The Master Builders Association of Western Australia has awarded the 2006 Ric New medal for excellence to Pindan director of group dwellings, Chris Lillis.
Mr Lillis was nominated for the medal, named after the founder of Midland Brick, by Pindan managing director George Allingame.
The award recognises high achievers up to 35 years of age who demonstrate outstanding potential, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial flair in the context of the building and construction industry in WA.
Starting his career as a trainee scheduler with Winthrop Homes at age 17, Mr Lillis joined Pindan in 1994 at 18, where he completed a clerical traineeship while working as a trainee scheduler.
Since then, Mr Lillis has worked his way up through the ranks of the company. He became a registered builder in 2002 and took over as construction manager in the housing division in 2003.
In 2005, he was made a director of group dwellings and is now responsible for 23 employees and a $40 million annual budget in overseeing the construction of more than 300 dwellings.
MBA director Michael McLean said the medal was first introduced last year by the late Mr New’s daughter, Marylyn New, to recognise the enormous talents of the younger generation and to inspire others to be successful.
“One of our objectives of this award was to commemorate the name of Ric New, who contributed so much to affordable home ownership in this state through his work ethic, customer service focus and free enterprise principals,” he said.
Mr Lillis receives a return trip to London, $2,500 in expenses and a nomination to the 2007 WA Business News 40 under 40 awards.
