Special to Realty/Builder Connection
“There’s going to be a birthday party. And everyone is invited.
‘To truly understand the 60-year history of what our association means to the community and industry, it helps to understand the beginnings of the Northeast Florida Builders Association,” said Rita Williams, chairman of the NEFBA 60th Anniversary Celebration. “The Association’s heritage isn’t merely striving for affordable housing, so everyone has the opportunity for home ownership. The tradition is deeply etched in our community where members work and live.”
The celebration committee is looking for members to work on a variety of fun projects to make NEFBA’s 60th year one that really highlights the many accomplishments of the Association.
“This will be a year-long celebration starting with the annual meeting,” said Williams. “Every thing that we do will have an anniversary theme, including all the charitable works.
“We also want to stress the family aspect. So many families are in the building profession here, parents and children working together.”
Williams said that there would be special events honoring past NEFBA leaders, both presidents and those awarded the “Builder of the Year.”
“As we approach our 60th year of serving the construction industry, we also point with pride to a living legacy. A legacy of caring for those who can’t care for themselves and fighting the good fight on some important issues on behalf of our industry,” said Association President Denise Wallace.
NEFBA, originally tabbed the Jacksonville Homebuilders Association, was formed in 1944 by some true pioneers in the industry. A group of 10 builders elected Joseph Davin as president. Davin is the only president to serve two consecutive terms.
Since then the Association has grown to the largest in the state and one of the largest in the country. A name change to the Northeast Florida Builders Association in the mid-seventies signaled a new era in the industry.
“Home builders were branching out into commercial work and land development. The Association’s inclusive nature brought the industry together like never before,” said NEFBA Vice President Greg Matovina, who will take office on Friday, January 9 in what they hope will be a memorable event. “Leaders in every sector, remodeling, development, the trades, and associate members who are vital to our industry, all saw a real need to form a strong, viable partnership through the Association.”
In the early days, local industry pioneers such as Davin, Charles Commander, C. Finley Knight, Cecil Wainwright and William Demetree forged a path for the Association to route for years to come.
“They were determined to make the industry an integral part of the community. This includes being a good corporate citizen at all levels,” said Wallace.