Doug Wenzel is coming up on 30 years as a NEFBA member.
He joined the association in 1987 and had the advantage of observing and learning from association presidents, such as Glen Harrell, Buddy James, Richard Dostie in his first years as a NEFBA member.
Those relationships, and many others, shaped and influenced Wenzel’s career and his understanding of the importance of NEFBA membership.
“NEFBA has had an unusually strong record of leadership,” Wenzel said. “And I’ve been fortunate to have learned from almost 30 years of strong presidents. If I were to name them all, we would be here all day. And, not only presidents, but people like Naomi Lumley and Nick Prince set really high standards for participation and commitment.”
Today, Wenzel has no patience for people who ignore the value of NEFBA membership.
“Anyone who makes a dime working in our industry needs to be giving back to the industry and membership in NEFBA is the first step,” Wenzel said. “Our industry is growing again right now, but things can change in a heartbeat. And we should never take for granted all the things NEFBA does to keep our businesses going strong.”
Wenzel is the director of sales and marketing for Bonded Builders Home Warranty Group. His territory includes Florida and Georgia, where he is a member of 14 homebuilders associations.
Wenzel said the recent membership drive is a reflection of the optimism that is returning to the industry.
“It’s good to see members enthusiastic about their association and about recruiting new members,” he said. “Confidence is returning and people are again able to invest in events and trade shows. And, they are smiling again.”
Wenzel complimented NEFBA on its high level of participation and its strong leadership. He said those two factors helped the association weather the economic storm.
Unfortunately, he said, some companies — associates in particular — join with the expectation of an immediate increase in new business.
“I speak at a lot of new-member orientations, and I tell people right up front: If you joined just to get business, you joined for the wrong reason,” he said. “The person responsible for getting your company new business is the one you see in the mirror each morning.
“New members have to make a long-term commitment to the association, and they can earn the builders’ respect and business over time,” he continued. “It’s not immediate gratification. It’s all about dedication to the industry.”
When it comes to Wenzel and Bonded Builders Warranty, it would be hard to find another individual or company more dedicated to the associations.
Bonded Builders Warranty has for years been an ardent and generous supporter of HBAs across the state and nation. Wenzel is a Grand Spike who has sponsored more than 1,400 members. At NEFBA, only Bill Ding (NEFBA’s mascot) has sponsored more members.
Bonded Builders’ annual Partners in Performance program represents a significant source of non-dues revenue to participating associations.
The 10-year warranty on new homes has long been Bonded Builders Warranty main product and Wenzel is excited about the company’s new residential energy guarantee.
“This energy guarantee is an extremely valuable tool in proving to homeowners that their home has energy efficiency built in,” Wenzel said. “Use more energy than the HERS rating and you get reimbursed. It goes hand-in-hand with our 10-year warranty.”
Thousands of Florida builders use Bonded Builders warranty programs to protect them from unforeseen structural defects, including soil movement and unreasonable homeowners.
Bonded Builders Warranty works hard to resolve consumer complaints against the builder and ward off potential problems through effective communication with all the parties involved.
Wenzel said early in his career he learned an important skill from former Executive Director Arnold Tritt.
Tritt was famous, Wenzel said, for matching people to meet the needs of both.
“The other day, I found myself saying to someone, ‘Come over here. There’s someone you need to meet’,” Wenzel said. “I realized I learned that from Arnold Tritt. It was his trademark. Finding a common thread or bringing two people together to meet a mutual need. He didn’t leave networking to chance. He made it happen. And, those relationships are the reason NEFBA is the great association it is.”