It's Better to Give

You know the West Wing of the White House as a place where momentous decisions are made and international crises are diffused. But what happens in the East Wing?

You'll have to ask a civics teacher about that. But we can tell you what happens in the East Wing of the White House in Jacksonville, thanks in large part to the efforts of W. Howard White, 58, founder of North Florida Builders/A Woodside Company and a past president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.

"White House" is the unofficial moniker given to the Safe Harbor Boys Home vocational training and office building, which White funded.

Safe Harbor Executive Director Robbie Smith says that White not only refused to allow the building to be named for him, he even declined an offer of a modest plaque in his honor.

"But we know what he did for us," Smith notes. "Among ourselves, we refer to that building as the White House."

Many Florida non-profit leaders similarly praise White, whose quiet passion for helping others is a reflection of his Christian faith and his quintessentially American, rags-to-riches life story.

White grew up on a farm in tiny Foley, Ala., the second-youngest of 17—yes 17—children.

He never set out to be a builder, he says. He moved to Florida and attended Polk County Community College, hoping to discover a vocation that appealed to him.

"During two summers down there, I worked on a roofing crew," White recalls. "It was hot outside, and it must have been 140 degrees up on the roofs. You'd slap the hot tar down and it would flame up for a few seconds. At that point, I knew I wanted to work where it was air conditioned."

After earning an associate's degree in business, White was offered a job at a savings and loan in Jacksonville. He accepted, learned the ins and outs of mortgage banking and, at age 27, launched his own mortgage company.

"During the time I worked at the savings and loan, I financed a lot of builders and developers," White says. "And what I saw on the other side of the fence looked a lot brighter. The builders drove better cars than I did. So I started my own homebuilding company with no real training—nothing but my own unsettled drive."

That was in 1977. By 2004, North Florida Builders had built more than 2,000 homes throughout the region. Last March, the company was purchased by the Woodside Group, a national homebuilder with operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota and Utah. White has remained as president.

Along the way, White found his wife, Jan, who in turn helped him to find God. That reinvigorated faith inspired him to do his part to make the world a better place in which to live—especially for young people.

A compelling tale to be sure—but don't look to White to help flesh out many details. When asked to elaborate on humble beginnings or good deeds, White—otherwise an amiable host—gives a wary look. "Oh, don't make it all hokey," he groans.

But with all the kudos that have come his way, it's hard not to paint an almost too-good-to-be-true portrait of White. He's amassed a slate of honors, including a J.C. Penney Company "Golden Rule" award, a Volunteer Jacksonville Volunteer of the Year award and a NEFBA nod as Builder of the Year.

He sits on nonprofit boards, is an original member of NEFBA's Builders Care initiative and can be found wielding a checkbook at countless charitable functions.

However, friends will allow that while White is a genuinely good guy, he's also a savvy businessman who is driven to succeed.

"Howard is one of the most knowledgeable men I know when it comes to business in general," says Glenn Layton, division vice-president at North Florida Builders.

"I learn things from him every day. He's an expert at customer relations and at presenting yourself in a positive light. He's also taught me a lot about making lemonade out of lemons, and most important, about doing what's right even when it makes things more difficult."

Sometimes, homebuilding and philanthropy come together for White. North Florida Builders has built a Symphony Showhouse in World Golf Village and the American Lung Association's Health House, both of which were major fund-raisers for the sponsoring organizations.

The company also built a home in Timberlin Park that eventually funded many of the land-based structures at Safe Harbor Boys Home.

"They were doing amazing things with almost nothing," White says of the Safe Harbor program, which gives hands-on maritime and aviation vocational training plus spiritual guidance and life skills to disadvantaged teen boys. "So we put together a team of suppliers and subcontractors who were willing to help, and we built a home."

With donations of materials and labor, the Timberlin Park home cost just $21,000 to build. It sold for $250,000, with the $229,000 profit going to Safe Harbor.

Although Safe Harbor isn't the only ministry White supports, this father of three and grandfather of five does focus his energies on programs that have two things in common: a Christian foundation and an emphasis on young people.

"If you want to be most effective, then you're going to put your resources where it counts," says White. "And that's in helping young people. We want to help empower young people to make the right choices and to live good, principled lives."

Minister Jay Strack, the power behind Orlando-based Student Leadership University and a friend of White's, remembers meeting the builder while touring Jacksonville schools with a program called Straight Talk.

"I would go to high schools and middle schools and talk to kids about the scene and about the four or five issues that could make or break their futures," Strack says. "Howard heard what we were doing and he showed up. He went with us to some schools and to some detention centers and homes for at-risk kids. Then he said, 'How can I help?'"

Strack told White that most of the schools in which he spoke were unable to provide adequate sound systems for addressing large groups. So White bought Strack's group a sound truck and equipment.

"Here's a businessman who's got commitments, who never had anything handed to him," Strack says. "But he's definitely got a soft spot for kids who are struggling and kids who need encouragement."

That donation marked the beginning of a 15-plus-year relationship between White and Student Leadership University, which trains students—with a combination of classroom instruction, field work and international travel—for positions of influence and public service.

Different tracks offer students time management and business courses, coaching in interpersonal relationships and Bible-based training in ethics and morality, as well as trips to Washington, D.C., England, the Vatican and various missionary posts.

Although Christian-based, participation in Student Leadership University's programs is open to young people of all faiths, and scholarships are available to subsidize those who can't afford to pay.

"Howard paid our rent the first year of the program," says Strack. "He's been a close friend and a mentor in areas like running the business aspects of the organization. But he also talks to the kids and tells them the importance of things like working hard and paying your bills and keeping your word. They see the kind of man he is and they ask his advice."

White's counsel is simple: Give more than you get. Share your time and money with those who need help. "The Lord loves someone who doesn't have sticky fingers," White notes.

White, of course, downplays his own role, but makes no secret of his enthusiasm for the program.

White's mentoring of children and young adults extends to grooming a new generation of builders. He's active in NEFBA training initiatives and gives his staffers time to participate in the University of North Florida's construction management program.

"Howard encourages us to become involved in our industry," says Layton. "I've been on the board of NEFBA and chaired committees. I've also taught at UNF. It's a way of giving back to the industry and adding value for the future." Spurred by White's example, many other North Florida Builders employees have also assumed industry leadership roles.

Although White's admirers often tout his value as a role model, there are a couple of traits that no one suggests he should pass on-especially to impressionable youngsters.

For example, co-workers say, White is incredibly impatient where food is concerned.

Notes Layton, "You can always tell when Howard doesn't have lunch plans, because around 11:15 he starts pacing around. If we all go to Bono's-which is a favorite—the food better arrive quickly. If it takes more than a few minutes, he's back in the kitchen asking about his order."

Then there's his driving.

"If we're all going to a meeting somewhere, the person with the short straw rides in the front with Howard," says Layton. "We call that the death seat. I don't want to say he always speeds, but let's just say Howard is known by clerks of the court in four counties."

Strack corroborates: "I've told Howard if he's going to keep speeding like that, he'd better stop wearing that SpongeBob underwear."

White will neither confirm nor deny the speeding charge, but he does make it clear that he's put his life in God's hands. He even remembers the date: February 12, 1975.

"That's when I realized there's more to life than being born, going to school, getting a job, getting married, going to work and going home every day," White says.

"If you don't give, you don't know how to live. Something profound happens to you when you learn to give, and I don't just mean giving money. When you can look beyond yourself and your family, it's very rewarding. It's a blessing."

A Heritage Of Caring

Safe Harbor Boys Home admits boys ages 15 to 17 who are fatherless, have lost one or more parents to death and are experiencing behavior problems in home and at school. Referrals are accepted from the professional mental health community, judiciary, pastors, relatives and friends.

The purpose of Safe Harbor is to assist the boys in becoming responsible, mature and independent young men through spiritual, educational and vocational training. As a water-based program, the boys live aboard former military vessels and learn seamanship skills. All boys must be able to pass a swimming exam as a condition of admission.

Boys receive vocational training in a variety of disciplines. In addition, lifestyle instruction such as driver education, job application skills, banking—including establishing and maintaining a checking and savings account and the correct use of credit—basic nutrition, cooking and grocery shopping are an important part of the program.

In addition, boys must maintain academic success in order to be eligible for extracurricular activities, which include aviation (helicopters and fixed wing aircraft), SCUBA certification, windsurfing, boating and fishing.

Responsibility for one's actions are taught and reinforced on a daily basis. The goal is to prepare boys for entry into the workplace by emphasizing teamwork, organization and management, personal integrity, honesty and social ability.

If you'd like to help, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities and donor programs. Call (904) 757-7918 for more information.