Page 6 - Builder Brief December 2020 Issue

JEFF CZAR President
What a Year it Has Been!
It seems like yesterday that I was sworn in as the 2020 President of the Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA). Last year at this time, no one could have fathomed what months of chaos and uncertainty this pandemic would bring.
We are blessed that the home building and remodeling business has been strong andevenbetterthanwecouldhaveexpected.Weareinlinetocontinuethistrend into the new year.
One of the things that I am most proud of is that our association fought to keep housing and homebuilding essential. With the help of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and GSABA’s leadership and membership, we were able to get accurate information to our members within hours of Homeland Security and the Governor’s office issuing stay at home directives and executive orders.
Our members were grateful for the information that was provided on COVID with posters in English and Spanish, office and work site notices and management plans. Having representation locally, in Austin and in Washington was invaluable.
One of my main focuses this year has been housing affordability. Housing has never been more critical as people have lost their businesses and jobs, employees have had their hours reduced and many have faced health crises. We must all work together to protect homeownership and fight needless regulations.
One of GSABA’s bright spots has been our NAHB/TAB/GSABA Student Chapters at St. Philip’s College and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). St. Philip’s College received the Student
Chapter of the Year award from NAHB at the International Builders
Show (IBS) in Las Vegas in January. Together, we must continue to
share the value of a career in the construction industry.
As a large percentage of the skilled trades workers approach retirement, the need to replace them is more critical than ever. Vocational and trades schools are attracting more attention and our two Student Chapters are going strong. If you would like to get involved with one of our Student Chapters, please call Haley King, our Membership and Education Director at GSABA.
“
One of the things I am most proud of is that our association fought to keep housing and homebuilding essential.
”
The leadership team would like to encourage you to consider your involvement as a member of GSABA. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and we have several standing committees and councils. Whether it is government affairs, membership, sales and marketing, young professionals, education, or the Scholarship Home, we need your service.
We also met our fundraising goals for the first time in many
years for our local San Antonio Builders Political Action Committee
(SABPAC), the Texas Association of Builders HOMEPAC and the
National Association of Home Builders BUILD PAC thanks to the
commitment of Board of Directors and numerous members. These
funds were used to support pro-housing candidates. We had a great
turn out for the 3 PAC event in October and had numerous elected officials and candidates attend.
6 DECEMBER 2020 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
FROM THE PRESIDENT