Membership Monday Spotlight

🌟 Meet Lori Evans, Marketing Manager for Hillwood Communities, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here's a peek into her journey:

🏠 How she got her start in the industry: Lori first started in the industry working for FirstService Residential as the Lifestyle Director for Pomona, one of Hillwood's master-planned communities, located in Manvel, in 2016. She hosted over 300 events a year during her tenure, and it was always the goal to land a position working directly for Hillwood Communities. Her dreams came true when she secured her current position, Marketing Manager, working directly for Hillwood in 2022.

👷 GHBA: Lori's involvement with the GHBA started two years ago. She got involved when a former GHBA staff member, Mel Audain, recruited her to serve on the GHBA's Sales and Marketing Board of Directors. She is now going on three years as a board member and already has made a lasting impact. For her hard work and dedication, Lori was honored at last year's Houston's Best PRISM Awards as one of two SMC Board Members of the Year.

🤝 Charity Work: Lori dedicates her time to supporting the community beyond the GHBA. She is a volunteer for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a commitment she's had in various roles for the last eight, going on nine, years. Recently, Lori began volunteering alongside her two children in the children's ministry at New Hope Church, where she has loved seeing them discover joy, purpose and fulfillment in serving others. Lori has also volunteered as a mentor for Alvin ISD, further dedicating her time to supporting her community.

💖 Passions: When Lori isn’t working or volunteering, Lori loves to workout and travel as often as she can.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “Volunteering for the GHBA has been a rewarding experience. It has allowed me to connect with like minded professionals, broaden my industry knowledge and gain valuable insights into the home building community," Lori said. I’ve developed leadership skills, strengthened my network and found inspiration to bring innovative solutions to my work. I look forward to serving for many years to come.” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Raul Flores, Pro-Market Manager for The Tile Shop, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here's a peek into his journey:

🏠 How he got his start in the industry: From a young age, Raul began working in the home building industry alongside his father in a small remodeling business. Recognizing the need for quality bilingual sales and customer service, he transitioned into a sales role to bridge that gap for contractors and clients. Over the past 19 years, he has supported professionals across the construction industry by delivering tailored flooring solutions and working in leadership roles with major retailers.

👷 GHBA: Raul has been a GHBA for a little more than two years. He joined the GHBA to gain deeper insights into the industry’s evolving needs and to better support the professionals he works with. Through GHBA, he has expanded his network, connected with industry leaders and gained valuable resources to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the building community.

🤝 Charity Work: In addition to his involvement with the GHBA, Raul actively volunteers with the Texas Gulf Coast chapters of both the National Kitchen & Bath Association as the Hospitality Leader and the American Society of Interior Designers as the Social Media Co-Chair.

💖 Passions: When Raul isn’t working, attending GHBA events or volunteering, Raul is growing a small dumpster rental business. On the weekends, he loves to spend time with his family, grilling and making the most of their time together.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “The GHBA has been instrumental in my career, offering me the opportunity to grow my network and build lasting relationships that go beyond business – many of which have turned into great friendships,” Raul said. “Through the GHBA, I've gained invaluable connections and insights that have shaped my professional journey. I’m committed to continuing my support for GHBA and to helping others within the organization whenever I can, sharing the knowledge and support I’ve received along the way.” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Steven Guillory, Business Development Manager at Monarch Landscape Management, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here’s a peek into his journey:

🏠 How he got his start in the industry: Steven has been in the industry for eight years. After a medical retirement from the military, he attended Sam Houston State University. During a job fair, he connected with a former special forces operator who was seeking a production manager for a landscaping company—and that opportunity marked the start of his career in this field.

👷 GHBA: Steven has been a member since April 2024. When someone in the industry asked him if he was attending the Northern Counties Builders and Developers Division Clay Shoot, he realized the GHBA would be a great way to meet and network with developers. Steven enjoys attending GHBA events and has attended YP events.

💖 Passions: Steven says he has an amazing wife who is a first-grade teacher, and together, they have three young boys. You can most likely find them on the golf course, enjoying the lake house or beach or hunting whatever game species happens to be in season. They stay busy, he says!

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “The GHBA has been a great organization for networking. The events are numerous and well-organized,” Steven said. “I joined to meet more folks in this industry’s space and GHBA has allowed me to do just that.” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Tasha Steiner with On-Target! Marketing & Advertising, our featured member for hashtag#MembershipMonday 🏡 Here's a peek into her journey:

🏠 How she got her start in the industry: In 2005, Tasha and her husband – who is also her business partner – got their start in the homebuilding industry by becoming members of the Greater Houston Builders Association as a young marketing company. Shortly after joining, the GHBA hired On-Target Marketing after issuing an RFP for strategic marketing firms and conducting a competitive proposal process. Tasha and her team successfully rebranded the GHBA and positioned the organization with innovative marketing strategies.

👷 GHBA: Tasha joined the GHBA to expand their business reach and network. It provided her an excellent platform to connect with industry leaders, stay informed on the latest trends and create opportunities to build meaningful relationships with other professionals while enhancing their visibility in the community. When she first joined in 2005, Tasha immediately got involved with the Education Committee, where she quickly realized the value that the GHBA’s professional designations brought to its members and the community. Her efforts serving that very first year led to Tasha receiving a GHBA Presidential Citation for Associate member. Since then, Tasha and her team have won various PRISM awards for marketing campaigns and initiatives.

💖 Passions: Outside of work and the GHBA, Tasha enjoys spending time with family, friends and her four-legged companions. She is also involved in animal welfare, serving on the Friends of Montgomery County Animal Shelter board and recently joining the Multi-County (Montgomery County) Crime Stoppers board of directors this past October.

🤝 Charity Work: Through the GHBA, Tasha found her passion in HomeAid Houston, having previously served as a board member for many years and will continue to serve on the HALO Committee. Tasha has served on the HomeAid Hosuton Marketing Committee, helping launch events and programs such as the annual golf tournament and Project Playhouse. In addition to her work with HomeAid Houston, Tasha supports Angel Reach, Gracewood and the Fort Bend Women’s Center.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “The GHBA opened up a new level of networking I had not been exposed to before. On-Target has gained so many long-term clients and experiences that we are so grateful for because of the GHBA,” Tasha said. “But most importantly and surprisingly were the friendships, mentoring and exposure to some of the most impressive and amazing professionals I have ever known. I have made incredible lifelong friendships, and that is priceless!” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet @D’Nita Kuhn Stanfield with HomeTeam Pest Defense, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here's a peek into her journey:

🏠 How she got her start in the industry: D’Nita’s career began with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where she helped organize a joint fundraiser with a big home builder. After working the event from start to finish, the builder's marketing vice president asked D’Nita to interview for an open position and D’Nita got the job. Ever since, D’Nita has worked for four builders, primarily in marketing and sales. In 2007, looking for a fresh start, she joined the GHBA as director of special events, also overseeing the Associate's Council and the Sales and Marketing Council. After five years, she transitioned back to sales and marketing – this time as a vendor – and has been with HomeTeam Pest Defense in Builder Sales for 11 years.

👷 GHBA: D’Nita has been involved with the GHBA since 1999 when she started attending SMC board meetings with her coworker. In 2000, she was officially nominated and voted to serve on the board – a position she held up until about 2013. D’Nita received a GHBA Presidential Citation in 2010 and has contributed to various initiatives over the years.Today, she serves on the Associate Council board of directors and this year held the title of Fajita Fiesta chair.

While on staff with the GHBA, D’Nita's favorite event was the annual holiday Adopt-a-Family program. She loved seeing the excitement of children when they received their gifts and our “huge-hearted” members coming together to support families. As a volunteer, her favorite committee is the Associate's Council. “We get it done!” she said.

💖 Passions: D’Nita loves spending time with her family. She has five kids, two grandkids and her husband has two sons, too – it’s a full house, she says. They have a “family fun day” at least once a month to all get together. D’Nita and her husband also love to travel and explore new places, often taking spontaneous trips. They also enjoy going to the coast to fish together.

🤝 Charity Work: D’Nita has supported numerous organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home. She has also been involved with her church's bazaar team and taught confirmation at her church for 17 years.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “My involvement with GHBA has become a central part of my professional life. Working on staff has given me deep insight into the organization's substantial impact on our industry,” D’Nita said. “I currently represent GHBA to the Texas Association of Builders and the National Association of Home Builders. I am committed to these roles because I am deeply passionate about this industry and view them as opportunities to contribute and give back.” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Amanda McIntire with Highland Homes, our featured member for #MembershipMonday. 🏡 Here’s a peek into her journey:

🏠 How she got started: Amanda joined the homebuilding industry four years ago. She started at Highland Homes in their Plano office as a Land Associate supporting the Houston market and a handful of communities in DFW. In 2021, Amanda relocated to Houston full-time and is now a Sr. Land Acquisition Manager for Highland overseeing land acquisitions for the entire Houston market.

👷 GHBA: Amanda first got involved with the GHBA by attending Developers Council meetings and quickly realized there were a lot of resources that the GHBA provides. She has been a member of the GHBA for two years and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Committee, serves on the Events Committee for Professional Women in Building and the Education Committee.

💖 Passions: When Amanda can find the time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, traveling with her friends and playing bingo at the lodge.

🤝 Charity Work: Outside of the GHBA, Amanda serves on the HomeAid Houston board and spends time volunteering for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a member of Breeders Greeters. Additionally, she is the Committee Chair of Heart of Highland.

🏠 GHBA Impact: “The GHBA has been an incredible support system, connecting me with opportunities and people who inspire me to grow and give back,” Amanda said. “It’s not just a network; it’s a community that truly cares. If you are a younger member, I highly encourage you to get involved. That is the best way to grow and learn in this industry!” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Jake Lightfoot with LEI Grounds Groomer, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here’s a peek into his journey:

🏠 How he got started: Jake Lightfoot and LEI Grounds Groomer found their way into the homebuilding industry naturally, having a long history of serving established communities. As LEI’s relationships with developers strengthened, they recognized the value of being involved from the start.

👷 GHBA: 2024 is Jake’s first official year with the GHBA. His interest began after a conversation with a close friend who shared GHBA’s impact on his professional life. Jake recognized the GHBA as an ideal resource to deepen his understanding of community development and the needs of developers. This year, he has focused on creating stronger bonds with the organization and aligning LEI’s values with GHBA’s goals.

💖 Passions: Jake’s priority is spending time with his family. Working for a family business makes it even more important to find the balance in setting aside intentional time to relax and be present with loved ones, allowing him to balance his work-life responsibilities.

🤝 Charity Work: Jake is passionate about giving back to the community through his involvement with Kids’ Meals. It’s incredibly fulfilling for him to play even a small part in the fight against childhood hunger.

🏠 GHBA Impact: “Our involvement with GHBA has already begun to provide us with a better understanding of the development side of the communities we serve. We look forward to establishing deeper roots within the organization and leveraging the relationships and knowledge we gain to further our mission of building and maintaining thriving communities.” ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Roxanne Plasencia with Unicorn Service Solutions, our featured member for #MembershipMonday. 🏡 Here's a peek into her journey:

🏠 How she got her start in the industry: Roxanne began her career in the home building industry by managing the permitting process for residential swimming pools. From there, she expanded into other areas of construction and development, gaining extensive experience in navigating complex permitting requirements. Today, as Chief Operations Officer for Unicorn Service Solutions, Roxanne focuses on a variety of projects ranging from residential to large-scale residential and commercial developments, with over a decade of experience in the industry.

👷 GHBA: Roxanne has been involved with the GHBA for about five years. Her passion for the organization began after attending Rally Day in Austin, where she was instantly captivated by the advocacy work GHBA does for the industry. Since then, she has remained committed to contributing to and growing within the association, actively participating in various committees and leadership roles.

Roxanne currently serves as the Programming and Education Committee Chair for the Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council, a role she has held since 2022. In this position, she has helped build the council’s programming. Last year, she helped launch the “Women’s Financial Well-Being” series, focusing on topics such as retirement savings, college education funding and financial planning for elderly parents. Her leadership also brought Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham to the council's first in-person general membership meeting. Roxanne is excited about future programming for PWB members.

💖 Passions: In her free time, Roxanne enjoys running and attending cultural events around Houston, including the Houston Ballet, Theater Under the Stars and Broadway performances at The Hobby Center. She is also an avid reader and writer who is currently working on her first novel. A proud dog mom, Roxanne loves taking walks with her senior dog, who often gets the royal treatment in a stroller. Roxanne also enjoys amateur city planning and has built a miniature Lego city featuring bike lanes and sidewalks.

🤝 Charity Work: Outside of the GHBA, Roxanne serves as a Board Member and Advocacy Co-Chair for the League of Women Voters Houston. She’s also involved in the Urban Land Institute’s Americas Young Leaders Group Steering Committee, where she works on the Integration Subcommittee. Lastly, Roxanne volunteers with Elijah Rising, a non-profit dedicated to combating sex trafficking through prayer, awareness and restoration.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: “GHBA has provided me with invaluable opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. It’s been a place where I’ve gained knowledge, expanded my skills, and made meaningful relationships that have enriched my life and career.”

You can also find this feature online at ghba.org/membership-monday/. ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Meet Todd Yandell with Westlake Royal Building Products, our featured member for #MembershipMonday 🏡 Here's a peek into his journey:

🏠 How he got his start in the industry: Todd began his journey in the building industry 26 years ago as a division 10 sales representative and estimator. Utilizing his vast knowledge in the building industry, Todd transitioned to the home building industry three years ago by joining the team at Boral BP, also known as Westlake Royal.

👷 GHBA: Todd has been a member of GHBA for two years, and he has served on the Membership Committee during his time. He became involved because of the encouragement from another GHBA member, Sonora Storm, and the opportunities that the GHBA provides. Understanding how small the industry is, Todd believes joining the GHBA introduced him to a larger network of individuals who helped him navigate the massive puzzle that is the home building industry. He feels fortunate to be part of an organization that brings people together and fosters strong community bonds.

💖 Passions: In his free time, Todd enjoys riding his motorcycle and building his smoking skills with his grill. His two small dogs often accompany him, playfully correcting any grilling mistakes.

🤝 Charity Work: Outside of GHBA, Todd has served on the board of the Greater Houston German Shepherd Rescue and actively fosters with the Rescue Pets Movement.

🏠 GHBA’s Impact: "Since joining the GHBA I’ve met countless people I’d never have the chance to run into any other time. It’s just amazing how many amazing people and relationships I have developed since joining the GHBA,” Todd said. “I could not be happier to be a part of this organization. Everyone is so kind and helpful, it’s a wonderful reminder how people here in Texas come together."

You can also read this Membership Monday feature on the GHBA website at ghba.org/membership-monday ! ... See MoreSee Less