NAHB Mourns the Passing of Past President Shirley McVay Wiseman

Shirley McVay Wiseman, 1989 NAHB president, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23.

A pioneer in the home building industry, Wiseman was the first woman elected president of NAHB. A home builder from Lexington, Ky., and Lake Wales, Fla., Wiseman served as president of Wiseman Construction & Development Co., Inc., of Lexington, and of Wiseman Homes of Florida, Inc.

“I knew because of my experience and knowledge of the federal government I could make a difference as an NAHB senior officer,” Wiseman said. “I’m very proud of the fact that I’m the first woman builder that’s ever been president.”

Wiseman served as the HUD deputy assistant secretary for single-family housing in 1983 and 1984, and in 1984 and early 1985, she was HUD’s general deputy assistant secretary for housing/federal housing commissioner. She also founded the Home Owners Warranty Corp. of Lexington and served as its first president in 1976.

Wiseman founded Lexington Housing for the Handicapped Inc. and was appointed to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council by Gov. Robert Martinez. Additionally, Wiseman served on the boards of Fannie Mae, the Home Builders Institute, the Alliance to Save Energy, National Association of Realtors, US Homes and Barry University, and as commissioner of the Kentucky Real Estate Commission.

“Calling Shirley a pioneer would not do her justice. She was so much more than that,” NAHB CEO Jim Tobin stated. “To me, she was a fighter. She fought for housing. She fought for people with disabilities. She fought for students trying to break into our industry that she loved. We will feel her impact for generations.”

Additional leadership roles within NAHB included NAHB life director, Home Builders Association of Kentucky (HBAK) board of directors, and Home Builders Association of Lexington president and board of directors. She was also named HBAK Builder of the Year in 1980 and Home Builders Association of Lexington’s Builder of the Year in 1978.

Wiseman is survived by her son, Larry, and his family.