T. Kevin Carney, president of Columbia-based Thomas Builders Inc. and JHPC Development Corp., was named builder of the year Thursday by the Home Builders Association of Maryland.

Carney, 52, of Ellicott City has been active in the group for years. He was president of the association last year.

The award is given to the builder who consistently contributes to the builders' group, which represents 1,200 members in the region.

Carney is the 40th recipient of the award, which was first handed out in 1962.

The group named Jim Hunter, regional manager for the Builder Division of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, associate of the year.

Hunter has been a member of the homebuilders' association since 1993 and will be associate vice president next year.

Hunter, 38, lives in Eldersburg.

The award, which has been given out since 1963, recognizes members of the group who are not builders.

The association is one of the nation's oldest and represents builders and others throughout the area.

The association handed out the awards during its annual Holiday Gala, held last week at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel.