Since 1955, Horton is Only the Third Woman to Receive This Prestigious Award
FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Fort Worth Builders Association has named Carol Horton, Founder and Builder, Lily Grace Homes, the 2026 "Builder of the Year" at its annual Awards and Installation Banquet on September 17th.
The Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA) annually honors outstanding homebuilders with its "Builder of the Year" award, recognizing exceptional contributions to the local housing industry.
The Builder of the Year award is part of GFWBA's annual Installation and Awards Banquet, which also includes other recognitions for members and partners. The award celebrates companies that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and excellence in homebuilding within the Greater Fort Worth region.
Since 1955, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association has named a Builder of the Year. To date, only two other women have received this award: Debbie Dykstra and Heather Laminack.
Horton launched Lily Grace Homes with the goal of building new construction homes "the way she would want to live in them." She emphasizes that homes should be designed by balancing beauty, function, and long‑term livability. Her approach is rooted in over two decades of residential construction experience, and she is one of the few female builders in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex.
"It is a great honor to be among the builders who have come before me," said Horton. "Last week was Professional Women in Building Week, and it had me thinking about the women in our industry. That is when I realized this award put me in a very small group. I am proud to stand with them. They started something, and I want to carry it forward by opening doors for the women coming behind me.
Today, women hold just over 11% of the jobs in the construction industry, and even fewer are builders. The GFWBA Professional Women in Building Council has been an integral part of my path to launching Lily Grace Homes and to the success I have achieved in just two years. So many women have supported and championed me, even on the hard days. Your voices carried me to the stage, so I share this award with all of you. Thank you to the GFWBA members who voted for me! To the entire membership, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and advice. That is the single greatest gift our organization offers its members. If you are in this industry and haven't joined your local builders association, I strongly encourage you to do so. The more of us in the room, the more we learn from each other, and the more we have to pass on to the next generation."
About Greater Fort Worth Builders Association
Founded in 1945, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA) is a non-profit trade association representing hundreds of companies affiliated within the homebuilding industry throughout the Greater Fort Worth region. Our jurisdiction includes Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Wise, Palo Pinto, Hood and Somervell counties. The Greater Fort Worth Builders Association is one of twenty-eight local associations that make up the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and we are affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
An active board of directors and volunteer committees, made up of leaders from local builders, trade contractors and businesses associated within the real estate industry, lead the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association in its mission - to be the voice of the housing industry and promote and protect the interest of our members and consumers.
About Lily Grace Homes
Lily Grace Homes was launched shortly after founder Carol Horton experienced a pivotal moment in her life and career. Leaning on others in the industry, Carol was encouraged to forge her own path in the homebuilding industry. With decades of experience in business and residential construction behind her, she stepped out on her own not only to create homes but to redefine what a home could feel like. As one of the few female builders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Carol brings a fresh perspective to an industry that too often focuses on cost structures rather than the daily life lived within the walls.
As a woman who has balanced home, career, and family life, Carol brings a unique insight into how a home must support the rhythm of daily living. She thinks about where backpacks land when kids rush in, where muddy shoes get kicked off, and how dinner comes together on a weeknight when everyone is hungry. These lived experiences shape a very different kind of homebuilding logic. The focus is never just square footage. It is how well the space nurtures the people inside it. Her approach puts her homeowners first. She strives to design every square foot to make life feel easier, from how the pantry hides the morning chaos to how sunlight moves through the kitchen throughout the day. Each decision is rooted in enhancing comfort, organization, and connection. Storage is plentiful. Traffic flow makes sense. Details support real family life instead of forcing families to adapt to the house.
The company name proudly reflects Carol's legacy and future. Lily is the name of her youngest daughter, and Grace is drawn from her middle daughter's middle name. Combining them honors the family foundation that inspires her work and points to the path ahead, one that may someday be passed down to the next generation.
For Carol, homes are not just products. They are for belonging, joy, and connecting with friends and family. Lily Grace Homes is committed to achieving the highest standards of construction quality.
Media Contact:
Frank Tortorici
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SOURCE Lily Grace Homes
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