RESNET congratulates James Rodriguez on his role as the 2024/2025 Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA) President. James was inducted at the recent GFWBA Installation and Awards Banquet in late September. During the event, the outgoing President, Diane Nix Kessler was also recognized for her 2023-2024 service to the association. Founded in 1945, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association is the local arm of a three-level federation which includes the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), and the Texas Association of Builders (TAB). By offering specialized services for the many disciplines involved in new home construction, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association’s Councils and Committees provide a more focused approach to resolving specific issues unique to their professions and regions. James began his work in the building performance and HERS industries in 2009. Now as Fox Energy Specialists’ Chief Operating Officer, he oversees the daily efforts of a team of over forty (40) full-time employees, certified HERS, and ICC building code inspectors. Since 2001, Fox Energy Specialists has inspected and tested over 70,000 projects nationwide, promoting energy efficiency and green construction practices to both the residential and commercial sectors. James is involved in every facet of the business, including strategic direction, operations, training, business development, marketing, sales, government affairs, and finance. In support of Fox Energy Specialists’ core business, Mr. Rodriguez oversees numerous large energy inspection and home energy rating contracts with Texas production and custom home builders. James took the lessons of the Great Recession and used that to help rebuild and scale Fox Energy Specialists into a statewide leader in HERS and energy code services over the last decade. Fox Energy Specialists now inspects and certifies over 10,000 single-family homes a year in Texas, and services a portfolio of over one hundred multifamily projects simultaneously across the country. Recently, James and representatives of other Texas HERS rating companies worked with RESNET® on hosting educational workshops with each of the local homebuilder associations across the state, in partnership with the Texas Association of Builders. These workshops focused on explaining the HERS Index and the implications of the law that recognizes HERS ratings as a compliance option to the state’s energy code.
