Wisconsin Builder | Job Satisfaction

On the Home Front

Franz seeks greater impact for association

By Janine Anderson

The Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association has a new president.

And with her new leadership role, Alice Franz is committed to expanding the organization’s reach and impact. She has been a member of the association since 2000, and she took over as president in November.

Franz, owner of Franz Custom Homes/GMAC Real Estate in Marshfield, said she loves being a part of an industry that helps families find homes, and she enjoys being involved with the 190-member association as it reinvents itself to better help industry professionals.

Traditionally, the association has focused on its annual home shows, its parade of homes and its ability to give professionals a place to network and learn from each other. But, Franz said, that approach seemed to be losing popularity in the industry as fewer members attended meetings, and fewer people became members.

“We were having a very, very poor attendance at monthly meetings,” she said. “We hope with the change, we’ll attract new faces and more participation.”

To solve the problem and generate more interest in the association, Central Wisconsin Home Builders’ board of directors is ushering in some changes, one of which is a greater focus on learning and exchanging ideas. The association also will sponsor expos and workshops in addition to its traditional events.

“We called it the association’s extreme makeover,” Franz said.

The association also restructured its meetings and hopes the expos will give people a chance to mingle in an informal, fun environment designed for leisure and business.

Franz said the change has been well-received so far, and it seems to be building in popularity among industry professionals.

“It’s been good,” she said. “We realize it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. But every new face is something better.”

People are finding it easier to see the value of the organization, Franz said, and with a good group of motivated people leading the association, she said she hopes interest will continue to rise.

he association also is expanding its coverage from Wood County, having recently acquired territory in Juneau, Clark and Adams counties. Franz said she is hoping to promote the organization in the new areas, attracting new members and getting them involved.

The home-building industry is an attractive one, Franz said, in part because of its ability to work with people and families building their own homes.

“It’s rewarding when you put a customer in a new home, and they’re happy,” she said. “It’s a foundation for a family, and to see them in and happy and enjoying that new home is great.”

Low interest rates and higher home resale prices have driven a recent increase in the construction of new homes throughout the country, giving Wisconsin home-construction companies much to do. With more business to go around, Franz said, it is a perfect time to reach out to find new members and re-energize current members to get more involved.

“The busier people are, the more upbeat and positive they are,” she said. “It gives more camaraderie between the members.”

Fostering a sense of cooperation and learning is something Franz wants to see the association do more of, especially while the industry is doing so well. Everyone has his or her own ideas and techniques, and the association is the perfect way to share them with other professionals, she said.