Robert Criner, president of Criner Remodeling, founded the company in 1977 and has led the company to grow into a successful and profitable business for over 45 years.
Criner began working for a remodeling contractor in the summer of 1972, when he started his own one-man operation. Today the company has a team of over a dozen professionals in the remodeling industry. Criner is constantly involved in both the remodeling industry and the community and has given back in numerous ways both locally and nationally.
Robert Criner has served in the following organizations:
- 2024 – National Housing Center board of governors
- 2024 – Environmental issues committee
- 2024 – Climate risk and sustainability committee
- 2024 – Conventions and meeting committee
- 2021 – York County Planning Commission
- 2018 – Present NAHB Environmental Issues
- 2017 – Present NAHB Business Management and Information Technology
- 2011 – Present National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Board Member
- 2010 – Present York County Board of Building Code Appeals
- 2008 – Present New Horizons Educational Foundation
- 2006 – Present York County Board of Zoning Appeals
- 2002 – Present Peninsula Habitat for Humanity Advisory Board
- 1983 – Present Remodelers Council of the Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association. (Chairman 2020, 2016, 1999, 1986, and 1985)
- 2015 NAHB Remodelers Chair
- 2015 NAHB Executive Committee
- 2015 NAHB Joint Council
- 2012-2015 NAHB Remodelers Council Board of Trustees
- 2014 NAHB Sales and Marketing Council
- 2010 to 2015 NAHB Membership & Communications Committee
- 2011 National Board of Governors for the Certified Graduate Remodelors
Organizations that Criner has served as chairman for in the past include:
- Chairman of the Peninsula Habitat for Humanity 1998
- Chairman of the School Board at Peninsula Catholic High School (1995-1997)
- Chairman of the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program (1996)
- Chairman of the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church Building Committee (1995)
- Chairman of the Major Gifts division of a 4-million-dollar fund raising effort to build the Peninsula Catholic High School (1995)
- Vice Chairman of the American Red Cross Hampton Roads
For work in the Remodeling Industry, Criner has received:
- 2020 Induction into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame
- 2015 Peninsula Housing and Builders Association Builder of the Year
- Winner of the Guildmaster Award in 2011- 2019
- 2012 Nation’s Remodeler of the Year – National Association of Homebuilders
- 2012 Nation’s Graduate Master Remodeler of the Year
- National Remodeling Quality Award
- 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992 Remodeler of the Year – Peninsula Remodelers Council
- Well Over 100 Local, State, and National Awards
Special Designations
Robert Criner was the first in the nation to receive the Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR) and the Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR). Other certifications that Criner holds include:
- GMB –Graduate Master Builder
- CAPS – Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist
- CGB – Certified Graduate Builder
- CGP – Certified Green Professional
- Class-A Licensed Contractor
Publications:
Besides local publications such as The Daily Press and Inside Business, Robert Criner has been interviewed and featured in various national publications including:
- The New York Times
- The Chicago Tribune
- The Washington Post
- U.S. News & World Report
- Architectural Digest
- Consumer Reports
- Kiplinger Magazine
- Investor’s Business Daily
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Remodeling Magazine (Cover)
- Professional Remodeler Magazine (Cover)
- Qualified Remodeler (Cover)
- Journal of Light Construction Magazine
- NAHB Nation’s Building News.
Criner has also instructed for the Virginia Contractor Basic Business Course at Thomas Nelson Community College.
Robert Criner was the first keynote speaker for JLC Live, a leading construction industry event exclusively serving the residential building segment.
Criner was also featured on several episodes of the television series: Homebuilding Digest on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). As well as the Weather Channel.
Robert is married to Aggie and together they have four sons: Adam, Luke, Paul and Drew. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family; especially his grandchildren Marley Sunshine, Luka, Milo, and George.