When Ricardo (Rick) Morales III took the oath of office as president of NEFBA in January, he was ready to accept the challenges of the office and eager to put his 30-plus years of experience to work for the association.
He acknowledged the important role his family, particularly his father, played in the development of his work ethic and philosophy of life.
“The day my father graduated from college, Fidel Castro took over control of the family business, leaving my grandfather and his family unable to return to their home in Cuba,” Morales said. “My father and two brothers came to the United States and started over.
“Their entrepreneurial spirit and their resilience enabled them to create their own successful businesses,” Morales continued. “They continue to inspire and motivate me. In them, I see what is possible with determination, courage, strength of character and enterprise.”
Morales set some lofty goals concerning attracting and retaining members and growing the association. As he prepares to pass the gavel to NEFBA’s president-elect, First Vice President Chet Skinner, Morales looked back at 2015 to recap the highpoints and share his views of the association from a different perspective than when he stepped into the office.
Question: How does the association provide value to its members and what do you see as the greatest member benefit?
Answer: To me the overriding benefit is the advocacy role we perform in support of the industry. Our influence is strong as we advocate smart growth and create a climate that is favorable to construction and well-planned development. I think of this government advocacy benefit as a foundation upon which all the other benefits are built. If we don’t have a strong business environment, all the other benefits would have little purpose.
Q: What were your goals for the association during your tenure as president and which ones were you able to realize?
A: I wanted to strengthen our membership rolls. We have been building up the numbers gradually for a few years, and I wanted to see us make a major step forward, consistent I believe with the upward movement of the market
I am very proud of the fact that as of this year we are the fifth largest homebuilders association in the country. Our membership should reach 1,200 by the end of the year.
I applaud our membership committee, headed by Chet Skinner, the NEFBA staff and all the members who worked throughout the year and especially during our membership campaign to make this happen.
I am also extremely proud of our partnership with HabiJax that resulted in building a home for a deserving family in New Town in 24 hours. Our team completed what seemed to be an impossible feat, and proved what can be done when we work together.
Q: What was the greatest challenge you faced this year as president of your company? As the president of the association?
A: The challenge in my business, as president of the association and in my family was to meet the demands of all those roles effectively and responsibly. There are a finite number of hours in the day, and sometime that number isn’t adequate to do all that must be done.
The challenge was to prioritize, strive for a balance in all areas of my life and rely on the assistance of others, when necessary.
Q: You had the advantage of being able to turn to an exceptional body of talent and experience in the executive committee. How did their support contribute to your success as president?
A: Wow! Where do I begin? We have a valuable asset that I’m not sure is fully appreciated, and that is our Executive Committee and our past presidents.
These men and women constitute a body of experience and knowledge that is unparalleled. And, they willingly share their wisdom and expertise to support and guide the president and the association. The unselfishly give their time, talent and treasure to strengthen the association.
There is an expense associated with this level of leadership. They show up at events. They are hands-on in sharing their talents. And, they take out their checkbooks to fill the association’s needs.
Q: What advice would you offer the 2016 president of NEFBA, Chet Skinner?
A: Everything you need to know about being president of NEFBA: Stay focused, strive for balance and rely heavily on the expertise within the association.
In addition to the executive committee, the NEFBA staff is another invaluable asset. Corey Deal not only provides strong leadership, but he has assembled a talented and dedicated group of professionals who are prepared and serve the members (and the president) with a smile.