The Home Builders Association of Fayetteville NC (HBAF) is calling all women in the building industry to be part of a new career resource dedicated to promoting industry professionalism and supporting members at the local, state and national levels.

The HBAF is excited to announce the launch of their Professional Women in Building Council (PWB): Professional Women in Building of the Sandhills (PWBS)! 

This initiative aims to empower and connect women in the housing industry through

“A series of inspiring events, networking galore, and growth opportunities that will elevate your professional journey.” 

According to HBAF Executive Officer Natalie Fryer, the paperwork has been accepted through the National Association of Home Builders, the parent organization of Professional Women in Building Councils across the country. 

PBWS will receive their charter on Monday, Feb. 26 at the NAHB International Builders Show held in Las Vegas, NV. 

Charter bylaws state that “The PWBS is first and foremost an organization dedicated to supporting the professional development of women in the home building industry. Its members consist of NAHB and HBAF Builder, Associate and Affiliate members.” 

Along with already having a solid number of charter members already, Fryer shared how leadership was selected.

“I gathered a small group of our women members to begin the conversation of starting a PWB. From that group grew a larger group that helped with research last spring. We attended a NC PWB event so we could meet other ladies already involved. The officers were chosen from that group of women,” said Fryer.

Leadership includes: 

• Chairperson: Lauren Furr, Furr Construction

• Vice Chairperson: Aileen Rogers, Fathom Realty

• 2nd Vice-Chairperson: Sharlene Williams, SRW Builders

• Secretary/Treasurer: Dawn Thompson, Danny & Dawn Thompson - Coldwell Banker

Charter members include: 

Becki Bolton, Christy Kirkland, Christy Strickland, Emily Riofrio, Hannah Payne, Heather Wilson, Holly Pendergraft, Julie Russo, Leanna Hair, Leslie Groves, Lisa Geddie, Lisa Hill, Liz Paschal, Logan Geddie, Lynne Greene, Michelle Nobles, Samantha Wells, Shannon Battle, Shari Groover, Shawna Becker, Stacy Simmons, Suzanne Pennink, Taylor Henrickson, Theresa Mullins, Tish Evans, Tyler Chavonne, Victoria Harrison, and Zondra Hall.

Fryer shared that according to the charter bylaws, the core purpose of the group is to uplift women in the building industry by “providing direct member services through education and training programs which focus on professional and leadership development, networking opportunities and industry related information.”

Membership requirements include: 

• Annual member membership dues of $100

• Must be a member of HBAF.

Fryer also shared membership is open year-round and is annual from the day someone joins. SHe also shared that the goal for the next two years is to meet quarterly. 

The HBAF will be launching a monthly newsletter for PWBS called "Building Bridges" which will be packed with information and connections.

The first event for the PWBS will be on Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Fayetteville Urban Ministries (FUM). 

“We chose FUM as our charity for the next two years. Our community projects will focus on their needs. One need they have is for a dedicated portion of their current clothes closet to be clothes that women need for interviews, etc. The PWBS is going to make that happen. We will meet on March 21 to look at the space and lay out plans for the closet; both in design and the donations,” shared Fryer. “If you are a woman in the housing and related industries; I encourage you to become a member of the PWBS. Grow your business, grow your knowledge, have fun and interact with some of the leading women professionals in our community!”

Connect with the HBAF and learn more here.