Fine Homebuilding, the most trusted and authoritative resource for the residential construction and remodeling community, announced today key leadership changes that will address the groundswell success of a program it launched through social media about a year ago, #KeepCraftAlive, to help close the skills gap in the construction industry.

Current Editorial Director Rob Yagid has been named Founder and Executive Director of Keep Craft Alive. What was started by Yagid as a social media hashtag to showcase pride in construction craft, #KeepCraftAlive has become Fine Homebuilding’s cornerstone industry leadership program, forging partnerships with industry organizations and influencers to build awareness of the problem, surface skills training and educational opportunities, and to fund student scholarships to support those who want to pursue a path in the trades.

Recently, the Association of Magazine Media awarded Fine Homebuilding and the #KeepCraftAlive program with the 2018 Imagination Award for Leadership, the category that honors projects and teamwork done to define, build or evolve the business or culture of a magazine media brand.

Yagid states, “we have made significant in-roads with Keep Craft Alive, and in a short period of time have received validation for how we can play a role in shaping the future of the construction industry. It’s an exciting time for me to help take this program to the next level, and drive our brand expansion by fueling audience activation, growing industry partnerships and developing content resources.”

In Yagid’s new role, he will focus on developing the mission and growth strategy, fundraising for student scholarships, architecting a framework for #KeepCraftAlive local chapters, and also nurturing industry, educational institutions, and trade professionals to unlock further solutions to the skills gap in the building industry. Most importantly, Yagid will continue to surface inspiring profiles of those building successful trade careers to celebrate the value of true craftsmanship and influence the cultural narrative about what it means to be a respected, successful professional in the trades.

A NEW EDITORIAL DIRECTOR IS NAMED

With Yagid’s new focus, Justin Fink has been promoted to Editorial Director for the Fine Homebuilding brand. Fink has been on staff at Fine Homebuilding since 2004, when he started as an editorial intern just out of college with an English degree from University of Connecticut. Fink was most recently Fine Homebuilding’s editor. His strongest contributions stem from his ongoing work as a remodeling contractor, his immersion into the challenges being tackled by builders, and his appetite for trying new techniques and cutting-edge materials.

Group Publisher/SVP Renee Jordan states, “Justin exemplifies the Fine Homebuilding brand ethos of craftsmanship – both in his talent with construction projects and with content development and execution. As he has worked so closely with Rob over the years, this transition will be seamless and allow for us to flourish under Justin’s editorial vision, while Rob builds out the next phase of #KeepCraftAlive.”

Fine Homebuilding
Fine Homebuilding is the most trusted and authoritative resource for the residential construction and remodeling community. We uniquely source our content from the job sites and design offices of the most qualified and talented builders and designers in the industry to empower a global workforce with the ability to create the most advanced homes possible. Driven by the ethos that exceptional homes are possible and that craftsmanship is an honorable and worthy pursuit, Fine Homebuilding has become the brand for skilled practitioners, deeply knowledgeable enthusiasts, industry influencers, and forward-thinking companies who are collectively committed to shaping the way we build. For more, visit FineHomebuilding.com.

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To find out more or to speak to a company representative, contact Tami McCarthy via email at [email protected] or via phone at 212-750-5755.

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