Rebuild.

• Position: Final entry - David Kvendru - Interview

This month we talk with 2013 Public Service Award Winner David Kvendru, CPA and CFO of die Greater San Diego Association of Realtors. He adds his name in die list of other award winners this year, which includes Iaeopi Lenz & Co. AC, (San Joaquin Chapter. Public Service Award--Firm), Chrislynn Freed Eos Angeles Chapter. Outstanding Educator Award. Douglas Kulper (Channel Counties Chapter, Outstanding Educator Award and Distinguished Service Award) winner Steven Wimmers (San Diego Chapter). We asked Kvendru about his efforts to give back to his community.

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Tell us about Rebuilding Together-San Diego.

Rebuilding Together-San Diego changes lives through rehabilitating homes and aiding with rejuvenating the community. It is a national organization started more than 30 years ago, which consists of more than 200 affiliated chapters throughout the. United States. Every forth Saturday in April is referred to as National Build Day. Each affiliate arranges at least one project in its community to revitalize. Rebuilding Together-San Diego rehabilitated three homes, a church, a community center and a VFW Hall April 27 with the help of more than 400 volunteers and the funding of six generous sponsors.

When you joined the Rebuilding Together-San Diego board seven years ago, did you plan to be so involved for this long?

I thought that I would only be there for a year or two. The first year was learning about the company, the second year I realized how important the charity was for the community. I was seeing how the charity's efforts were changing people's lives by changing their situations at home. It was amazing and I wanted to do more.

Is there a crowning achievement with Rebuilding Together you are most proud of?

Yes, the fact that Rebuilding Together-San Diego is financially stable and self-reliant so it can continue to offer services to the community for years to come. Significant discussions were had in 2007-08 about establishing a timeline for selling the corporate office and quite possibly closing the organization. A decision was made and a plan developed to save the charity. The plan was to do what we do best: rehabilitate homes and then sell them to low-income families. We did not have the funds to purchase the property, so they would have to be donated. JP Morgan Chase was willing to take a chance with us. We were able to complete our first transaction, selling to low-income family (a single mother) who, at that rime, had...