Ron Southard
Hometown: New Hartford, Iowa
Education: Iowa State University, two majors- Architectural Engineering and Construction Engineering
Ron moved to Buena Vista in 1975 from Garden City, Kansas. His goal had been to start a construction company with a college friend and between them they thought Central Colorado had business potential and they started their own company, Avery Structures.
By 1979, the name was changed to "ASI". The company worked at Climax, the Twin Lakes Power Plant and the Homestake Tunnel for many years as well as other heavy engineering projects around Colorado and surrounding states.
Ron owns the building, that the ReStore is a part of, across from the airport in Buena Vista. Part of the present structure was built in the early 80's and additions were added in the mid and late 80's. There have been various businesses in the building - Perry Mechanical, ASI Power Technology, Watson Heirlooms, Keeper Enterprises and Architonic Design Group, among others.
In 2004-5, Ron acquired, preserved and relocated a vintage furniture shop, the Moser Furniture Company of Lynchburg, Virginia into the building. The shop is a living museum and classroom.
Ron is a visionary.....he became acquainted with the concept of "Community Development" which is an education-centric commercial/industrial environment. This concept involves college campuses surrounded by transportation, business and industry to achieve education and work place synergy. This idea became a reality via the property he has been instrumental in developing into "Colorado Center", a commercial /Industrial Park (Colorado Center), airport (Central Colorado Regional Airport) and he donated 35 acres to Colorado Mountain College.
Ron first became involved with Habitat for Humanity when he met Kim Brenner, Executive Director, and Gerry Dixon, ReStore Manager. Habitat was looking for another facility for the ReStore from its location on Tabor St. Ron and Gerry saw the location on Gregg Drive and the showroom in the building as a good fit for the ReStore. Kim Brenner and Dale Shoemaker, Board President, went to Ron to sign the original lease. Ron looked at the two of them and said, "My hope is to see Chaffee County Habitat become so successful that Habitat would purchase this building." Dale and Kim smiled at each other and walked away thinking that buying the building would be great, but a lot had to happen before that could happen. Well, a lot has happened- Ron's vision was correct!!
Ron is proud of his partnership with Habitat and this has been a highlight in his and his wife's life. He has seen the success of Habitat and he believes in the mission of Habitat. Ron has enjoyed all his experiences with Habitat volunteers, staff and board members.
Hobbies: Creating art, companies, developments and concepts!
