Spartanburg Habitat for Humanity director retiring

Published: Monday, March 10, 2014 at 6:03 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, March 10, 2014 at 6:03 p.m.

The executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg will retire May 1 after building a lasting legacy with the organization.

Tom Webster has served as the executive director of Habitat of Spartanburg since 2008. He had spent the previous year volunteering in the organizations office.

I was just volunteering in the office, I didnt know too much about construction, he said. It was just a good time, good place and good opportunity.

During his time at Habitat of Spartanburg, Webster led the building of more than 30 homes for low-income families in five neighborhoods across Spartanburg County. He also worked to change the appearance of Habitat homes and made sure they lived up to energy efficiency standards.

I wanted Habitat homes to complement the neighborhoods they were in, he said, adding that concrete driveways have been used instead of asphalt and that different types of siding have been used to make sure newly-built homes fit into the neighborhoods.

The homeowners were proud, and the Habitat board was certainly proud, he said.

Webster also developed financial counseling and social service programs run through Habitat of Spartanburg. The social services program held events like health screening and job fairs across the county.

It was about more than building a house, he said. We wanted to make a positive contribution to people in the community.

Webster said he looks forward to spending time with his wife, Patricia, who recently retired from First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, and his grandchildren.

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Spartanburg Habitat for Humanity director retiring