Membership Monday Spotlight

🌟 Meet Hector Zamarripa, Homebuilder Account Executive for Sherwin-Williams' South Western Division, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at his journey:

🏠 His start in the industry: Hector has been with the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company for 30 years this May. His father, a painter who worked for one of the pioneering builders in The Woodlands, Jerry Kirkpatrick, inspired his interest in the homebuilding industry at a very young age!

👷 GHBA: Hector joined the GHBA in 2004, to better understand the home building market and to build connections with industry peers. He's been a member of the GHBA's Bay Area Builders Association Board of Directors since 2005, and this year, he serves as BABA's President. Hector is the very first associate member to hold this position.

🤝 Charity Work: Hector and the Sherwin-Williams team have supported Operation Finally Home since its inception, as well as HomeAid Houston - both of GHBA's charitable partners.

🛥️ Passions: Outside of work and the GHBA, Hector treasures his time with his wife of 28 years. They enjoy traveling and going on cruises together. He also finds joy in spending time with his three-year-old grandson and watching him grow!

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: "Through the GHBA, I've gained invaluable knowledge about the building industry and formed friendships with extraordinary individuals who have enriched my life," Hector said. ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Johnnye Barrera, CEO for AdMANgination, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at her journey:

🏠 His start in the industry: Johnnye began working in graphic design and marketing for clients in the home building industry back in 1985. Since then, builders and developers have continued to make up about 90% of his client base.

👷 GHBA: Back in 1985, Johnnye did a lot of pro bono design work for several GHBA members who needed support with marketing and graphic design for GHBA events, such as PRISM Awards. That work introduced him to some great GHBA events over the years. In 2011, Johnnye was invited to join the board of directors for the GHBA Sales & Marketing Council — and he’s been proudly serving ever since in various roles. Mostly as the Marketing Chair (every year since 2014), and today serves as Associate Vice President. He was honored as the SMC Associate of the Year in 2010 and recognized as the SMC Board Member of the Year in 2023. He has served as Chair or Co-chair for the SMC's Battle of the Builders event ten times (wow!). Alongside the PRISM Awards, Battle of the Builders remains one of his favorite GHBA SMC events each year.

🤝 Charity Work: Outside of the GHBA, Johnnye has continued to donate his time and talents to various charities — most notably AmFAR, creating graphics and marketing materials for five major concert events featuring legends like Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Barry Manilow, helping raise over $5 million for HIV research in Houston. One of his proudest moments was learning that the research team they helped fund contributed to the development of antiviral medication that prevents the transmission of HIV from mother to baby during pregnancy.

💡 Passions: Johnnye enjoys staying active, spending time with his Golden Retrievers, and teaming up with neighbors on year-round landscaping efforts. Since last summer, he’s also taken on a unique passion project—raising ducks to help replenish the local lakes in Fulshear. From hatching eggs to releasing fully grown ducks, he’s already raised and released around 60, with 22 more set to join the waters this spring and summer. And yes, he’s proudly named each one!

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: For Johnnye, the GHBA has been a meaningful way to engage with Houston’s builder community using his design and marketing skills on a broader scale. It’s also been a great boost for his business, he says. The GHBA has opened the door to long-time professional and personal connections. One of the joys has been watching clients grow their families over the years, with some of their kids now in high school or even heading off to college. ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Kristin Painter, Director of Business Development for Zonda Home on the NewHomeSource team, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at her journey:

🏠 Her start in the industry: For Kristin, the homebuilding industry is in her blood! Her father has been in new home sales her entire life, so starting in the industry back in 2012 was a natural fit for her. She started out in new home sales for Toll Brother for 10 years and is now with Zonda, as part of their NewHomeSource and digital solutions team.

👷 GHBA: During her time with Toll Brothers, Kristin was a finalist for a PRISM Award for Rookie Salesperson of the Year. That honor put GHBA on her radar, but she didn't start really getting involved in volunteering until last year. She hit the ground running with her involvement, always stepping up to help at GHBA events. Today, she serves on the Sales & Marketing Board of Directors.

💡 Passions: Kristin loves one-on-one conversations with her industry peers. But, outside of work and the GHBA, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughter. She loves live music and attending concerts!

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: "The GHBA has given me the opportunity to build authentic connections with others in the industry. I truly thrive on getting to know people’s stories and learning about their careers — it’s inspiring to see the paths others have taken, and it helps me continue to grow both personally and professionally." ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Heather Gustafson, Senior Director of Marketing for Brookfield Residential, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at her journey:

🏠 Her start in the industry: Heather got her start in the homebuilding industry in 2002 as a marketing coordinator for KB Home. In 2007, Heather went to work for Newland Communities — now Brookfield Residential. For the past 18 years, she has been grateful for the opportunity to lead the marketing and branding strategy for successful master-planned communities in Houston such as Cinco Ranch, Telfair and Elyson, she says.

👷 GHBA: Heather attended her very first GHBA event, hosted by the Sales & Marketing Council, in 2002. Brand new to the industry, she took her boss’s advice to get involved, connect with peers and learn more about the homebuilding industry. She’s been hooked ever since. Fortunately, Heather said, she has always worked for companies that not only support her GHBA involvement but also recognize the value it brings to her professional growth and that of her teammates.

Throughout her time with the GHBA, Heather has previously served on the Sales & Marketing Council Board of Directors and currently serves on the Professional Women in Building Council Board of Directors. She has also supported marketing efforts for at least three of Brookfield's GHBA Benefit Homes Projects.

🤝 Charity Work: Outside of the GHBA, Heather is involved with HomeAid Houston through Brookfield's 15-year support of the organization. Through Brookfield, Heather also takes an active role in the company’s Thanksgiving food drive and Habitat for Humanity volunteer days.

💡 Passions: Heather is passionate about running. She has ran in four marathons and over 35 half marathons. She also loves spending time with her family, cooking, reading and travel.

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: "Because of my involvement with the GHBA, I have been able to build an amazing network of friends and resources. With the connections I have made through the GHBA, I have a huge pool of industry professionals always willing to answer questions, share contacts and join me in brainstorming," Heather said.

💖 Her favorite part about being involved with the GHBA: Heather has really enjoyed her time serving on the Professional Women in Building Board because it brings together women from many different areas of the industry — women Heather likely wouldn’t have met otherwise, she said. She also loves the council’s mentorship mission and enjoys seeing so many smart, talented women making an impact in the industry. Her favorite event of the year is Ladies Who Lead, which she sees as a powerful testament to the incredible women shaping the future of homebuilding. ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Scott Black, Director of Land Acquisition for David Weekley Homes, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at his journey:

🏠 His start in the industry: Scott's homebuilding career started with David Weekly Homes in late 2016 as a Warranty Service Manager. A year later, Scott moved into a new role with David Weekly as a builder. Not long after that, he joined the Land Acquisition team where he's been ever since and has found the most joy. "I truly enjoy helping to shape where we go and what we do," Scott said.

👷 GHBA: Scott got involved with the GHBA when he joined the Land Acquisition team, back in 2019. Some of the best advice he received when he joined land acquisition, Scott said, was from Mark Welch, who told him to get involved with the GHBA — not by simply attending meetings or events but by serving. Currently, Scott serves as a Developer Council Board Member. He is also a HOME-PAC Trustee and a Distinguished Member. Last year, Scott was honored as a 2024 New HOME-PAC Trustee of the Year. During our recent trip to the Texas Capitol for Rally Day, Scott served as a co-captain to advocate for our industry with state legislators.

🤝 Charity Work: This year, Scott serves as president of one of the GHBA's charitable partners, HomeAid Houston. He is also a mentor for real estate students at the University of Houston, serves on UH's Young Alumni Board and serves in various roles at Bayou City Fellowship. Of all his volunteer-leadership positions, Scott most enjoys serving for HomeAid Houston. "The impact we've been able to have serving the homeless around Houston is easily the most fun and rewarding thing I've worked on outside of my 'day job,'" Scott said.

💡 Passions: In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time at his family's lake house in Michigan with his wife, Katie, and their son, Crew.

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: " My involvement at the GHBA has been invaluable. Relationships built, new connections made, education obtained and advocating for our industry," Scott said. "You cannot put a price tag on it and I highly recommend getting involved regardless of your role, tenure or area of the business you are in." ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Regina Robbins, Project Coordinator for TONER Home Performance, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at her journey:

🏠 How she got her start in the industry: Regina got her start in the homebuilding industry as a space planner for an office interior design company in the 1990s and hasn't looked back!

👷 GHBA: Regina got involved with the GHBA when she first started with TONER Home Performance a little over three years ago. You can find Regina at a lot of the GHBA events and she is one of our members who is always offering to lend a hand, whether it be providing additional support at an event or by serving on a committee. Currently, Regina serves as the Co-Chair for the Custom Builders Council's Special Events Committee and volunteers on the Professional Women in Building's Special Event Committee. Out of all of her volunteer positions, Regina says it's hard to pick just one favorite project, event or committee, because she enjoys different aspects of each. "In a more generalized way, the best thing about the GHBA is the opportunity to volunteer and bring value to the team, industry and association."

🤝 Charity Work: To give back to her community beyond the GHBA, Regina serves at her church. She has also served two terms as Secretary for Altrusa, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide care and enrichment to underserved communities both here in the United States and abroad. Regina is inspired by her chapter's motto: "Do what you can, when you can."

💡 Passions: In her free time, Regina enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has wide range of hobbies, from Crossfit to scuba diving, hitting a walking trail or nine holes on a golf course — Regina loves being outside and being active.

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: “My involvement with the GHBA has allowed me to expand my professional network, and in the process, I've made both lifelong friends and mentors," Regina said. ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Todd LeBlanc, Founder of LeBlanc Custom Homes, our featured member for #MembershipMonday! 🏡 Here's a look at his journey:

🏠 How he got his start in the industry: Todd entered the homebuilding industry in 2005 when he founded LeBlanc Custom Homes. Before that, he was a senior manager at a software consulting company, but the constant travel, coupled with starting a family, led him to seek a new path. While still working in consulting, Todd built his first spec home—it sold immediately, motivating him to leave his corporate job and pursue homebuilding full-time. He has been building ever since.

👷 GHBA: Todd has been an active GHBA member since 2005, originally joining after attending a Custom Builders Council luncheon with a fellow builder. Initially, he was drawn to the GHBA for its education programs. Todd has served on the CBC Board for nearly a decade, including a term as CBC President. He is currently in his third year on the Membership Committee and previously served on the Education Committee. In 2018, Todd was honored as GHBA’s Custom Builder of the Year.

🤝 Charity Work: Todd has led several CBC charity projects, including coordinating and participating in improvement projects at Casa de Esperanza and spearheading the construction of portable showers for the homeless. One particularly memorable moment for Todd was building the showers in The Detering Company’s parking lot, where a mix-up with branded materials created an unexpected (but good-natured) surprise for their hosts!

💡 Passions: In his free time, Todd enjoys staying active. For the past five years, he has practiced jiu-jitsu a couple of times a week. He loves working out, fishing and spending time at his bay house in Galveston.

🏡 GHBA’s Impact: “The GHBA has been an important part of my life for the past 20 years. Many of my closest professional relationships and friendships have come from my involvement. As a small builder, I often work independently, but the GHBA has provided a network of like-minded professionals who share advice, resources, and support. This community has been invaluable to both my business and my personal growth.” ... See MoreSee Less