Page 14 - Builder Brief August 2025

C O N T I N U I N G E D U C A T I O N
BUILDING KNOWLEDGE, SHAPING FUTURES
Education is the Cornerstone of Our Industry
By Torrance Abrams, GSABA Director of Education
In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of
homebuilding, education is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
As your Director of Education, I’ve embraced a mission that
goes beyond the classroom. My goal is to bring impactful
training opportunities to GSABA members that do more
than check a box; they strengthen teams, sharpen skills,
and, most importantly, drive your business forward.
Since stepping into this role in June 2024, I’ve
worked to lay the foundation for a vibrant, responsive,
and engaging educational program rooted in real-world
challenges, practical expertise, and the diverse needs
of our membership. But the success of this program,
and its future, relies not just on what we offer but, on
the engagement, and vision of every member in our
association.
Let’s take a moment to reflect, look ahead, and imagine
what we can build together.
A Strong Start with Purposeful Programming
We’ve introduced a series of high-impact sessions that
tackle the most pressing topics in our field. These sessions
were not designed to be theoretical; they were designed
to make a difference on the jobsite.
We’ve explored Building Science with industry leader
Dave Yelovich, unpacked the Three Culprits of Foundation
Failure, and taken a hard look at Cyber Threats and Loss
Prevention. We’ve helped members navigate Changes to
the IRC Code and delivered essential Construction Risk
Management training. Each session was built around a
core belief: that investing in knowledge pays the best
interest.
These trainings don’t just educate, they empower. They
are tools for reducing costly errors, staying compliant,
and boosting confidence across your teams. And they
are only the beginning.
Upcoming Trainings: Practical, Relevant, and
Forward-Looking
We’re closing out Q3 2025 with momentum and
purpose. On August 18th, GSABA is partnering with the
City of San Antonio’s DSD Combination Inspection Team
to offer free, in-depth framing training. Delivered in both
English and Spanish, this training is designed to elevate
field performance and reduce re-inspection delays and
costs.
Then, on August 26th, Tree Mann Solutions will
present a unique Lunch & Learn session focused on tree
preservation during residential development. Topics
include budgeting, ordinance compliance, and sustainable
design; key concerns as we navigate increasingly regulated
land development.
On September 12th, attorney Don Shelton will return
with a comprehensive review of the 2025–2027 Texas
Residential Construction Contracts, ensuring members
are ready when the new documents go into effect on
September 1st, 2025. Understanding legislative and
regulatory shifts isn’t optional, it’s protection for your
business.
Also in development: a tree permitting series in
collaboration with the City of San Antonio's arborist,
offering foundational training in "Trees 101". We want
to demystify these processes and make compliance a
competitive advantage, not a bottleneck.
Finally, we’re working on bringing world-renowned
building science expert Gord Cooke to present a two-
day seminar on October 9th & 10th. Day 1 will focus on
moisture management and mold prevention; issues that
are expensive to fix but preventable through best practices.
Day 2 will walk attendees through major updates to the 2021
and 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
and what they mean for residential housing in Texas. To
make this high-impact seminar accessible and successful,
we are currently seeking multiple sponsors. Sponsorship
support will help offset the cost of this two-day event and
14 AUGUST 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
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