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Building better lives

By Neal White

Daily Light Publisher

He is regarded by his peers as one of the leading expers in modern home building in the nation. But his career as a builder barely scratches the surface of a life dedicated to country, community and the betterment of his fellow citizens. Gaylord Hanes can talk for hours on the complexities of building a well-crafted, energy-efficient home, or debating the need for continuing education for those in his trade, or how consumers can obtain an affordable mortgage. As the recently installed president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, Hanes knows homes. But don't ask him to talk about himself; even though he is actively involved in his church, in Rotary International and other organizations in the community. "What do you want to know?" Hanes asks with a boyish grin. "I believe in the American dream that every citizen of this country can own their own home, a quality home. I take a lot of pride in helping people realize that dream." Talking about himself doesn't come easy. Raised during the Great Depression, Hanes wasn't born with a silver spoon. He learned at an early age the value of hard work, dedication and self-starting initiative. When America entered World War II, he joined the Navy and at the age of 17, experienced some of the fiercest combat in the South Pacific. "I did what I had to do," Hanes said in a matter-of-fact tone, lowering his head and looking down at the floor. "I was proud to serve my country. I was proud to defend the freedoms this country allows us. "We have the privilege of living in the greatest nation on Earth, and that's something worth fighting for," he said. "But there was a lot of us who didn't come back." Following the war, Hanes used the GI Bill to go to college and earn a degree at Oklahoma State University. His first job out of college was serving as a county ag agent, and he rapidly gained a reputation as one of the top soil specialists in the state. In 1960, Hanes went back to school and earned a doctorate's degree, and after graduation served as the head of the plant science department as OSU. Around that time, Hanes one again answered his nation's call to service as the Cold War between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. intensified. But instead of the battlefield, Hanes was asked to serve on a panel charged with ensuring the nation's ability

to produce food in the event of a nuclear war. "You're too young to remember, but we were on the verge of wiping out civilization as we know it," Hanes said. "Intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying atomic bombs circled my family farm in Oklahoma, all programmed for specific cities in Russia." "On the other side of the world, the Russians had their missiles aimed at our cities. Atomic war was eminent," Hanes said. "My job was to figure out a way to produce crops and raise herds for those who survived the nuclear winter." Hanes shakes his head at the memory. "We came that close," he said, holding his finger and thumb about an inch apart, "to wiping ourselves out. Thank God, we never had to find out if my plan worked." Hanes' background in science led to a position in the private sector, where he served as vice president of Occidental Chemical Co. In 1970, his heritage in agriculture led him back to country, and he and his wife Jeane raised 800 head of cattle on a ranch near Houston. Many of his neighbors at the time were Apollo mission astronauts, including Neil Armstrong. But it was an area homebuilder who launched Hanes on yet another career path. "The whole area was just growing like crazy at the time, and new homes were springing up all around us," Hanes said, recalling how he developed a friendship that led to a turning point in his life. "I got to be good friends with one of the builders and he would let me come over to the job site and watch how they put houses together," Hanes explained. "I learned everything I could from him, watching how the process worked, his keen eye for detail and the importance of quality. "In 1980, I decided that I wanted to be a homebuilder," Hanes said, adding his friend would come over to his job site every day promptly at 11 a.m. and critique his work before the two of them would go to lunch. "He was tough on me and made sure that I wasn't cutting any corners and built homes that people could be proud of. But you know what?" Hanes asked rhetorically. "A few years ago he paid me the highest compliment I've ever recieved as a builder when he said I was the best builder he had ever seen. After relocating to Waxahachie, Hanes and fellow builder Scott Pinkston started a new company, Homes by Hanes in 1990, a company that has built more than 400 custom homes and several medical clinics in the Metroplex. His office is located at 711 Ferris Ave. in the KBEC building. As he had done in his previous careers, Hanes continues his education, attending a multitude of classes, seminars and certification programs, even though it's not required. "You have to keep learning," Hanes said. "You have to keep up with what's going on and you have to constantly seek out better ways of doing things. It is what America is all about." More importantly, Hanes becomes active in trade organizations, such as the Ellis County Home Builders

Association and the Dallas Home Builders Association. He begins lobbying for state certification programs for builders, and this year, was successful in helping create legislation that not only monitors the industry, but also provides some protection for consumers. "Until this year, all you had to do to be a homebuilder in Texas was have a pickup truck and a hammer," Hanes said. "Fortunately, the vast majority of homebuilders in this state are dedicated professionals who do a wonderful job. But like any industry, there is a small percentage in that trade that gives everyone else a black eye. "I'm very proud to have worked on the commission that helped draft this new legisltion," he added. "It's a win for all the reputable homebuilders, it's a win for the consumers, and as it is phased into place, will help rid our industry of those who shouldn't be building homes in the first place." During his installation ceremony as president of one of the nation's largest homebuilding organizations in October, Hanes presented a historical outline of the organization since its inception in 1944. While it is important to know where you caame from, Hanes said the best is yet to come. "We are living in the best of times. We truly are," he said, noting that we are living in a relatively stable economy with cheap energy and abundant food supply, free from the fear of nuclear holocaust. "Today we are building homes that have cool, dry exterior walls and windows that can bounce infrared and ultra violet rays back to the sky that cut energy requirements in half. We can phone our homes from our car and start dinner, change the temperature inside the house, record the evening news and monitor our homes from the Internet. "And that's just the beginning of where we are going because home building has entered the 21st century," Hanes told the audience. "Through our educational programs, Home Builders Association builders have the ability to give their customers the finest homes in history. We have a commission to protect both homeowners and builders from bad people," Hanes said. Hanes currently serves on the board of Texas Association of Builders and has served on the national board. For his work and dedication, Hanes has also recieved the "Texas Businessman of the Year" award presented by the Republican Majority leadership. Each year the incoming president of the home builders association selects a theme for the year. Hanes' theme for 2004 is "excellence," a goal he said he has tried to achieve in every endeavor throughout his life, and in the process, setting an example for others to follow. "How do I do it?" Hanes responds when asked where his motivation comes from. "I seek and receive strength, courage and wisdom from my God, from my wonderful wife Jeane, my fantastic staff and from all my friends. "And you know what?" he asks. "These sources have, and will never fail me."

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