Central Florida Executives Unite on World Habitat Day for Affordable Housing Build

Fifteen of the region's top executives roll up their sleeves to help build a home

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On World Habitat Day, leading Central Florida executives demonstrated their commitment to be part of the solution for affordable housing by joining Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka's Executive Build 2025 — a flagship fundraising and construction event held on Monday, October 6.

The event brought together CEOs and business leaders to help build an affordable home for a deserving local family and raise awareness about the urgent need for affordable housing. View photos from Executive Build 2025 here and watch a recap video of the event here.

"Executive Build represents the very best of our business community coming together to tackle one of Central Florida's most pressing challenges," said Jay Zembower, Executive Build Chairman and Chairman of the Seminole County Board of Commissioners. "When our business leaders work alongside our families and volunteers, we're not just building homes – we're building stronger communities and demonstrating that meaningful change happens when we join forces."

Participating executives include leadership from Central Florida organizations:

Carl Brown (Cofounder & SVP, Total Solutions Group); Tim Dolan (VP of Government Affairs, Waste Pro); John Gerhold (CEO, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital); George Gilhooley (Office Leader, HNTB Corporation); Adam Hudson (President, Hudson's Furniture); Shawn Molsberger (SVP, North Region and President, Lake Mary Hospital, Orlando Health); Justin Phillips (Project Manager, GSeay Inc.); Stephanie Pompeo (CFO, Wharton-Smith); Kevin Poole (COO, AdventHealth Apopka); Sonya Sawdon (President, Asphalt Icons); Brian Taylor (Owner, Tri-County Towing); Jeff Villanueva (CEO, AdventHealth Altamonte Springs); Suzanne Weinstein (President & CEO, Orlando Credit Union); and Antwan Williams (COO, Lake Mary Hospital, Orlando Health).

The lack of affordable housing continues to impact families throughout Central Florida, making homeownership increasingly difficult for working families. Executive Build 2025 serves as both a fundraising initiative and a call to action for the business community to engage in addressing this critical issue.

"Executive Build is more than just a construction project – it's a powerful statement about the role businesses, philanthropy, and government can play in creating lasting community impact," said Penny Seater, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seminole–Apopka. "When we see our region's top business leaders working side-by-side on the construction site, it sends a clear message that affordable homeownership is not just a dream, but an achievable goal when we come together as a community."

David Johnson (Seminole County Property Appraiser and Habitat Board Chair), Chassity Vega (CEO, Greater Orlando Builders Association), and Tim Smith (President and CEO, Wharton-Smith) joined as featured speakers alongside Zembower and Seater.

After meeting the future homebuyer, Carrie, a director at a local day care center, and hearing her story, the executives spent the morning installing siding on the new Habitat home.

Executive Build 2025 offers sponsorship opportunities for businesses looking to support affordable housing initiatives while demonstrating their commitment to community development. To learn more please visit https://habitatseminoleapopka.org/exec-build/.

About Habitat for Humanity Seminole–Apopka

Habitat Seminole–Apopka has been building brighter futures and stronger communities in Central Florida for over three decades. Through financial support, volunteer participation, and business partnerships, Habitat constructs and develops affordable homes that are sold to families with low-to-moderate incomes at no profit, financed with modest mortgages. Homebuyers invest in their futures by completing financial education and helping to build their own homes as well as those of other families through earned "sweat equity" hours. Learn more at: habitatseminoleapopka.org

Media Contact: Lisa Junkerman, ljunkerman@habitat-sa.org

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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity - Seminole Apopka