honoring the accomplishments of south carolina...

Hall of Fame Inductees

South Carolina is a Great Place to Live

Volume 6 • Issue 6 • 2013

Honoring the accomplishments of South Carolina Builders

South Carolina Builder Journal • 2013 • www.hbaofsc.com2

Feature Articles

Departments

Governor’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley highlights the state’s economic successes and the importance of the building industry.

South Carolina: A Great Place to Live, to Work and to Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8The Palmetto State offers entertainment and business opportunities.

Pinnacle Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Honoring the achievements of South Carolina’s home builders.

Hall of Fame Inductees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Frank B. Norris and Andrew D. White inducted.

Member and Associate of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Honoring service to the community and the HBA of South Carolina.

President’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Government Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA1419 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201803/771-7408 • Fax: 803/254-5762

PRESIDENT: Darryl Hall, Florence

VICE PRESIDENT: Harry Dill, Murrells Inlet

TREASURER: Calvin Snow, Greer

SECRETARY: Andy White, Lexington

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT David Gully, Seneca

DISTRICT #1 VICE PRESIDENTJim Garman, Hilton Head

DISTRICT #2 VICE PRESIDENTEddie Yandle, Columbia

DISTRICT #3 VICE PRESIDENTJohnny Uldrick, Greenwood

DISTRICT #4 VICE PRESIDENTTim Snow, Spartanburg

DISTRICT #5 VICE PRESIDENTDerrick Owens, Florence

ASSOCIATES VICE PRESIDENTBennett Griffin, Columbia

EO COUNCIL CHAIRMANEarl Mcleod, Columbia

AREA IV VICE PRESIDENTJames “Bugsy” Graves, Lexington

STATE REPRESENTATIVEMarc Ellis, Hilton Head

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mark Nix

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS:Matt Niehaus

ACCOUNTANT: Kim Halter

INTERNS: Shannon Daniel, Ashley Rayne Holland

PUBLISHER: Kevin Naughton

MANAGING EDITOR: Joel Meredith

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jason Gabel

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERBrenda Poe

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Marsha Suwienski: (800) 935-1592, ext. [email protected] Poe: (800) 935-1592, ext. [email protected]

PUBLISHED BY:

2929 Davison Rd., Flint, MI 48506(810) 239-5763South Carolina Builder Journal is published six times annually and is mailed to all active HBASC members plus every career home builder statewide. Any reproduction or duplication of this publication or any part thereof must be done with the publisher's written permission. The publisher or the Home Builders Association of South Carolina is not responsible for the claims made by the advertisers. Editorial comment is always welcome.

Find Us On Facebookwww.hbaofsc.com • South Carolina Builder Journal • 2013

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President’s LetterP

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by Darryl Hall, HBASC president

O n behalf of the members of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) I would like to welcome you to the South Carolina Builder Journal, featuring award winning homes and

reinforcing why so many people call South Carolina home. From Mount Pleasant near Charleston to Lake Keowee near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the magazine offers consumers with a view of the craftsmanship of some of the best home builders and remodelers in the state.

The HBASC is a professional, non-profit association committed to promoting housing for people of all income levels and the production of quality homes. The HBASC membership is comprised of home builders, trade contractors, suppliers and industry professionals who work to provide the homeowner the safest and most energy efficient home available.

My hope is that you will use the South Carolina Builder Journal magazine as a resource if you are thinking about putting roots down in our state and a guide to the craftsmen who can build you your new home to help those roots grow strong. SCBJ

Darryl HallPresident HBA of South Carolina

Welcome to the HBASC

www.hbaofsc.com • South Carolina Builder Journal • 2013 5

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W ith the General Assembly set to reconvene next month in Columbia, I felt this issue of the Builder Journal would be a great time to

recognize a leader in the State House. I hope to make this a regular feature for future issues as well. As you may have noticed, this edition is titled “Conversation with 'The Chairman'," as we focus on Representative Bill Sandifer, Chairman of the House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee (LCI). Chairman Sandifer represents the 2nd House District in Oconee County. He resides in Seneca, and was first elected to the House in 1994. He is the 1998 HBASC Hammer and Trowel Award winner, and a 2011 inductee into the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame.

Matt Niehaus: Chairman Sandifer, thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and give our membership a better picture of who you are and the work you do as a legislator.

Bill Sandifer: As a State Representative, I enjoy connecting with constituents whether they are in my district or in other parts of the state. Plus, it’s always a pleasure to talk to home builders.

Niehaus: Let’s start with your background. Can you talk a little about what you did before serving in the legislature?

Sandifer: I may have the most varied background of any member of the legislature. My professional background was primarily as a funeral director/funeral home owner. My career started as a young teenager when I washed cars, dug graves (by hand), and did any other tasks that needed to be done. When I finished mortuary college, I came home to Seneca to work in our family’s funeral business. When I was in my very early 20s, my father made me president of our corporation and manager of the business. During my career in funeral service, there is literally no task that I have not performed. I always have had the attitude that I should not ask an employee to perform any task that I was not willing to do myself.

During the time I was operating the funeral home, I also was engaged in several other enterprises. I sold and installed residential burglar alarms for a few years. I received my real estate license and sold real estate part-time for several years and was fairly successful in doing so. I also served my country in the SC Army National Guard. I enlisted as a private, went to officer candidate school and received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant. I continued my military career for 20 years and retired as a major (promoted to lieutenant colonel upon retirement.) The majority of my military career was spent as a supply and logistics officer.

Niehaus: It sounds like you have done a little bit of everything! What keeps you busy when you are out of session and at home in the district?

Sandifer: Although most people believe that since we are in session three days a week from January to June, the rest of our time is spent at home in our districts, that is not necessarily true, especially for me. I continue with a myriad of legislative duties. These duties include speaking engagements at various conferences in SC as well as other states, serving on committees of national and regional legislative organizations, and serving on several SC legislative committees. As a member of the House

leadership, I also spend a significant amount of time working with the other members of the leadership team. In addition, I have frequent meetings with staff and interested parties in Columbia.

When I am at home, I spend a lot of time visiting with my constituents, going to local events, and speaking whenever the opportunity presents itself. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my loving wife, Sandra, and “piddling” with various projects. I

literally don’t know how to sit still. We are fortunate to have recently completed a cabin in the mountains and I enjoy working on a variety of projects there.

Niehaus: Running for elected office takes a great deal of drive and determination. What was it that motivated you to run for the House of Representatives in 1994?

Sandifer: A person whose name a few people may recognize – Senator Lindsey Graham. As a member of the SC Funeral Directors Association (past president), I was making the annual visit to our state delegation. Since Sen. Graham, then SC Rep. Graham, was my representative, I made a point to visit with him. During that visit, he told me that he was going to run for the US Congress representing the 3rd District. He suggested that I run for the vacant seat in the SC House of Representatives. I went home and called a family meeting with my wife Sandra and our nine-year-old son Wes. I told them about the conversation and that I was considering running. However, I explained that either one of them had veto power. Both of them said they would support my efforts and we were off and running. I’ve had such varied experiences in my life and I believe they have given me a unique perspective on serving my fellow South Carolinians. I believe that I’m doing what God intended me to do. And, I’m thankful to have my health and a supportive family that allows me to be a public servant.

Niehaus: You received the Hammer and Trowel Award in 1998 and were inducted into the HBASC Housing Hall of Fame in 2011. Tell me what it was like to receive those awards.

Sandifer: Those two awards stand out above the others I have received. The first was the Hammer and Trowel Award in 1998. I think that it was the very first legislative award I ever received and it was a total surprise! Its significance to me cannot ever be overstated. When I was inducted into the HBASC Hall of Fame, I was totally overwhelmed. That induction became even more special when I realized I was one of a very small group of non-builders who had been so honored. To emphasize its importance to me, I need to explain that I flew all day from Rhode Island to be present for the award ceremony. In fact, when I arrived at the airport in Myrtle Beach, I had less than 30 minutes to be at the ceremony in a tuxedo – I made it.

Niehaus: It is clear from your background that you have been around the building and construction industry for a number of years. From your perspective, what is it about the home building industry that is so important?

Sandifer: The home building industry has a very special place in my heart. First, I believe the industry gives people the

Conversation with “The Chairman”Government Affairs

Continued on page 6


opportunity to experience the American dream of home ownership. I bought my first home, prior to its completion, in 1968. I was the proudest person on earth. Since then, I have had the opportunity to have two more homes built for me. I have had a big part in designing and constructing both of them. These are in addition to the cabin I previously mentioned. During the construction of my second home, I was

fortunate to meet and work with a member and former president of your association, Warren Carpenter. Sometime after completion of that home, he and I became business partners in Carpenter Built, Inc. Then, Sandra and I decided to build a new funeral home. I was fortunate to have Warren assist me and, with his help, I drew the plans for the new building. I oversaw the building process with Warren’s advice. In addition to Warren’s professional help, he was and still is my campaign chairman. I can never give

enough thanks for his involvement and support over many, many years.

The bottom line is this – I believe in what home builders do every day and what HBASC stands for, too. It is really easy for me to support issues in which I strongly believe.

Niehaus: The HBASC is always focused on issues our members are facing, but from your perspective as a legislator, what are some of the most important issues facing our state?

Sandifer: It would be easy to list a very long litany of issues, but I want to limit my answer to a few that I believe are most important. One of the issues that I am most concerned with is the “overreach” of agencies through regulation and the lack of response to the regulated community. This is especially true with the proposed International Residential Building Code. Some of the requirements in the newest version are truly preposterous. Thanks to you, we caught the parts of the new building code that were not appropriate and were able to prevent them from being enforced in South Carolina. A second concern with building codes is the inconsistent application of requirements throughout the state.

Certainly the data breach at the SC Department of Revenue should be classified as a huge issue for every citizen of our state. I am still concerned that there has never been adequate explanation or accountability for the breach.

Lastly, I am extremely concerned about a group of legislators, especially in the Senate, whose standard answer is always “no.” Government should be intelligent dialogue and then willingness to compromise without violating any member’s integrity.

Niehaus: I can’t thank you enough for your willingness to talk with me today. Are there any closing words you would like to share with our members?

Sandifer: One of my greatest blessings is having the opportunity to meet, work with, and associate with many absolutely wonderful people. I certainly count my home builder friends in that group. To HBASC members, I want to say thank you for all you do for the future of our state. Homebuilding is such a strong part of South Carolina’s economic health and will continue to be for generations. I’m grateful for the support of your organization. SCBJ

Government AffairsContinued from page 5


S haped roughly like a diamond by geography, polished by more than 300 years of American

history and made gracious by a tradition of hospitality as diverse as its people, South Carolina offers visitors a broad array of attractions and accommodations limited only by the imagination.

Anchored by nearly 200 miles of beaches and coastal attractions – including world-famous Charleston (with Fort Sumter and scores of colonial homes and cobblestone carriage rides), leafy golf haven Hilton Head Island and family friendly Myrtle Beach (with more than a hundred golf courses of its own) – millions of folks make their annual beach trip to South Carolina. Attractions range from the affordable flashiness of Myrtle Beach with its thousands of hotels and restaurants to fit all price ranges, to the quiet elegance of Kiawah Island, home to one of the nation’s consistently top-ranked golf and beach resorts.

Perhaps the most affordable of all beach destinations are the four state parks that offer combinations of camping and cabins, surf and sun. But there’s more to the coast than sand and surf for those who want to understand the complexity of South Carolina’s past. And it doesn’t take much digging.

For instance, those sweetgrass baskets, iconic symbols of the Gullah tradition still made by local residents at roadside stands and Charleston markets – they’re just a part of the living, breathing Gullah culture that grew from the long abandoned rice plantations that now form

the heart of thousands of acres of nature preserves such as the ACE Basin. The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is now being organized to help preserve and tell that story, including at such sites as the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, home to the first school for freed slaves and still a center of African American culture to this day. The state also operates historic plantation homes that interpret the slavery- and post-slavery experience of planter and African American alike.

And as the South Carolina story spreads inland, through the pristine swamps and pine-filled Midlands to the Blue Ridge Mountains themselves, it’s all available in one day’s journey. Little known fact: More Revolutionary War battles were fought here than in any other colony, stories told at preserved national and state battlefield sites such as Kings

Mountain and Musgrove Mill. Modern military buffs won’t want to miss historic waterfront Beaufort and Parris Island.

Cotton fields themselves, something most northerners haven’t seen in real life until they drive by, spread by the thousands of acres through much of the Midlands. Tobacco fields can be seen in the Pee Dee and roadside farm stands selling produce of all kinds dot the highways across the state. And then there are peaches. South Carolina grows more than any other state than California and the orchards and stands are hard to miss.

South Carolina is also dotted with unique small towns and big cities, each with its own cultural and culinary offerings. (Barbecue, of course, is a mainstay.) Greenville’s robust downtown and unusual cantilevered bridge over the Reedy River falls is a good example not to be missed. Columbia, the state capital, offers Statehouse tours, its own dynamic museums, a major university and the nation’s largest Army basic training base. Aiken and Camden, too, bear mention as unique equestrian towns of unusual quiet wealth and charm. And then there are hidden gems such as Newberry, Cheraw and Abbeville, filled with history and antebellum homes.

Then there’s the great outdoors. From whitewater rafting on the roiling Chattooga in the Blue Ridge to paddling through quiet tidal creeks, and huge inland reservoirs in between, along with hundreds of miles of unspoiled hiking trails, South Carolina offers something for everyone, and all within an easy day’s drive.

Find itineraries and more information at the state’s official tourism website at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com. SCBJ

A Great Place to Live, to Work and to Play

CarolinaSouth

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New Home ConstructionBest Overall Green Construction • Ellis Construction Company, Inc. – Marc Ellis (Hilton Head Area HBA)• Stoneledge Properties – Chris Bailey (HBA of Greenville) > >

Best Achievement in Energy Efficiency• The Berry Group –

Ken Berry (HBA of Oconee)

$200,000 to $499,999• D. Hall Construction, LLC – Darryl

Hall (HBA of the Greater Pee Dee)

$500,000 to $749,999• Central Contracting

Corporation – David Gully (HBA of Oconee)

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Continued on page 12

S.C. Home Builders, Remodelers Achieve High Honors at State Awards

T he Pinnacle Awards were created to honor those in the home building industry who have achieved the highest standard of quality craftsmanship, innovative problem solving and customer satisfaction. This competition is a privilege of membership, as well as a means of

challenging our members to greater levels of achievement. Home building industry professionals were awarded the Home Builders Association of South Carolina’s most prestigious awards at the recent Celebration of Excellence on Hilton Head Island. The Pinnacle Award winners were recognized for the craftsmanship of the best home builders and remodelers in the Palmetto State. Thirteen Pinnacle Awards were given in six categories – new home construction, remodel projects, green building, energy efficiency, subdivision/community and sales & marketing. SCBJ


New Home Construction$750,000 to $999,999• Ellis Construction Company, Inc. – Marc Ellis

(Hilton Head Area HBA)

> >

Pinnacle Awards Continued from page 10

$1,000,000 to $1,499,999• Structures Building Company – Steven Kendrick (Charleston HBA)


> >


$1,500,000 to $1,999,999• The Berry Group – Ken Berry (HBA of Oconee)

$2,000,000 to $4,999,999• Phillip W. Smith

General Contractor, Inc. – Phillip W. Smith (Charleston HBA)

$5,000,000 or More• Gabriel Builders, Inc. –

Gus and Belinda Rubio (HBA of Greenville)

Pinnacle Awards Continued from page 12

> >

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New Home Construction


Best Subdivision/Community

$149,999 or Less• Allen Patterson Residential, LLC – Allen Patterson

(Hilton Head Area HBA)

• Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)


• Saluda River Club – Andy White (HBA of Greater Columbia)

$150,000 or More• J. DuBonn Builders – John and Tiffany

DuBonn (HBA of Greenville)

> >

Best Overall Sales & Marketing

> >

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Remodeling Projects

www.hbaofsc.com • South Carolina Builder Journal • 2013 17

E stablished in 1995, the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame has inducted 65 outstanding individuals from all over the state. Displayed proudly in the office of the Home Builders Association of South

Carolina, the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the housing industry and to their communities, as well as the state of South Carolina and the nation, through their work in building and development, public service and housing-related areas such as education, architecture and planning.

The South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame trustees have inducted Frank B. Norris and Andrew D. White into the prestigious honor society for their work in and support of South Carolina’s home building industry.

“We couldn’t have asked for better nominees than Frank Norris or Andy White because of their unwavering efforts to protect the home building industry and the American dream of homeownership,” said Kenneth E. Ormand, Jr., chairman of the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame Trustees. “The

South Carolina home building industry has been fortunate to have these champions working for the benefit of our citizens.”

Frank Norris is a strong advocate of housing who has had a remarkable effect on the housing industry. For over

Inducts Two New MembersSC Housing Hall of Fame



HBASC Announces Thomas N. Bagnal Builder Member and Associate of the Year Awards

O n Saturday, November 9 at the annual Celebration of Excellence the HBASC awarded Berkley White, President of Classic Commercial, Inc. and Jon Statom

of Palmetto Exterminators, Inc. the Thomas N. Bagnal Builder member of the Year and HBASC Associate of the Year awards, two of the most prestigious HBASC awards. Both awards are given to individuals who demonstrate the same qualities as the awards namesake, Thomas N. Bagnal. These qualities include: tireless service to their community, Home Builders Association (HBA) and to the home building industry.

Berkley White was honored for his tireless dedication to the home building industry and the HBA. Berkley has been a member of the Horry-Georgetown HBA since 1997 and is a co-founder of Classic Commercial, Inc. with his mother Susan and is joined by his wife Kim. Berkley has served as President of his local association and on the Boards of both the Horry-Georgetown HBA and the HBASC and is a Certified Master Builder. Classic Commercial, Inc. has been chosen as the area’s exclusive member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program.

According to many of his peers, Berkley is a highly regarded home builder and member of his community. Rose Anne O’Reilly, Executive Director of the Horry-Georgetown HBA calls him, “an asset to the entire industry and his community. Berkley exemplifies the title “Thomas N. Bagnal Builder Member of the Year” for his efforts as a builder, member of our association, community volunteer and friend.”

Jon Statom has been an ardent supporter of the home building industry and a member of the HBA of Greenville for more than 10 years. He serves on committees and on the Board of the HBA of Greenville and continues to give generously of his time and resources. Jon has been active in local Habitat for Humanity renovations and Chairs the HBA of Greenville Community Service Committee. Jon’s fervent support of the home building industry and the HBA is evident in his actions and support.

According to Michael Dey, Executive Vice President of the HBA of Greenville, “Jon Statom’s tenet, which he practices every day, is to work toward the benefit of our community, industry and association. Jon has quietly, but consistently served our association for more than a decade, and has become a valuable member of our association’s leadership team.”

The HBASC commends both men on their commitment to the home building industry and to their community. SCBJ

four decades, Frank has witnessed the rise and fall of the economy and the hardening and softening of the insurance market and how it relates to the health and prosperity of the construction industry. Out of this desire to educate those in the industry he developed the Builder Survival Kit. This program has been a valuable tool for builders to help protect their companies. Frank Norris has also shown time and time again through his philanthropy, his service and his friendship that the well-being of the construction industry and community are imperative to him.

Andy White has been aptly recognized, both statewide and nationally, as the award-winning developer of the Saluda River Club. His peers acknowledge him as a guardian of the South Carolina residential construction industry. During one of the deepest economic downturns in our state’s history Andy White, Legislative Chair to the HBASC, engaged in legislative issues that would have otherwise negatively affected the industry and our states’ financial recovery. Andy’s conviction and leadership on legislative issues including impact fees, residential sprinklers, multi-lot discounts, and property tax reform set a tone for the legislative successes that everyone who makes a career in the industry enjoys today.

In addition to his industry involvement, Andy White has served his community in several volunteer positions, but more notable are the efforts he and his wife, Debbie, have provided as foster parents for nearly 40 neglected children in Lexington County.

“Without the concern and actions of these two personalities, our industry would not have been able to weather the recent economic storm and would not have been able to maintain the level of strength which it has today,” said Ormand. “I congratulate the accomplishments of Messrs. Norris and White and I welcome them into the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame.” SCBJ

SC Housing Hall of FameContinued from page 17

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