Hoos Serving

Johnny Mac Yates will graduate this year from the Darden School of Business and Law School. Johnny Mac has been the House Captain and Vice President of Inspections for Building Goodness in April (BGIA), a student-run organization that works with low-income Charlottesville residents on home renovation projects. After graduation, he will work as an associate at McGuireWoods, LLP.

What led you to your service work?

BGIA is a student organization at Darden that assists low-income, often elderly Charlottesville homeowners through renovation and repair projects. Throughout the year we raise funds, meet with homeowners, select viable projects, and coordinate with professional contractors. This effort culminates in the Spring Build Day in April, where Darden students work with contractors to repair between six to 10 houses. In the fall, we raise funds through a Darden-wide auction that has become a celebrated tradition for each of the first-year Sections. We also host a smaller-scale build project in the fall. Our work involves many classic business school skills‚ project management, marketing, capital raising, and logistics, but it also has a hands-on construction component. As an avid DIY-er, I was eager to assist on the construction side. Last year, I was a build captain, where I served as a project manager/volunteer foreman for one of the homes. This year, I headed up the home selection process, which offered a great opportunity to meet with homeowners and contractors to identify areas of need.

What has been the most rewarding aspect that comes with your community involvements?

A house is not just the largest financial asset for most, it is also a home. It is where children are raised, memories are made, and neighborly bonds are forged. All of the homeowners we work with are incredibly proud of their homes and do their best to pursue maintenance and upkeep. However, as folks age or hard times arrive, a house can also become a burden. The work of BGIA and our sister organization, the Building Goodness Foundation (BGF), help ensure that Charlottesville residents are able to stay in their homes safely, comfortably, and with pride. There is no greater joy than seeing the happiness, relief, and pride in a homeowner’s eye when they finally have their heat restored, roof repaired, or even simply their yard-landscaped. Also it has been a blast to see my peers outside of the normal classroom or social setting. In particular, I've enjoyed working with classmates who have never held a hammer or a drill but are excited to try something new!

How would you encourage others to get involved?

There's room for all sorts of help at BGIA from event planning, to fundraising, to project management, to construction. Whatever your skillset, we have a place for you. Our outgoing president, Sarah Silvestri, and incoming president, Yeti Ogunwumi, have done a wonderful job at recruiting a diverse group of leaders to the organization. We are always eager to find more! Please do not hesitate to reach out.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

The first time I picked up a hammer, I smashed my finger (I think my dad may have chuckled). We all have to start somewhere!

What is your favorite spot on Grounds and why?

O-Hill. The views and trails can't be beat!

What is a book or movie you would recommend?

"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" [1963 film]. My family watches this classic annually. It has a great mix of slapstick humor, witty comments, and absurdity while having a good moral.

If you could do one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?

Increase the BGIA budget and find more contractors! Every year, we have worthy homes that we have to defer.