We would like to take this time and welcome Brian Bohn with Signal 88 Security as our newest member!  Thank you Doug McCulloch with Douglas Custom Homes for encouraging Signal 88 Security to become a member of the North Texas Home Builders Association.

Other members we would like to thank for joining in 2011 are:  George Medlen – Herring Bank,  Dave Clark – Nortex Housing Finance Corporation, Steve Fairchild – Hamilton Bryan, Eddie Holcom – Harmon & Holcomb Homes.

Wayne Pharries, Bill Rowland, O.W. Ayers

O.W. Ayers and Bill Rowland were inducted into the Housing Hall of Honor at the November membership luncheon of the North Texas Home Builders Association Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

Ayers, owner of The Lantern House, and Rowland, longtime home builder and co-owner of Rowland & Donnell Homes, were inducted by Wayne Pharries, representing the 2011 Board of Governors. A native of Wichita Falls, O.W. Ayers attended Austin elementary, Reagan Junior High and graduated from Wichita Falls High School. He served in the Naval Reserve in the Korean War. In 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Edith, at First Baptist Church. They have been faithful members ever since.

Prior to opening The Lantern House, Ayers worked at United Electric and Cummins Supply. In 1971, he was approached by his banker, Willard Still, his friend and attorney, Milburn Nutt, and Don Barnhart, owner of the local Pepsi bottling company. They wanted to partner with him in starting a new lighting center.

The Lantern House opened on Sept. 1, 1971 in the Call Field Shopping Center. Ayers was a 25 percent partner, store manager, stock boy, clerk, janitor, et al. His skills, work ethic, and character grew the business. The store later moved to a larger location on McNiel and, in 1985, moved across the street to its present location. During the years, he bought out his partners and brought his sons, Tommy and Mike, into the business. Edith also remains a prominent member of the staff along with Deena Awbrey who has worked at The Lantern House for 35 years.

Ayers has been active in the community and the home builders association. He has been a huge supporter of the Parade of Homes, donated products to Habitat for Humanity, participated in numerous trade shows and product shows, and always given of his time and money to support builder projects.

Additionally, Ayers started coaching football at the Boys Club in 1954. In 1957 he presented the idea of teaming with Toys for Tots and renaming the Boys Club football championship the Toy Bowl. Ironically, his team won the first Toy Bowl game. He also coached basketball and baseball for the YMCA for many years.

Ayers served on the first Football Advisory Committee for the Boys Club in 1959. He also served and chaired the Boys Club Operational board of directors, he coached until 2001, and thus spent 47 years helping and coaching the youth of our community.

Ayers and his wife, Edith, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The Lantern House also celebrated its 40th anniversary of standing behind its motto of “quality at a Price you can Afford.”

Bill Rowland was born in Wichita Falls but moved to Paris, Texas, before his second birthday. After graduating from high school, he returned to Wichita Falls in 1946. He attended Midwestern University and Texas Tech, earning a degree in petroleum geology in 1951. Returning again to Wichita Falls, he was employed as a sales engineer with Collins Company, a Carrier air conditioning sales and service company.

He became a member of the Wichita County Home Builders Association in 1957. During that time he worked at United Electric before venturing into home sales with Tom Hill and Bob Seabury. Rowland began his own real estate and home building business in 1967, building his first home in Southwinds Addition.

In 1969, he went into partnership with Elvin Dudley. In 1983, he formed a new partnership with his son, Bobby Rowland, and Blanche Donnell. Twenty-eight years later, Rowland & Donnell Real Estate and Rowland & Donnell Homes remain very successful companies.

Rowland was active in the association from the start, serving on committees, as an officer, and as a director. He was elected president in 1971, again in 1985, and a third time in 1999. When there has been a committee meeting, an association event or function, Rowland has always been there when needed by the association. He has made a positive different in the home building industry of North Texas.

Additionally, Rowland is a director of American National Bank, a Salvation Army Life Member, a member of the Optimist Club for 52 years, a Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church for 22 years where he also served two terms as chairman of the board. Rowland also has served the community helping the Golden Gloves and Camp programs of the Boys and Girls Club, serving on the Wichita County Irrigation District for more than 20 years, and giving his time to the Wichita Falls Plumbing, Planning & Zoning, and Electrical boards. He also served The Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind and on the Wichita Falls Centennial Committee.

He was Realtor of the Year in 1976, Builder of the Year in 1981, Realtor Silver Service Award winner in 2000, and Realtor Emeritus in 2010.

He was active in the creation of several subdivisions including Expressway Village, Horseshoe Bend Estates, Briargate Estates, and Chaparral Trails.

Both O.W. Ayers and Bill Rowland are well-respected leaders in the home building and real estate community and highly deserving of the Housing Hall of Honor awards.

New officers 2011/2012 from left Stan Mountain, John Harmon, Chuck Dennis, Jose Garcia, Bryan Waggoner, Johnny McClane, Bobby Rowland, Steven Hinson, Barney Brock, Tim Sawyer. Not pictured Doug McCulloch, Sharon Tucker, David Bedingfield and Randy Wachsman.

Texas Association of Builders First Vice President David Miller was the speaker and installation officer at the October membership luncheon of the North Texas Home Builders Association held Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Wellington Banquet & Conference Center.

The new board of directors consists of President Stan Mountain, Vice President Steven Hinson, Associate Vice President Sharon Tucker, Treasurer Barney Brock, and Secretary Tim Sawyer. Directors include John Harmon, Randy Wachsman, David Bedingfield, and Bobby Rowland. Associate directors are Johnny McClane and Bryan Waggoner. Doug McCulloch is the immediate past president. Jose Garcia is state director and Chuck Dennis is life director. John Harmon is the alternate state director.

In his remarks to the membership, Miller, who is president of Newell Construction in Lubbock and the incoming president of the TAB, encouraged everyone to support Proposition 2 in the upcoming election. Proposition 2 will fund needed water projects across the state.

He also spoke in support of retaining the mortgage interest deduction for homebuyers. He said fully 25 percent of the cost of a new home is due to federal, state, and local government regulations. Therefore, homeowners need the mortgage interest deduction.

Miller noted that OSHA is increasing the number of inspectors visiting residential construction sites throughout Texas. “We met with OSHA representatives to come up with training and safety programs for our members to help them meet OHSA guidelines.”

He added that Texas is the number one state in residential construction for each of the last two years.

Miller said TAB membership is currently at about 10,000 members, down from a high of 14,000 members a few years ago. However, he noted the membership decrease has ended and the organization has enjoyed a slight increase in membership during the past year.

He urged everyone to get involved in TAB. “We need to hear your voice out there. There are local and regional issues that you need to be involved in. If you don’t put anything into it, you won’t get anything out of it. There are a lot of committees to get involved in and provide your input.”

He also urged North Texas Home Builders Association members to attend the upcoming Sunbelt Builders Show. This year the show will be in Austin from Oct. 20-22. “There will be 215 exhibitors and four keynote speakers including Gen. Tommy Frank.”

Miller said attitude is important in any organization. “Like a virus, it spreads!”

In closing, he thanked the leaders and members of the North Texas Home Builders Association for their support and involvement in TAB during the last few years and promised to keep working for the interests of homeowners and builders in the future.

From left to right: 1st Place Team Dennis Company Homes, 2nd Place Team Harmon & Holcomb Homes, 3rd Place Team 1st National Bank and Honorable Mention Fideltity Bank

Home Builders stage golf tournament  By Lee Grace

A total of 18 teams competed in the second annual North Texas Home Builders Association Golf Tournament held Friday, Oct. 7, at River Creek Golf Course near Burkburnett.

Dennis Company Homes and Harmon & Holcomb Homes tied for first place with Dennis Company winning on a score card playoff. The Dennis Company team included Alan Hinson, Mike McElroy, Dusty McElroy and Garrett Pace. The Harmon & Holcomb Homes team consisted of John Harmon, Tom Holcomb, Bill Holstead and Lane Leggett.

Tieing for third place was First National Bank and Fidelity Bank with First National claiming third place on a score card playoff. Making up the First National Bank team was Larry Park, Dean Barrett, Steve Penny and Jim Hawkins. The Fidelity Bank included Jeff McClatchy, Perry Curry, Eddie Holcomb and Mike Keel.

First Bank sponsored the lunch, while Lone Star Waste was the range sponsor.

Individuals and companies purchasing hole sponsorships and/or team sponsorships, or donating items for door prizes and for the goody bags included: Absolute Insulation, American National Bank, Allred Thompson Mason Daugherty Insurance, Alan Hall, Atmos Energy, Archer Title of Texas, Classic Builders, Breegle Abbey Carpet & Floor, Builders Lumber Company, Builders Wholesale, C & I Electronics,  David Bedingfield Homes, Dennis Company Homes, Douglas Custom Homes, Dutch Watson Cabinets, Fidelity Bank, First National Bank, Ferguson Enterprises, Guarantee Title Company, Hamilton Bryan, Harmon & Holcomb Homes, Herring Bank, JAM Doors Windows & Millwork, John Wilson – Wichita Falls Association of Realtors, KFDX TV-3, Klasse Homes, KMOC Radio, Lance Friday Homes, Landmark Title Company, Lone Star Waste, Midwestern State University, Morrison Supply Company, Oncor, K & K Construction, R.J. Wachsman Homes, S&H Granite, Servicemaster of Wichita Falls, State National Bank, Stewart Title Company, Texas Carpet Outlet, Texoma Community Credit Union, The Ember Shop, Times Record News, Union Square Federal Credit Union, Waggoner Carpet One, Wilson Office Supply, and Woodco Supply.

Money raised by the golf tournament will be used to support various community charities and activities of the North Texas Home Builders Association.

 The North Texas Home Builders Association would like to say THANK YOU for your participation and support for this years golf tournament!