Byran Lendry, president of Brylen Homes and Custom Homes by Bryan Lendry, served as the 2005 president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. The most visible event of Lendry’s term was the nationally televised production of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, featuring NEFBA Builders Care as contractor. While this project garnered publicity for the association, it was not the defining moment of the year.
Question: At the beginning of your term as president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, you stated impact fees and regulations would be the biggest challenge facing the association. Has that turned out to be the case and what other challenges arose during the year?
A: Most definitely. We are seeing our industry doing more than its fair share to keep up with the cost of growth. On more than one front new-home builders are singled out to carry the burden of growth with no consideration of the enormous impact we already have on the economy through generating jobs, wages, taxes and fees. Our industry is in the top five - and perhaps no. 1 - industries that contribute to the local economy. Add to that the fact that when government imposes impact fees and regulations, more potential home buyers are denied the opportunity for homeownership. The other big challenge this year was labor - we are striving to maintain a skilled labor force in the field - and with so many projects online, it’s sometimes difficult.
Q: Did you achieve your goals in terms of increasing membership during your term?
A: It was banner year for membership. Anyone who makes a living from this industry owes it to himself or herself to be a member - an active member - of this organization. That was our message this year. True, you can take advantage of the numerous benefits, but even more important are the opportunities NEFBA affords members at many different levels of participation. I think we saw a revival of interest in the importance of individual participation, as well as recognition of what this association does as a group on behalf of the community and industry.
Q: The Jacksonville area and the building industry received an unusual amount of national press during 2005, beginning with Super Bowl and the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and more recently negative news about growth. How did that attention affect the association?
A: People think there is negative news about growth now. Just wait until there is no growth. The debate can go on for years about managing growth. But keep unfairly restricting it, and the debate will turn. Where are the jobs? Why is our economy suffering? Affordability will be nonexistent. Those of us who enjoy the current quality of life in Northeast Florida have to understand we will not sustain it by unfair fees, taxes and regulations that do nothing more than keep others from having the same opportunity.
Q: What was your major contribution to the industry and the association during 2005?
A: I believe I will have left my mark in some ways that better the organization as a whole. I found it important to lead by example in order to affect change as well as set clear guidelines and expectations. NEFBA never stands still. Neither can the president who wants to make a difference. Hopefully that was my contribution.
Q: What was the most important lesson you learned during your presidency?
A: This Association represents a standard of industry excellence — a standard we should all be proud to carry. The legacy is well founded and known; the future is still to be determined. That’s why I have a better understanding for all the different facets, coalitions and the interests and opinions of our individual members who make up this great organization and will take this standard forward.
Q: What makes you proud to be a builder in Northeast Florida?
A: I am proud to be a part of a group of dedicated, professional builders who understand the importance of their chosen profession on so many levels. And those levels range from volunteering for Builders Care to building homes in luxurious communities to becoming more proficient in my craft to rallying for fair workers compensation rules. I’m proud to be a part of this industry and a builder who has tried to make a difference on all those levels.
Q: Since becoming a member of the executive committee, what changes have you seen in the industry and the association?
A: Technology has played a pivotal role since I came on board. Those in the industry who resisted have found that it was futile. We had to grasp what it meant to our professional lives, such as daily job visits, invoicing, the way we permitted. It’s been a big change. Another big change has been the number of builders we now have in the market.
As for the association, we have stayed true to our mission statement. We have been successful in developing Builders Care into a model program for non-profit construction, while working to bolster our role in workforce development.
Q: Now that your year as president is coming to a close, what role will you have in the association/industry in the coming years?
A: I will continue to be very active on the executive committee as immediate past president. We have some great new talent in the association. I will encourage them to put those talents to work on the board, serving on committees and in the chairs.
Q: What words of advice do you have for Jerry Linder, the incoming president?
A: I want Jerry to know that I will be here as a friend and colleague. Jerry has a great understanding, vision for the future. I hope to help him realize the goals he puts forth for the coming year in any way I can.