BIA/SO CA 50+ Housing Council Names KTGY's Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP SAGE "Person of the Year"

BIA/SO CA 50+ Housing Council has named Manny Gonzalez, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CAASH and Principal of KTGY Group 2009 SAGE "Person of the Year." This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and professional contributions to housing and related services to residents 50+. End Quote

Orange County, CA (1888PressRelease) October 12, 2009 - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that Manuel G. Gonzalez, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CAASH and Principal of KTGY Group has been named 2009 SAGE "Person of the Year" by the 50+ Housing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and professional contributions to housing and related services to residents 50+.

In his more than 25 years of practice in residential development, Gonzalez has been responsible for the design, construction and renovation of nearly 6,000 active adult housing units including the design of more than 50 active adult communities. More than 30 of those communities are scattered from the desert to the sea throughout all of Southern California. Gonzalez's dedication to excellence and sustainable design solutions have set new industry standards and have earned him more than 70 national, regional and local design awards including 25 for work in the 50+ Housing market alone. This year, Gonzalez won his fifth NAHB 50+ Housing Gold Award, which was for the Echo Park Senior Community. Echo Park is currently a 2009 SAGE Award finalist.

Gonzalez is the senior partner in KTGY's Santa Monica office and president of KTGY Group, Colorado. He is a licensed architect in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Indiana; and has been featured in Who's Who in 50+ Home Building and in 50+ Builder's Architect of the Year.

Andy Bowden, the 2009 president of the 50+ Housing Council Board and principal at Land Concern in Santa Ana, Calif., notes, "Long regarded as an expert on 50+ housing, Manny Gonzalez has helped lead the way in residential design for our aging population. A past president of the 50+ Housing Council BIA/SC, he has helped develop new ideas, concepts and strategies targeting the specific needs of seniors. Manny's commitment to the 50+ industry as a whole as well as his proven leadership and guidance working with the 50+ Housing Council has demonstrated that he is a true leader and innovator in the field of 50+ housing."

Bowden continues, "Manny is always incorporating new and innovative design into each of his projects, pushing the envelope and creating successful communities while providing exciting design solutions. His knowledge, his commitment and, above all, his passion to this industry is a testament to his vast abilities. We are very proud to name him the 2009 SAGE Person of the Year."

A renowned international speaker, author and media expert on the 50+ Housing industry, Gonzalez will be speaking at several upcoming industry events including the Multifamily Executive Conference on October 12 in Las Vegas, NV; Big Builder magazine's pioneering virtual program on November 9; and two sessions at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas on January 20 and 21.

Gonzalez has served as Chair of the AIA Housing Committee and a Board of Directors Member for the BIA. He actively holds a leadership role on numerous national committees for the NAHB Multifamily Leadership Board, The 50+ Symposium and University of Housing, and has served two terms as President of the Seniors Housing Council for Southern California. In 2008, NAHB 50+ Housing Council honored him for his accomplishments in the 50+ housing industry and awarded him with the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation. He is currently on the Editorial Advisory Board of 50+ Builder and BUILDERNews magazines; and has written and contributed to scores of articles on residential design.

An 8th generation native of Los Angeles, Gonzalez is also dedicated to community service and youth sports. Following half a dozen years on the Malibu Little League Board, Gonzalez has now taken to the pool and serves as President of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club and Vice-chair of the Coastal Zone for USA Water Polo.

Gonzalez and other award winners will be presented with their awards at the 15th annual SAGE ceremony on Wednesday, November 12, 2009 at The Turnip Rose, Grand Newport Plaza, 1901 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, Calif. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. For more information about attending this event, visit www.50PlusHC.com. To register, call (909) 396-9993 or visit www.biasc.org.

About 50+ Housing Council
50+ Housing Council provides networking, education and partnering prospects for Southern California professionals involved in every aspect of building housing specifically for persons aged 50+ − active adult, "age-targeted," senior condos, 55+ apartments, CCRC's, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's care and more. For more information, visit www.50PlusHC.com.

About BIA/SC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIA/SC) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,800 member companies employing over 200,000 persons who are engaged in all aspects of building homes and communities throughout Southern California.

For more information, www.biasc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland, Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

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