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Feature
PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR
Betenbough Homes
—
Ron Betenbough
• Lubbock, Texas
Betenbough Homes'
philanthropy efforts extend beyond Texas to Africa, Israel, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil. This
regional mid-sized volume builder has given more than $30 million dollars to local and international charities since its founding
in 1992. Their participation of giving includes: an employee match system, a community giving program for local charities,
and a large grant process for reputable organizations tackling serious issues domestically or overseas. Over 40 percent of
Betenbough Homes employees are serving in leadership roles for non-profit organizations in their communities. In addition,
Betenbough Homes donates dollar for dollar what the employee gives with no maximum cap, and almost $500,000 has been
donated through this builder’s employee match program. Betenbough Homes has granted funds to more than 100 charitable
organizations in Midland, Odessa and Lubbock. In 2014 alone, they distributed more than $850,000 to larger mission work
projects, including a $263,100 gift to long-time partner Christian Ministries in Africa. Seven mission trips have been funded by
Betenbough Homes.
DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
Granger MacDonald —
GG MacDonald, Inc. • Kerrville, Texas
Granger MacDonald
has actively developed and constructed subdivisions that include single family, multifamily
and commercial buildings for over 40 years. His “hands on” experience ranges from framing houses in his youth to
navigating complex financing and banking regulations. Granger has worked with governmental agencies, boards
and non-profits. Using this experience and his depth of banking industry knowledge, he provides affordable
housing to thousands of Texans in small to medium sized cities in our state. Granger has served on important
and influential committees at all levels of our association federation. He delivers key testimony to both the Texas
Legislature and U.S. Congressional committees and delegations that provides real world views to our law makers.
Granger provided pivotal leadership to the local, state and national home builder associations during the building
recessions of the 1980’s and the late 2000’s, and his direction allowed our associations to survive and emerge
stronger. In February 2014, he was elected to serve as the NAHB 2014 third vice chairman and 2017 NAHB chairman.
ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
Weyerhaeuser —
Baldemar Hernandez and Steve Hausner
Weyerhaeuser
took an idea for fundraising and increasing member involvement and not only made it a
reality, but created the association's most talked about event in recent memory. Holding a statewide washers
tournament was mentioned at a TAB board meeting, and within six weeks tournaments were being held at local
associations, with the local winners becoming eligible for the statewide championship that was held during
the Sunbelt Builders Show™. Weyerhaeuser organized and traveled to over 20 local Washers Tournaments that
collectively included over 500 players. They provided all the materials for the tournaments from the boards to
washers to the trophies, plus the manpower to officiate and run those events. Their hard work culminated at the
Statewide Championship in July, where 15 teams were in the playoffs, and an additional 20 teams bought in to
play just for fun!
LOCAL ASSOCIATION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE YEAR
Greater Houston Builders Association
— Toy Wood
• Houston, Texas
The
Greater Houston Builders Association
has strived to provide the best services to its members as well as phenomenal
charitable work. In 2014, they built homes for veterans, housed the poor, and constructed shelters for abused women and
children. They also served as a housing developer and liaison between homeless care providers, the community at large,
volunteers, residential builders, remodelers and developers, and suppliers to increase additional capacity at homeless shelters
around their city. This effort has provided over 400 beds and shelter for over 5,000 homeless men, women and children. For the
benefit of their membership, they worked closely and diligently with the state association to integrate the TAB contracts into
its programs. This effectively allows association members across the state to utilize a unified contract in all corners of the state,
thereby providing protection to TAB builder members during the home building process.
REMODELER OF THE YEAR
Carol Longacre —
Longacre Construction • Lewisville, Texas
Carol Longacre
has given hundreds of hours and travels thousands of miles each year to serve our local, state and national
associations. She is passionate about our industry and association, and that enthusiasm as chairman has benefitted the 2014
Texas Association of Builders Membership Committee. This committee is vital to the association and she is always thinking
outside of the box. As she puts it, “throwing ideas up against the wall until something sticks.” Carol always follows through, and
has been a leader in communicating with TAB staff, her committee members and the local executive officers during her tenure
as chairman. Carol is committed to the improvement of our industry, community and association family.
Justin MacDonald pictured in middle
