Lake Oconee Builders Association (LOBA) was recognized multiple times throughout the Home Builders Association of Georgia's Annual Fall Meeting, held this year at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee. LOBA was proud to attend and host this year's event.

BEST MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT & RETENTION PROGRAM

New Member Orientation

LOBA's “New Member Orientation” Program creates meaningful opportunities for new members to connect with association leaders and fellow members while gaining a clear understanding of membership benefits, resources and ways to get involved. In 2025, the program strengthened member engagement and participation, contributing to increased meeting attendance, greater volunteer involvement and an improvement in annual membership retention from 80.4% to 86.3%. 

Jason Green, Wendy Daniel, Mark Ivey (HBAG President)

BEST WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The LOBA Workforce Development Program connects Greene County students with local construction careers through school partnerships, job shadowing, field trips and hands-on exposure to trades and industry businesses throughout the Lake Oconee area. By connecting students directly with local employers and providing one-on-one workforce preparation, the program has helped multiple students secure employment in the construction industry while strengthening the future workforce of the community.

Wendy Daniel, Stephanie Kelly, Mark Ivey

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Christmas Outreach Program and Fran Faxon Scholarship

The 2025 LOBA Christmas Outreach Program brought holiday joy and meaningful assistance to children, seniors, families and community organizations by providing targeted gifts, food, supplies and financial support based on identified local needs, it fulfilled 54 children’s wish lists and distributed $23,706 in gifts and donations.

The Fran Faxon Scholarship Program honors the legacy of longtime Lake Oconee community leader Fran Faxon by providing financial assistance to family members of LOABA members pursuing college or technical education after high school; it has awarded 256 scholarships totaling $122,850 since its establishment in 2011.

Wendy Daniel, Mark Ivey, Brett Mauldin

HBAG Officer Installation

During the HBAG Officer Installation and Awards dinner, Wendy Daniels, executive officer of LOBA, was sworn in as GEOC Vice President. She will serve alongside GEOC President Tiffany Heitzman with the Home Builders Association of the Greater Aiken-Augusta Region. Wendy was also honored with 20 red roses to celebrate 20 years of service to the housing industry.

Back row: Jody Page, Jake Meyer, Brett Mauldin, Pat Kozma, Jason Green, Cooper Patton, Bo Echols Front Row: Joe Sykes, Derrick Daniel, Wendy Daniel, Stacey Purcell, Julie Wade, Stephanie Kelly