STATE NEWS

OKLAHOMA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION INSTALLS NEW 2021 PRESIDENT, JIM SCHUFF, AND ADDS 4 NEW HOUSING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Oklahoma Home Builders Association (OkHBA) congratulates Jim Schuff, Co-owner of Vesta Homes, for being sworn in as the 2021 OkHBA President on January 23rd at the Okc Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. Also installed to leadership roles were Brandon Jackson of Tara Custom Homes in Tulsa as Vice-President/Treasurer and Ron Nance of The Oaks Development in Lawton as Vice-President/Secretary. Steve Taylor of Centerpoint Energy was installed as the Chair of the Associates Council.

The Oklahoma Home Builders Association’s Board of Directors voted in 2015 to begin an Oklahoma Housing Hall of Fame. January 23rd OkHBA added 4 names to this momentous list.

Irvin “Bud” Blakley as both a past president of the Oklahoma Home Builders Association and the Oklahoma Lumberman’s Association, was a leader in housing for rural Oklahoma. Through his building company and lumber company, in Chandler, Oklahoma, Bud was involved in literally thousands of homes. He was very active in local civics, both in Davenport and Chandler. He also was active with the associations, serving as the OkHBA national director or alternate national director to NAHB for over 30 years. Bud was the state’s Builder of the Year in 1984 and was one of the state’s first Certified Professional Builders when OkHBA started its certified program. Leo Cravens served as the Oklahoma Home Builders Association’s Executive Officer from 1973-2004. He was also the principal lobbyist for the Association during this time period. As such, he was the legislative watchdog for the industry. Leo was also a past president of the Oklahoma Society of Association Executives and held the Certified Association Executive designation. Leo helped shape the housing industry in regard to licensing, workers compensation reform and the Association’s support of Right-to-Work. Ben Newcomer was a homebuilder and developer in the Norman, Oklahoma, area for over 40 years. He was very active in the local and state associations and served as president of OkHBA in 1983. Where Ben was most influential as a mentor to many, helping young builders and developers learn the intricacy of their profession. Ben was also a very avid golfer and used the lessons learned on the course in many of his business dealings.

Tom Wenrick is a developer, realtor, and appraiser with 50+ years of real estate experience. Recognized as one of Tulsa’s foremost developers of residential subdivisions and commercial properties, it is Tom’s successful legislative advocacy where a developer’s lot inventory to be taxed at cost rather than retail until sold to a 3rd party that distinguishes him among his peers and that has saved builders thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. He is a past president of the Tulsa and Oklahoma Home Builders Associations and both have honored him with their Builder of the Year awards.