Profile: Dixie Goolsby

After 15 years with the Master Custom Builder Council as the organization’s executive director, Dixie Goolsby will semi-retire in June. To industry insiders, Goolsby is synonymous with MCBC, which was formed 21 years ago to promote quality custom-home building and to help the community through an array of heart-tugging charitable activities.

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. My hobbies include reading, walking, golf, gardening, knitting, painting, bike riding, tennis, bowling, cooking, playing the Wii and spending time with my family, including my puppy Patches and Princess the cat.? We also have nine grandchildren that we adore and spend time with when they are in town.

Q. What is your most memorable moment or moments of your tenure with MCBC??
A. There have been so many memorable years with the group. I’ve watched them and their families and their businesses grow and change.? I’m still filled with awe and pride every time I visit one of my builder’s gorgeous custom homes because I know how much thought and care they put into the construction of each of these homes.

Q. Who’s been the most influential person to you during your career??
A. It would be really impossible to pick one person because so many have been there for me over the years. It has been my privilege to work with some of the nicest people and some of the best business men and women in the world. One of my biggest supporters has always been my husband Bill. He’s always there for me and encourages me in everything that I do.

Q. MCBC is very involved with charities, especially those supporting children. Could you tell us more about these initiatives?
A. MCBC builders have always been active in community service. I’ve been fortunate to be able to participate in some of the opportunities we’ve had to serve those with special needs, and I continue to be amazed at the generosity of the builders and the construction industry. We have an annual toy drive and have been able to complete numerous construction projects that have benefited many children and their families. We tore down and built a home for a woman in Eatonville, made improvements on numerous playgrounds at day-care centers, built a library and teacher’s work area at Winter Park Day Nursery, remodeled the kitchen and built a pantry and dining room at the Children’s Home Crisis Nursery, built 21 villas at Give Kids The World and built a six-bedroom dormitory home at Devereux of Florida. Whenever there was a need large or small, the builders and the vendors made it happen.
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Q. What’s your advice for those who have not seen the industry go through tough times like this before??
A. Life is an interesting session of ups and downs and downturns in the economy occur and always turn around. This one will too. You have to keep a positive attitude and continue to use the strong business ethics you’ve always adhered to in the past. During these times, you should step back and take a look at new ways to do the things you do better. It’s also a good time to see what is really important in your life. Faith in God will get you through anything you have to endure, and you can always find reasons to be thankful.

Name: Dixie B. Goolsby
Position: Executive Director, Master Custom Builder Council (MCBC)
Notes: Born Dixie Carolyn Bradshaw in Anderson, S.C., she attended Pitt Community College and East Carolina University. Her first job was as a secretary for an insurance company in the assigned risk department.
Giving Back: Goolsby has received the Bank of America Hero Award, the American Institute for Public Service Jefferson Award, the Dave Thomas Child Advocate of the Year Award, the Children’s Home Crisis Nursery Volunteer of the Year Award, and the “Is It Good for the Children” Individual of the Year Award as well as recognitions from Give Kids the World.