LEADERSHIP AT THE HORST GROUP EMBRACES PAST, WELCOMES FUTURE   

RANDALL L. HORST BECOMES PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FAMILY BUSINESS

(September 27, 2001) Manheim Township-Lancaster, PA Management at the Horst Group companies is energized for the fifth generation son, Randall L. Horst, to serve and lead the company as president and CEO. After many years of succession planning and first-hand experience working as a carpenter, mechanic, parts person, mason tender, estimator, project coordinator, vice president of Horst Development and president of Horst Construction for the past seven+ years, the 39-year-old Horst will follow in the family tradition, retaining ownership of the Horst Group companies within the Horst family.

Since 1880, Horst Group’s dedicated employees have done business with a handshake, conveying that promises would be kept. Values of integrity and quality have been strongly set in the foundation laid by Randall Horst’s father, Clyde W. Horst, Chairman of the Board, and Clyde's brother, Abram (Abe) S. Horst, Jr. (3/8/1934-7/8/1997). Having helped his father, Abram S. Horst Sr., to grow his construction company (Abram S. Horst, Inc.), Clyde Horst nurtured the company from just over 10 employees to a family of over 900. Relating his considerable success to the help of many talented people, Clyde Horst expanded Abram S. Horst, Inc., to include capabilities in construction, insurance and property management services, known as the Horst Group today.

R. Horst says, “I am honored to lead such an outstanding group of people to serve the best customers anywhere. And, I feel fortunate to have the counsel of my father, Clyde, the spirit of my Uncle Abe and other experienced professional here at Horst, as well as an immutable trust in God who guides me. While the Horst Group ownership and leadership has changed, our values of excellence, honesty and a true Lancaster County work ethic remain strongly in tact. Our extended Horst Group family will strive to provide ever better service and quality as we pay homage to our past and embrace our future business relationships and success.”

Horst Group 2001 President & CEO
Horst Group 1996 - Present Senior Vice President
Horst Excavating 1995 - Present President/ General Manager
Horst Construction Company 1993 - Present President/ General Manager
Clabell Management Company 1992-1993 VP Asset/Project Management
Horst Development Company 1985-1992 VP/General Manager
Horst Construction Company 1983-1985 Project Coordinator
R. Horst is involved professionally with many organizations that include:
PA Real Estate License 1992 - Present Broker
PA Real Estate License 1985-1992 Sales
South Central PA Developer’s Assoc 1993 President
South Central PA Developer’s Assoc 1989-1994 Director
Building Industry Assoc of Lanc Co. 1993-1995 Director
Building Industry Assoc of Lanc Co. 1994-1995 Treasurer
PA Builder’s Association
National Assoc of Home Builders
Assoc. Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter GC/SC 1995
National Assoc of Industrial & Office Parks
National Assoc. of Realtors
Pennsylvania Assoc. of Realtors
Lanc. Co. Assoc. of Realtors
He also serves on the following boards of directors:
Horst Group, Inc. 1998 Director
Horst Hotels, Inc. 1991 - Present Director
Horst Hotels, Inc. 1991 - Present Asst. Secretary
Wheatland Custom Homes 1994 - Present Director
Wheatland Custom Homes 1994 - Present Asst Sec/Treasurer
Cornerstone Design Ltd., - Architects 1993 - Present Director
Waypoint Bank 2001 - Present Director
As a dedicated husband and father of four, R. Horst also has a strong commitment to Christian education and volunteers for:
Lancaster Youth for Christ 1985-1990 Corporate Board Member
Messiah College 1994-Present Board of Associates
R. Horst acknowledges the considerable contributions of Richard A. Watson, Jr., former Horst Group president and CEO and a loyal employee for over a quarter of a century, saying he is grateful that “Rick will continue to serve the company as an advisor, sharing his leadership experience and knowledge. He will also concentrate his energies on strengthening relationships with other Horst business partners, including Trefoil Properties in Philadelphia, the Columbia Cottages and Wheatland Custom Homes.” C. Horst speaks with pride about the accomplishments of the team at the Horst Group and graciously thanked his Horst Group employees, saying, “I have great confidence in Randall, and in all of you. The decision to make this change hasn't been an easy one for me, but it is the right time to do so, and I know that it will pave the way for even greater accomplishments in the future.”

The Horst Group (recently named the 16th “Best Place to Work in PA”) is a family of diversified construction, property management and insurance companies (Horst Construction, Horst Excavating, Horst Masonry, Horst Painting, Horst Property Management, Horst Insurance and Horst Financial Services), serving the mid-Atlantic region. Situated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Granite Run Corporate Center, the Horst Group has a tradition of service dating back to 1880. To contact the Horst Group, call 717.581.9800 or visit http://www.horstgroup.com.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Karen Haski, communications manager, Horst Group, call 717.581-9817 or email to khaski@horstgroup.com.