Dallas BA 2023 Year in Review: Change
By Gena Godinez
Executive Officer
Every change, big or small, can provide new opportunities. When change comes, we have the opportunity to learn something new. We have the chance to set new goals and to grow and develop personally and professionally. Without change, organizations such as ours will become stagnant and irrelevant.
The most significant change this year was in the leadership of the Dallas BA. Phil Crone had been a member of the Dallas BA staff for 17 years, 11 of those as executive officer. Phil stepped down in July to become vice president of Leading Builders of America. Following the departure of Phil Crone, Operations Officer Sheena Beaver served as interim executive officer in addition to executing her current role. She, along with our extremely talented team, kept the Dallas BA ship stable and well-balanced through the new EO search and transitional period.
After 16 years, Misty Varsalone left her position as our director of meetings and events to team up with Past President Michael Turner, assisting him with the operation of his company, Classic Urban Homes. Misty handled roles that were traditionally reserved for several staff members at the Dallas BA. A big part of her success was her passion to serve the Association and its members. We certainly wish her well.
We added a new administrative assistant position to the staff last year. We had not even posted the job when in walked Kris Cox, who was looking for a place to contribute her years of experience as the office administrator of the custom home design/build company she and her husband owned for 15 years in the Texas Hill Country. Kris is the smile that greets everyone as they enter our office and is the liaison between Membership and Accounting, pitching in wherever she is needed. We are excited to announce that Kris will be taking over as our accounting manager.
Becky Warner has decided to retire as our accounting manager after 30 years with the Dallas BA. We are sad to see her leave, but are excited for her to enter the new chapter in her life.
One of the best things about this job is getting to work with so many passionate Association leaders, both past and present. John Porizek, 2022-2023 Dallas BA president, faced many challenges this year. His ability to adapt, problem-solve and communicate helped us to navigate all of the changes and have a successful year. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that he and the search committee have given me.
I took over the helm in mid-August. I am truly honored to have been selected to manage the operation of such a prestigious organization. I am so grateful for the staff, who has without complaint, stepped up into roles that they have never held before. I know that I have some big shoes to fill, but I am confident that with the support of the staff and our members, we will continue to build on the successes that this Association has had over the years, and we will become bigger and stronger than ever before. This Association has definitely had to deal with some huge challenges over the last few years, but challenges such as ours create an unbreakable bond and we will forever be better for it.
2023 was another busy and successful year for Dallas BA advocacy. Our director of government affairs, David Lehde, successfully advocated for an amendment by the Dallas City Council that changed the city’s adoption of the 2021 IECC from mandating an “Electric Vehicle Ready Space” for one-to-two-family dwellings and townhouses.
By adopting Dallas BA’s recommended amendment, the City Council not only avoided adding cost for a product not used by many but also avoided a waste in materials that are already in short supply.
The Association was also successful in getting an amendment to the City of Fate’s updated Roadway Impact Fee, saving builders more than $2,000 in additional immediate increases in construction costs per home.
On March 29, Dallas BA members chartered a bus and rode en masse to Austin for TAB’s Legislative Rally Day. They joined with other HBAs from across the state to deliver an important message to legislators: Protect Texas Housing. The Dallas BA service area includes the districts of a quarter of the members of the Texas Senate and one-fifth of the Texas House. The show of economic strength our members provided was as important as ever.
In June, Governor Abbott signed Dallas BA priority legislation into law. HB 3492, initiated by Dallas BA and coordinated with TAB, ensures that municipalities and counties base development review and inspection fees on the governmental entity’s cost of performing these services as opposed to the valuation of the plans, project, or components being assessed. The Association’s government relations team and members made multiple trips to Austin to offer testimony on the bill. This was in addition to Dallas BA members and staff making the industry’s voice heard during Rally Day meetings at the State Capitol.
Dallas BA was also active in the effort to find relief for builders and developers as they face a shortage of distribution transformers. In April, the Association brought builder and development members, electric power providers, and NAHB together for a panel discussion and update in an effort to address inventory and delivery concerns. Advocacy on the issue went further in June as Dallas BA staff and members spoke with the delegation of Congressional members in Washington, D.C. during our National Legislative Conference.
The year wrapped up with the Oct. 12 Shootout presented by BGE at Elm Fork, raising valuable funds for the Association’s political action committee, HOMEPAC of Greater Dallas.
Because of the efforts of our Communications Department, run by Barcie Vilches and Holly Pemberton, the Dallas BA remains more visible than ever before. Now in its 64th year, The Dallas Morning News Home of the Week feature continued to promote Dallas BA’s builders, both single- and multifamily, and land developers by featuring their properties each Sunday. The program was expanded to include The News’ print and online publications.
The Association’s websites drew approximately 140,000 visitors in 2023, which was above the projected goal. Social media followers also saw an increase. This number climbed to more than 18,550. The Home Builder was reformatted in January to make it even more accessible to members. The Association’s official newspaper got more than 25,000 views last year.
Members of the Dallas BA continue to be recognized for being the best in their fields. Our members claimed three of the five NAHB Designee of the Year awards presented at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. They were Tag Gilkeson, Builder Designee of the Year; Scott Roberts, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Designee of the Year; and Matt Mitchell, Green Professional Designee of the Year.
In February, Association members Humphreys & Partners Architects and JPI Construction were recognized at the 38th annual Best in American Living Awards hosted by NAHB.
Several members celebrated notable milestone anniversaries as members of the Association. Our oldest member, Oncor Electric Delivery, commemorated an incredible 75 years of continuous membership. Also recognized for three-quarters of a decade of membership was A.A. Porter Lighting Fixture Company Inc. Harold Peek of Peek Properties, past president of both the Dallas BA and the Texas Association of Builders, has been a member for an impressive 60 years. Associated Truss & Lumber also celebrated 60 years as a member. Celebrating their half-century anniversary last year were Fashion Glass & Mirror, Capital Distributing, and Wolverton Co.
The 44th Annual McSAM Awards, presented by StrucSure Home Warranty, drew more than 430 entries and almost 500 attendees to the April 22 gala at The Statler in Dallas. The Association’s ARC Awards recognizing outstanding custom building and remodeling projects was merged last year with the McSAM Awards. Congratulations to winners in 73 categories, including M/I Homes of DFW, Builder of the Year; Hillwood Communities, Developer of the Year, Homes by J. Anthony, Custom Builder of the Year; Traditional Classic Homes, Remodeler of the Year; and The Commons at Spring Creek by Centre Living Homes, Builder Neighborhood of the Year. David Weekley Homes won the prestigious People’s Choice Builder of the Year honors. Pecan Square by Hillwood Communities was named People’s Choice Community of the Year.
Approximately 75 companies that made D Magazine’s annual Best Builders in Dallas list were members of the Dallas BA. Many members were also category winners at TAB’s Star Awards in July. J. Anthony Custom Homes, dba Homes by J. Anthony was a Custom Builder Grand Award winner and Alair Homes was the recipient of the Remodeler Grand Award. Bob Cresswell of Cresswell Custom Homes was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders for personally having been a member of the Association for more than 50 years. Cresswell served as the Dallas BA’s 55th president in 1998. His father, Roy Cresswell, was the Association’s 34th president in 1977.
The Dallas BA was a sponsor of the Construction Industry Education Foundation’s Design Build Competition. Several area high school construction trades programs competed at Collin College. The competition promotes career awareness of the construction industry through hands-on experience in the construction process and a first-hand look at future opportunities.
The Professional Women in Building Council made a $10,000 donation to Collin College’s Excellence Fund, which provides scholarships that allow students to continue their pursuit of a career in the construction industry. Later in the year, the Young Professionals Council donated another $6,000 to the scholarship fund. In September, Collin College honored the Association with a Legacy Patron President’s Circle Award.
The sold-out Spring State of the Industry Summit presented by Hotchkiss Insurance focused on the 2023 outlook from builders and developers from all parts of the construction industry and development services officials from area municipalities. In the fall, we hosted our second State of the Industry Summit featuring NAHB President and CEO Jim Tobin and Phil Crone, vice president of Leading Builders of America. More than 100 members turned out for their discussion of key issues impacting the market in the North Texas region.
Thank you to James Hardie Building Products, who hosted the April 27 Crawfish Boil. Approximately 175 members turned out to enjoy more than 400 pounds of crawfish and all the trimmings. The Hamburger Man provided burgers grilled onsite, courtesy of Atmos Energy.
Five custom builders showcased six homes in the May 6 scattered site Parade of Homes™ in Dallas: Alexander Hunt Distinct Homes, Classic Urban Homes, Hoffmann Homes, Keen Homes and Richard Miller Custom Homes. The event benefited Operation Finally Home, whichn provides custom mortgage-free homes to combat wounded U.S. military veterans.
The ninth Operation Finally Home project was launched last summer and was the third house being constructed on lots donated by the City of Irving. Garvey Homes stepped up as captain to build a custom, mortgage-free home with ADA features for a wounded veteran. U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Samasoni Lelea and his family were surprised during a special groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 30 with the news that they will receive a new mortgage-free home. Lelea is a two-time Purple Heart recipient who served his country for 20-plus years including three active duty deployments to Iraq. The project is currently underway, and donations are still needed in labor, materials, and monetarily.
StrucSure Home Warranty presented the Installation of Leadership, held on Sept. 30 at the Westin Galleria. Adam Lingenfelter of Lingenfelter Luxury Homes took the helm as president. Other officers installed were Kelly Hoodwin of Altura Homes, first vice president; Matt Walls of Winston Custom Homes, vice president/secretary; Tiffany Acree of StrucSure Home Warranty, associate vice president; and James Falgout of James L. Falgout, PC, treasurer.
Joe Chamberlain was posthumously awarded the Hugh Prather Trophy, the highest honor bestowed by the Association. It has been presented annually for the past 73 years to a builder, remodeler, or developer member who has done the most for the betterment of the community and the industry as a whole. Tiffany Acree accepted the Clyde J. Anderson Associate of the Year award for 2023. Past President Donnie Evans again earned the Shorty Howard Award as the year’s top recruiter, his sixth time being honored. Tim Lansford of Luxury Homes of Texas was recognized as the newest Honored Life Director.
Andersen Windows & Doors also presented the Dallas BA Golf Open at Brookhaven Country Club. Nearly 288 golfers enjoyed perfect weather, an awards dinner, and lots of prizes.
Thanks to the efforts of Director of Membership Coleman Yates, the Association reached an overall membership in September of 1,180. This is the highest number of overall members the Dallas BA has had in over 5 years. Dallas BA Spikes continue to recruit at a high level, and overall they recruited 138 new members to the Association.
After Hours events averaged 133 attendees. Thank you to StrucSure Home Warranty, Corradi USA, Nebraska Furniture Mart, The Jarrell Company, Elite Home Selections, Heritage Hardwood Floors, Dal-Tile, Texas Door & Trim and HomePro for hosting After Hours in 2023!
Divisions and Councils continued to have helpful and insightful programming and speakers at their events. Dallas Division had realtor/lender panels, land development experts and vendor panels to shine a light on different facets of the residential construction industry.
Metro East focused on economic development, interior design trends, residential market updates, and government affairs in their respective cities. On May 21, Metro East wrapped up the most successful Cars For CASA in its 18-year history. The vintage car, truck, and bike show boasted approximately 400 entries and an attendance of over 3,000. The division presented a check for $100,938 to Lone Star CASA, a non-profit organization that provides trained volunteer advocates to children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. To date, Metro East has donated almost $822,000 to the group.
The Dallas BA education program served just under 500 industry professionals, once again showing why it is one of the most successful in the nation. Three diverse series were offered: the ever-popular Building a Better House series, the hands-on series, @Project Site, and the newly adapted Managing a Better Business series. The business series will continue into 2024 with two final sessions. This deep-dive business coaching approach continues to gain popularity thanks to Donny Mack’s knowledge and passion for fellow members. All the series are made successful through the leadership of the education committee and the determination of each Series Leader.
The 156 hours of coursework taught in 2023 included new instructors and committee volunteers. Fifty of these hours were held during the sold-out DBA LEADERS Program. This year was the largest graduating class. The program has an eye toward the future and will incorporate further course components tailored to members’ needs.
The Education Committee and staff Operations Officer and Education Director Sheena Beaver successfully pioneered a hybrid course option with the National Association of Home Builders. This model was then offered to other associations throughout the nation, helping to promote quality-building practices to all industry professionals from coast to coast.
The Professional Women in Building Council held five extremely successful events that featured well-known leaders throughout the nation. They have achieved a lot in their first few years and have a lot of momentum going into 2024. They are focused on building their membership and increasing their involvement in the community.
This year the Association was saddened by the loss of far too many friends of the housing industry. We said farewell to two past presidents: our 37th President, Brad Camp, and our 70th President, Joe Chamberlain. We also lost two of the Association’s highest-ranking Spikes: Honored Life Director Geanie Vaughan of Lee Lighting; and Barbara Bynum of John P. Bynum Construction, another dedicated membership recruiter, a high ranking Spike, and the wife of the Association’s 45th president John Bynum. Other deaths were Scott Park of Park Place Homes, who had served as president of the Metro East Division and been a member for almost five decades; Mary Frances Burleson of Ebby Halliday Realtors, an industry icon and member for over 40 years; Collin County builder members Tom Riordan of Plano and Blake Christie of Lavon; and finally, to Pierce Allman, co-founder of Allie Beth Allman and Associates.
Thank you to all who continue to be champions for the Dallas BA. Last year 182 companies partnered our events, meetings and classes. The efforts from our membership and staff continue to be nothing short of extraordinary. A huge thank you is owed to them as well as our 2023 Industry Investors Hotchkiss Insurance Agency, StrucSure Home Warranty, BGE, Fox Energy Specialists, DuPont, FACETS, Atmos Energy and Perma Pier.