How did you get started in your career?
In 1990 I worked for an American Family Insurance agent in Colorado Springs. We did all of the general liability insurance for 90% of the homebuilders in the Springs. This agent was very involved in the HBA, sponsoring events all the time. I was the one who ended up doing all of the volunteer work for the events and became very involved with the HBA. Soon I worked for the Colorado Springs HBA as their Director of Sales & Marketing. The Parade of Homes, MAME and the Homebuilder Magazine were all part of the job. In those days we did bulk mail and I had my children sit with me at our house and help label envelopes. They always said that they weren’t quite sure what my job was, but they were sure they didn’t want to do it when they grew up.
Several years later I moved to southern CA and worked for HomeAid Orange County and helped establish HomeAid America. Now things have come full circle and I’m on the HomeAid Colorado Board of Directors. In 2001 I moved back to Colorado Springs and back to work for the HBA as the Director of Government Affairs. At the time I thought it would be the most boring job I could imagine, but it turned out to be one of the most educational and amazing jobs I’ve had the opportunity to experience. I learned all about city/county regulatory issues regarding homebuilding, zoning requirements for development, etc. I worked closely with CAHB on political issues that impact our industry.
Eventually I moved on to Denver and the HBF, which was one of the most inspirational and fulfilling jobs I’ve had. I was honored to be a part of that organization. It was very different wearing a white hat for the homebuilding industry promoting their generosity when I had just come from wearing the black hat in Colorado Springs, battling tighter regulations and ‘No Growth” issues.
I have been a homebuilder sales representative with First American Title for the past two years, and really enjoy a totally different aspect of the industry.
Obviously I have had many chapters to my career, and with those opportunities there were many people who influenced me. Andy Anderson was the ED of the Colorado Springs HBA and gave me so much encouragement and advice. He helped me learn to believe in myself and become more confident. I was often pushed out of my realm, and always have enjoyed learning from each new challenge. Support from your peers is a very important factor.
What do you love about the Home Building industry?
The people I’ve had the pleasure to work with and learn from. I feel that I have a homebuilder family in Denver and one in Colorado Springs. I’m extremely proud to be a part of such a unique, fun and compassionate group of people.
Tell us 3 things about yourself that people don’t know.
I have lived in 9 states across the nation and Germany. My husband and I have 5 children between the two of us and one grandson. I’m going to be a great golfer one of these days!
Anything else you would like to share?
Don’t be shy or afraid to try new things. Believe in yourself. A path with no obstacles probably doesn’t lead anywhere.
