by Teresa A. Morgenstern
Special to Realty/Builder Connection
There are more than a dozen definitions of a leader, but the one that seems to best suit incoming Florida Home Builders Association President Al Zichella is one that guides.
“As a Senior Officer, it’s important to listen closely, understand the issues and collaborate with my colleagues to develop a plan of action, and then execute that plan,” said Zichella, who was installed as FHBA’s 63rd president on October 23 during the association’s Fall Leadership Conference in Bonita Springs. “What I want our members to know we never forget that that FHBA belongs to us all.”
That simplistic approach to ultimately instituting a plan of action stems from Zichella’s more than 30-year construction management and supervisory career that began in his native New York.
In 1986, he moved to Southwest Florida. He eventually joined WCI Communities in 1997 as a senior manager of the company’s homebuilding division before becoming a senior project manager in WCI’s Tower Division.
His path led to KD Merick & Co., a full service real estate and development firm in 2008 as an Vice President of Construction and Development.
“Al is a decisive leader with a clear idea of what needs to be accomplished, and then taking the steps to make it happen,” said Michael Greenberg, CEO, KD Merick & Co., who has known Zichella for nearly 13 years. “He likes a good debate, and he’s inclusive and thoughtful, which are all fantastic traits to have as a leader.”
“I’ve known Al for over 10 years now, meeting him when he volunteered to be a judge for the Manatee/Sarasota Parade of Homes,” said Bill Smock, a Bradenton plumber who will serve alongside Zichella as FHBA’s new Second Vice President. “I can tell you he’s a gentleman’s gentleman. He is one of those high-caliber individuals. What I like most about him is that you always know where he stands.”
“Al is a great leader. When you look around, there are very few people who have such a complete level of understanding of our industry,” added Tim Oak, Division President of WCI Communities. “He started with high-rises in New York and has managed both commercial and residential projects, so he brings a unique, working knowledge of the building industry.”
With FHBA, Zichella takes the helm at a time of unprecedented economic challenges that have taken on a global reach.
“The biggest issue for me is to help form legislation streamline the regulatory process. I want to work with our new governor, Rick Scott, and legislators to create a system to make the process more efficient,” he said. “This will ultimately help not only our industry, but also the economy so that as we rebound from all of this, the steps will already be in place to make it easier for our members who have struggled mightily the last few years, and get them back to thriving once again.”
“We are in a really tough economy right now,” adds Oak. “What this downturn has done, however, is make people realize how important the homebuilding industry is to the state of Florida.
“As the economy does pick up, it’s important to work with the government and municipalities on the issue of impact and permit fees. We don’t need those fees further stalling our industry as our economy begins to recover.”
Smock added that one of the issues is within the FHBA itself.
“Overwhelmingly, there needs to be a strong focus on our membership to increase those numbers,” he said. “There are so many areas where we as an industry have struggled so severely. Now it’s time to be re-inspired and encouraged to recruit new members. By working together we can accomplish so much more that benefits all of us.
“We’ve had great victories and loss on the issue of growth management over the years. What we need to continue to do is strive for that perfect work environment by working with the national builders to strike a better balance of competition versus smaller, local builders.”
“It’s going to be an interesting year,” said Zichella, “given the economic challenges we face across the board. But I also see this as a year of great opportunity for our industry.”
Such passion and optimism are part of the very make-up of Zichella. Married to Kate for 33 years, they have a son, Eric, 31, a construction executive who lives in Miami, and a daughter, Rachael, 32, an attorney in Atlanta.
Even as Zichella’s professional career culminates with his presidency of FHBA, those close to him know what to expect.
“Al has such a vast experience both hands-on and supervisory. He’s been in the shoes of a subcontractor, a developer, a builder and as an independent consultant. He brings good common sense and the perspective of all those things,” said Oak. “He knows and understands what it takes to successfully work with all types of interests for the better good of our industry, and he brings that knowledge to a governmental and legislative level.”
“Al has tremendous people skills and a lifelong experience of actually doing almost everything within our industry,” says David Hart, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Florida Chamber of Commerce and a former colleague of Zichella’s at WCI. “From small companies to large companies, he brings a well-rounded perspective to FHBA. He’s also a great speaker and he will do a great job representing us at the legislative and governmental levels.”
“He brings a clear understanding of all the nuances of the membership, and he brings a broad knowledge of business development, which is what is needed during these difficult times,” said Greenberg.