January residential housing numbers were mixed. Starts were up 10.4% tp 580,000 while permits fell 5% to 620,000. Severe winter weather will probably have a negative impact during the first quarter of 2010.

Miguel Martinez, of Progressive Insulation & Windows, Chatsworth, CA, won the Seventh Annual America’s Best Installer competition. The 2009 finals were held on October 3 in Tucson, AZ, in conjunction with the ICAA annual convention.

Martinez, a five-year employee of Progressive, had advanced to the finals by winning the Western regional competition earlier in the year. He will receive a $10,000 prize and will be eligible to participate in next year’s final competition. The annual event is sponsored by Insulate America and Johns Manville.

“Best installer is the biggest event each year for professional insulation installers,” said Martinez. “Considering the talent of my fellow competitors, I feel extremely fortunate to walk away with the win.”