Article by 2024 GHBA President Matthew Reibenstein, Royal Design Build Co.
This is one of my favorite topics of conversation with both members and non-members alike. I am passionate about my response—though it can be hard to explain—because I “feel” and “see” it more than words can express. GHBA connects businesses, but more importantly, it connects people.
I have said this more times than I care to admit, and I see it on a completely different level as your president, but GHBA members simply SHOW UP! The display of selfless servant leadership throughout our organization is both inspiring and jaw-dropping. Whether it is a need for donations, help on a project, involvement at an event, serving a meal, buying Christmas gifts, donating time to show up to meetings, or any of the other million things we do… all I ever hear members say is, “What do you need?”
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We are like a family and help take care of each other. I didn’t see it at first, but I certainly do now! Throwback time for a second—about 14 years ago I was new in business and looked into the GHBA thinking it might look good for business. I decided it was too expensive, not realizing what I was missing. Our new warranty rep from StrucSure (you all know and love her, too!) invited me to attend a class. She asked if I knew anything about the education courses held at the GHBA, knowing it would help me in business. I took her offer and decided to come to my first class. Then another. And then one more. Then I thought, why would I want to give away my secrets to other builders or sponsor events? Hmm.
It took several more times of showing up and getting to know a few people before I started to drink the Kool-Aid. Now, when people say they attended an event or two and didn’t get anything out of it, you know I am the first one to share my story! As I started to meet more people, my circle of influence grew. These were some really good people and AMAZING builders that I could learn a lot from! More importantly, they all WANTED to help me! They wanted to see me do well and offered everything from contract help, to building code help, to handling hard conversations with employees and customers. Without those countless instrumental members who took me under their wing, not only would I be without a job most likely, but I would be without my GHBA family.
I have a strong belief that if you want to be your best, you have to hang out with those who are better than you. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but I’m referring to the people who you look up to in many aspects of life. THAT is what the GHBA is to me. Over the past 10 years, I have forged some incredible business relationships and friendships that the younger me would have never known or understood the value of. I serve with some of the best people in the industry and if you are reading this, you are likely one of them!
Complete side note here—some of my favorite things about being your president are the *eye rolls* and “sighs” I get when they know HOUSTON is coming (especially to Texas Association of Builders events), not because we aren’t liked, but because we show up like a family party on Friday night… everywhere we go!
Today more than ever, I am so proud to be a GHBA member and my hope is that I can inspire someone else out there who has been on the outskirts to jump in. Or, even better, inspire you to share your membership story to others as you meet them. Be ready to tell someone what this family means to you and how someone else can benefit, both personally and professionally.
As members, we should be proud of what we do and all that we accomplish individually, at our businesses and for this organization. Serving here has been the highlight of my career so far, and I thank you for your continued commitment to the GHBA!