Irene E. Porter, a longtime homebuilding industry leader, died on Thursday, June 28. She was 69. Porter served as the executive director of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association for 35 years before retiring earlier this year. Porter’s savvy understanding of the local marketplace and regional politics helped propel the association to become the state’s largest and most powerful residential construction trade group. The 59-year-old Southern Nevada Home Builders Association has 250 member firms; it’s the local affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders. Prior to joining the association, Porter served in several trailblazing roles: she was the first female planning director in North Las Vegas, and a project manager for American Nevada Co.’s Green Valley master-planned community in Henderson. Porter was also the first female lobbyist in the Nevada State Legislature. She is survived by her brother Charles Gulland of Roseville Calif.; and her daughter, Sherry Porter Rosch of Las Vegas.
