Bill Wilson founded Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Profile: Bill Wilson
Age: 54
Job Title:? Founding Executive Director, Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association
Education:? University of Florida, Degree in Building Construction
Family:? Married 25 years with three children
Hobbies/Interests:? Scuba diving, fishing, off-road motorcycling and cooking at the lake
Q. Please describe the concept behind Builders Care.
A. To create an organization that? focuses on? the charitable efforts of the building industry and others by identifying worthwhile construction projects for individuals or non-profit organizations, soliciting materials and labor and then managing the projects to completion.?
Q. How did you get involved in the organization?
A. Many people work a job where they are unfulfilled and then, on their own time, perform a charitable act or take up a hobby that fulfills an emotional need to be part of something more substantial. While reading a book by Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, it occurred to me that by combining my experience in the remodeling industry with the Habitat model, I could help others and fill that emotional need as well.
Q. Was it difficult to get builders, developers and suppliers to get behind the concept?
A. No, it wasn’t difficult. Having been born and raised in Jacksonville and having so many friends from the construction industry, I had the correct Rolodex to start and run such a company. I found that most folks are looking to contribute in a more substantial way, just like I was.
Q. What’s the most personally rewarding project Builders Care has been involved in?
A. The most rewarding project was in August, 2006, with the rebuilding of the Angelwood facility. Angelwood provides housing and living support to the most fragile mentally challenged people. Something magical happened on that job site. That project combined the best hearts with the sweetest mission, and the outcome was that five young ladies’ lives were dramatically improved and the workers lives were immeasurably enriched.
Q. We understand there is some big news regarding the Builders Care television show.
A. Yes, there is. Our TV show has been picked up by TBN and will be running as Building a Difference. The potential audience is 90 million viewers worldwide.? Knowing what local television has done for Builders Care, we’re prayerful that by being highlighted in an international television show our ministry can be expanded to help even more people in need—or at least it can be an inspiration to others to make a difference where they live.
Q. What book are you reading now?
A. Ten Roads to Riches by Ken Fisher and Lara Hoffmans and The End of the Drive by Louis L’Amour
Q. Who is your personal hero?
A. That’s a hard question. It’s really a faceless character created in my mind. He has part of my father Rufus Wilson’s willingness to help others, (former NEFBA executive director) Arnold Tritt’s ability to network, Millard Fuller’s visionary ability and Henry Ford’s business acumen.
Q. If you didn’t have your current job, what would you be doing?
A. I would be running a dive shop in Belize and repairing homes for the locals.
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