The Texas Association of Builders swore in its 2017 Senior Officers and handed out its 2016 “Of the Year” awards at the Excellence in Leadership Celebration Dinner on November 18. The “Of the Year” awards are given annually to recognize exemplary service and leadership contributions to the home building industry by its members.

The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards were presented earlier in the day during TAB's Board of Directors meeting at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. These individuals were recognized for their dedication to the industry and association.

2017 TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUILDERS SENIOR OFFICES:
President: Rick McGuire, McGuire Builders, Inc. — Lubbock, Texas
First Vice President: Justin MacDonald, MacDonald Companies — Kerrville, Texas
Vice President/Secretary: Robert Wood, Custom Homes by Robert Wood — Lubbock, Texas
Treasurer: Sue Ann Pinger, Pinger and Company, LLC — Austin, Texas
Immediate Past President: Tim Jackson, Tim Jackson Custom Homes, Inc. — Fairview, Texas

2016 OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS:
J.B. Sandlin Builder of the Year: Mike Dishberger, Sandcastle Homes, Inc. – Houston, Texas
Remodeler of the Year: Richard Laughlin, Laughlin Homes and Restoration Inc. –  Fredericksburg, Texas
Developer of the Year: David Miller, McDougal Construction – Lubbock, Texas
Associate of the Year: Fox Energy Specialists – Fort Worth, Texas
Philanthropist of the Year: Patsy Smith, Herman Smith and Company – Bedford, Texas
Ted Schlossman Lifetime Achievement Award: The late Julian Soliz, J&J Builders – Victoria, Texas
Local Association Accomplishment of the Year: West Texas Home Builders Association

2016 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Michael Biggerstaff, Biggerstaff Homes, Inc. – San Angelo, Texas
Adrian Balderas, A B Builders – San Angelo, Texas
Meagan McCoy Jones, McCoys Building Supply – San Marcos, Texas
Harry Bizios, Art Anderson and Alan Hoffman, Winstead, PC – Dallas, Texas
Dallas Builders Association – Plano, Texas
Greater San Antonio Builders Association – San Antonio, Texas
Heart of Texas Builders Association – Waco, Texas
Hill Country Builders Association – Marble Falls, Texas
TrusJoist by Weyerhaueser – Statewide

2017 TAB SENIOR OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT
Rick McGuire, McGuire Builders, Inc. – Lubbock, Texas
Rick has been building homes in Lubbock since 1982. A family business, McGuire Builders, Inc., specializes in building custom homes in all price ranges, apartment construction, light commercial work and property management. Rick previously sat on the state board responsible for maintaining the performance standards that addressed warranty issues required by the Texas Residential Construction Commission. In that capacity Rick stayed abreast of industry standards that affect all facets of home construction and continues to do so through his involvement in the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He was named TAB’s "Builder of the Year" in 2009 and earned Life Director in 2008. Rick is entering his 10th year on TAB’s Executive Committee and seventh on the Government Relations Committee. He also serves on the NAHB Board of Directors. Prior to his building career, Rick worked as a Certified Public Accountant and audit manager for a large, international accounting firm. His clients included Fortune 500 manufacturing companies and bank holding companies.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Justin MacDonald, MacDonald Companies – Kerrville, Texas
Justin MacDonald was born into the home building industry. His grandmother, Jean MacDonald, was inducted into the Texas Housing Hall of Honor in 2010, and his father, Granger, is one of the most well respected pro-housing voices and builders in the nation. MacDonald Companies is family-owned and specializes in developing, building, and managing multifamily neighborhoods across Texas. Justin, President and Chief Operating Officer, is a third generation builder. He’s a NAHB director, committee chairman and state representative and has served as President of the Hill Country Builders Association twice. At the Texas Association of Builders (TAB), he has served on the Executive Committee and Finance Committees since 2009. Justin led the Government Relations Committee through one of TAB’s most successful legislative sessions in 2015. Justin has three degrees. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Visual Communications from Angelo State University (2003), followed by a MBA in Finance from the University of Texas-San Antonio (2006) and a managerial leadership certificate from UT’s Red McCombs School of Business (2015).

VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
Robert Wood, Custom Homes by Robert Wood – Lubbock, Texas
In 2002, Robert began fulfilling a life-long dream of being a home builder as he opened the doors to Custom Homes by Robert Wood. Prior to starting his own business, he worked as a supplier to home builders for more than 20 years. This partnership between supplier and builder allowed him to see the importance of being engaged at the local and state levels of the home building industry. Robert served as the 2011 President of the West Texas Home Builders Association and became active in the Texas Association of Builders. For the past six years, he has served on TAB’s Executive Committee and is a State Director. Since 2010, he’s been a member of TAB’s Government Relations Committee, HOMEPAC Trustees and Membership Committee. Robert also served as the 2016 Sunbelt Committee Co-Chair. All of Robert’s professional engagements rank second to his commitment to his community. His hands-on approach has allowed him to work directly with the Lubbock Make a Wish Foundation, March of Dimes, Highpoint Village and Lubbock Homes for Heroes. The Albuquerque, N.M., native considers Lubbock his hometown and is proud that he raised his family there and gets to watch his grandchildren grow up there as well.

TREASURER
Sue Ann Pinger, Pinger and Company LLC – Austin, Texas
From 2005-15 Sue served as CFO of Tilson Home Corporation, a Texas family-owned and run custom home builder that was founded in 1932 and specializes in building homes on the land owned by their customers, many of which are in the unincorporated areas of Texas. Sue has served on the Audit and Finance Committees for the Texas Association of Builders (TAB). She was also involved with TAB members and staff in the favorable revision of the language of the cost of goods sold section of the Texas Margins Tax for the home building industry. She has served on TAB’s Executive Committee for the past four years, as a State Director for the past two years and is a Trustee of the Texas Builders Foundation. Raised in Minnesota, Sue graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. After moving to Houston, she attended the University of Houston and completed her Masters of Science in Accountancy and became a CPA. Sue started her accounting career with Arthur Andersen, worked at Deloitte & Touche and with a family owned real estate emerging business before joining Tilson Homes.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Tim Jackson, Tim Jackson Custom Homes, Inc. – Fairview, Texas
Tim was born in Amarillo and is a life-long Texan. After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Finance degree, Tim began his career in home building. In 1996, Tim formed Tim Jackson Custom Homes. He began his involvement with the Dallas Builders Association (DBA) in 1998, served as president in 2009 and has chaired many committees and events including two Habitat for Humanity projects, and was named Custom Builder of the Year by the DBA in 2006 and 2010. He also received the prest­­­igious Hugh Prather Award from the DBA in 2014, an award given to a builder who has done the most for the betterment of his community and work to help his fellow man. Tim most recently served as President of the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) in 2016. He is also active on TAB’s Executive Committee, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Board of Directors and TAB’s Volume Builders Council. Tim Jackson Custom Homes is proud to have constructed a mortgage-free home for one of our Nation's wounded veterans through Operation FINALLY HOME.

2016 OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS:
J.B. SANDLIN BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Mike Dishberger, Sandcastle Homes, Inc. – Houston, Texas
Mike Dishberger was named the 2016 Texas Association of Builders J.B. Sandlin Builder of the Year. He has recruited over 200 new members to the association and has served in leadership positions for the past decade. His board meeting attendance at the Texas Association of Builders, National Association of Home Builders and at the Greater Houston Builders Association has been stellar. His passion is in the advocacy arena, where he serves on the Government Affairs Committee at all three levels. He is an active participant in Rally Day and NAHB’s Legislative Conference.  Mike’s leadership roles have included serving as President of the GHBA; GHBA's Builders Council Chairman; TAB Area 3 Vice President; and HomeAid Houston Board of Trustees. Outside his service to the home building industry, he supports veterans’ causes, the University of Houston, the Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Symphony and the Houston Zoo. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Houston, a Master Builder Designation, and a Texas Real Estate License.­­­
REMODELER OF THE YEAR
Richard Laughlin, Laughlin Homes & Restoration, Inc. –  Fredericksburg, Texas
The Texas Association of Builders named Richard Laughlin as its 2016 Remodeler of the Year. Richard’s remodeling projects have been nationally recognized with six awards from Qualified Remodeler Magazine and Professional Remodeler Magazine. He won eight 2016 Texas Association of Builders Star Awards and was a Grand Award winner as he was voted Star Awards Remodeler of the Year. Richard is a leader in his community too. He is passionate about bringing construction trades programs back to public schools. This life-long passion grew out of his own experience where as a sophomore in high school he was building homes as part of the school curriculum and won state skills competitions. This year as chairman of the Hill Country Builders Association Wine Country Division’s Trades School Program, he led an initiative to restore pride and craftsmanship into a floundering high school program.  Through this project, local high school students develop their skills by building a “tiny house” and upon completion will auction it off to fund the trades program’s future activities. He is a Certified Graduate Remodeler, Graduate Master Builder and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist.

TED SCHLOSSMAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The late Julian Soliz, J&J Builders – Victoria, Texas
The Ted Schlossman Lifetime Achievement Award went to the late Julian Soliz, a man that served the National Association of Home Builders, the Texas Association of Builders and the Builders Association of Victoria for over 15 years. Julian was a TAB Life Director, Spike Club Member and NAHB Director. He chaired many committees on the local level and, for six years, he was the top recruiter for the BA of Victoria.  He served as his local association’s president twice and was in line to serve as president an unprecedented third time in 2017. Julian served on TAB’s Government Relations Committee, he never missed a Rally Day, and was a Gold Key HOMEPAC donor. He was a fearless fundraiser for the BA of Victoria’s local scholarship program. Because of this financial assistance, many students were allowed to pursue higher education for the first time.  His untimely passing in August was a loss for the entire federation but his generation of work earned him the lifetime award and his legacy will continue.

PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR
Patsy Smith, Herman Smith & Company – Bedford, Texas
Patsy Smith was named the 2016 Texas Association of Builders Philanthropist of the Year. She’s legendary for her devotion to the housing industry, community and philanthropic activities. Patsy has donated money and volunteered countless hours supporting education and job training for students who are working toward joining the industry as construction trades professionals. Her charitable efforts have made a lasting legacy in her hometown, across the state and on the national level. Patsy served as past chair of the Home Builders Institute, a division of the National Association of Home Builders that provides education, career development, training and job placement. With her late husband, they established the Patsy and Herman Smith Fund for Excellence in the Trades (now the Herman J. Smith Scholarship) through the National Housing Endowment, NAHB’s philanthropic branch. Patsy also established the Herman and Patsy Smith Charitable Foundation Endowment through the Texas Builders Foundation, the charitable arm of TAB. The endowment will continue their lifelong commitment to the housing industry and the education of future generations of home builders.   The West Texas Home Builders Association was awarded the 2016 Texas Association of Builders Local Association Accomplishment of the Year. WTHBA has tripled its membership, expanded its services, established a charity and grew its staff over the past 20 years, resulting in a need for a new facility. A generous member donated the land, but fundraising would be necessary to cover the facility and its amenities. That’s when a capital drive campaign was organized by key builders and a local advertising agency. In that campaign a website was developed, material printed and testimonial videos recorded.  “The All In Campaign” was born. The association’s goal was to raise $175,000 donations and $100,000 in cash. As a result of “The All In Campaign” the HBA has raised $573,000 in cash and over $200,000 in donations. This is over three times its goal and has allowed the association to complete their building with move in scheduled for December. Not only will this new facility host association functions, it will also house the charitable arm of the association, Lubbock Homes for Heroes. This local association accomplishment was a direct result of bold leadership and committed membership.

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
David Miller, McDougal Construction – Lubbock, Texas  
David Miller has been named 2016 Texas Association of Builders Developer of the Year. His contributions to the association continue to be innumerable and his passion for service never wavers. He has traveled the state of Texas representing the residential construction interests at local home builders’ associations, school district meetings, state legislative hearings and business forums. Since House Bill 5 passed in 2013, David has been a staunch advocate of its necessity and importance in our schools and to our school children. He has proudly served as a local school board trustee for over a decade. Currently, he is volunteering his time as TAB’s Association Planning Committee Chairman where he works with the volunteer leadership and staff to develop a future road map for the association and the members. He is also a Texas Builders Foundation Trustee and committee chair. David is a TAB Life Director and NAHB Director as well as a major TAB HOMEPAC donor.

ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
Fox Energy Specialists (James Rodriquez, Donnie Lyons, Jerry Fenchel and Aaron Gonzales) – Fort Worth, Texas  
After traveling the state of Texas to educate home builders on the new energy codes, Fox Energy Specialists has earned the 2016 Texas Association of Builders Associate of the Year Award. They donated hundreds of hours to TAB and the local home builders associations this past year. The new mandated 2015 Energy Code took effect on all single family construction on September 1, 2016, and that’s when Fox Energy Specialists hit the road educating builders, remodelers and local building officials. This team conducted 32 Energy Code training classes, including one at the Sunbelt Builders Show™. In addition to traveling the state to teach the classes, they developed the curriculum and the handbook that was provided to every class attendee. From builders and remodelers to city officials, the classes consistently received an excellent rating.

LOCAL ASSOCIATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE YEAR
West Texas Home Builders Association
The West Texas Home Builders Association was awarded the 2016 Texas Association of Builders Local Association Accomplishment of the Year. WTHBA has tripled its membership, expanded its services, established a charity and grew its staff over the past 20 years, resulting in a need for a new facility. A generous member donated the land, but fundraising would be necessary to cover the facility and its amenities. That’s when a capital drive campaign was organized by key builders and a local advertising agency. In that campaign a website was developed, material printed and testimonial videos recorded.  “The All In Campaign” was born. The association’s goal was to raise $175,000 donations and $100,000 in cash. As a result of “The All In Campaign” the HBA has raised $573,000 in cash and over $200,000 in donations. This is over three times its goal and has allowed the association to complete their building with move in scheduled for December. Not only will this new facility host association functions, it will also house the charitable arm of the association, Lubbock Homes for Heroes. This local association accomplishment was a direct result of bold leadership and committed membership.