To celebrate the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association’s commitment to continuing education and investing in the next generation of industry leaders, Executive Officer Wendy Daniel shared her perspective on the Fran Faxon Scholarship Fund and the legacy behind it.

For Wendy Daniel, the Fran Faxon Scholarship Fund represents something deeply meaningful to our organization. It goes beyond financial support. This valuable opportunity for the community’s young adults headed for college or university creates opportunities and continues a legacy that has shaped the local building industry for years.

Established in 2011, the foundation honors Fran Faxon, an outstanding Georgian and respected industry leader, by awarding scholarships to qualified students pursuing continued education.

Who was Fran Faxon?

Fran was a vital part of the Lake Oconee building community and a passionate advocate for education. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer, he dedicated his time to the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association, serving on the Board of Directors and supporting student programs. He believed strongly in helping young people explore careers in the construction industry. This passion continues to guide the foundation today.

For Wendy, the foundation stands for one powerful idea: opportunity. It gives students the chance to pursue higher education, whether through a college or technical school, while staying connected to the community that supports them. In doing so, it also helps strengthen the future of the local workforce.

What Does the Fran Faxon Scholarship Fund Do?

The Fran Faxon Scholarship Fund provides financial support to qualified students pursuing continued education while opening doors to future career opportunities. By investing in students who are ready to take the next step, the foundation helps build a stronger, more skilled workforce within the Lake Oconee community.

The impact reaches far beyond each recipient. Students go on to build careers, develop valuable skills and contribute back to the communities where they live and work. That ripple effect is what makes the foundation such an important part of LOABA’s mission.

Wendy continued this sentiment by sharing that the foundation’s success is driven entirely by the support of its members and the community. Originally funded by our foundation’s founding members and sustained through contributions and events such as Lake Vegas, the scholarship fund reflects the association’s generosity and commitment.

How You Can Support the Fran Faxon Foundation

With continued support and collaboration, our association and the Fran Faxon Foundation remain focused on expanding their reach and creating more opportunities for students each year. Members and partners can get involved by contributing to the Fran Faxon Scholarship Fund or participating in the annual Lake Vegas event.

Through this work, we are proud not only to honor Fran Faxon’s legacy but also to help shape the future of the Lake Oconee community.