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Meet the BUILD-PAC Officers: 2005 1st Vice-Chairman, Bob Yatko
Bob Yatko, 2005 First Vice Chairman, has been involved in the building industry since 1978. Originally from
Pennsylvania
, Yatko moved to
New York
to work for a purchasing company. After living and working in
New York
for several years, he took a job in North Carolina with a company called
Superior. From 1975-78, Bob dedicated countless hours to the housing industry. He was quickly rewarded with the offer of a promotion to the company’s main office in
Ontario
,
Canada
, but chose to leave the company rather than make the long move northward.
Shortly thereafter, Yatko and his neighbor started a company together called TYCO Builders. In 1982, he sold his stake in the venture to his partner and went into business on his own. He has been president of Wren Homes ever since.
Yatko has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 1979, and has worked his way up the leadership ladder. He was elected local president of Gaston County Home Builders in 1985 before eventually serving as the National Director. His first leadership involvement in BUILD-PAC was his service on the North Carolina BUILD-PAC committee. Yatko continued his leadership as a NC State Officer in 1995, before becoming a NC BUILD-PAC Trustee in 1999. As a trustee he has served on nearly every possible committee. Two years ago he was elected 3rd Vice Chairman and is poised to take over as BUILD-PAC Chairman in 2006.
Yatko says that his favorite aspect of BUILD-PAC is meeting, forming relationships and debating with Members of Congress. Through BUILD-PAC events, congressional meetings, and lobbying efforts for the building industry, he has formed many strong bonds with Members of Congress.
Yatko misses the intense debates among the trustees which marked years past, although acknowledges that less debate does not reflect waning political passion among our members, but is a testament to the procedural improvements to the BUILD-PAC, such as the scoring system. Yatko and the PAC Officers have made it a priority to enhance all aspects of BUILD-PAC, beginning with our fund allocation system.
Yatko and the 2005 BUILD-PAC officers have been charged with a lofty $4 million goal for this election cycle, a mark he hopes to achieve and surpass. They are all encouraged by the tremendous support they are getting from the NAHB Senior Officers. Yatko is proud to be a spokesperson for BUILD-PAC through the education of NAHB's members on the importance of BUILD-PAC.
Bob Yatko resides in Gastonia, NC with his wife Valerie of 31 years. He has one son and two daughters and, much to the dismay of his wife, no grandchildren.[return to top]
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