Builder’s Golden Rules: When business executives gather...

Builder’s Golden Rules: When business executives gather to pass out lifetime achievement awards, the ceremonies are usually stuffy affairs.

The presenter gives a heartfelt speech about the honoree’s service and dedication to the industry, and the honoree tells everyone how he or she doesn’t deserve it but allows as how it is wonderful to be recognized.

Then everyone applauds and goes home.

That was almost the scenario at the recent UCI/Sumigarden Conference on real estate, held at the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach.

Builder Ralph M. Lewis, who founded Lewis Homes in 1957 and has since built more than 45,000 homes in California, Nevada and Utah, was named Builder/Developer of the Century and all the usual speeches were given.

Lewis said he wanted to share with the gathering the five golden rules established by his wife, Goldy, for guiding the company.

“Be honest and be fair,” he solemnly intoned to his audience of builders, lenders and developers.

“Always favor the customer over the subcontractor in a dispute. Don’t try to cheat the IRS.”

Then, with a twinkle in his eyes, the 71-year-old Lewis--temporarily wheelchair-bound because of an auto accident--delivered the cardinal rule and brought the house down:

“And don’t (b.s.) the planning commission.”