Women Remodelers Honored for Community Contributions
Ilone “Toni” Wendel, president of Olde World Builders and Remodelers, did not expect to be named one of New Orleans’ “Women of the Year” recently by New Orleans CityBusiness, the region’s business newspaper.
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Toni Wendel |
“I was totally blown away,” said Wendel, after being honored, along with several other New Orleans business women, for her success in business and her contributions to the community.
Wendel became president of her husband’s company and got a general contractor license of her own when he became ill many years ago. After joining NAHB, she served as chairperson of the Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, was a member of the council’s board of trustees and, two years ago, was elected president of the New Orleans HBA, only the second woman to serve in that office.
Since Hurricane Katrina, Wendel has been active in all aspects of rebuilding New Orleans — from volunteering and taking part in rebuilding projects to ensuring that the rebuilding is being conducted correctly.
Among her rebuilding projects, Wendel worked on behalf of HomeAid to renovate the 4,000-square-foot, 24-bed women’s shelter at the historic New Orleans Rescue Mission, which was badly damaged by the hurricane. Several hundred volunteers were involved in the rebuilding effort, including college students who assembled furniture and adult volunteers from all over the country who helped with the carpentry.
Sitting on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, Wendel has also been monitoring the remodeling industry and protecting New Orleans residents from shady contractors.
She also serves on a task force to improve the energy efficiency of rebuilt properties and is an advocate of increasing the availability of affordable housing.
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Jan Williams |
"New Orleans is coming back," Wendel said.
Williams Honored in New Jersey
Jan Williams, CGR, of williams-Builder in Robinsonville, N. J. also recently earned local community recognition when she was named one of Packet Publications’ “Outstanding Women.” Packet Publications publishes the Princeton Packet.
Williams joined her husband’s remodeling firm in the 1960s and rose to prominence in the industry.
She served as chairperson of the Remodelers Council of the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey and NAHB Remodelers, was named the “National Remodeler of the Year” by Remodeling magazine and was named a life director of both NAHB Remodelers and the New Jersey Builders Association.
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