HOME BUILDERS CHIEF URGES COOPERATION

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 24, 1993                   TAG: 9301240003
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: E-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLYNE H. McWILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
HOME BUILDERS CHIEF URGES COOPERATION
David Vaughn took a risk when he built a $686,000 house in Hunting Hills. He didn't have a buyer.
"Sure, it was a risk, but I knew my market," he said without flinching. The house was sold before Vaughn completed it.
It's going to take this kind of knowledge and willingness to take risks to help the Roanoke Valley grow, he said. And as the 34th president of the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, Vaughn will be in a position to help it happen.
"We need to be prepared for the growth," he said.
Vaughn assumed his new role earlier this month. He said the association will have to work closely with local government officials and chambers of commerce to address the needs of a growing area.
"We don't need to bicker," he said. "We need to find some way to attract more industry here."
The builders association, for example, has a waste water treatment committee that is working with local officials on such things as expanding sewer systems in Roanoke County.
While he is president, Vaughn said, he wants to have more of this kind of interaction and addressing other environmental issues that concern builders.
Also, Vaughn said the association with nearly 450 members will work toward getting a full-time person to be responsible for its legislative role.
Vaughn, owner of Dominion Builders, knew he wanted to be a builder since he was 6 years old when he saw his stepfather build a remodeling business. At age 17, Vaughn started a remodeling company.
"Then I found out I didn't know everything," he said, a broad grin flashing across his face.
After working for another contractor for 10 years and learning about building, Vaughn ventured out on his own again with Dominion Builders. Since then, the native Roanoker has built 12 to 25 homes a year, houses that sell for $200,000 to $700,000.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB