The South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame will induct four new members, Gale B. Crawford, Howard L. Cox, D. Aubrey Richardson and Richard N. Sendler in Greenville, during the Celebration of Excellence, an annual event by the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBA of SC) held this year at The Westin Poinsett the evening of Thursday, Jan. 17. 

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.  Financial success or the size of an individual's operation is not included in the measure of a Hall of Fame inductee.  Each of this year's inductees demonstrates that good builders focus not only on the quality of physical structures but also the communities around them.  

Gale B. Crawford has devoted her professional life to service. She has distinguished herself as a Home Builder who is dedicated to her association, the community she serves, her charities, and her family and friends.  Gale’s service to the Home Builders Association has included two consecutive terms as President of the HBA of Greenville. She also has served as a Director and District 4 Vice President of the HBA of South Carolina, and she is a Life Director of the NAHB. In addition, Gale represents her association as a member of the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission.

Gale also contributes to her community. In politics, she served on the Greenville County Council. She is an Area Commissioner of Greenville Tech, served on the Greenville Tech Foundation Board of Directors and most significantly, served as Chairman of the Greenville Tech Student Housing Corporation where she led the campaign to construct the first dormitories in the state Technical College system.

The HBA of Greenville honored Gale with the “Gale B. Crawford Carpentry Scholarship” awarded to a Greenville Tech student each year. Gale exemplifies leadership in her profession. As the second woman inducted into the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame, she continues to lead through her example set for all women in home huilding.   

Howard L. Cox, CIC has for more than 30 years been a member and served on various committees of the Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Oconee and Spartanburg Home Builder Associations.  He has been recognized as the Associate of the Year for both the HBA of Anderson and the HBA of Greenville and the South Carolina nominee for the 2002 NAHB Associate of the Year. In 2002, Howard Cox was inducted into the NAHB Society of Honored Associates, the first South Carolinian inducted, which recognizes associates who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and contributions to their HBA, housing industry and community.  

Mr. Cox has also been very active with the state HBA by serving as a SC Builders PAC Trustee, Membership Committee Chairman, Associate Vice President, District Associate Director, as well as, a Program Committee Chairman. While he has served the state and local HBAs with countless years of service and leadership, it was his instrumental work in the formation of the S.C. Home Builders Self Insurance Fund that has provided a lasting service to SC home builders.  Howard Cox, with his sons, continues to benefit the home building industry in SC by facilitating competition among insurance companies saving SC builders millions of dollars. 

D. Aubrey Richardson joined the Home Builders Association of Greater Pee Dee in 1971 and has made significant contributions to the home building industry every day since. He has served in every leadership capacity for the homebuilding community throughout his career and has been honored with such awards as the HBA of Greater Pee Dee Builder of the Year, President of the HBA of the Greater Pee Dee and President of the HBA of SC.  

Aubrey has been recognized for his community work with the United Way, Chamber of Commerce and Special Olympics and is a Life Spike Member of the National Association of Home Builders. Mr. Richardson continues his excellent tradition in quality homebuilding, development of the housing industry, and providing the American dream of home ownership in the Pee Dee region. Even within the many generous and gregarious personalities who represent the building industry, Aubrey Richardson will always be known as a big man with a big laugh and an equally big heart. 

Every organization strives to have a “go to” person to get the job done whatever the task. The housing industry in South Carolina has been fortunate to have one in Richard N. Sendler. A member since 1984, Richard served as President of the HBA of Greater Columbia, HBA of SC Board Member, and NAHB Director and Chairman of countless committees. Richard has also been recognized as the HBAGC Builder Member of the Year and the recipient of the Gordon A. Harrison Award for service and integrity.

Perhaps his most significant and lasting contributions to the housing industry have been his many and tireless efforts to reform and improve the building codes and to help maintain housing affordability for the residents of South Carolina. His commitment and dedication have made a lasting contribution and substantial improvement to the SC home building industry.