May 7, 2025

Working to Build a Better Nevada: Natalie Molleson Leads the Charge During Building Safety Month

As May ushers in Building Safety Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of modern, effective building codes—Business & Commercial Insurance Agent at the Jim Gray Agency, Natalie Molleson is already hard at work championing the cause. With a heart for safety, a passion for education, and a firm belief in the trades, Molleson’s leadership as Chair of the Nevada Builders Foundation is helping secure a safer, more sustainable future for communities across the state.

“We raise money year-round to fund scholarships and support programs encouraging youth to enter the trades,” said Molleson.

Now in her seventh year as chair, her tenure has been marked by tangible impact—both in the workforce pipeline and in the broader community. Under her leadership, the Foundation has significantly expanded its reach, supporting educational programs at Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College, and the Southern Nevada Trades High School. And the momentum is still building.

“In 2025, we’re supporting a new program launching at Carson High School,” Molleson shared. “We also work with ACE Academy in Reno, and in 2024, we funded an endowment for the Nevada Women’s Fund.”

The Nevada Builders Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of the Nevada Builders Alliance, made up entirely of volunteers dedicated to advancing workforce development in the construction and building trades. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission is to provide a practical, rewarding career pathway that serves as a meaningful alternative to traditional four-year degrees.

Much of this progress is rooted in the work of Jim Gray himself—a longtime member of the Nevada Builders Alliance whose legacy continues to shape the organization. His unwavering support over the years, from generous donations to consistent sponsorships, helped lay the groundwork for the Foundation’s success.

But the Foundation’s impact extends beyond scholarships and school programs. In the spirit of Building Safety Month, the organization also collaborates with nonprofits on community projects that emphasize both safety and sustainability. Past partnerships include the Sutro Tunnel Historical Project, Safe Embrace, Eddy House, and Habitat for Humanity.

This alignment with Building Safety Month is no coincidence.

“Building codes aren’t just rules on paper,” Molleson said. “They’re the difference between a structure that stands firm in a storm—and one that doesn’t. Between a fire-safe home and a potential tragedy.”

Building Safety Month, spearheaded by the International Code Council, brings together professionals from construction, design, and public safety sectors to educate communities on the importance of safe building practices.

For Molleson, the mission of building safer, stronger communities isn’t limited to her role at the Nevada Builders Foundation—it’s deeply woven into her work at COUNTRY, where enriching lives in the communities we serve aligns with her passion for workforce development and building safety.

“We're not just helping students,” she said. “We’re helping build a culture where safety, skill, and sustainability go hand-in-hand. That starts with education, but it doesn’t end there.”

As the state continues to grow and develop, the need for skilled tradespeople and stringent building codes has never been greater. Thanks to leaders like Molleson and the work of the Nevada Builders Foundation, Nevada is not only preparing the next generation of builders—but ensuring the structures they create stand the test of time.

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