Editor's note: This column is reprinted from the February edition of Oklahoma Builder magazine
By Steve Sullivan
Chair State Associates Council
Since this is my first article as your new Chair for the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association Associates Council, I would like to thank all of you for allowing me this opportunity.
I feel very blessed to be a part of an association with so many good people that is organized to promote its members and is dedicated to providing safe, quality and affordable housing for the citizens of Oklahoma.
Steve Sullivan
It's truly a privilege to be involved with such quality leadership and I am looking forward to working with the Executive team and doing my part on behalf of the Associate members.
As your chair, one of my goals is to get to know associates from throughout the state home builders associations. So, I will start of by sharing a little information about myself.
I have been with OG&E for more than 35 years, and have held various positions within the company. Since 1996, I have been a key building-science resource, working primarily on residential energy efficiency projects.
I have managed OG&E's Positive Energy (trademark) program, having certified homes 50 percent more efficiently than the standard constructed home. During this period, I have been an active member and advocate of the state's home builders.
During my tenure, I plan to attend at least one meeting in each association and will make myself available to all areas. During my visits I hope to be able to have honest discussions that will allow me to gather ideas, as well as concerns that you might have, so that we can work on them together in order to make our association more beneficial to each of us.
You can rest assured I will bring your concerns and ideas to the associates' council as well as the OSHBA executive committee.
Focus for 2015
The Oklahoma Building Summit will become a two-day event at the Cox Convention Center. The planning committee has been very active and has already met with the planner and discussed possibilities for the Summit.
We are currently looking at having an area dedicated for booths on the "Trade Floor" that will be completely separate from the rooms for the Educational Events.
We are also planning an evening function for additional networking and entertainment, as well as specific events for the spouses and families at and during the summit. We are far from having all the details worked out but more information will be forthcoming.
We also ask all associates to get engaged and assist with the Summit, which is scheduled to be held on Aug. 26-27.
As you are aware of, the Installation Banquet was held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Historic Mayo Hotel in Tulsa on Jan. 10 and your Associates Council Officers for 2015 are the following:
Chair: Steve Sullivan, OG&E, (405) 553-3393
Vice Chair: Steve Taylor, CenterPoint Energy, (580) 250-5417
Treasure: Vanessa Shadix, Old Republic Title Co. of Oklahoma (405) 942-4848
Secretary: Chris Evans, Building Specialties, (405) 232-2595
State Representatives for 2015:
Central Area (Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma, Moore Home Builders Association), Laurie Matthews, American Eagle Title Group (405) 550-3952
Northeast Area (Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, Rogers County Builders Association, Bartlesville Home Builders Association, Mark Priess, HUB International/CFR (918) 712-5274
Northwest, (Enid Home Builders Association, Stillwater Home Builders Association and Southwest, Oklahoma State Home Builders Association) Titian Burris, ClimateMaster Inc. (405) 473-7100
Southeast (Ardmore Home Builders Association) Randy Chambers, OG&E (405) 553-3961
National Director: Connie Stokes, Realtor Team Stillwater (405) 612-0016
A parting thought
Nationally, the ratio of Builders to Associates is two Associates for each one Builder. In Oklahoma, we have 2,403 members, 1,266 are Associates, 900 are Builders and 237 are Affiliates.
How can we get more associates involved? How do we show them the importance of them being members for their industries and how it relates to the home builders?
The Oklahoma State Home Builders Association is for all of us who touch the home builders industry. It is important we support the association that looks after our interest and helps keep legislation from adversely affecting us.
So, I challenge each of you to invite someone to your next meeting. Remember, that personal invitation is still the best means to grow. And we need your continued support in this area as it will continue to be one of the top goals of the coming year.
