16
After significant debate, threats of legal action, and anger from segments of the population the El Paso City Council voted 4 to 3 for the demolition of City Hall in order to place a new Triple A baseball park on the land. The contentious meeting where the action was taken pitted 114 speakers touting the pros and cons of the council’s actions. Opponents said that tearing down the 10 story building was a violation of trust and the destruction of a perfectly good building. Proponents argued that the property was the only location that could handle the placement of the ball field without going through lengthy and costly processes of acquiring privately held land. In the end the vote caused Mayor John Cook to consider a veto of council’s action, and he held the collective breath of both camps until two days later. Cook announced that he would not enact his veto and the ballpark location was secured. Major League Baseball and the Pacific Coast League had told the council that delaying the land site vote could have put the approval of the sale of the Tucson Padres in jeopardy. With the Mayor refusing to cast a veto the leagues moved forward on the sale to Mountain Star Sports, Inc., the local partnership purchasing the Padres. Mountain Star Sports Group is a partnership between the Woody Hunt family and Paul Foster family with Josh Hunt and Alejandra De La Vega-Foster rounding out the partnership. Mountain Star Sports Group came together to look for a major league franchise to bring to El Paso and help anchor the downtown redevelopment that both Foster and Hunt have interests in. The City of El Paso in its downtown redevelopment plan had an arena or ballpark in the plan, hoping to use those venues as a catalyst for the project. In August the Foster Family had the grand opening for the Mills Building, a reported $60million redo of the historic Mills Building that once housed the White House Department store among other local businesses. The newly completed building houses Western Refining corporate offices and the El Paso Community Foundation headquarters among others. Foster is also in the middle of remodeling the Plaza Hotel building, now gutted and reportedly set to house retail and condos. All of the action downtown is designed to invigorate that area and make it a tourist destination along with enticing businesses to open and creating a revitalized hip location for apartment living. The ball park and the decision of city leaders to tear down city hall left citizens seemingly split on whether or not to secure the site and demolish the 30 year old building. “I can’t vote for this action knowing that we have left so many out of the process, and tearing down this building is ridiculous since it’s a perfectly good building, clear of any debt,” Northeast Representative Carl Robinson said during the debate. “I am angry that Cohen Stadium and the Tiguas haven’t been taken into consideration, and frankly my constituents are upset with this deal,” he continued. “It’s time for council to take the lead and move this city forward,” said City Rep Courtney Niland, a proponent for the demolition and Padre buyout. “We have a chance today to move this city forward, or to squander the opportunity,” Niland said before the council vote on the issue. The vote was 4 reps in favor and 3 against, with Robinson, Eddie Holguin and Emma Acosta voting no, and with City Rep Steve Ortega absent. That placed the issue in front of Mayor John Cook to either veto the vote or do nothing and let the vote stand. The mayor chose not to veto and so the ball park action moves forward. The issue now is where is the city going to move to and when. City departments were ordered to pack and prepare for the move out of the building but with no instructions as to where to move. “I can only say that I’ve got a lot to pack and nowhere to go,” said one city employee on the condition of anonymity. The trick move will have to go pretty much without a hitch in order to accomplish what is being called “the great migration to nowhere” by some. “It’s hard to imagine that this will be as orderly as it is proposed. Can you imagine moving people, furniture, systems all in a rush to leave before demolition starts?” said another. Time will tell if this move was worth the expense, frustration and confusion that it will cause. While the city mulls those things one thing is for certain: El Paso has made the decision to play ball. -Ray Adauto, EPAB Builders utlook years EL PASO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING EL PASO’S FUTURE SINCE 1946 www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org 2012/9 DIGITAL EDITION PLAY BALL! El Paso goes for the home run INSIDE > THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR CITY Page 5 As El Paso experiences record development, we highlight the new projects and businesses that will help shape our future

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Page 1: Builders Outlook 2012.9

After significant debate, threats of legalaction, and anger from segments of thepopulation the El Paso City Councilvoted 4 to 3 for the demolition of CityHall in order to place a new Triple Abaseball park on the land.

The contentious meetingwhere the action was takenpitted 114 speakers touting thepros and cons of the council’sactions. Opponents said thattearing down the 10 storybuilding was a violation of trustand the destruction of a perfectlygood building. Proponentsargued that the property was theonly location that could handle theplacement of the ball field withoutgoing through lengthy and costlyprocesses of acquiring privately heldland. In the end the vote caused MayorJohn Cook to consider a veto of council’saction, and he held the collective breathof both camps until two days later. Cookannounced that he would not enact hisveto and the ballpark location wassecured. Major League Baseball and thePacific Coast League had told the councilthat delaying the land site vote couldhave put the approval of the sale of theTucson Padres in jeopardy. With theMayor refusing to cast a veto the leagues

movedforward on

the sale to Mountain Star Sports, Inc., thelocal partnership purchasing the Padres.

Mountain Star Sports Group is apartnership between the Woody Huntfamily and Paul Foster family with JoshHunt and Alejandra De La Vega-Fosterrounding out the partnership. MountainStar Sports Group came together to lookfor a major league franchise to bring to El

Paso and help anchor the downtownredevelopment that both Foster and Hunthave interests in. The City of El Paso inits downtown redevelopment plan had anarena or ballpark in the plan, hoping touse those venues as a catalyst for theproject. In August the Foster Family hadthe grand opening for the Mills Building,a reported $60million redo of the historicMills Building that once housed the WhiteHouse Department store among otherlocal businesses. The newly completed

building houses Western Refiningcorporate offices and the El PasoCommunity Foundationheadquarters among others.Foster is also in the middle ofremodeling the Plaza Hotelbuilding, now gutted andreportedly set to house retail andcondos. All of the action downtownis designed to invigorate that area

and make it a tourist destinationalong with enticing businesses to

open and creating a revitalized hiplocation for apartment living. The ballpark and the decision of city leaders totear down city hall left citizens seeminglysplit on whether or not to secure the siteand demolish the 30 year old building. “Ican’t vote for this action knowing that wehave left so many out of the process, andtearing down this building is ridiculoussince it’s a perfectly good building, clearof any debt,” Northeast RepresentativeCarl Robinson said during the debate. “Iam angry that Cohen Stadium and theTiguas haven’t been taken intoconsideration, and frankly myconstituents are upset with this deal,” he

continued. “It’s time for council to takethe lead and move this city forward,” saidCity Rep Courtney Niland, a proponentfor the demolition and Padre buyout.“We have a chance today to move thiscity forward, or to squander theopportunity,” Niland said before thecouncil vote on the issue. The vote was 4reps in favor and 3 against, withRobinson, Eddie Holguin and EmmaAcosta voting no, and with City RepSteve Ortega absent. That placed theissue in front of Mayor John Cook toeither veto the vote or do nothing and letthe vote stand. The mayor chose not toveto and so the ball park action movesforward.

The issue now is where is the citygoing to move to and when. Citydepartments were ordered to pack andprepare for the move out of the buildingbut with no instructions as to where tomove. “I can only say that I’ve got a lot topack and nowhere to go,” said one cityemployee on the condition of anonymity.The trick move will have to go prettymuch without a hitch in order toaccomplish what is being called “thegreat migration to nowhere” by some.“It’s hard to imagine that this will be asorderly as it is proposed. Can youimagine moving people, furniture,systems all in a rush to leave beforedemolition starts?” said another. Timewill tell if this move was worth theexpense, frustration and confusion that itwill cause. While the city mulls thosethings one thing is for certain: El Pasohas made the decision to play ball.

-Ray Adauto, EPAB

Builders utlookyears

E L P A S O

BUILDERSA S S O C I A T I O N O F

B U I L D I N G E L PA S O ’ S F U T U R E S I N C E 194 6www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org

2012/9

DIGITAL EDITION

PLAY BALL! El Paso goes for the home run

INSIDE > THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR CITY

Page 5As El Paso experiences record development, we highlight the new projects and businesses that will help shape our future

Page 2: Builders Outlook 2012.9

2 Builders Outlook 2012/9

Page 3: Builders Outlook 2012.9

My term as President winds down.

With the seasons changing so will the

leadership at the association and I

personally am looking forward to Mundo’s

leadership. He will be a fine President

and should bring some energy and

enthusiasm to the board. As Ray told me

a few years back every person who takes

the presidency changes for the better. I

can attest to that as I come to my terms

end. There is a real challenge in leading

this group that only those who’ve done it

can understand. I appreciate the help and the suggestions that have come my

way. I can only tell you that I really appreciate the work that my executive team

has done. There is no way to pay them back for all the time and effort they put

forward for you. We are blessed to have leaders who care.

By now the question of baseball or no baseball downtown has been answered.

As I write this column I can only say that El Paso’s future plans seem to be

settled as far as downtown is concerned. I think that as you read the articles

prepared by Ray about other improvements around El Paso that you will agree

that momentum is starting to pick up and El Paso won’t be sleeping much longer.

It’s exciting and challenging as we move into 2013 and beyond. I know that we

as an association welcome changes and challenges and movement to make El

Paso a more livable place. It’s really more than buildings and houses; it’s the

people. El Paso and especially this association have great people in it. Get

ready for an exciting 2013, one I hope is blessed and productive for you.

President’s Message |

El Paso Disposal

772-7495

32012/9 Builders Outlook

Frank

Arroyos

President,

El Paso Association

of Builders

Page 4: Builders Outlook 2012.9

Downtown as a kid was a neat

place. There was plenty of activity in

San Jacinto Plaza: the alligators, the

buses full of people, the bustling

stores that lined the plaza. Stores like

Kress were my haunting grounds.

The Plaza Theater hosted Saturday

matinees where kids paid with a

canned good and the organist was

pelted with popcorn. That was then.

It’s a memory now. But if what I saw

in Oklahoma City is any indication of

what can be then downtown could

once again create great memories for

future generations. It all sounds like a

picture book ending where in the end,

we all live happily ever after.

But before we get ahead of

ourselves, let’s think about the price of

progress. The concern over the

ballpark seems to me to be not so

much about the stadium as it was

about city hall. I’ve always wondered

why the city hall front door faced

Mexico, and if you believe some folks

it was built that way to show the back

end to the citizens of this city while

presenting a grin to the folks across

the border fence. Others tell me it was

built to house a hotel that went belly

up and the building needed a tenant.

Presto, City Hall. Former Ray Salazar

said on KVIA’s Sunday night thriller

that it was HIS building and nobody

should touch HIS building. People

lined up to speak about whether or not

the building should stay or make way

for the ballpark. Speaker after speaker

rose to the podium, all passionate

about the issue one way or the other.

After all the hoopla the

representatives postured and

hemmed and hawed. “My fellow

citizens, I’m protecting YOU from this

and that, and I will vote to DO this or

that,” was the cry from behind the

microphones. One rep was on a

honeymoon, three of them had

repeatedly said No to the vote, and

four were squarely for it. That was the

way it was on Saturday and that’s the

way it ended on Tuesday at 6 p.m.,

just in time for the six o’clock news.

What timing. But wait more drama.

Now the Mayor would be the one to

endorse the vote or kick it out. All the

while driving to his daughter’s

wedding in Austin. Probably stopped

to get some brisket at Coopers in

Junction and then made the call. No

veto! Hiz honor said. Long live

baseball, down with city hall.

Meanwhile the world moved on,

spinning on its axis. The vote after all

is just a catalyst to what may be a

future El Paso downtown. It was more

a vote on the psyche of El Paso than

a vote on where we’re going as a city.

A hurdle of sorts was jumped and if

you like the idea of the stadium you’re

a happy camper; if not then time to

decide what to do next. I remembered

a saying from another time and place:

Lead, follow or get out the way. That’s

what we’re looking at. You decide

which one you’re doing.

I have flown hundreds of thousands

of miles in my lifetime but nothing

prepared me for what happened on

the flight from DFW to Oklahoma City.

I was sitting across the aisle from

Conrad Conde, talking about this or

that and pretty much anxious to get to

OKC. We had passed songstress

Amy Grant as we humbly moved

passed first class, kind of neat we

thought. The Captain came on over

the speaker and advised us that we’d

be asked to hold off on deplaning

when we landed because we were

carrying a fallen soldier. The mood

inside the cabin immediately changed.

No one was talking loud or carrying

on. No one. I looked at Conrad and

told him this was a first for me and he

said same for him. Our thoughts

turned to the family waiting at Will

Rogers airport and what we might

see. Flashes of pictures seen online of

passengers peering out of the window

as a flag draped coffin was carried out

filled my head. The plane touched

down in the rain, smooth, like butter.

The plane inched along as a

procession of police cars, a hearse, a

bus and other cars made their way to

the ramp. The plane stopped and

silence gripped the aluminum tube.

Those of us on the right side had to

stretch over to see out the left

windows, curious, anxious. The family

waited under umbrellas held for them

by airmen and we knew immediately

the body we escorted was that of an

Air Force airman. The onboard escort

was now visible with a box in his hand,

about a foot square. Conrad and I

looked at each other curious as to why

such a small box. Cremated or is that

all they found? Either way that box

contained the remains of a fallen

airman and we felt a little pain

knowing it pained the family. It wasn’t

until the next day that we found out the

airman was from the Viet Nam War, a

casualty in “neutral” Laos and only

now was being brought home to his

family. He was killed in 1967. For that

brief moment I recalled what I did in

1967, and how ironic it was that I was

now remotely linked to this airman.

That forty five minute flight seemed to

last forever. Not as forever for that

brave airman who gave all so that me

and Conrad could be on a flight some

47 years later.

Perspective |

Ray Adauto,

Executive

Vice President

EPAB

4 Builders Outlook 2012/9

Ballpark is catalyst; 1967 comes rushing back to me

Page 5: Builders Outlook 2012.9

A new downtown bank building is

going up where once there was a drive

through bank and parking garage.

United Bank of El Paso del Norte is

redoing an existing building downtown

near the El Paso Times building, in an

effort to have a new banking center. The

project is currently adding steel to the

structure and has necessitated the

closure of one southbound lane heading

south. The structure will be built to mimic

the Spanish Colonial style of architecture

and is located at 401 N. Main.

Completion for the project is unknown at

this time.

••••••The Fountains at Farah, El Paso’s

new shopping mall is progressing well.

The center is shaping out as columns for

the parking area have been constructed

and concrete is laid out for the

promenade. Centergy Retail of Dallas,

the firm that is developing the center is

hopeful for a fall 2013 opening. The site

is located at I-10 and Hawkins, and is

where the former Farah factory was. The

600,000 square foot retail center will

house new stores along with relocated

stores. Best Buy and Barnes and Noble

will relocate their Viscount locations to

the Fountains at Farah, while anticipated

stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods will

open El Paso locations for the first time.

Reports indicate that national retailer

Nordstrom’s Rack will also occupy

35,000 sq. ft of space at the center. More

announcements are coming in the next

few months according to sources.

••••••CVS announces first El Paso location.

CVS Pharmacy will be opening their first

El Paso location downtown at 201 N.

Mesa. According to the CVS Caremark

website “As one of the country's largest

pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs),

we provide access to a network of more

than 65,000 pharmacies, including more

than 7,300 CVS/pharmacy® stores that

provide unparalleled service and

capabilities.” CVS will be bringing at least

four more locations to the market mostly

on the eastside of El Paso according to

sources.

••••••Cinemark Announces Plans to

Construct a New 14-Screen All-Digital

Movie Theatre in El Paso, TX

New multiplex will feature Cinemark's

NextGen Cinema Design Concept and a

Cinemark XD auditorium, Plano, Texas -

Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK),

the world's highest attended motion

picture exhibitor, today announced plans

to construct a 14-screen, all-digital movie

theatre that will feature the company's

new Cinemark NextGendesign concept

in the northeast area of El Paso.

Currently, Cinemark operates three

existing movie theatres located

throughout the city of El Paso. This new

multi-screen complex will be constructed

at the southeast corner of Highway

62/Montana Ave. and Rich Beem Blvd,

near Fort Bliss. The property location is

under development by Southwest Land

and Development.

Long recognized as a pioneer in the

theatrical exhibition industry, Cinemark is

taking the cinema entertainment

experience to the next level. The new

Cinemark NextGen theatre will offer the

latest technology, cutting edge amenities

and customer-preferred options all under

one roof. Cinemark's NextGen amenities

will include:

• State-of-the-art viewing environment

with wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor

screens available in all auditoriums

• 4K digital projection powered by

Barco projectors; RealD 3D capability

• Enhanced, sound systems that will

enable customers to hear the movie

as the filmmakers intended

• Cinemark's innovative self-serve

concession stand - offering freshly-

popped popcorn, Coca-Cola fountain

beverages and favorite candy brands

• Cinemark XD:Extreme Digital

Cinemaauditorium

••••••An IMAX is expected to be added to

Premiere Cinema's Bassett Place theater

complex next year.

Construction of an IMAX theater

auditorium, with a six-story, 75-foot-wide

screen and about 420 seats, is projected

to begin by early next year, and it could

be in operation by next summer, said

Gary Moore, Premiere CEO.

Premiere and IMAX last year

announced an agreement that allows

Premiere to put IMAX systems in four

Texas markets, including El Paso. "El

Paso has been on IMAX's radar for a

number of years. It's one of the largest

markets in the United States without an

IMAX theater," Moore said from his Big

Spring, Texas, office.

"Anyone can build a bigger box and

hang a bigger screen, but no one else

digitally remasters content from

Hollywood like IMAX," with its proprietary

technology, Moore said. "People

understand the difference between IMAX

and other (big-screen) experiences. It will

be a big draw to the mall" at Interstate 10

and Geronimo in East Central El Paso,

he said.

Premiere will probably replace two

auditoriums in its 18-screen Bassett

theater and add the IMAX auditorium,

which also will require a higher roof to

accommodate IMAX's huge screen,

Moore said. The company is in the

process of securing city approvals for the

project, he said.

Premiere will show IMAX's signature

documentary films as well as IMAX-

remastered Hollywood blockbusters,

Moore said. Premiere's first IMAX

auditorium is in a new, 16-screen theater

complex expected to open next month at

the South Plains Mall in Lubbock.

-El Paso Timess, Vic Kolenc

••••••SAM’s Club rumored to be set to move

to Northeast El Paso. The next Sam’s

Club appears to be headed to the corner

of Diana and Gateway North, across

from the giant American Flag location.

While not confirmed the site has been the

site most talked about in meetings held by

City Representative Carl Robinson. “I

can only tell you that we are hopeful that

SAM’s comes to the area because we

need to have additional retail,” Robinson

said. Reports on KFOX-TV also

mentioned this location as did a

presentation by Centergy Retail of Dallas

when talking about competition around

the city for the Fountains at Farah. SAM’s

would be just south of Walmart and

Cohen Stadium if the location is secured.

More later on this developing story.

Carmike to Bring New Critically

Acclaimed “BIGD” Experience to El

Paso, Texas Area Movie-Goers with

Development of the Carmike 13

Entertainment Complex

••••••Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (CKEC), a

leading DIGITAL cinema and 3D motion

picture exhibitor, today announced that

construction will begin shortly on a new

Carmike Cinemas entertainment

complex in El Paso, TX. The Carmike

13 will be an anchor tenant of a 230

acre multi-use planned development to

be constructed at the northeast corner

of Montana Avenue (US 62) and Loop

375 in one of El Paso’s fastest growing

areas. The planned development is

located directly across the street from a

new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center

and a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Jay Anthony, Principal of Dallas, TX-

based Anthony Properties, developers of

the project, stated, “New construction at

Fort Bliss, proximity to the planned Army

Medical Campus and the future El Paso

Community College Campus make this a

prime site that will attract additional top-

tier retail, restaurant and commercial

tenants to the area.”

The new theatre will feature 13

screens with total seating for over 2,800

guests and will be highlighted by a state-

of-the-art “BIGD” auditorium, Carmike’s

acclaimed premium theatre environment.

The new facility will be equipped with

auditoriums featuring stadium style

seating, with comfortable high back

rocking luxury seats, in addition to

retractable armrests and convenient cup

holders. The Carmike 13 will also contain

large, wall-to-wall screens, as well as

DLP DIGITAL projection and DIGITAL

sound. The new theatre will have an

upscale lobby and multiple concession

areas featuring Coca Cola Freestyle

drink centers. One-stop ticketing and

concessions stations are a unique design

feature of the Carmike 13. Filmgoers can

escape the elements, purchase their

tickets and favorite concessions and

quickly move into their comfortable

seats. The new complex will also feature

special services for the visual and

hearing impaired.

52012/9 Builders Outlook

THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR CITY What’s in store for El Paso

years

E L P A S O

BUILDERSA S S O C I A T I O N O F

B U I L D I N G E L PA S O ’ S F U T U R E S I N C E 194 6

Page 6: Builders Outlook 2012.9

6 Builders Outlook 2012/9

Following a substantial gain in July,the pace of new-home sales heldvirtually unchanged at a seasonallyadjusted annual rate of 373,000 units inAugust, according to newly releasedfigures from HUD and the U.S. CensusBureau.

“New-home sales in Augusteffectively tied the pace they set in theprevious month, when they were thestrongest we’ve seen in more than twoyears -- so this is really a continuation ofthe good news we’ve been getting onthe housing front,” said BarryRutenberg, chairman of the NationalAssociation of Home Builders (NAHB)and a home builder from Gainesville,Fla. “Looking at the big picture, saleshave been trending gradually upwardsince the middle of last year asfavorable interest rates and prices havedriven more consumers to get back inthe market for a newly built home.”

“This latest report indicates that new-home sales continue to run at a steady

pace that’s well ahead of what we wereseeing this time last year, and at thisrate, the third quarter of 2012 is going tobe well ahead of the second quarter,”noted NAHB Chief Economist DavidCrowe. “That said, the razor-thininventory of new homes for sale is veryconcerning because it indicates thatbuilders aren’t able to access the creditthey need to build new homes asdemand for them improves.”

Crowe also observed that the share ofnew homes sold in the higher priceranges ($400,000 and above) rosesignificantly in August. “This reflects thefact that people who are able to buyhomes right now are those in higher-income ranges who have cash andequity on hand, while first-time buyersare having a tougher time gettingqualified for a mortgage,” he said.

Regionally, new-home sales gained inall but one area of the country thisAugust, with the Northeast, Midwestand West posting increases of 20percent, 1.8 percent and 0.9 percent,respectively. The South was the onlyregion to post a decline, of 4.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the inventory of newhomes for sale held at an historic low ofjust 141,000 units in August, which is a4.5-month supply at the current salespace.

Pace of New-Home Sales Holds

Steady in August

Page 7: Builders Outlook 2012.9

Texas Association ofBuilders

2013 Officers

Eddie Martin, President, Tilson Home Corp., Austin, Texas

Edward Earl Martin, Jr. was born in

Pecos, Texas in 1956. Eddie graduated

from Abilene Christian University with a

BBA in Accounting and later graduated with

a J.D. from University of Houston Law

School and began his business career as a

tax CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. After

leaving Andersen, he went into commercial

real estate until joining Tilson Home

Corporation where he now serves as

president and CEO. Tilson Home has been

family owned and operated since 1932 and

has become one of the largest “Built On

Your Lot” custom home builders across

Texas.

A member since 1993, Eddie has given

generously of his time to his local home

builders associations, the Texas

Association of Builders (TAB) and the

National Association of Home Builders

(NAHB). He has served on the TAB board

since 2004 and the NAHB board since

2005. He is a Capitol Club donor to both

HOMEPAC and BUILDPAC, the political

action committees of TAB and NAHB. At

TAB he has served on the Executive

Committee, Legal Affairs Committee,

Government Relations Committee,

Finance Committee, Building Standards

Task Force, and Volume Builders Council.

He represented the interests of the Texas

home builders associations as TAB’s Texas

State Representative to the NAHB

Executive Board. He served as

Government Relations Committee

chairman during the 2011 Texas Legislative

Session. Eddie was installed as TAB’s

president on September 14, 2012.

As a philanthropist, this gentleman

supports HomeAid Houston, Boy Scouts of

America, Bay Area Builders Association

(BABA) Support Our Troops/Operation

Finally Home, MS 150, Houston Police

Relay Bike Ride benefiting the Leukemia

Society, Vanguard Urologic Research

Foundation and Brentwood Oaks Church

of Christ.

Eddie and his wife, Brenda, have been

married for 33 years. They have one son,

Brandon, a CPA who works for Tilson

Home in Houston, and is married to

Rebecca. Eddie and Brenda have one

grandchild, Kate, who was born in

September 2012. The family enjoys golf,

scuba diving and snow skiing. Eddie and

Brenda are active members of the

Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ in

Austin.

Joe Carlyle, First Vice President Carlyle Homes, Inc., Tyler, Texas

Joe Carlyle is the president of Carlyle

Homes, Inc., founded in January 1990. His

company specializes in construction of

custom homes throughout Tyler and the

surrounding area.

In 1998, Joe served as president and

was honored as "Builder of the Year" of the

Tyler Area Builders Association. In 1997,

he was chairman of the Parade of

Homes™. Joe has also served as area

vice president for the Texas Association of

Builders and director of the National

Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Joe has an Associate of Arts degree from

Tyler Junior College and studied marketing

at the University of Texas in Austin. He has

served his community as a director and

president of the Troup Chamber of

Commerce, founding president of the

Troup Kiwanis Club, EMT paramedic,

volunteer firefighter, and commodore of the

Tyler Yacht Club. He serves on the Troup

City Council Place 2.

He and his wife of 26 years, Debbie, live

in Troup and enjoy attending First United

Methodist Church in Troup. They have

three children: Elizabeth (a graduate of the

University of North Texas) and Rebecca

and Drew (both graduates of UT Austin).

Steve Sorrells,Vice President/Secretary

Sorrells & Gunn, LLC, Waco,TXA native of Waco with 23 years of real

estate experience, Steve and his wife

Becky opened Sorrells Development

Company in 1998. Sorrells & Gunn, LLC

was created with the addition of Keith

Gunn in 1999. Steve was installed as

TAB’s vice president/secretary on

September 14, 2012.

Steve is actively involved in the building

community. He previously served as Area

Vice President and Storm WaterTask Force

Chairman for the Texas Association of

Builders. He also chairs TAB’s Government

Relations Committee. He is a past

president of the Heart of Texas Builders

Association.

He served on several committees and

task forces for the City of Waco/City of

Woodway. He was also the Traditional

Neighborhood Development Committee

Chair for the Greater Waco Chamber of

Commerce. As a Waco Symphony

Homebuilder in 2005 and 2008, he built

homes that were sold with the proceeds

benefiting the Waco Symphony.

The Sorrells are the proud parents of

three children ages 17, 14 and 10.

Rick McGuire, Treasurer McGuire Builders, Inc.,

Lubbock, TexasRick has been building homes in

Lubbock since 1982. Very much a family

business, McGuire Builders, Inc.

specializes in building custom homes in all

price ranges, apartment construction, light

commercial work and property

management.

A member of the Texas Association of

Builders (TAB) since 1984, Rick serves as

a life director for the organization. He has

served on numerous committees at TAB

since 1997 and has previously chaired the

Finance and the Audit Committees. He is a

director and past president of the West

Texas Home Builders Association and has

served as a director of the National

Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

since 2010.

Rick previously sat on the state board

responsible for maintaining the

performance standards that addressed

warranty issues required by the Texas

Residential Construction Commission. In

that capacity Rick stayed abreast of

industry standards that affect all facets of

home construction and continues to do so

through his involvement in TAB and NAHB.

He was named Texas Association of

Builders’ “Builder of the Year” in 2009.

Prior to beginning his building career,

Rick worked as a Certified Public

Accountant and audit manager for a large,

international accounting firm. His clients

included Fortune 500 manufacturing

companies and bank holding companies.

Rick resides in Lubbock with his wife,

Marian.

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72012/9 Builders Outlook

Texas Association Of Builders Announces 2013 OfficersSeptember 20, 2012 – The Texas Association of Builders (TAB), in conjunction with the Sunbelt

Builders Show™, recently installed its slate of officers for 2013 at their Excellence in Leadership

Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The event was held on September 14, 2012.

Page 8: Builders Outlook 2012.9

Builders utlook on the scene |

The Greater El Paso Chamber of

Commerce intercity visit to Oklahoma

City took place September 20-22 and

EPAB Executive Officer Ray Adauto

was among the 30 city business leaders

and officials who made the trip. Leaving

out of El Paso on American Airlines the

group changed planes at DFW, arriving

in OKC just after 12:30. The flight to

Oklahoma City carried the remains of a

fallen military officer killed during the

Vietnam War in 1967. The Air Force

Colonel’s remains were ceremoniously

escorted to waiting family and military

entourage under rainy skies. The mood

on the plane was somber and normally

hurried passengers watched out tiny

windows as the box containing his

bones was moved to a waiting hearse.

When the ceremony ended we

deplaned and boarded our waiting bus

to tour the home of the OKC Redhawks,

AT&T Ball Park located at OKC’s

Bricktown.

We were welcomed to the park with

large outdoor signs announcing our

visit. For the visitors this was a spec-

tacular welcome and one that immedi-

ately engraved itself to the brain.

Former OKC mayor Kirk Humphreys

and chairman of The Humphreys

Company welcomed the delegation and

gave the first presentation on the cul-

ture and history of the city. Humphreys

was the mayor when the ballpark was

built. His presentation offered the dele-

gation an insight into the OKC MAPS

program, the Metropolitan Area Projects

which was used to transform OKC insti-

tutions. A tour of the ballpark was then

given by Redhawks official Chris Hart.

A group picture was taken on the field.

The delegation then went to the his-

toric Colcord Hotel, built in 1914 and

completely renovated just a few years

ago. This was the delegations head-

quarters for the stay.

A tour of the OKC Museum of Art fol-

lowed and the delegation was given

tours of the large Chihuly Glass

Collection on permanent display as well

as a private tour of the traveling exhibit

of Golf paintings including those of

Dutch masters, Rembrandt, as well as

Warhol. The museum was bustling with

a corporate event moved indoors due to

rain. The evening was concluded with

dinner at Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse

and a welcome by OKC Chamber CEO

Roy Williams.

Friday began with a tour of the

University of Oklahoma Health Science

Center, a 300 acre medical facility and

research campus. Dr. Joseph Ferretti,

Provost of the UOHSC led us on a bus

tour ending up at the Children’s Hospital

where the group was welcomed by Dr.

Stephen Prescott, President of the

Oklahoma Health Foundation and J.R.

Caton of Presbyterian Health

Foundation, a partner at the OU

Medical Center. A visit to the pediatric

Cancer clinic ended the visit. The dele-

gation then moved to Myriad Gardens,

an OKC botanical garden and

amphitheater complex located down-

town. El Pasoan’s Adam Frank and

Gerald Rubin treated the delegation to

lunch while Mick Cornett, the current

mayor of OKC, Russell Claus, Director

of Planning, and Catherine O’Connor,

president of the Alliance for Economic

Development of OKC gave us a status

report on the continuing MAPS initia-

tives and accomplishments.

A tour of the new downtown library fol-

lowed as well as a tour of the residential

development taking place downtown

was given. The day ended at

Chesapeake Arena home to the

Oklahoma Thunder of the NBA. We

were hosted by Gary Desjardins,

regional general manager for the OKC

Convention Center-SMG.

The delegations last visit Saturday

morning was to hear Mike Knopp,

Executive Director, Chesapeake

Boathouse and Frank Merrick, Chair of

the OKC Museum of Art talk about OKC

quality of life. The Chesapeake

Boathouse is home to the United States

Olympic Center for Rowing and

Kayaking, situated on the reconstructed

OKC River, once famous as the river

that got mowed three times a year. The

area is now not only home to the world’s

best rowing facility but has become a

favorite spot for concerts and corporate

events as well as world renowned row-

ing and kayaking events. Knopp, a for-

mer attorney, is considered the “father”

of this facility and for bringing rowing to

OKC. He also coaches the OU Rowing

team as well as heading up the US

Olympic Rowing and Kayaking delega-

tion.

Among the delegation were current

and former members of the El Paso

Association of Builders including

Conrad Conde, Conde Engineering;

Ruben Chavez, CEA Engineering; May

Kipp and Marybeth Stevens with El

Paso Electric; Dr. Ernst Roberts of the

EP Community College and Ed

McCormick, McCormick Architecture.

Mayor Walter Miller of Horizon City,

Jerry Rubin, Adam Frank and Rich

Williams from River Oaks Properties

joined Bob Ayoub from MIMCO in the

visit. The common theme that was

heard was “leadership” and commit-

ment to finish what was promised. The

method used by the OKC leadership

was to have a vision, change thinking

and invest in themselves. The city over-

came some very large hurdles to get to

where they are now, and challenges still

exist. The delegation, which included

an embedded El Paso Times reporter

Cindy Ramirez, left OKC confident in

the prospect of change and its potential

good and bad points. What was seen

was twenty years in the making and

with at least twenty more years to go.

OKC is the example of what can be

done when all parties to the change

work together. The OKC experience is

one piece of a large puzzle that has

transformed that city. The challenge is

to see what piece is needed in El Paso.

Oklahoma City, OK, Really!

Page 9: Builders Outlook 2012.9

View more photos on our facebook page: elpasobuildersassociation

2012/9

Page 10: Builders Outlook 2012.9

TAB Presents

Awards,

Mike Santamaria

gets Presidential

Award

The Texas Association of Builders(TAB) bestowed the 2012 “Of theYear” Awards at their Excellence inLeadership Dinner at the FourSeasons Hotel in Austin, TX onSeptember 14. The awards aregiven annually to recognizeexemplary service and leadershipcontributions to the home buildingindustry by its members.

2012 OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS:J.B. Sandlin Builder of the Year:

Ron RohrbacherPerry Homes – Houston

Ted Schlossman Lifetime

Achievement Award:

Tommy FordTommy Ford Construction, Dallas

Philanthropist of the Year:

Tilson Home CorporationRemodeler of the Year:

Adam Bakir, Incredible Renovations, Houston

Developer of the Year:

Dan MarksonNPR Group, LLCSan Antonio, TX

Associate of the Year:

StrucSure Home WarrantyLocal Association

Accomplishment of the Year:

Tyler Area Builders Association

Presidential Distinguished

Service Awards

Mitchell AndersonAnderson Fine Homes, Lubbock

T.W. BaileyBailey Family Builders, Frisco, TX

Ed KopalKopal Building & Design, Tyler

Sue Ann PingerTilson Home Corporation, Austin

Mike SantamariaMountain Vista Builders, El Paso

Kay Vinzant, Heart of Texas Builders Assoc., Waco

Chad WallerHi-Fidelity of Lubbock, Lubbock

Gary WilkersonGary L. Wilkerson Custom Homes

Canyon Lake Robert Wood

Custom Homes by Robert WoodLubbock, TX

Dave YelovichTilson Home Corporation, Houston

Founded in 1946, the TexasAssociation of Builders is an affiliateof the National Association of HomeBuilders and has 30 local homebuilders associations across Texas.Representing almost 10,000members, 315,000 jobs and $21billion of the Texas economy, thestate and local associations play acrucial role in providing housing forTexans. For more information aboutthe Texas Association of Builders,visit www.TexasBuilders.org.

10 Builders Outlook 2012/9

Page 11: Builders Outlook 2012.9

112012/9 Builders Outlook

Medicare is a critical program thatmillions of American seniors rely on,but it’s headed towards bankruptcy.According to the latest report from theMedicare trustees, Medicare willbecome insolvent in 2024.  Allowingthis to happen would irresponsiblyjeopardize the health care of Medicarebeneficiaries, and would mean that bythe time my three children becomeeligible for Medicare benefits this vitalprogram would be a thing of thepast.  This is a serious issue thatrequires serious solutions from ournation’s leaders.  Unfortunately,Obamacare recklessly cuts $716billion from Medicare in order to fund anew entitlement program, and with itscostly mandates and regulations hasmade doctors less likely to acceptMedicare patients.

If we pause and remember whyMedicare exists, it is to provide ournation’s seniors and disabled withaccess to health care coverage.  Infact, Texas alone currently has over 3million seniors that rely on Medicarefor accessible and affordable care.  Iregularly meet with constituentsthroughout the 23rd District of Texaswho tell me of their concern that theirMedicare benefits will be negativelyimpacted, or that their parents will nolonger be able to find a doctor whoaccepts Medicare because ofObamacare’s Medicare cuts, newrules, and onerous regulations.

As a nation, we have a choice whenit comes to Medicare.  We can pretendthat Medicare is not in trouble and donothing, which is the only plan thattruly ends Medicare as we know it.  Or,we can reform and save Medicare sothat we preserve its promise forcurrent and future seniors.  I know howimportant Medicare is and I will notstand by and let its promise to seniorsbe broken.  That’s why I supported theHouse of Representatives’ budget,which outlines a plan to save Medicare

that makes no changes for thoseAmericans who are 55 and older, whileallowing those 55 and younger theability to choose from a variety ofMedicare-approved options – includingstaying in fee-for-service Medicarethat exists today – for receivingMedicare benefits.  The reformsenvisioned in the House ofRepresentatives’ budget will ensureour nation keeps the promises made to

seniors both today and tomorrow.We must take decisive action now to

save Medicare.  Support for the statusquo is the only option that truly endsMedicare as we know it.  As therepresentative of the 23rd District ofTexas, I remain committed to savingMedicare to ensure that seniors todayand in the future will have access tothe care Medicare was established toprovide.

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Page 12: Builders Outlook 2012.9

12 Builders Outlook 2012/8

Sunbelt Show

Builders utlook on the scene |

The annual Sunbelt Builders Show was combined with a National Association of Builders meeting in Austin

this September. The Sunbelt is produced by the Texas Association of Builders. The EPAB was

represented by President Frank Arroyos, Vice President Edmundo Dena, NAHB representative delegate

Bobby Bowling IV, and TAB representative Randy Bowling.

The TAB show was held in conjunction with the NAHB Fall Board meeting and was designed to help the

Sunbelt Show attendance. The overall consensus was that this worked and the show was deemed a

success by the organizers. The El Paso delegates attended the TAB meetings and went to several

training sessions. “I have to admit that I am amazed by the amount of information I’ve been able to get by

attending the trainings,” said Edmundo Dena. “The ability to network with other TAB members is

invaluable and helps me every time I come,” he continued. “I would encourage more members to attend

and see what your State Association does for you,” said President Arroyos. “Get ready to Rally this

coming February as we join our fellow TAB members at the Capitol,” he concluded.

Page 13: Builders Outlook 2012.9

Membership News

Thanks to our sEpTEMBER

sODA  spONsOR:Bella Homes

SODA SPONSOR

years

E L PA S o

BUILDERSA S S o C I A T I o n o F

B U I L D I N G E L PA S O ’ S F U T U R E S I N C E 194 6

11395 James Watt, Suite A-11 79936915-633-8002

132012/9 Builders Outlook

www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org

UPCOMING EVENTS |

RENEWALS |

NEW MEMBERS |

Jaime’sCourier

Service,Inc.

Jaime’sCourier

Service,Inc.

915-549-4533 or

915-478-2404

Bonded, insured foryour peace of mind.

84 Lumber

Cemex

Dempsey Appraisal Service

E. F. Building Materials

Henderson & Ellis, CPA, PC

MA Homes

New Horizon Builders

Scott Contracting/HDMechanical

Solar Smart Living

Southwest Décor El PasoCorporation

Southwest Securities Bank, FSB

Southwestern Home Products

Stewart Title Of El Paso

Trim Team

Tropicana Building Corp.

Longhorn Remodeling & Roofing

Contact: Hector Adame, Jr.

4401 Turf Rd., Bldg. E

El Paso, Tx 79938

915-474-3814

Ajp Development, LLc

Contact: Art Paterson

7229 Ticonderoga NE

Albuquerque, Nm 87109

505-804-1402

Decasa UsA, Inc.

Contact: Ana Cristina Lujan

1310 Lomaland Dr.

El Paso, Tx 79935

915-633-1313

October 10Board Meeting 11:00

General Meeting 12

Noon

El Paso Club

Chase Bank Bldg.

(Downtown)

November 12IMG CuP

Sun Country Pro-Am

Golf Tournament

Painted Dunes Golf

Course

December 6EPAB Gala Installation

And Awards Banquet

El Paso Country Club

CONDOLENCES Condolences to Charles Gaddy, Jr. on the loss of his father

Dr. Charles M. Gaddy

Page 14: Builders Outlook 2012.9

Greetings to our Associate Members. Thispast few months have been interesting forthe associates as we had planned on a reallycool outdoor event that just didn’t make.Unfortunately we had to postpone the eventfor now but plan on doing it in the spring time.I would like to personally thank associatesChuck Gabriel with Carpets West; JohnDorney with Dorney Security; and BenTryzna with Barnett and BennettConstruction for their hard work in theplanning for the postponed tent sale. Johnand Ben are new members and they jumpedin with both feet. Chuck has always been a

stalwart contributor and he really did a greatjob heading this group up. Please plan onjoining us for the event sometime in March orApril.

I’d like to also announce a very good golftournament for experienced golfers thiscoming November 12. Our first IMG TrophyPro Am will be held at Painted Dunes and willfeature golf pros from the Sun Country GolfAssociation, meaning those golf pros at clubsaround New Mexico and West Texas. Thepro-am will be 3 players with a pro, and weexpect that those teams will invite their localpros to join them. Players must have

registered handicap in order to play. Shouldbe a fun and challenging time.

Finally as the year winds down I will beentering my final year as AssociatesChairman. I’ve committed myself toEdmundo for his term but I will be looking topass the torch on to someone else. I havelearned a lot as your chair and ask that youparticipate in all of our upcoming events,especially attend the installation December 6.Rally Day next February 20 will be fun. UntilI see you soon have a good month and gosell something.

Showroom: 2131 Missouri

915 • 533 • 6045 fax • 533• 6096

Thomas R. Brown, Owner

14 Builders Outlook 2012/9

Sam ShallenbergerWestern Wholesale Supply

Associates Council

September Board of DirectorsMeeting

The Board of Directors met onSeptember 19 and tried out somethingnew in the way of food for the meeting. Agourmet food truck that was going toparticipate in the big tent sale was invitedto cook for the meeting. Theoverwhelming reaction was verypositive. “The pulled pork is by far one ofthe best I’ve ever had,” SamShallenberger said. Juanita Garcia gave

the truck a thumbs up as well.“interesting choice of food for us, anddifferent but really good,” she said.While the truck was a hit the board waspresented reports on the Sunbelt Showand TAB meetings as well as a reportfrom Bobby Bowling IV on the NAHB fallboard meetings held in conjunction withSunbelt. Regular business wasdiscussed and approved. The nextboard meeting is October 10 at the ElPaso Club, at 11 am.

BOD Meeting

Page 15: Builders Outlook 2012.9

� execuTive oFFicerS

Frank Arroyos - President

Cisco Homes

edmundo Dena - vice President

Accent Homes

Frank Torres - Secretary/Treasurer

GMF Custom Homes

Sam Shallenberger - Associates council

Western Wholesale Supply

Greg Bowling - immediate Past President

Tropicana Homes

ray Adauto - executive vice President

El Paso Association of Builders

� couNciL/commiTTee cHAirS

Affordable Builders council

Bobby Bowling IV

Associates council

Sam Shallenberger

Build PAc

Randy Bowling

Desert Green Building council

Javier Ruiz

industry Promotions

Greg Bowling

Land use council

Vacant

Young Designer Award

John Chaney

remodelers council

Rudy Guel

membership Drive

Mike Santamaria

Finance committee

Kathy Carrillo

education committee

Frank Spencer

� ADviSorY To THe BoArD

J. Crawford Kerr, Attorney, Firth, Johnston

& Martinez

� BoArD oF DirecTorS

Joe Bernal, Joe Bernal Insurance

Doug Borrett, Karam Co.

Kathy Carrillo, Pioneer Bank

John Chaney, Passage Supply

Sergio Cuartas, BIC Homes

Ted Escobedo,Snappy Publishing

Art Garcia, El Paso Door

Juanita Garcia, ICON Custom Home Builders,LLC

Samira Gonzalez, Edwards Homes

Lorraine Huit, Cardel Design Group

Walter Lujan, Dawco Home Builders

Sal Masoud, Del Rio Engineering

Bruce Meyer, JDW Insurance

Edgar Montiel, Palo Verde Homes

Kathy Parry, Hunt Communities

Javier Ruiz, Senercon & Border Solar

Frank Spencer, Aztec Contractors

Henry Tinajero, WestStar Bank

Linda Troncoso, TRE & Associates

Ken Wade, El Paso Building Materials

Paul Zacour, Zacour & Associates

2011 Builder member of The Year

Greg Bowling

Tropicana Homes

20110 Pat cox Award

Kathy Parry

Hunt Communities

2011 Associate of The Year

Sam Shallenberger

Western Wholesale Supply

John Schatzman Award

Bob Bowling III

Tropicana Homes

ePAB Special Award

Rudy Guel

Guel Construction

Honorary Life members

Brad Roe

Cliff Anthes

Wayne Grinnell

Chester Lovelady

Don Henderson

Anna Gil

Past Presidents

committed to Serve

ePAB mission Statement:

The El Paso Association of Builders is a

federated professional organization representing

the home building industry, committed to

enhancing the quality of life in our community by

providing affordable homes of excellence and

value.

The El Paso Association of Builders is a

501C(6) trade organization.

© 2012 Builder’s Outlook

is published and distributed for the

El Paso Association of Builders

by Snappy Publishing

240 Thunderbird • Suite C

El Paso • Texas • 79912 915-820-2800

6046 Surety Dr. El Paso, TX 79905

915-778-5387 • Fax: 915-772-3038

Kelly Sorenson

Mark Dyer

Mike Santamaria

John Cullers

Randy Bowling

Doug Schwartz

Robert Baeza

Bobby Bowling, IV

Rudy Guel

Anna Gil

Bradley Roe

Bob Bowling, III

E. H. Baeza

Hershel Stringfield

� TAB STATe DirecTorS

Doug Borrett, Karam Co., Life Director

Randy Bowling, Tropicana Homes

� NATioNAL DirecTorS

Bobby Bowling IV.

Demetrio Jimenez

NATioNAL ASSociATioN oF

Home BuiLDerS

(800) 368-5242

TexAS ASSociATioN oF

BuiLDerS

(800)252-3625

years

E L P A S O

BUILDERSA S S O C I A T I O N O F

B U I L D I N G E L PA S O ’ S F U T U R E S I N C E 194 6

www.elpasobuilders.com www.epbuilders.org

Builders utlook

Page 16: Builders Outlook 2012.9