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Job Corps Electrician Earns NAHB President’s Award
In recognition of his ability to overcome adversity and achieve success in the home building industry, Franqee Higgins, 32, an electrical inspector working for the City of Wylie, Texas, has won the NAHB President’s Award.
The award was presented to Higgins on Feb. 8, during the NAHB board meeting at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. In his presentation of the award, 2006 NAHB President David Pressly remarked that Higgins had used “grit and determination” to accomplish his goals. “He reached deep inside and found the resolve within that would take him to where he is today,” he said.
Higgins graduated from HBI’s electrical program at the Guthrie Job Corps Center in 1998 and began working at several projects in the Dallas area, including the construction of American Airlines Center — home of the Dallas Mavericks — before starting out on his own.
While working, Higgins continued to further his education, adding a professional inspector’s license to his license as a Texas journeyman. Shortly after, he opened his own business and today makes $70,000 a year working for Wylie.
Dallas builder and Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas President T.W. Bailey congratulated Higgins on his accomplishment and mentioned that he had a project awaiting his inspection upon his return to Texas.
Higgins’ former Job Corps instructor Phillip Orr was also on hand at the Orlando awards ceremonies to offer his praise.
“In the 20 years I have been teaching the electrical trade, Franqee is probably the most exceptional student I’ve ever trained,” said Orr. “He was just a real pleasure to have in the classroom, always eager to learn, and the other students had a lot of respect for him. I’m very proud of what he accomplished in Job Corps and of the man that he has become today.”
A National Public Radio interview with Higgins aired on March 12. To download the interview from the broadcaster’s Web site (npr.org), click here.
For more information, e-mail Maria McIntyre at HBI, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8912.
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