SC Housing Hall of Fame to Induct Three New Members
July 2, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame trustees have announced that F. William “Bill” Hargrove, Sr., Hank Chardos and W.B. “Bill” Cox, Sr. will be inducted into the prestigious honor society for their work in and support of South Carolina’s home building industry. Each inductee will be presented with the trademark medallion and plaque during a ceremony on August 4 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort.
“We couldn’t have asked for better nominees than Bill Hargrove, Hank Chardos and Bill Cox because of their unwavering efforts to protect the home building industry and the American dream of homeownership,” said Kenneth E. Ormand, Jr., chairman of the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame Trustees. “The South Carolina home building industry has been fortunate to have these champions working for the benefit of our citizens.”
Bill Hargrove is a strong advocate of housing who has had a remarkable effect on the housing industry. His innumerable hours of volunteer work on behalf of our industry stand as an example to any HBA member or anyone who owes their livelihood to the construction industry. He has tirelessly worked to insure a mix of housing options within the county to provide affordable homes to a growing workforce in the York County/Rock Hill/South Charlotte area. Bill Hargrove has also shown time and time again through his philanthropy and his service that the well- being of the construction industry and community are imperative to him.
Since 1996, Home Works of America and its founder, Hank Chardos, have been helping homeowners throughout the southeast continue to live the American dream by providing much-needed repairs to homes, thus keeping them in safe living conditions. Home Works uses volunteers, mostly youths, to help perform one-day and week-long home repair events throughout the southeastern United States and Peru. Home Works has performed repairs on over 2,100 residences with the help of more than 35,000 volunteers. Hank’s impact on housing is undeniable, but his enduring impact is the feeling of empowerment and civic responsibility he instills in the youths who volunteer.
Bill Cox built his business, Cox Industries, on personal relationships with his employees and customers. Those relationships made a lasting impact on his community and the construction industry. Mr. Cox adapted to what the market needed, from being a pioneer of kiln drying lumber after the treatment process to producing a lighter product with greater stability and fastener holding power, which is now the industry standard for premium outdoor wood construction materials. Cox was also the first company to treat wood with a pressure impregnated fire retardant; now a staple of commercial construction. Mr. Cox recognized the value of these new technologies to builders, home and business owners and made educating those in the construction industry a tenet of his business. His impact on the construction industry will benefit our communities for generations to come.
“Without the concern and actions of these personalities, our industry would not have been able to weather the recent economic storm and would not have been able to maintain the level of strength which it has today,” said Ormand. “I congratulate the accomplishments of Messrs. Hargrove, Chardos and Cox and I welcome them into the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame.” Hargrove, Chardos and Cox will accept their nominations into the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame on Monday, August 4 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort. Tickets for this event are on sale now at the Home Builders Association of South Carolina. For more information, call 803-771-7408 or visit www.hbaofsc.com.
About the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame
Established in 1995, the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame has inducted 67 outstanding individuals from all over the state. Displayed proudly in the office of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina, the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the housing industry and to their communities, as well as the state of South Carolina and the nation, through their work in building and development, public service and housing-related areas such as education, architecture and planning.
