7 minute read
Thom Chumney Elected 2020 BIA President page 7
The exclusive magazine of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina www.BIAofCentralSC.com
2019 BIA Members of the Year
Advertisement
Thom Chumney was elected as 2020 President of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina (BIA), at the Annual Meeting of the Membership held October 1, 2019. He assumed the duties of President in January 2020.
Mr. Chumney and his family relocated to Irmo, SC in 1975 from Troy, Ohio. He would attend Irmo High School and then earn a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Chumney then worked for Mungo Homes for 20 years and in April of 2018 he co-founded Southern Traditional Homes.
Mr. Chumney is a board member of the Columbia Music Festival Association and attends East Lake Community Church. He is married to Jamie Chumney and they have two children, Bailey and Ally. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and enjoying the arts. Serving as officers of the BIA are Stan O’Brien, Paradime Construction, Inc. as Vice President; Jennifer Cannon of Gateway Supply Company, Inc., Associates Vice President; Mike Cancilla of Essex Homes as Secretary/Treasurer. Jennifer Harding of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World will serve as Immediate Past President.
Installation of the 2020 BIA Board of Directors at the BIA Holiday Ball.
In addition, the Board of Directors is comprised of Builder and Associate Directors. Builder Directors are Patrick Bukszar of Essex Homes; Greg Howell of Hurricane Builders; Tammy Jur of Vesta Builders, Inc.; Scott Morrison of Great Southern Homes, Inc.; Matt Mungo of Mungo Homes; and, Shelton Twine of Great Southern Homes. Associate Directors are Andrew Cole of Collins & Lacy, PC; William Flowers of Civil Engineering of Columbia; Richard Hitchler of 84 Lumber; Kenny Wagster of Builders Wholesale Flooring, LLC; and, Charley Weir of The Building Center Inc.
Chairpersons of BIA councils and chapters also have a seat on the Board of Directors. Included are Trevor Michael of Piedmont Home Energy serving as Chairman of the High Performance Building Council; Kristen Meetze of Capital Kitchen & Bath serving as Chairman of the BIA Remodelers Council; Jeremy Gould of Hurricane Builders serving as Chairman of the Sales and Marketing Council; Kimberly Branham of Synovus Mortgage Corp. serving as Chairwoman of the Kershaw County Chapter; Kevin Steelman of LandTech Inc. of SC serving as Chairman of the Land Development Council; and, Kevin Connelly, Connelly Builders serving as Chair of the Commercial Council
Thom Chumney's speech at the BIA Holiday Ball
Thom Chumney taking the Oath of Office from his son, Bailey Chumney.
Thank you Jennifer for leading us this year and the board for your persistent work and passion. Thank you to the amazing staff at the BIA.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you in this great organization. It is refreshing to be part of something bigger. As was mentioned in a Board meeting recently, we compete with each other but we come together to better our industry, ourselves and our community. And when we do come together, WOW! What an impact we make as an organization. Scholarships for students, books for students, pavilions for our service people and camps for people in need to name a few. We work diligently to educate our members, support our members through advocating attainable homes and regulating useless government impacts. We have people of impact all around us.
I remember being invited to this event over the last 25 years and to walk into a room like this and talk with Dottie (LaFitte), rub elbows with the Bagnals or Shumakers. Having a laugh with Karl (Haslinger), Stan (Beckley), and William (Godshall). As the years progressed interacting with different colleagues like Jennifer, Stan O’Brien, Mike Cancilla, Patrick Bukszar, Stan Sparling, Frank Clark, David Clark, Charlie (Weir) and now my partners Tammy and Joe Jur, was impactful. What a great time is had at events like this. Take the time to meet someone and start a conversation.
As we move forward into 2020 and the coming years I would like to reflect on some people of impact that helped mold, develop and train me over the last 30 years.
To start, I remember early in my career I visited a jobsite and there was this guy sitting in a folding lounge chair with no shoes or shirt. He had a book in his hand and he was seated near a temporary electric pole to which he had a home phone plugged in. This was long before cell phones. I watched him make calls and return to reading his book. I believe it was a romance novel but was not quite sure. Later that day I saw my dad and told him this story. He asked me “did you get his name?” I said no but I thought someone called him “Buggy.” Dad laughed and said, “No not buggy, but Bugsy. He owns that company.” I knew then if a guy can sit in a chair, read and get a sun tan, then that’s the job for me. Bugsy, thanks for the talks over the years and the guidance.
You see, we all need to surround ourselves with people and organizations that make us better. People that challenge us, speak truth into us and walk beside us. People of different professions, cultures and age. Likewise, being a member of an organization that helps further your career provides opportunities for growth and dealership is paramount. I have been truly blessed to work with people like that. Almost 30 years ago upon graduating from college I had the honor of working with Ernie Magaro. Believe me he would speak into you and wanted you to be the best. Not long after that I had the privilege of working with a man that is still impacting our industry and lives of many people. I’m not sure he has changed much but what an impact Mike Satterfield made on me early in my career. The team at Great Southern Homes is truly blessed to have Mike as a team member.
Another person of impact was Mr. Frank Clark. I remember one conversation vividly. Mr. Clark asked me how my dad was doing, and I shared with him that we were not on good terms at that point. His response was short and to the point. He said this, “I think the world of you and enjoy our conversations, but until you make right with your dad then our conversations will have to stop. Nothing is bigger than you and your dad. Do it this week and let me know when you have done it.” I called my dad the next day.
2020 President Thom Chumney and 2019 President Jennifer Harding.
I was able to spend the last 20 years working for Steven and Stewart. I was afforded opportunities to grow and lead. What an impact they had on my life. Thank you to the Mungo family
There have been many people who have guided and sometimes thumped me over the head. So here is my question and challenge to you. Who are your people of influence? Who are you seeking out to learn more about yourself, your company, or our industry? Are you learning from our associates to understand what they do? Are you learning from our trade partners to understand their challenges? Are you reading books to better understand leadership, management or self-improvement? You see, I was afforded many opportunities over the years because I sought out opportunities and asked for them. As I look around the room tonight and see the next generation of leadership, I ask ... Adam, Erich, Josh, Pate, RB, Mike, Patrick, Jeremy, Scott, Bailey, Andrew, Allison… who are your people of influence?
As the BIA moves into 2020 we want to serve you! Our Builders and Associates. To assist you in personal and industry growth we will be offering workshops numerous times this year. We will provide opportunities for involvement in community projects, industry projects and government affairs. Take time to examine and see what opportunities are there for you and/or your organization. To offer services like these, you our members, are of utmost importance. Our membership is strong, but we can be stronger. To our associates, thank you for your loyalty. We appreciate all that you give personally and corporately. To our builders, thanks for making Columbia great. Thanks for the competition and for leading in being great corporate citizens.
My last challenge for you. Commit to get a new member this year. By making this commitment, the BIA can gain strength in numbers and grow financially, both of which are important to our overall strength. Please look for ways to “Do Business with Members” and if they are not members, ask them to join our organization.
In closing, thank you for this opportunity. A special thanks to my wife, Jamie. Thanks for being by my side and being the most important person of influence in my life.
Thank you again BIA. Happy Holiday. Hope you have a great evening.
