HBA names new executive officer

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There's a new face in the office of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield. Matt Morrow began serving the organization as executive officer Jan. 8. The position was left vacaant when Louise Henson, who served as executive officer for the last 10 years, tendered her resignation Dec. 18.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Ed Alden, president of the HBA board of directors, several candidates were considered for the position, and Morrow was chosen by the board's search committee after the pool was narrowed to five applicants. |ret||ret||tab|

Morrow formerly was the Missouri press secretary and director of the southwest Missouri district office for former U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft, who lost his bid for re-election Nov. 7 and is now President-elect George W. Bush's designee for attorney general.|ret||ret||tab|

Morrow said because of the circumstances of the Nov. 7 election, he found himself in a position where he could explore his options.|ret||ret||tab|

Alden said that Morrow's political knowledge will help HBA become more proactive in governmental affairs, something HBA has not addressed much in the past. Particularly, Alden said, HBA needs to be more aware of government-related issues that the Springfield area will face as it grows.|ret||ret||tab|

Because of its growth, "Springfield's going to face many issues that larger communities have faced. You see them on the news all the time, Alden said.|ret||ret||tab|

"When we go to (HBA) national level, we hear about the difficulty (growth problems) bring to the construction industry if they're not handled off the bat," Alden said.|ret||ret||tab|

As an Ashcroft aide, Morrow said, he dealt with issues facing the home-building industry, primarily as a liaison between federal, state and local officials. He added that becoming more involved in the political arena is the primary goal he shares with HBA's board of directors.|ret||ret||tab|

"We want to become more proactive on issues that affect our industry, and dealing with those in a way that can be beneficial to our members," Morrow said. "That includes petitioning and lobbying officeholders and committee members, but it also includes being involved in the political process of supporting and helping to get elected people who are like-minded with our goals."|ret||ret||tab|

Morrow said he also will continue to work toward goals laid out for HBA by Henson.|ret||ret||tab|

"My predecessor did a fantastic job of growing the membership of HBA, and one of her goals ... was to reach out to some of the other counties ... around Greene County that we also serve, trying to get more members from those areas. I think that was a very good goal, and one that we should continue," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Alden said Morrow met several HBA board members prior to accepting the position, and he was formally introduced to the board at its Jan. 9 meeting. He will be introduced to the HBA membership at its Jan. 16 dinner meeting.|ret||ret||tab|

"The entire board was very impressed with him, and they're expecting a lot from him," Alden said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Matt fit all of our needs. He hit all the right buttons on his qualifications, his enthusiasm, his knowledge ... there's no task that's too big or too small," Alden said.|ret||ret||tab|

Morrow grew up in Bolivar and graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He now is pursuing a master's degree in business administration from SBU. He and his wife, Rachael, reside in Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

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