40
Texas Association of Builders
November/December 2015
Lonestar Newsmakers
The Board of Trustees of the Texas Builders
Foundation is pleased to announce that the
“Toy Wood Legacy Fund” was established
in August 2015 by her peers, the Texas
Executive Officers Council (TEOC), to
honor her many contributions to the
home building industry and to thank her
for her years of service and friendship.
The fund will provide scholarships, assist
in building related charitable activities,
and to further the home building industry
in the State of Texas.
Kathryn Ann “Toy” Wood has served the
Greater Houston Builders Association
(GHBA) as CEO since 2004, and was Vice
President and Director of Government
Affairs from 1997 – 2004. Her retirement
from the GHBA in January 2016 will be
felt around the country; Toy has mentored
hundreds of members and staff of home
builders associations. Her expertise in
association management, commitment to
ensuring a responsible regulatory climate for
home building and land development, and
her dedication to housing the less fortunate
through building related charities have made
a lasting impact on both the building industry
and her community. For more information
about Toy’s service to the building industry
or to make a donation in her honor, visit
TexasBuildersFoundation.org/contribute.
Texas Executive
Officers Council
Establishes the Toy
Wood Legacy Fund
The Dallas Builders Association recently
held groundbreaking ceremonies for its
latest Operation Finally Home project.
Combat-wounded veteran Sgt. Jerry
Holcomb and his family will soon receive
a custom mortgage-free home built by
Dallas BA Past President Mike Mishler.
Sgt. Holcomb suffers from major health
issues including a traumatic brain
injury; post traumatic stress disorder;
and neck, shoulder and back pain
after three deployments in Korea, Iraq
and Afghanistan.
In an emotional ceremony in front of a
capacity crowd at an FC Dallas soccer game
on July 4, Sgt. Holcomb was informed via
video message from Dallas BA Executive
Officer Phil Crone and Mike Mishler that
he will be receiving the
home in Rockwall through
Operation Finally Home
with help from Dallas BA
member donations and
community support.
“This particular endeavor
is a long term one for us,”
said Dallas BA Executive
Officer Phil Crone. “This
is something that we’re so
honored to be a part of.
Along with what we do for
our veterans, just how it has galvanized our
membership and having the opportunity
to provide the American dream for folks
who have sacrificed so much to protect the
American dream, that’s one of the highest
callings I can think of in this industry.”
The video, which can be seen on
DallasBuilders.com, quickly went viral
and has been seen by almost 1 million
viewers through both local and national
news outlets.
Mike Mishler of Mishler Builders (left)
will build the Holcombs' new home.
A special banner was presented to
the family during groundbreaking
ceremonies. At right is Dallas BA
Associate Vice President Cole Baker.
Dallas Builders Association Begins
Third Operation Finally Home Project
Sgt. Jerry Holcomb with wife Terra and their three children, along with Dallas
BA Executive Officer Phil Crone, during groundbreaking ceremonies.
