Community leaders come together to start Habitat CEO Build

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 13th Habitat Greenville CEO Build started Wednesday morning with a ceremonial wall-raising and a simple request.

More community and business leaders are needed to come together to help create homeownership for a local family in the coming months.

“The people here today believe in the need for affordable homeownership here in Greenville,” said LaTonya Phillips, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. “They have pledged their support, but we are calling for others to take this pledge.”

Each participating CEO pledged company funding and volunteer hours to help build a house in Greenville County. This year, they are building on Zora Street in the Nicholtown community, where Habitat Greenville has already built 15 houses in the past few years.

“This is about more than building a home, this is about building a community,” said Beth Paul, general manager of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the co-chair of the 2025 CEO Build.

The CEOS and their teams also work on-site personally during construction alongside their own team members, community volunteers, and future Habitat families to broaden their perspectives on issues of importance to our community.

“Today is just the start of an amazing process,” said Heath Dillard, President and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC and the co-chair of the 2025 CEO Build. “We are coming together to help a family for generations to come.”

The 13th Habitat Greenville CEO Build will include: Dan Russian of Sage Automotive Interiors, Chris Heard of Safe Automotive Interiors, Chris Bailey of Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, David Lominack of TD Bank, Hank McCullough of Piedmont Natural Gas, Stephen Davis of Davis & Floyd, Dr. Keith Miller of Greenville Technical College, Phil Howard of Ethox Chemicals, John Boyanoski of Complete PR, Randy Hunter of Terminix, Tim Vieira of Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Heather Meadors of Auro Hotels.

“Once again the business community of Greenville is rolling up its collective sleeves to help create more affordable housing in Greenville,” Phillips said. “Each year is a new opportunity to strengthen our community and their support is fantastic.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of April 2025, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of more than 420 homes. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.