The
Houston Chapter of the CFMA stated in June 1984 when Marty Eckert
of WS Bellows Construction gathered a group of construction financial
professionals to discuss the feasibility of having a local chapter.
In addition to Marty, the initial organizing committee consisted of
George Adams - Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company; Ronnie Dickerson
- The Emde Company; Bill Fischer - Baxter/Basic Construction; Jay
Kaplan - Mayan Construction; Greg Koontz - Mayan Builders; Bob Morgan
- Arthur Andersen & Company; and Byron Wake - HA Lotl, Inc.
The group saw the benefits of CFMA and met several times during the
summer and fall to determine the level o interest in the construction
community, build a list of potential members, decide on details of
the local organization, and plan a kickoff meeting. The planning culminated
with our inaugural Luncheon on November 14, 1984 at the Westin Galleria
with Mr. Robert Peckar, a construction attorney for New Jersey and
one of the original members of CFMA, as the speaker.
With
the response from the successful first meeting, the Houston Chapter
officially began and was immediately one of the largest and most active
chapters in CFMA. It has always been involved in the national organization
in a variety of ways. Houston hosted the Fall National Conference
during a rainy October in 1986. Two National Presidents - Mary Eckert
and Byron Wake - came from our chapter organizational committee. Another
member, Don Stephens is the 2001-2002 National President Elect. Two
other former or current chapter members, Danny Parrish and Steve Lords,
have served as National President. In addition many of our members
have been active on a variety of committees and boards.
If
you are interested in joining the Houston Chapter of CFMA, please
click here to find out more information.