TexasBuilders.org
15
Feature
Early this year, Texas Builders Foundation Trustee Dan Markson,
a member of the Greater San Antonio Builders Association
(GSABA), had the opportunity to tour the Quintana Road Campus
of St. Philip’s College in San Antonio that houses the college’s
construction technology department that includes both classroom
instruction and hands-on building labs. Subsequently, with the
support of the leadership and staff of GSABA, a Student Chapter
has been established at the college. To celebrate the new Student
Chapter, a day-long event was held in August. High school students
from the Northside ISD’s Construction Careers Academy were
invited to lunch with the college’s construction students and guest
speakers including State Senator José Menéndez, and a strategic
planning session for the new Student Chapter took place in the
afternoon. The 14 member Chapter had grown to 36 participants
by the end of the day.
Dr. Adena Williams Loston, President of St. Philip’s College, spoke
to the Student Chapter and said best what the members of the Texas
Association of Builders must convey to ensure our future workforce:
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
The Texas Builders Foundation has been fortunate this year to
receive several endowments that will provide scholarships to Texas
students who are working toward earning construction industry
trade certifications or degrees and who are planning to join the
building workforce for generations to come.
On July 29 during the opening session of the Sunbelt Builders Show™
in Grapevine, Texas, Steve DeVoe, Chairman, CEO and President of
Kelly-Moore Paint Company, Inc. announced the establishment of a
$125,000 scholarship endowment to the Texas Builders Foundation.
DeVoe said, “We are committed…to help ensure the future of the
professional construction workforce.” The Kelly-Moore Paints
Endowment will not only bring attention to the building industry
as a professional career choice but will make a significant difference
in providing opportunity for students who choose to work toward a
trade certification or degree.
Texas Builders Foundation Trustees and members of the HBA of
San Angelo, Mike Biggerstaff and Chad Decker, were instrumental
in securing the Kelly-Moore Paints Endowment. Additionally, the
$25,000 Michael Biggerstaff Homes, Inc. Endowment, the HBA of
San Angelo $25,000 Associate Group Endowment, and the $25,000
Water ReNu LLC Endowment were established this year through
the efforts of Biggerstaff and Decker. “After 31 years, I still have a
burning passion for what we do. My grandfather and my father loved
the industry as well and naturally passed it on,” said Biggerstaff. “I
want to see my son and others like him experience the gratifications
that come in our industry, and I care enough that I’ll be there to
make sure it happens for the next generation.”
If you would like to become involved in the efforts
of the Texas Association of Builders and the Texas
Builders Foundation to help create local workforce
training programs, offer internships, participate in
job fairs, or assist in any way to foster partnerships
between our industry and your community, please
contact the Texas Association of Builders. If you
would like to make a donation to help provide
scholarships to our future workforce and to
support building related charitable activities, visit
TexasBuildersFoundation.org.
Dr. Adena Loston, President, St. Philips College,
addresses the new student chapter.
“Anyone can be fired from a
job, but no one can take away a
skill or a trade that you have.”
