On December 4th, during the Home Builders Association Inaugural Celebration, Chris Ragland of Homes by Chris was welcomed as its new President, beginning in 2014.
For the past 10 years, Chris has been the co-owner of HBC, along with her husband Roy. HBC specializes in building impressive, yet affordable, spec and custom homes with extra touches across the Northland of Kansas City in Clay and Platte Counties. During her time as a custom home builder, Ragland has been an active member of the HBA.
Ragland’s many HBA volunteer roles since 2004 include serving on the Board of Directors, numerous committees including bylaws, nominating and governmental affairs, as well as serving on the executive committee as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President. Ragland is also a Trustee of the National Association of Home Builders Builder 20 Club, which is a group dedicated to improving operations in the industry.
Of her new role, Ragland says she plans to combine her prior involvement in the HBA with a renewed sense of dedication, which will strengthen the organization.
“The HBA has a long history—almost 70 years, in fact—of working to support the home building industry and the home buyers who keep the industry strong. By continuing to increase our membership by bringing more industry professionals to the HBA, all builders and associates can benefit from what our association has to offer.”
One of the ways she would like to accomplish this is by attracting, acknowledging, and supporting the next generation of Kansas City area homebuilders.
“Our region is really blessed by some incredible talent from builders under 40 who bring unique talents, passion, and perspective to design, construction, and community development,” she explains. “And as such, they can play an integral role in our efforts if they are nurtured and supported in the ways established builders like myself have been over the years.”
Currently, the HBA is comprised of approximately 600 member companies representing an industry that supports more than 7,500 jobs in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The vast skills and talents of this industry come to light in numerous places and events, including at the annual Home Show-Fall Edition, the Fall and Spring Parade of Homes events, the Home, Flower, Lawn, and Garden Shows.
“For the past decade, we have had good times, uncertain times, cautious times, and now improving times for the building industry and association,” Ragland says. “All the while, our HBA has continued its good work in governmental affairs, educational programs, market information to our members, and networking between builders and associates.”
Looking forward, the HBA will also be focused on helping its members navigate the changes in national and regional building codes, environmental initiatives, consumer lifestyles, needs, and desires, as well as other important issues.
“I am so honored that the HBA has chosen me to lead such a prestigious organization,” Ragland says. “I look forward to working alongside our current members, as well as welcoming new members into the fold, to help create and foster wonderful change in an industry that plays such a significant role in the socio-economic landscape of the Greater Kansas City area, and means a great to us personally as builders and homeowners.”