About Us

SCHBA began in April 1988 as a Chapter of the HBA of Greater Knoxville. Spearheaded by a few dedicated builders, Bob Gillespie, TN American Construction, Kyle Weaver of Kyle Weaver Construction and Steve Windsor, Windsor Construction held that first meeting at the Town & Country Club. Bob Gillespie was the first president, Tony Scott, Vice President, R L King, Treasurer and Clark Lindsey, Secretary. By that next meeting there were 15 members.

From its modest beginnings member numbers steadily increased to 90 by 1990 and then over 100 in 1996. At that the decision was made to venture out on their own. At the National Board Meeting in Washington, DC on May 12, 1997, the directors voted to release Sevier County HBA from Knoxville and award the Charter for Sevier County.

Part of that increase was the addition of Cocke County in 2001. At a Strategic Planning Meeting in January 2003 new goals for the ensuing 3 to 5 years were formulated. Those include introducing the benefits of belonging to the HBA to Cocke County building trades, becoming more proactive in local and state politics, start a building fund, set up a committee structure within the association, upgrade equipment and of course increase membership.

Some of the highlights over the past several years include:

·         In May of 1991 the Sevier County HBA, spearheaded by Jerry Shelly, then of Stokes Electric, built a home for Will and Kaye McCarter. Will was diagnosed with cancer and needed help building a home for his family. (The Mountain Press articles: June 15, 1991 front page, July 13, 1991, page 2 and August 6, 1991 front page.

·         In July of 1996 Bud Anderson had lost his home to fire. The Sevier County HBA, spearhead by Ira Lapides, rebuilt his home.

·         Also in 1996, Bob Gillespie and Eric Johnson, Quality Plumbing, quietly repaired leaks to the water line for Mr. & Mrs. Daniels of Gatlinburg, while Mr. Daniels was in the hospital with cancer.

·         The first Home Talk radio program was broadcast August 6, 1998 on WSEV in Sevierville. Featured guests are members of the association and have included Mike Blazer from the Sevier County Environmental Health, Allen Robbins, Sevier County Electric, Matt Ballard, Sevier County Utility District, various banks and mortgage companies, etc.  The program was meant to inform listeners about how to hire a contractor, get financing, buy property, etc. In 2000, WSEV was sold and Home Talk ended.

·         Since 1988 the Sevier County HBA has hosted the Smoky Mountain Home Show for homeowners in all stages of building, remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes.  This event includes exhibits with merchandise and displays of interior and exterior solutions – located right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains

·         November 11, 1999 was the first SCHBA Hall of Fame banquet to honor the first two inductees: Carl Ownby and Charlie and Blanch Blalock. It was a smashing success. In October 2002, Bob Gillespie, Tennessee American Construction, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

·         Since 1988, SCHBA has made contributions of over $8,000 to local charities and Sevier County High School over $41,000.00 to scholarship winners and 2,800 pounds of canned goods to the Sevier County Food Ministries.