Press Release
prepared on August 29, 2002
by impress communiciation
Holly Lobelson
(702) 940-5050

Astoria Homes President Tom McCormick to Address
‘Builder Fast Track’ Conference in September

(Las Vegas) – Tom McCormick, president of Las Vegas-based Astoria Homes, will be a featured panelist at an upcoming “Builder Fast Track” conference scheduled for Las Vegas in September.

The conference’s primary focus is “Put Your Company on the Fast Track to Growth & Profitability.” McCormick will be the only local homebuilder on a panel comprising three homebuilders who have sustained rapid growth in their marketplaces. The panelists will discuss how they overcame obstacles to reach their goals. The other panelists will be Don Pohlig of Pohlig Builders, based in Malvern, Penn., and John Westrum of Westrum Development, based in Fort Washington, Penn.

The conference is scheduled from Sept. 11 to 13 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. McCormick’s panel, called “Bottlenecks to Growth,” will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 12. The panel’s moderators are Boyce Thompson, editor-in-chief for Builder Magazine, and Al Trellis of Home Builders Network.

“The panel should stir up intriguing conversation on the different challenges we have faced as homebuilders,” McCormick said. “The Astoria team has proven on numerous occasions they are determined to accomplish our goals and continue fulfilling a need in the Southern Nevada home-buying marketplace.”

Astoria Homes is considered the pioneer of the affordable housing concept in Las Vegas. The homebuilder has created several quality communities for first-time homebuyers to serve the entry-level needs in the Las Vegas valley. One of its newest communities, Silverado Place, sold 135 homes in its first six phases.

Astoria Homes has been recognized for its communities and philosophies on numerous occasions. The home builder has been honored with 11 Southern Nevada Home Builders Association “Homer” awards, including the prestigious “Home of the Year” in 1997 for the Sunset at Summer Heights, and 26 Awards of Merit, including “Most Affordable Project in the Western Region” in 2002 for Silverado Place. In addition, Astoria Homes earned an ENERGY STAR® Achievement Award in March 2002 for building ENERGY STAR® labeled homes during 2001. Astoria was among only 18 homebuilder’s nationwide recognized in the category of mid-sized builders.

In November 2001, Astoria Homes also received its second prestigious Summit Award from the Professional Warranty Service Corp. for its high customer satisfaction and quality home construction. Astoria was the first builder to receive this award more than once. Most recently, Astoria was named by Professional Builder magazine as one of the nation’s “101 Best Companies to Work For” out of more than 6,000 residential construction company nominations nationwide. Astoria was the only Las Vegas-based homebuilder that made the list.

Astoria’s communities include: Ironwood Estates in Centennial Hills; Auburn Hills, Canyon Trails and Independence in the Southwest; Silverado Place in Silverado Ranch; and Villa Villagio in Seven Hills. For more information on Astoria Homes, the website can be accessed at www.AstoriaHomes.com. Further information on the conference can be obtained at www.builderfasttrack.com.