Three new members joined the HomeAid Northern Virginia Board of Directors in 2010 – Stephen Fritz, Division President of Ryland Homes; Don Knutson, Division President of Beazer Homes, and Sal A. Migliore, President of Augustine Homes.

Although Fritz has served as Division President of Ryland Homes for six months, he has spent his entire career in the homebuilding industry after earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Maryland. Most recently, he was with Centex for 10 years. He joined the HomeAid Board of Directors because he believes in the work of the organization and the responsibility of the industry to share their talents in the name of service. “Those given great skills are obligated to give back,” said Fritz. “The industry is made up of those who have great skills in making homes and it is incumbent upon us to make sure that everyone has the opportunity, regardless of their situation in life, to have a home.”

Don Knutson agrees. It is one of the reasons he helped create HomeAid Northern Virginia in 2001 with other local home builders. He served as the first President of HomeAid Northern Virginia and was awarded the first Presidents’ Award in 2008 for his vision in starting HomeAid Northern Virginia. “I thought it would be nice to have another term on the Board,” he said. “Beazer Homes and our employees have been involved in one form or another since the beginning.” That’s a bit of an understatement. Beazer Homes has served as Builder Captain for several HomeAid projects including the largest project the organization has completed to date – the renovation of a 14-unit apartment building for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington in 2009. And as a strong advocate for the organization, it is not unusual for other Board Members to mention his name as a reason for their involvement with HomeAid.

Sal Migliore became acquainted with HomeAid Northern Virginia during his six years with Knutson at Beazer Homes. “While I was working with Don, we were the Builder Captain for several projects in the area and I spent two years involved with the Catholic Charities project,” said Migliore. “I really enjoyed the process of working with HomeAid, giving back to others who needed some help. There is still much work to be done in the community, and Augustine Homes is in a position to help.” Augustine Homes and its parent company, Sagco, are very involved in philanthropy, supporting many charities in the area. “Sagco has given millions of dollars to children’s hospital over the years,” said Migliore. “I see our work with HomeAid Northern Virginia to be an extension of that commitment to give back to our community.”

“HomeAid Northern Virginia has many projects in the pipeline,” said Christy Eaton, HomeAid Northern Virginia’s Executive Director. “As federal and state stimulus funds are trickling into non-profit service organizations, many of them are seeking assistance from HomeAid to help them save money on repairs. We currently have at least six projects that are awaiting Builder Captains.”

The scope of the projects range from a complete renovation of a single family home to upgrading the wiring and interior repairs to several townhouses. “I would ask that homebuilders consider stepping forward to become Builder Captains for a HomeAid project.” said Eaton. “We need their help immediately, and that help will provide assistance over time to thousands of homeless individuals in Northern Virginia.”