Smith, Toney Inducted Into SC Housing Hall of Fame

Keith R. Smith of Keith Smith Builders in Greer and Georgia L. Toney of BuilderPlan Works in Summerville were inducted into the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame recently in Charleston during the 2008 Celebration of Excellence. The South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the housing industry through their work in building and development, public service and housing related areas such as education, architecture and planning.

Since 1969, when Keith Smith became a home builder in Greer, he has given freely of his time and talents to the benefit of the home building industry and association. He has served in every leadership capacity for the homebuilding community throughout his career and was honored by the Governor with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor bestowed by South Carolina. Perhaps Keith’s most significant contribution to the industry has been his dedication and success with the HBA’s legislative agenda. Under his leadership and guidance the building industry will prosper for years to come with the enactments of the Right to Cure Act; Vested Rights Act; Tort Reform; Statute of Repose; Statewide Building Codes; and many more. His devotion to his family and the home building industry stands as an example to future builders.

Georgia Toney has been a leading advocate for the study and implementation of reasonable and cost-effective building codes at the national, state and local level. Her expertise and persistence in developing consensus among all parties in the building codes development process has assured construction of safe and affordable homes for thousands of South Carolina families, while saving homebuilders inestimable dollars in unnecessary costs. Her tireless and effective work within the homebuilding industry and her community has elevated the credibility and professionalism of both that industry and the homebuilders associations.

Established in 1995, the South Carolina Housing hall of Fame has inducted 60 outstanding individuals from all over the state. Candidates are nominated through their local HBA and must fall into one of the two following categories: Builder/Developer or Housing Related. A Builder/Developer is an owner or major principal of a residential building company or land development company. A Housing Related individual is involved in housing issues within fields such as finance, land planning, architecture, research, education, materials, supplies, association management, elected office or public service or may be a historical candidate that made an impact on the housing industry.

Photos from the induction ceremony can be viewed and downloaded for free at the Brent Bishop Photography website.