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Memorial/Spring Branch News
FACES IN THE CROWD Businessman aids the elderly, disabled Bob Conklin provides free home repair to those in need Chronicle Correspondent BOB CONKLINCommunity connection: Hilshire Village resident • Age: 70 • Fast fact: In 2006, more than 550
homeowners received repairs or modifications thanks to Rebuilding
Together Houston, a nonprofit organization that provides free home
repair to low-income disabled or elderly residents.
MORE than 10 years ago, Hilshire Village resident Bob Conklin decided
he had enough of corporate America. But he is a businessman at heart, specifically in the real estate
investment and developing sector. So he found a way to combine his skills
with his growing interest in community service. Conklin, a 70-year-old father of three and grandfather of three, is
executive director of Rebuilding Together Houston, a nonprofit organization
providing home repair services for elderly or low-income disabled
homeowners. "My creator and
my Lord decided there were better things I could do to serve him than making
money for stockholders," said Conklin, a member of Memorial
Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive. "My precious wife of 47 years (Ann) and I had
enough put away so that it wouldn't make us poor. So I was able to take a
position here at a substantial reduction in compensation, and do the thing I
had been prepared to do since I was a teenager — managing real estate,
managing teams of people, and achieving results." Rebuilding Together Houston, 811 Rusk St. , delivered $3.7 million of
repairs and modifications to more than 550 homeowners last year. Conklin and his team of five employees work with more than 250
sponsored crews each year, which adds up to more than 5,000 people per year
working on home repair projects. Conklin, originally from rural New York state, moved from El Paso to
Houston in 1988, when he became president and chief executive officer of
American General Investment Corporation. Conklin oversaw the creation of Greatwood and Cinco Ranch, two master
planned communities in the Houston area. "I did that for
a couple of years, and then realized my life was changing, so I resigned
that job, did more community service stuff as a volunteer, until this
position became available," Conklin said. "The people in the inner city we deliver these
repairs to are very thankful, and they express that to us." But Conklin said he always reminds the homeowners, his staff,
volunteers and even himself to thank God when they go to bed at night. "That's so our heads don't get too big," Conklin said. His wife, Ann Conklin, said she has seen firsthand how her husband's
career in the nonprofit sector has fulfilled him in a way nothing else
could.
"It's really been literally a
godsend, because how many 70-year-olds are going full speed full time?" Ann
said. "I realized the fulfillment of his faith and the fulfillment of his
desire to help are based in what he's doing, and that's where he draws his
energy."Contact
Bob at rt-houston@sbcglobal.net If you have a suggestion for a "Faces in the
Crowd" profile, contact Donna Hatch at donna.hatch@chron.com, or send a fax
to 713-362-7552. |
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