Our Foundation
A City on a Hill for the construction industry
We are building something deeper than a trade association. We are cultivating a community for Southern California's construction industry, using the spirit of the Donald J. Scheffler Christmas Dinner as a year-round catalyst for renewal.
By centering our work on the principles of Jesus Christ, the Master Builder, we fill a real void in the professional world. We invite all who seek excellence, integrity, and purpose to help transform the raw elements of our trade into a legacy that lasts.
Vision
To foster a construction industry anchored in faith, where every professional finds a community of hope, and every project reflects the excellence of our Creator.
Mission
To serve and unite the people who build Southern California. Owners, workers, families, and students through Christ-centered fellowship, mentorship, and practical support, so that every leader is equipped, every worker is seen, and no one builds alone.
Faith at the center. Industry at the heart. All are welcome.
The Pillars of BuildLA
Our core values
Five pillars that hold up everything we build together.
Faith-Led Excellence
We acknowledge that our talents are gifts from the Master Builder. While we are led by our relationship with Christ, we welcome all who strive for a higher standard of craftsmanship and character.
Unwavering Integrity
We build trust through absolute honesty. Our word is our bond, and our work is our witness to the values we hold dear.
Purposeful Service
We don't just build structures; we build people. We are committed to serving “the least of these” and investing in the next generation with a heart of grace.
Radical Hospitality
Inspired by the open table of the Christmas season, we break down the silos of competition to foster a brotherhood of respect. Everyone has a seat at our table.
The Christmas Mindset
We carry the joy, generosity, and unity of the Christmas season 365 days a year, keeping Jesus Christ at the center of every contract and collaboration.
The People Behind the Mission
Leadership
Founder & Visionary
Don Scheffler
Donald J. Scheffler's Construction
Board Member
David Houck
Houck Construction, Inc.
Board Member
Lennie Liston
LC Engineering Group, Inc.
Board Member
Raymond Ramos
Donald J. Scheffler's Construction
The Network
Every Day is Christmas
Our roots are anchored in the Annual Donald J. Scheffler Construction Industry Christmas Dinner, but our work doesn't end when the decorations come down.
BuildLA serves as a year-round gathering point for the industry to hold one another accountable to a higher standard. Through regular networking events, mentorship huddles, and service projects, we carry the warmth and unity of the Christmas table into the heat of the job site.
We don't wait for December to unite the industry. We live out that unity, and the heart of Christ, every single day.
Networking events
Year-round gatherings that turn competitors into a community.
Mentorship huddles
Seasoned leaders investing in the next generation of builders.
Service projects
Putting faith to work, serving the people behind the projects.
How we serve, all year
More than a dinner
The community provides real, practical support, protecting both people and projects across the industry.
Conflict-resolution support
Help navigating disputes before they derail a job, protecting both relationships and projects when tensions rise on site.
Pathways into the trades
Mentoring, site visits, internships, and scholarships that bring the next generation into construction.
Faith-anchored community
Year-round fellowship where owners, workers, families, and students are seen, prayed for, and not alone.
Family & practical care
Practical support and workforce development for the people behind the projects, and the families who stand with them.
Pull up a chair
Whether you give, sponsor, ally, or simply show up, there is a seat for you at this table.