After graduating from Florida State University with both a BS and MS degree in Education, I worked two years in St. Petersburg, Florida as a teacher. In the summer of 1980, I accepted a job offer with Houston Lighting and Power selling the “Energy Check Program” to area builders. I worked for HL&P for five years and then got married and spent the next 20 years being a stay-at-home mom enjoying raising my three daughters.
In 2005, after my kids started to go off to college, I accepted a temp position as the office manager at GHBA. A few months later I was promoted to director of education. I find it amazing that after not working for 20 years I landed in a new career that combined both my experience in education and working with builders for HL&P. Funny how life works!
Now in my 16th year with the association, I coordinate more than 60 classes per year covering a large variety of topics in both construction, business and more. I also serve as staff liaison for the Associate Council and the Bay Area Builders division—which means I get to work closely with our great members at the GHBA’s most fun events, like the Chili and BBQ cook-offs, the Spring Golf Tournament, and BABA Fishing Tournament. One of my favorite charity events is the Frank Aranza Adopt-A-Family Project. Our wonderfully generous members “adopt” 40+ families in need and provide Christmas presents for everyone in the family! It is always such a joyous and moving occasion.
In 2015 I lost everything I had in the Memorial Day Flood. This was not my first flood event, but it was most definitely the worst. I soon learned that what I thought was going to be so devastating would turn out to be one of the most impactful events in my life in the most positive way. I could not believe the generosity and support bestowed on me by the GHBA staff and many of our members. So many people helped me and reached out to others on my behalf to get me back on my feet quickly. I will be forever grateful for their love and support!
Being from Florida, I enjoy a variety of watersports like springboard diving and water skiing in college, spending time at the beach and fishing. I also compete with a group of friends in a ladies-only fishing tournament called the Red Fish Rodeo. I love being in the mountains and snow skiing, going to plays and listening to live music. But my true passion is jumping horses. My oldest daughter and I both competed in hunter/jumper competitions for 10 years, all over the country. That is the sport I miss the most!
The year 2020 will be one to remember and not because of the pandemic but because in January my daughter Caitlin and her husband Jonathan blessed our family with our first grandchild, a baby girl named Landon Rose. She is now 5 months old, full of joy and has stolen my heart!
