Welcome to 2009!  I could never express the words that would completely convey the depth of the honor that you—the members of the North Carolina Home Builders Association—have given me by electing me your 2009 President.  As we continue to work our way through the most challenging housing market that our country, state and industry have ever faced, I am encouraged and draw my endurance from the strength of character that our members all across North Carolina are exhibiting.

It has been said that a man or woman rises up to his or her fullest potential in the face of adversity; I can say firsthand that I have witnessed this principle in local HBA’s across North Carolina in the past year as I have traveled the state.

Over the past few months, as I prepared to become your president, I took inventory of our association, and I am pleased to report that I discovered an association that is strong, stable and poised to seize opportunities that cross our path.

I would summarize the past, present and future of our association in this way:

The STRENGTH of our association is our powerful history and proud tradition of excellence exhibited by the men and women who came before us and cut the path that we today are using to grow our investment in the housing industry here in North Carolina.

The STABILITY of our association is the absolute commitment that our members and NCHBA staff exhibit in staunchly defending the core affordability of housing across our great state. 

Our future is brightly lit with OPPORTUNITY because we, the current leadership of NCHBA, have been given the gift of success that we will protect and work to ensure that those who follow in our footsteps will also find a favorable climate to work hard and succeed in as they strive to impact the communities in which they live. We must also accept the responsibility to care for and keep the torch of opportunity lit and burning brightly for the future generations of builders and associates who follow us.

I look forward to facing the many challenges that the coming year has in store for us, and I promise you that we will celebrate many victories this year. I need every one of you as builders, associates and affiliate members to stay together and stay strong in each of our local associations, because the victories will not come easy, but we will, together, be up to the task at hand. 

We are, and will continue to be, the strongest and among the most admired and respected state HBAs in the country. These are accolades that carry with them great responsibilities and require a focus and humility that causes others to want to follow us on our mission. Failure has never been an option for us and together we will continue to carry the flame of leadership in the housing industry for all to see and find their way home.

In closing, I want to take this opportunity to thank Ray Rhodes for his distinguished leadership and deep passion for our association this past year, and most importantly, for his friendship and support to me personally over the past several years. Our NCHBA leadership spends a good chunk of time together and we become family to one another.

Ray has become and will continue to be the big brother my parents did not give me. I am grateful to Ray and the many presidents who preceded him in creating the wonderful NCHBA culture that we enjoy and that you have placed in my care for this year. I submit that I am up to this challenge and pledge that I will not abuse or forsake our association or your trust in me in any way.  I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming year. 

Frank Wiesner