30
Texas Association of Builders
January/February 2015
In Remembrance
Texas Association of Builders Housing Hall of Honor inductee, Ron
Formby, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2014 at his home with
his beloved wife, Pat, by his side.
Ron was born in Magnolia, Ark., to Marcella and N.E. "Foots" Formby.
Ron and his family moved to Texas in 1945. He graduated from
Gladewater High School and attended Kilgore Junior College and
North Texas State and later SMU. Ron entered the building industry
in the early 1970s and found his passion and became one of the most
respected home builders in Dallas-Fort Worth history. He was a leader
in the housing industry locally, statewide and nationally. Ron enjoyed
the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter.
Ron’s presence will remain a constant as his contributions to the housing
industry will continue to benefit all for years to come. As a member of
the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA), Ron was a very
special part of our association family and touched many lives along the
way as he served as both President at the GFWBA and TAB. Ron received
many awards and recognitions over his more than four decades of
service to the home building industry, including two-time recipient of
Builder of the Year, Fort Worth Housing Hall of Honor induction, and
the prestigious Herman J. Smith Legend Award. He also held certificates
in GMB, CGB, CAPS, CGP, and was the founder of Antares Homes.
However, some of his greatest accomplishments are those which awards
and recognitions cannot define. Ron will be remembered by many as
compassionate, empathetic, sincere, trustworthy, and willing to help
others in their time of need. Many in our association will remember
Ron for his perseverance to ensure the association maintained relevance
as a force for home builders and industry professionals.
Housing Hall of Honor Inductee,
Ron Formby
Surrounded by family, Emilio Silvestri passed away peacefully in his
home on October 10, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. Emilio
touched so many lives and committed his time to his family and friends.
His lifetime work as a home builder and active association member
are an inspiration. No one has worked harder at recruiting members
for our association. Emilio was a passionate supporter of the Greater
Houston Builders Association.
Emilio was the first recipient of the NAHB Spike Gold Ring, and he held
the title of All Time Big Spike for 10 years, recruiting more than 3,000
members over his career. Emilio served on the GHBA Membership
Committee for over 18 years. He was a member of the local PAC and
served as a local BUILDPAC trustee for Texas for 10 years and was one
of the leading Spike and top recruiters for GHBA for 25 years. He was a
member of the GHBA board for 18 years, never missing a meeting until
he became ill and retired. At the Texas Association of Builders (TAB),
Emilio was a HOMEPAC Gold Key for four years and served on the
Membership Committee for 18. He also was Area Vice President three
times. At the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Emilio
volunteered his time on the Membership Committee for 25 years, he
was a BUILDPAC trustee for over 10 years and a Gold Key for 15 years.
Emilio won numerous awards and is recognized by the City of Houston
as an outstanding builder. He was GHBA Custom Builder of the Year
in 2003. He was GHBA Spike of the Year in 1988, 1989, Grand Spike
in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. GHBA re-named its
annual membership award the “Emilio Silvestri Spike of the Year” in
his honor.
Texas Housing Great,
Emilio Silvestri
