Bob Yoder

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) Hall of Fame gala celebrates exemplary individuals with an unparalleled commitment to the advancement of homebuilding and construction.

On June 27^th, 2017 at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego, seven new inductees will join the ranks of over 200 distinguished men and women who have been recognized for their professional and philanthropic contributions to the building industry. The Foundation is pleased to announce the 33^rd annual Hall of Fame, Class of 2017:

Lynn L. Jacobs (posthumously): President of Ventura Affordable Homes, Inc. in Ventura, CA. Lynn Jacobs began working as an international banker before transitioning to her 30-year career in affordable housing. Jacobs built over 400 homes along the central coast during her time as president of Ventura Affordable Homes. From 2006 through 2011, she was appointed by then-Governor Schwarzenegger to lead the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Jacobs lost her battle with leukemia in July of 2016 at 69 years old. She will be inducted posthumously into the 2017 Hall of Fame. For Lynn Jacobs’ full biography, please click here.

Paul Johnson: Senior Vice President of Community Development for Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Paul Johnson is responsible for the design and implementation of the master-planned community of Rancho Mission Viejo, a 6,000-acre residential development consisting of 14,000 new dwelling units and five million square feet of non-residential. Johnson was previously employed by Shea Homes, Santa Margarita Company, and more recently, a project manager for the Fieldstone Company’s Newport Beach office. He is a Past President of the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association and served on the Executive Board as Secretary/Treasurer of the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC). For Paul Johnson’s full biography, please click here.

Sandra Kulli: President of Kulli Marketing in Los Angeles, CA. Sandra Kulli is a specialist in cultural anthropology and community development, supporting smart growth, sustainability and humanistic home design. For 20 years, Kulli helped redefine and guide the transformation of the PCBC tradeshow into a powerhouse brand, and in her 30-year career, has worked with over 100 companies on 193 communities worldwide. Kulli consults with builders and developers on marketing strategy for communities, such as Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine, Stapleton in Denver, Daybreak in Salt Lake City and The Pinehills in Plymouth, Massachusetts, among others. For Sandra Kulli's full biography, please click here.

Gary L. McDonald: Chairman of the Board of Gary McDonald Homes in Fresno, CA. Gary McDonald emerged in the industry as a custom homebuilder in 1970 and has since constructed over 7,500 homes and lots, including partnering with Wilson Homes to develop the Dominion–a 3,000-unit Planned Community in Fresno. McDonald is currently partnering with Granville Homes, developing and building Copper River Ranch, a 900-acre Golf Course Community. McDonald is known for his high-quality workmanship and attention to detail, as well as his environmental advocacy for clean air building practices. McDonald has been an active member of the BIA of Fresno and Madera counties since 1975 and became board chairman in 2002. For Gary McDonald’s full biography, please click here.

Jill D. Williams, AIA: Principal |Chairman of KTGY Architecture+Planning in Oakland, CA. Jill Williams is a licensed architect who joined the KTGY Group in 1991 and established the firm’s Northern California division in Oakland in 2006. Often described by clients and colleagues as “passionate” about architecture and building, Williams has become a well-known industry figure for her leadership and innovation in sustainable design of residential and mixed-use structures. With over 30 years in the homebuilding profession, Williams provides overall project direction from planning and design to construction observation. For Jill Williams’ full biography, please click here.

Borre Winckel: President and Chief Executive Officer of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County in San Diego, CA. Borre Winckel emerged in the industry as a land developer in the Temecula area, after a banking career with Chase Manhattan in NYC. Before joining the BIA of San Diego in 2008, Winckel served as Executive Director of the Riverside County BIA, where he led the industry’s participation in rewriting the County’s General Plan, its Transportation corridors project and a new Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Following the Great Recession, Winckel brought the San Diego BIA to financial stability, increased membership, and pioneered new legislative advocacy programs, such as “J.O.I.N” (Jumpstart Our Industry Now) and “H.Y.M.” (Housing You Matters). For Borre Winckel’s full biography, please click here.

Bob Yoder: Division President of Shea Homes Southern California in Irvine, CA. As president of Shea Homes, Bob Yoder is responsible for the design, planning, development, construction and marketing of the company’s single- and multi-family residences throughout the major Southern California counties (except San Diego). Yoder joined Shea in 1996 as Vice President of Community Development after serving as General Manager of Hix Homes for 10 years. Yoder is actively involved with local BIA leadership, is a longtime supporter of HomeAid, and has acquired over 27 years’ experience in the homebuilding industry. For Bob Yoder’s full biography, please click here.

The Hall of Fame was created in 1985 by the California Homebuilding Foundation to pay tribute to individuals whose professional achievements have enhanced construction and development in California. Over 200 distinguished men and women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Foundation will hold an incredible celebration of our industry joining industry leaders for an enchanting dinner and awards program. Honorees take center-stage and share family, friend and career experiences in a heartfelt and emotional address. The Hall of Fame gala is not only a moving and inspirational salute to homebuilding—it is one of the most spectacular events of the year. The 2017 Hall of Fame gala will take place Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego, CA. Learn more about the “Class of 2017”

For more information, sponsorships and to register for the Hall of Fame, gala go to www.mychf.org.

Contacts

California Homebuilding Foundation
Terri Brunson, 916-340-3340
CHF Executive Director
www.mychf.org

LOS ANGELES—Ernie Hix, known as “The Father of USC Men’s Volleyball” after building the program in its early years as head coach and guiding the Trojans to their first 2 NCAA championships, died of malignant melanoma on Saturday (June 4) in Alta Loma, Calif.  He was 80.

During his 8-year (1974-81) tenure at USC, Hix not only won NCAA titles in 1977 and 1980 and finished as runner-up in 1979 and 1981, but he laid the foundation of the nascent Trojan program and fostered its development into a national power.  He won 73.8% of his matches at USC, with an overall record of 138-49.

Among the All-American players he coached at USC were Tim Hovland, Dusty Dvorak, Steve Timmons, Celso Kalache, Bob Yoder, Pat Powers and Bill Stetson.  Dvorak, Timmons, Kalache and Powers were Olympians.

A service for Hix will be held on Monday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at Murrieta United Methodist Church (24652 Adams Ave., Murrieta, Calif. 92562, 951-677-6174).  A viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m.  There will be a reception immediately following at Bear Creek Country Club (22640 Bear Creek Dr. North, Murrieta, Calif. 92562, 951-677-8621).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Hix’s name to the USC Men’s Volleyball Alumni and Boosters Club, c/o USC Men’s Volleyball, Galen Center, 3400 So. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90089-2360.

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Coach Ernie Hix, a Trojan legend,” said current USC men’s volleyball head coach Jeff Nygaard.  “He singlehandedly grew USC Men's Volleyball from its infancy into an NCAA championship-winning program, and along the way he had a deep impact on those who played for him.  I have profound respect and admiration for the Father of USC Men's Volleyball, and I am in awe witnessing his continued impact through the outpouring of love from those who knew him best.”

“Ernie Hix created an incredible foundation for the USC Men’s Volleyball program, quickly establishing it as a collegiate power by winning a pair of NCAA championships,” said Bob Yoder, who was a member of Hix’s 1977 national titlist team and then succeeded Hix as USC’s head coach from 1982 to 1989.  “He was respected and loved by his players, and we will miss him.  He also ensured significant financial support for the program during and after his coaching tenure by developing and fostering the USC Men’s Volleyball Alumni and Boosters Club.”

In 1977, midway through Hix’s head coaching tenure at USC, the university started awarding athletic scholarships in men’s volleyball.

From 1971 to 1973, Hix served as USC’s assistant coach.

A 1958 graduate of USC who played on the 1955 Trojan freshman basketball team and on the varsity in 1956, Hix was a member of a pair of Hollywood (Calif.) High’s Los Angeles City finalist basketball squads.

He was founder and president of Hix Homes and Hix Development Corp., a residential homebuilder and land developer in Southern California, from 1963 to 2009.  He served in leadership roles in the residential construction industry, including as president of the Building Industry Association Baldy View Chapter in 1992 and then president of the Building Industry Association of Southern California in 1997.

He also owned and operated assisted living facilities in Southern California since 2002.  In fact, Hix passed away at Sunlit Gardens in Alta Loma, an assisted living facility that he developed.

Hix is survived by his wife Sharon, son Jeff, stepdaughter DeAnne Corcoran (Robert), stepson Michael Smith, daughter-in-law Susan Smith, 7 grandchildren (Ella Hix, David Hix, Tara Kelch (Mark), Caitlin Mac Cleverty, Brendan Mac Cleverty, Cole Churchill, Melissa Smith), 5 great grandchildren (Mason, Emma, Mark Jr., Skye, Serenity), sister Dixie Fraley, stepbrother Ashby Chamberlin (Kathryn) and nephews Steven Fraley (Penny), Kirk Fraley (Lynell), Shawn Fraley (Lani) and Tim Fraley (Jessica), as well as his faithful chocolate Labrador, Jackie.

To read the full article on Mr. Hix in its entirety, click here.

Services to be held on Monday, June 13^th at:

Murrieta United Methodist Church

24652 Adams Avenue

Murrieta, CA 92562

(951) 677-6174

Services begin at 11AM.

Viewing 30 minutes prior to services for those interested.

Reception immediately following at:

Bear Creek Country Club

22640 Bear Creek Drive North

Murrieta, CA 92562

951-677-8621

The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers to:

USC Men's Volleyball

Attn: USC Men's Volleyball Alumni and Boosters Club

Galen Center

3400 So. Figueroa St.

Los Angeles, CA 90089-2360