborough market updates and deep discussions and local interviews about anything real estate and housing related. You can find Mitch’s insights and interviews on the housing market on YouTube, but also on all major podcast platforms under The PTBO Housing Show.

Mitch joined the PKHBA Board of Directors in 2021, but has been an active member of the home building and real estate industries for many years. He is passionate about helping our community progress with its housing needs by using the power of market insights to help make better real estate decisions.

Garnet Northey, Past President – Spotlight Home and Lifestyle Inc.

Garnet Northey is the president of Spotlight Home & Lifestyle. Garnet is also very involved in the home builder industry, from a local, provincial and federal level. Garnet is a passionate advocate for the building industry locally, provincial and nationally.

Here are some of his accomplishments:

PKHBA – President for 5 terms, Board Member

OHBA – Board Member

Chair, Governance Committee

Chair, Renovators’ Council

CHBA – Canadian Renovators’ Council Management Committee (Ontario Provincial Rep)

Fleming College – Program Advisory Committee, Carpentry

Paul Dietrich, Vice President – Dietrich Homes

Paul recognizes the need for high quality homes delivered for good value in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Paul understands the importance of superior workmanship, value and a client experience built on satisfaction and respect.  Dietrich Homes has been providing all of this and more for 35+ years. Paul credits his parents and family for his entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and dedication to his goals.

Paul is a strong supporter and advocate of Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and is passionate about reinvesting in the communities he builds and develops in.

Paul is an active registered Homebuilder and Land Developer within The City of Peterborough and the Kawarthas since 1985. Paul has extensive experience in land development, new home and condominium development and construction, as well as expertise in Municipal Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws. 

Registered and Qualified as a Building Practitioner with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul has been awarded an Excellent rating for 35 consecutive years by TARION Warranty Corporation.

Paul was recently awarded the prestigious Green member of the Year and Production Builder of the Year awards by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association.

Jennifer Hurd, Director – Reliance Home Comfort

Jennifer Hurd is the Key Account Manager for Reliance Home Comfort. She has been in the New Construction Industry as a Supplier for 15 years. Jennifer was the President for the Durham Home Builders Association 2013/14 and Director from 2007 to 2019. Jennifer has also been on the BILD Board of Directors in 2020 and now she is on the board of Directors for the Peterborough Home Builders Association. She takes great pride in her job and being a volunteer for our amazing Associations. She believes that the relationships you build in this industry is like no other. She is very proud to be in the New Home Construction Industry.

 

 

 

 

Don Armitage, Director – Enbridge

Don Armitage was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. He’s enjoyed a long career at Enbridge Gas Inc., working in various roles throughout his 29 years with the company. Presently, Don is the Residential New Construction representative for the entire Kawartha area, including Peterborough, Lindsay, Millbrook, Norwood and Campbellford, and the sales lead of the provincial community expansion program.

Don works closely with area homebuilders, renovators, and the HVAC contractor community promoting energy efficiency and helping people get value for their energy dollars. Don has been an active member of numerous boards over the years, including HRAI, HPBAC, DRHBA and PKHBA. Don is committed to promoting the benefits of connecting to natural gas, and advocates for its use in the building industry as a key component of our collective path to net zero and Ontario’s evolving energy transition.

 

Mike Kingdon, Director – Chemong Home Hardware Building Centers

Mike Kingdon has been involved with the building business since he was 14. Mike had spent time building roof truss systems for 5 summers while in high school. During that time, he also worked in the lumber yard serving customers and doing small deliveries to customers. Mike then moved inside onto the sales desk helping retail and contractor customers.

Mike has always had an interest in carpentry as both his grandfather and father were involved with building homes. Mike enjoys being outside and being able to see what he has done at the end of the day, so he pursued a career in carpentry. Mike apprenticed and became a Licensed General Carpenter. During that time he was part of building many custom homes and smaller commercial jobs. It wasn’t until an opportunity at Chemong Home Hardware Building Center was offered to him that he decided to hang up his carpentry tool belt.

 

 

Susan Zambonin, Director  –  Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, has been passionate about the mission of Habitat for Humanity for 19 years. She was previously chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region and Habitat for Humanity PEI, and also served as executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in PEI.

A Rotarian and volunteer, Zambonin has won several awards, including a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown and an International Outstanding Contribution Award, Mentorship Award, and Award of Excellence from Habitat for Humanity Canada. She has been a board member, Global Village team leader, Affiliate Coach, and recipient of Habitat Canada’s first Mentorship Award. 

 

 

Alex Duketow, Director – Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board

Alex is a Student Success and Applied Technology Education consultant with the PVNC school board. He supports applied trades and innovative career-path programming for over 2,000 students, working with 80 staff, in high schools in the Cobourg, Clarington, Peterborough, and Kawartha Regions. Alex works in close partnership, on a monthly basis, with Fleming, Durham, Seneca and Loyalist College as well as the Kawartha Pine Ridge, Trillium Lakelands, Durham District, and Durham Catholic School Boards. He considers collaboration with industry to be the most important part of his work for the sake of student inspiration and readiness for the workplace. Alex, his wife, Miriam, and their family live just east of the town of Lakefield.

PKHBA’s vision is to build a progressive, diverse, local community where quality of life is supported through housing. Our members are community builders.