60 years and going strong! What a birthday!

South Florida CEO, Dec, 2004 by Toni Pacelli-Hinkley

At the beginning of this year, in this column, I announced the launch of our new logo, our new officers and our year-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Builders Association of South Florida's (BASF) charter.

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There aren't many Florida organizations that have endured for 60 years. The BASF has not only lasted that long, it has thrived. That's a tribute to our leadership and the programs that perpetuate BASF's active involvement in the community and our growing industry. To wonder aloud as to where this year went is a well-worn cliche, but it has passed in a flash under the able and exemplary direction of our 2004 president, Oscar Barbara and vice president, John McQueston.

One of the benefits of working closely with these leaders is learning more about their personal commitment to our industry and the events that took them in that direction. During one such discussion, I learned that Oscar and I share a love of flying. Oscar's introduction to flying came when his family escaped Cuba in a two-seater plane that held the four members of his family at the time. Oscar was about one year old and his mother held on to him and his brother as his father flew the plane perilously low over the water to avoid radar detection. Oscar's father safely guided the family to their new "home," in Miami. Years later, I had the privilege of seeing excitement in Oscar's eyes, and hear the pride in his voice as he looked from a plane at the "homes" he built in Miami, knowing that families now occupied a part of the "American Dream," a home of their own, and amazed that his own journey that made their dream and his possible.

John also immigrated to Florida--from New Jersey. John and I share a love of continuing education. We both, at separate times and at different universities, earned MBAs while keeping our "day" jobs. John's passion for advancing continuing education at BASF was evident when he initiated "Muddy Shoes Seminars" for artisans and sub-contractors on housing sites to learn about the latest building techniques, safety practices and government compliance issues. He was recognized as the BASF Associate of the Year in 2000.

As a senior account manager of contract sales for the Whirlpool Corporation, John has seen first hand new developments in the South Florida home building market. Much of that development has been in high-end product and requires the type of appliances that John sells. The efforts John has promoted on behalf of Habitat for Humanity have provided additional satisfaction in knowing that others less fortunate will have a home to call their own.

The commitment and passion Oscar and John share for the industry and the good works that come from supporting Habitat for Humanity help to make the "American Dream" come true and will be carried into the new year by our new BASF leadership.

As I review the events of this past year, I want to direct you to other features, notably; Oscar's summary of legislative achievements and other pivotal efforts made during his tenure.

The Florida's BEST Awards event this past year showcased our members' exceptional talent and garnered praise from their peers. I encourage you to participate in next year's awards by submitting your entries this month and celebrating with industry leaders at the awards ceremony, March 26, 2005. Elsewhere in this edition of BASF News is a story about why Florida's BEST is so important to our industry and how we've made it even better by adapting to changing demands for housing solutions.

Our heritage was emphasized when both the Miami-Dade and Broward county commissions helped to make our 60th year memorable by presenting special proclamations to the BASF.

We also received three "Association Excellence" awards from the Executive Officers Council of the National Association of Home Builders. And last year's membership efforts paid off this year--on behalf of many others, I accepted a Grand Award for the greatest number of new members and another for the highest percentage growth in membership.

That kind of recognition comes from a dedicated and hard-working support staff, for whom I am very grateful, and from the kind of leadership given by our president, Oscar and by our first vice president, John McQueston.

As we approach year's end, BASF also approaches a new year. The leadership transition for 2005 will be smooth as Rick Horton and Juan Carlos Enriquez and their new team lead us through an equally spectacular new year.

Early in that new year, on February 16th, members of the BASF and the Gold Coast Builders Association will gather at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Fort Lauderdale for a joint session to welcome special guest Bobby Rayburn, immediate past president of the NAHB. I'm certain that he will share valuable insight on issues facing the home building industry, and will sense the enthusiasm generated by our award-winning membership and staff.

It is that enthusiasm that our 60-year-old association, fueled by the spirited support that I've observed from our recharged and committed members and staff, will build on to energize our efforts on behalf of the industry for another 60 years!