B+A Greater Boston

Andrew Flake Receives LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD A BOUT 30 YEARS ago, Andrew Flake had breakfast at the Black Dog with fellow builders Colin Whyte and John Early and tossed out the idea of getting together with other builders, architects and engineers for a two-day meeting to share ideas on the business and, according to Flake, "Everyone looked at me like I had horns on my head and a tail coming out the rear." It was an idea that was ahead of its time, but then, 7 years ago, in an after-hours meeting at R.D. Crane (now Crane Appliance) in Vineyard Haven, Flake, along with some other people in the Vineyard construction business, joined with a representative from the Cape Cod Builders Association (CCBA) to tr y a nd f ig ure out how the Vineyard could have a similar association on the Island. "In the beginning, the Cape Cod Builders Association partnered with us," Fla ke says. He told the CCBA that the Islanders would learn everything they can from it, but in the end, they wanted to be an independent organization. "It took a while to gain traction," Flake says, "but the underlying rea son s for doi n g t h is were so good , not just for bu i lders a nd designers, but for the community at large, that over time, we became a very worthy organization." T hat wa s t he beg i n n i n g of t he Ma r t ha's Vi neya rd Bu i lders Association (MVBA), and Andrew Flake was the founding board president. Flake served as president for 5 years and turned over the reins to Newell Isbell Shinn 2 years ago. Now, after 7 years on the MVBA board, Flake has decided to step down, and at the award event, close to 150 MVBA members surprised Flake at their monthly meeting at the Loft in Oak Bluffs, presenting him with a Distinguished Service Award, a bowl from the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks. Newell Isbell Shinn presented Fla ke with the awa rd, saying, "Andrew has shown incredible dedication to this organization. He's shown a commitment to excellence and has been an inspiration to all of us, and we would not be where we are today without Andrew." Shinn read a letter sent by John Abrams, CEO of South Mountain Co., who wa s unable to be at the meeting. Fla ke "deser ves this award," it read. "He's been a steady and stellar influence, and his passion and dedication have been an important part of the growth and maturity of the organization." From its origins at the meeting at Crane 7 years ago, the MVBA has grown to more than 140 members, including a variety of groups such as general contractors, painters, masons, insurance profes- sionals and more. MVBA gives an informed voice to a large part of our economy—the Island's construction labor force. The MVBA deals with environmental issues and zoning issues, a nd ha s a pa r ticu la r interest in get ting people involved in t he trades. It works with ACE MV to provide continuing education for programs in the building trades, and with MV Youth to encourage MVRHS students to build a career in the trades. In the back of the room at the Loft where the meeting was being held were a series of large, mounted posters that the MVBA helped MV Youth produce, featuring successful loca l tradespeople who had graduated from MVRHS. They hang in the high school, giving students something to aspire to. MVBA will disburse $5,000 in scholarships in 2020, and $1,000 of that $5,000 is earmarked for MV Youth. R ic h a r d L e on a r d , R e g ion a l P r e s ident of Ca p e C o d F ive , a cosponsor of the evening's event along with Crane Appliances, said the building industry is a big part of the Island economy. Having them work together helps facilitate good outcomes when difficult problems arise: "We're really pleased and proud to be a member and provide support." Upon receiving the award, Flake reflected, "I couldn't imagine that 30 yea rs a f ter that initia l meeting at the Black Dog,I'd be standing up here and looking back on all that we've accomplished. It's a great feeling." Builder+Architect magazine congratulates Andrew A. Flake on a ll your achievements a nd has been honored to feature A ndrew as the cover story four times over the past 28 years. You are highly respected a nd known for your 42 yea rs of building exceptiona l, detailed homes. n Cape and Islands Builders Association gives award to builder, Andrew A. Flake. BOSTON.BUILDERARCHITECT.COM Builder+Architect GREATER BOSTON, CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS | 4 1

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