Hugh Heron is Principal and Partner in the Heron Group of Companies, a diversified, fully integrated real estate company specializing in residential construction and land development. Over the past four decades, the Heron Group’s core business of real estate development has grown and diversified even more through ownership, co-ventures, strategic alliances and investment partnerships. Mr. Heron is also President of Heathwood Homes, a leader in the industry for over 30 years, and he is Chair of The Mikey Network, a registered charity that promotes heart-healthy living and places automated external defibrillators called MIKEYs in public places. He is a former Member of the Board of Directors of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a Past President of the Toronto Home Builders’ Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, former chair of the Ontario New Home Warranty Program (now known as Tarion), and an ongoing spokesperson for the industry who has deservedly built an extraordinary reputation for himself.

 

From the ship building industry to the building industry…you’ve come a long way.  Other than the obvious manual ones, what are the transferable skills that set you on a new course in life?  

 

Building ships in Scotland taught me many things, including a solid work ethic and how satisfying it is to create something lasting. I also learned about the importance of accepting change and working with it. During my apprenticeship on the ship line, we used to put together the vessels piece by piece. In time, the industry progressed to constructing the ship in sections that were then assembled. I see a similar thing happening in home building in Ontario. Some builders are already constructing modular homes that are assembled onsite.

 

My past experience has fueled my passion. I used to love watching the ships go by that I had worked on. They were majestic, and it felt awesome that I had a hand in building them. Today, I feel the same way when I drive through completed Heathwood Homes communities. I find it fulfilling to play a role in building the places people call home. For me, building is my life’s work, and I love every minute of it.

 

Change has occurred in every industry, some good, some not. Being a survivor, what things could’ve been done better for the building industry?

 

I would like to have seen more clarity, openness and transparency from all three levels of government, especially municipalities. As builders, we are expected to provide good and timely service, from the moment potential buyers enter our sales offices until well after they move in. We should be able to expect that from the government as well.

 

We have to rely on municipal governments to provide us with approvals to take it to the next level of the building and progressing level of our communities, and it is frustrating to have emails and phone calls go unreturned. Builders and developers pay huge amounts in development charges and building fees, yet we at times have to wait years for approvals! It’s about communication, understanding and closing the deal so that everyone wins. People need to talk to each other more, in both the private and public sectors. Everyone is busy, but answering emails and phone calls is a critical component of providing service.  There requires to be a win-win situation implemented here.

 

In addition, purchasers need to take responsibility for doing their research. For example, asking about what is included in closing costs is critical to knowing what to expect. Closing day is the one time you don’t want surprises. In short, communication and the willingness to work together for a common goal can be improved.

 

What have you as a spokesperson and contributor done for this particular industry to have earned accolades and rewards?

 

I have always felt strongly about giving back to the industry that has provided me with the opportunity to pursue my dream of building. I’ve served as President of both the Toronto and Ontario Home Builders’ Associations, and at one time, I was a board member for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In 2003, I was honored to receive the OHBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. As a principal and partner in the Heron Group of Companies and President of Heathwood Homes, I have played a part in providing thousands of families with new homes, as well as thousands of Ontarians with good-paying jobs.

 

As a spokesperson, I tell it like it is, which people seem to like and respect. My newspaper and magazine columns touch on a variety of topics, and I am proud that some of them promote how lucky we are to live in Canada. I’m a cheerleader for multiculturalism, and I marvel at how well people from all cultures, backgrounds and walks of life work together in the home building industry.

 

One of the highlights of my life was being celebrated in 2008 with a Celtic “Ceilidh” with music and storytelling. It was emceed by Steve Paikin of TVO’s “The Agenda,” and then Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty sent a congratulatory video. Not bad for a wee lad from Glasgow!

 

If you were to speak to a roomful of potential leaders for the building industry what would be your address of encouragement to them?

 

First and foremost, look after your customers through quality, approachability, community, professionalism, integrity and fairness. The best kind of marketing is word of mouth, and with social networking so popular today, that carries a lot of weight. People who buy homes are making one of the largest financial investments they will ever incur in their lifetime. They need to feel taken care of, that their home is as important to you as it is to them.

 

Residential construction is an art and a science, but it is not an exact science when it comes to the unexpected. A labour and materials shortage, strikes, approval delays…sometimes things happen and the progress on a home is delayed. Being upfront when problems occur is the key virtue of sincerity and trust. Buyers respect a builder who lets them know the reality of a situation rather than one who promises more than he or she can deliver.

 

My other piece of advice is to persevere. Real estate is a cyclical business, and riding out the lows is part of it. Giving in to the naysayers is counterproductive. Remember that in the late 1980s and early 1990s, “experts” said we’d never see single-digit mortgage interest rates again.

 

Talk to us about some of your most cherished experiences on the field.

 

This is a tough one, because I enjoy everything about the industry. Most of all, I love to walk the streets of the communities we’re building and those that are complete. We’ve expanded across the GTA, in Milton, Brampton, Woodbridge, Erin Mills, Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Ajax, Whitby, Aurora, Pickering and Uxbridge. It’s gratifying to see the pride of ownership in how people upkeep their lawns and exteriors. Trees and shrubs are maturing, and residents of all ages are walking, riding bikes, chatting and enjoying life. There’s nothing better, in my opinion than seeing real human happiness emanate from mere bricks and mortar.

 

And how about your accomplishments for the Heron Group of Companies…

 

My accomplishments involve working with a fantastic group of partners who are open to new ideas. Together, we focus on our core set of principles that involve understanding what our customers want, anticipating new trends, delivering a quality product and identifying new business opportunities. We are committed to long-term growth and financial gain. That’s what business success is all about.

 

It is legendary for the Scottish to be frugal in whatever they undertake, and Sean Connery himself has gone on record to admit this cultural trait. What do you have to say to this?

 

Having met Sean, I have to say I disagree. We Scottish people are a kind, generous group who can laugh at ourselves. Then again, Sean is from Edinburgh, and I’m from Glasgow.

 

We have covered the Mikey Network in one of our past issues.  Tell us something we don’t know, or haven’t heard about this charity endeavor…maybe a personal experience that is closest to your heart.

 

The Mikey Network is close to my heart, because Mike Salem, who it was named for, was a kind, generous friend, and a colleague we truly miss. He was a family man, the kind of guy who would play Santa at the holiday party. I know Mike would be happy to know that MIKEYs play a role in saving and improving the lives of adults, teens, children and even babies.

 

A couple years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Emily Herbert in person. She is one of our Mikey’s Kids, because she is at risk of cardiac arrest from an inherited disease known as Brugada syndrome. Emily is about 14 years old now, and having her own personal MIKEY defibrillator allows her to take part in an active life with more confidence. She is a MIKEY Student Ambassador, and I think she summed it up beautifully when she said, “Now I can play soccer and do cheerleading. The MIKEY is like a seat belt. I hope I never need it, but it protects me if I do.” Her positive attitude in the face of a serious life-threatening condition touched me and made me realize the importance of our endeavor.

 

Jude Paul Fernandes / jude@thesouthasiannews.com