Founder's Day is an annual event for HomeVestors' corporate staff; a day set aside for remembering the Company's founder, Ken D'Angelo. In some ways, it's what you'd imagine . . . it's a time for reflecting on Ken's vision for HomeVestors and plans for its growth, and for learning about the Company's humble beginnings, and the hard times Ken endured to create the strong, vital business we now know as HomeVestors of America.

But there's no way anyone could guess what the rest of the day holds -- unless, perhaps, they knew Ken D'Angelo.

A Business Must Be Fun
Spend a few minutes talking about Ken D'Angelo with HomeVestors' President and CEO, John P. Hayes, and if you learn nothing else, you'll come away understanding that Ken was all about having fun. As he spoke to the attendees at Founder's Day 2006, John explained, "Even in times of crisis, there had to be fun. Ken could find the humor in a disaster. That's a quality I never want us to lose."

And so, Founder's Day is about fun! Small-group breakout sessions are offered, as well as fun activities for the company as a whole. In 2006, the breakout sessions covered topics like the basics of Texas Hold 'Em, simple Yoga techniques, and creative cooking hints. And everyone enjoyed a full-scale game of "Family Feud."

More than purely fun, though, the day's events offer employees a chance to get to know each other personally and develop friendships, as well as to learn a bit about themselves.

A Business Has To Be About People
Ken believed strongly that the people are the business. A great business -- and Ken envisioned HomeVestors as a great business -- builds people, who in turn build the Company. So, a business shooting for greatness has to invest in its people.

And thus, Founder's Day -- an investment HVA makes in its people, and in the future of the Company.

Ultimately, Founder's Day helps HVA forge a stronger, more dynamic workforce -- one focused on serving our franchisees and shareholders to the very best of our abilities.

Getting To Know The Real Ken D'Angelo
Behind the aspiration, the drive, the dream of what could be -- all the things employees and franchisees learn about Ken D'Angelo from their very first days with HVA -- there was a man. Learning who this man was is also an important and unique part of Founder's Day.

At Founder's Day 2006, Ken's sister, Karen, and brothers, Joe, John, and Paul, each took turns telling funny and touching stories about what it was like to grow up with Ken. For those present who hadn't had the opportunity to meet Ken, the presentation offered a glimpse into what it was like to really know him. It also helped newer members of Team HVA to feel a little more like part of the family.

The Ken D'Angelo Legacy Award
Presented on Founder's Day, the Ken D'Angelo Legacy Award is the most prestigious honor presented to an employee of HomeVestors of America, Inc. Recipients of the award exemplify Ken's integrity, his commitment to helping people, his loyalty, his fun-loving nature, and especially his passion for HVA.

This is an award so special that it is not necessarily awarded annually. It is only awarded when a member of Team HVA has consistently demonstrated the qualities outlined above.

Past Award Winners

Chris Stewart - 2005

FayLisa Jones - 2006