CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 10 - HouseRaising, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: HRAI.OB), a managed service provider that utilizes its patent-pending software and support system to manage custom home projects for affiliated builders, today announced that it has expanded its proprietary custom home management software to include a version designed specifically for managing projects as part of a disaster relief effort. The software addresses issues facing homeowners, local building and governmental authorities and insurance carriers working in disaster related environments.
Gregory Wessling, HouseRaising's Chairman and CEO stated: "I am pleased to announce that HouseRaising has just completed version one of its Disaster Relief Operating Platform. The software is designed to be used in managing rebuilding efforts from the point of accumulating project data and cost estimating to designing replacement homes, clean-up, addressing and coordinating funding issues and managing the building process to completion and occupancy. I am very encouraged with the reception we have received so far from insurance company officials, local officials and from Gulfport's Homebuilders Association. We are ready to begin demonstrating our software and support services to local insurance companies and to any federal, state or local governmental agency that needs our assistance in organizing rebuilding efforts."
Today, HouseRaising also announced the hiring of R. Andrew Garverick as its Gulf Coast Development Executive implementing Zone II operations. Mr. Wessling stated: "We are pleased to have located someone with Andy's experience and management skills to assist us in our Gulf Coast operation. Having decades of experience in banking and managing regional homebuilding operations, Andy will help us expedite our plans to present our system to local officials and start rebuilding homes destroyed in recent storms in the area."
Andy Garverick reported the establishment of HouseRaising's first office in Gulfport, Mississippi, located at 14116 Customs Blvd. Suite 112, Gulfport Ms. 39503. The local phone number is 228-822-4726, and the fax number is 228- 822-4760. Mr. Garverick may also be contacted by email at Andy.Garverick@HouseRaising.com.
Andy Garverick commented on his initial efforts: "The decision to accept this assignment was exciting, especially after understanding the special-use software HouseRaising has developed for managing projects as part of a disaster relief effort. No other management software like this exists and I am convinced it will serve HouseRaising, Gulf Coast homeowners, builders and insurance companies well. This home project management system can not only help these families rebuild, our proprietary service can assist government officials and insurance companies in organizing the back-office monitoring of thousands of homes simultaneously. I am excited about HouseRaising's potential in this arena."
About HouseRaising's Disaster Relief Homebuilding Management Software
HouseRaising's founder began developing a homebuilding management software and support structure in 1999. The software organizes custom building projects by combining the needs of multiple builders, homebuyers and vendors into a well organized process. The custom building version of HouseRaising's software was publicly announced recently with custom home projects being integrated into the system. The many organizational issues facing recent disasters led HouseRaising to develop a disaster focused version of the software. A preview of HouseRaising's disaster relief software will be available for review by the public on Tuesday March 14th by visiting http://www.Gulf.HouseRaising.com and opening the window titled "Disaster Relief Platform."
About R. Andrew Garverick
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mr. Garverick obtained his MBA in business and finance. He has been in the custom homebuilding industry for the last 15 years as an officer in the predecessor company to HouseRaising. He supervised the financial and organizational aspects of the custom homebuilding company and prior to his homebuilding background Mr. Garverick held senior officer positions with both ABN/AMRO Bank and Bank of America.
ABOUT HOUSERAISING, INC. (HRAI.OB)
HouseRaising, Inc. functions as general manager of projects, assisting affiliated builders from design and cost estimation to construction. Utilizing its internal use software, HouseRaising assists builder-members who have expanded their membership relations to become affiliated builders in improving the quality of the home while lowering the overall cost. HRAI offers members the opportunity to gain knowledge developed from 40 years of custom homebuilding. Though HouseRaising believes the knowledge alone is sufficient to attract builders, members also buy materials, equipment and insurance at wholesale prices. It also custom builds homes. For more information go to http://www.houseraising.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements as to the future performance of the company. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful performance of internal plans, product development acceptance, and the impact of competitive services and pricing and general economic risks and uncertainties.
