Caldwell HBA recognizes Builder, Associate of the Year
Jan. 20—LENOIR — The Caldwell County Home Builders Association (HBA) recognized two of its members for their dedication and service to the organization and local community at the HBA annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Sandra Williams was named the Associate Member of the Year, and John Moore was named the Builder of the Year for 2022. The meeting was held at the former Masonic Lodge above Mi Molcajete in downtown Lenoir.
Jennifer Ellis, the outgoing executive officer for HBA, formally installed the new officers: David Waechter of Hibriten Construction will now serve as HBA president; Jon Triplett of Triplett's Plumbing will now serve as vice president; Gary Ford will continue to serve as treasurer; and Hilary Reeves will take over for Ellis as executive officer.
Waechter then introduced Sandra Williams of LifeStore Bank and Insurance and presented her with the HBA Associate Member of the Year award for 2022. This award honors an HBA member who is not a builder.
Williams is a Caldwell County native who has worked in the insurance industry for 41 years. She is the senior VP of insurance and manages the Lenoir and Boone offices. She is the account executive for Commercial Lines Insurance. She's a certified insurance counselor, certified insurance service representative, and certified builders insurance agent. Her book of business is wide-spread across North Carolina. She's got a client in India. She has one son, a daughter-in-law, three grandsons, one granddaughter, and she attends WaterLife Church.
Besides the Home Builders Association, she is also part of the board of directors for both Caldwell County and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce. She's a secretary for downtown Lenoir Development Alliance, member of the High Country and the Caldwell Home Builders Association. She volunteers with Downtown Volunteers Group, supports the Wig Bank, Shelter Home, Yokefellow, Caldwell Friends, and Helping Hands Clinic.
She also is the recipient of the L.A. Dysart Female Award for 2023.
"I guess she doesn't have any spare time," Waechter said. "It was a pretty easy decision this year to award Sandra Williams."
John Moore, one of the owners of Brushy Mountain Builders, was named the HBA Builder of the Year for 2022.
"When we were selecting the Builder of the Year this year, I voted for John because I knew that he was, along with me, one of the first people to jump back into spec building in Caldwell County right during the middle of the pandemic and all that, and I thought that took guts," said Waechter. "Our industry needed a spark in this county, and taking those kinds of risks at the right time can give that spark to the industry."
Moore attended West Caldwell High School and later earned a degree from N.C. State in Construction Management. He started his career in construction when he was only 16 years old with Taylor Brothers Construction in 1983. He has a wife and three children. He started his own business in 2006 that builds multi-million dollar homes throughout Western North Carolina.
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"His yearly company average is about $17 million," said Waechter. "That would easily qualify anybody to be a Builder of the Year in Caldwell County."
Waechter also recognized the outgoing HBA president, Clyde Lackey, for his years of service with the organization.
"Thank you for serving as president," Waechter said. "Leading an organization during these times is to be commended. Best wishes on your business."
At the end of the meeting, Waechter offered a number of goals for members of HBA to achieve in the next year.
The first goal is to increase the public visibility of the organization. He said that he and Reeves are working to increase visibility on Facebook and the organization's website, www.caldwellhomebuilders.com.
The second goal is to increase membership by 20%.
"To me, 20% is a number that represents significance," said Waechter. "I would charge everybody here to get new members to join our organization."
One way to increase membership, Waechter said, is to improve membership benefits, such as more opportunities for fellowship and networking, as well as professional training to help grow their businesses.
Waechter also hoped to see at least five builders and two associate members attend the Building Expo in Charlotte.
"I'd like to go down there and show them that Caldwell County counts," he said.
"These are some pretty simple goals," Waechter finished. "I think they're attainable, and I think if we work together they'll be a lot more attainable. I hope you're with me on that, and we're looking forward to a great 2023."
