Twelve years of my life were spent working for local government administering federally assisted housing programs. I started as an inspector with a three month assignment and was Director of Community Improvement with 78 employees when I resigned to do writing and consulting. Because of my extensive experience in housing rehabilitation, I was invited to testify on housing issues before the Housing Subcommittee of the United States Congress.
Writing, Publishing and Consulting
Rehab Notes Library was my publishing company and we published a monthly newsletter (Rehab Notes) with subscribers in all 50 states, Canada and England. I also did consulting and public speaking for agencies and organizations in cities across the country. Because of my efforts, several community housing programs developed valuable partnerships with local banks to multiply their federal funding.
It was during this period that the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials published my first book. After that I wrote and published eight more guidebooks on the subject of housing rehabilitation. I kept this up until 1980 when the housing assistance programs were cut. After that, I took advantage of my construction experience and started a woodworking business.
Over Twenty Years of Woodworking
For over twenty years, first in Tampa, Florida and then in Austin, Texas, I built hundreds of small and large projects for individuals, companies, churches, and government agencies. During these years I began writing about my experiences.
BILL BENITEZ, Biographical Information
From age twelve I spent my summers and weekends working with my dad, a general contractor,
building homes and buildings. I contracted my first home at age nineteen and built
my own home by age twenty. For more than 30 years I operated one-
Twelve Years with government programs
I published a book and project newsletters on woodworking. My first woodworking book
was SIMPLIFIED WOODWORKING I: A Business Guide For Woodworkers. Then I wrote and
published the monthly project newsletter SIMPLIFIED WOODWORKING for two years and
performed power tool demonstrations for the Skil Power Tool Company. After many years
of self employment, I encapsulated my experience in THE SELF EMPLOYMENT SURVIVAL
MANUAL: How to Start and Operate a One-
I then switched to writing ebooks writing and publishing Simplified Woodworking Methods and Projects.
My latest woodworking book in paperback is a complete guidebook covering all aspects of starting and operating a financially successful woodworking business. This book is entitled Starting and Operating A Woodworking Business.
Computer Experience
My computer experience dates back over ten years. After a couple of bad experiences with on site technical support, I began working on my own computers. Since then I have taken many courses on computer repairing, upgrading, troubleshooting and building. I have also taken courses on networking and compiled an extensive library on these subjects. I upgraded and built many computers and acquired A+ Certification and my MCSE.
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and moved to Austin, Texas in 1986, where I now live with my wife, Barbara Frances. We have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
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