As Phil Crone prepares for his departure from the Dallas Builders Association after 17 years, those who work alongside him are preparing for a new leader to take the reins.
The longtime executive officer, known to speak his mind when advocating for the building community at the Texas Capitol or in front of the horseshoe at a Dallas City Council meeting, begins his new gig July 7 with Leading Builders of America.
“More than anything I am profoundly grateful for all that has been afforded to me during my tenure,” Crone told daltxrealestate.com. “I have gained lifelong friends and I have benefited tremendously from their collective wisdom and the support of our incredible staff.”
Dallas Builders Association board president John Porizek is heading up the search for a “successor.” Nobody close to the Dallas Builders Association likes the word “replacement” when it comes to Phil Crone. The staff had a “Pharewell to Phil” party June 14 at the Plano office, and it wasn’t hard at all to find someone with a positive word to say about Crone.
“Phil is a huge advocate of housing affordability and is always at the forefront of current proposed municipal policy changes that can directly impact the ability to purchase a home,” Porizek said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, local counties did not want to recognize the housing industry as essential and we faced the risk of being shut down. Phil was instrumental in making his voice heard to keep the housing industry recognized as essential, allowing home-building operations to continue through the pandemic.”
Phil Crone And Leading Builders of America
Crone has said — to the delight of many — that he and his wife Heidi will stay in Dallas.
His job at Leading Builders of America will, however, take him out of North Texas for temporary assignments.
“I will be coordinating their top legislative and regulatory priorities in some of the most active states for residential construction,” Crone said. “Obviously, that includes Texas, but also Florida, Nevada, and California will be some of the places where I will have a heavy focus. I’ll also be assisting with the development of building energy codes and standards and the litany of policies and programs connected to them.”
Crone has worked with LBA builders and already knows many of the key players, he said.
“There are also so many thought and market leaders here in the Dallas housing market,” he said. “That’s one reason why we are the nation’s best. I’ll certainly be pulling from that immense knowledge base in my new role.”
Next Steps for Dallas Builders Association
Porizek, current Dallas BA senior officers, and two past presidents comprise the search committee for the next executive officer.
Committee representatives say they’re probably just a few weeks away from making a hire, and Operations Officer Sheena Beaver will serve in an interim capacity if needed.
Crone said he’ll miss the team at the Dallas Builders Association, a group that has become close friends over the years.
“We’ve been through quite a bit together and have brought out the best in each other along the way,” he said. “I’ve worked with a few of them ever since I started on staff all of those years ago. They’ve seen me grow up — or older at least.”
He said he hopes the group will continue building on what it already has going.
“We’re in great shape financially, membership is around the highest level since the Great Recession, and our remodeled building is incredible and a testament to the dedication and generosity of our members,” Crone said. “There is plenty of room for improvement, however. Specifically with cultivating new leaders and finding new sources of non-dues revenue. I hope my successor can take things further than I could on those fronts and others.”
Whoever is tapped to take the reins can be sure they’ll have the support of the men and women in the North Texas building industry.
Alan Hoffmann, a Dallas Builders Association past president and recipient of the 2022 Prather Award, said Crone is leaving the association in better condition than when he arrived.
“Phil built respect among all the communities that the Dallas Builders Association serves,” Hoffman said. “They know we are committed to housing and that we speak for the industry with a balanced perspective. The Dallas BA’s reputation as the honest broker for the housing industry in the regional, state, and national government arena is largely due to Phil’s consistent leadership and depth of expertise. For these efforts, we will be eternally grateful.”
