A.J. Foyt and Jack Housby created one wish on their bucket list this year and we’re holding each other accountable to cross it off. What was it? To see each other at the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 2015. Mission accomplished.

Their friendship is unique as they joke, tell stories, and give each other constant grief. When Jack turned 80 this year, 6 days before A.J did, he dialed up Foyt and said “Well, I made it, you’ve got a week to go cowboy!” The two have always been close, but have grown considerably closer in the last year with their illness.

Read the full story about their undeniable, one-of-a kind friendship and their “vacation” to the Indy 500.

DES MOINES, IA (March 9, 2015) -- Housby has taken another step in broadening its ongoing relationship with Des Moines Area Community College through the acceptance of the $25,000 260C/WTED training award through DMACC Business Resources to institute business training programs around the Housby campus. This unique curriculum, which is still being developed, is for the purpose of expanding the business knowledge of Housby managers and employees.

The issuance of the grant comes following the partnership that Housby Mack entered into with DMACC last fall to provide scholarship and hands-on training in Diesel Technology and Auto Collision Technology. The scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition for all technical credits, are presently being utilized with students/part-time Housby employees Nathan Raymie, Brandon Dean, and Justin Cox in the Diesel group and Cory Irwin in the Body Shop.

For nearly 50 years, Housby has been a single source provider of products and services for companies in the ready mix, waste, forestry, heavy equipment, and highway industries. We handle worldwide asset auction services, transport/logistics support, concrete mixer manufacturing, truck refurbishment, and new & used truck sales through our Mack & Isuzu dealerships. At Housby, we care about our employees who care about our customers.

DES MOINES, IA (March 9, 2015) – Capitalizing on its full-service capability as a leading 21^st century asset retirement company, Housby Auctions of Des Moines announced today that it has changed its name from VOCON Auctions to Housby Auctions, according to co-founders Kevin and Kelly Housby.

“We are more than an auction company. Our customers want to trust one company to move their equipment quickly and seamlessly and at the same time, realize payment within 10 business days after a sale,” explained the two brothers who started the auction division in 2003 and maintain it as an alternative distribution channel for idled assets. The Housby Auctions group is part of the 46-year-old, Des Moines-based multi-faceted organization that also operates a complete truck dealership, a mixer systems group, and a national second-generation truck refurbishment unit.

“The name change to Housby Auctions reflects our goal of showing how our complete company can be an integral part of our customer’s business whether they are looking to maintain, increase or decrease their fleet,” the brothers continued.

For auction buyers and sellers, Housby offers transport, body removal for market share protection, site cleanup, title services, de-identification services, appraisals, global marketing, and virtual selling. Through two auctions a month, consignors realize cash on idle assets faster than other auction models. The online format provides a reduction in pre-sale expense by inspecting and preparing equipment at its current location, thus increasing ‘net residual dollars’ for the consignor. Additionally, Housby Auctions has the capacity to host mobile live auction sales nationwide. With the name change today came the launch of a new website and a new mobile buyer application.

Through hard work, Housby has earned the trust of numerous worldwide, industry leading companies including CEMEX, Republic Services, Darling International, Oldcastle, U.S. Concrete and Asplundh.

DES MOINES, IA (March 6, 2015) -- For 2015, Housby has selected Anawim Housing of Des Moines as its non-profit partner of choice.   In operation since 1987, Anawim Housing, which lives by the motto that “Home is Everything”, has been building homes, hope and community.   It got its start as a vision of Sister Stella Neill and today, Anawim Housing either owns or manages nearly 750 units in the Greater Des Moines Metro area.

With its size, Anawim has developed a strong reputation as a trusted, well-established and well-run leader in affordable housing development and management. It is sought out by public entities, community organizations, faith communities and for-profit & non-profit owners. Its expertise includes:

• Real estate development
• Family support services
• Comprehensive property management services
• Community engagement and expertise

Through its partnership, Housby will be dedicating its resources and people to help the social mission of this organization which impacts over 630 households in the Des Moines area. Every month, Housby will be involved in one or more activities that will impact the individual families that are served in this community. That may include an invitation to donate household items, an opportunity to participate in a community work day, lending a hand in the construction/painting of a playground, or the chance to share in an enjoyable movie night and grillout.

“We are excited for this impactful partnership in 2015. Thank you for choosing Anawim Housing as your avenue to give back to the Des Moines community, “explained Russ Frazier, President, Anawim Housing.

For March and April, Housby will support Anawim Housing’s “Homeless to Housing” project.   Through this program, Anawim will be housing individuals who are coming from complete homelessness (i.e. used to live by the river, under a bridge, in shelter housing). Because the individuals who are coming into this program literally have nothing, or close to it, Housby employees have an opportunity to help. Beginning March 1, and running through April 30, every Housby department will have a donation box.     Specific items sought after by Anawim are:

• New pillows, bedding and blankets
• New towels
• Shower curtains and rings
• Kitchen items such as plates and silverware
• Small vacuum cleaners
• Toilet brushes and plungers

Other projects during the initial phase of this partnership include the opportunity for Housby employees to attend a groundbreaking for the new 6^th Ave. project and the participation of Housby’s HR Manager Fern Kidder in leading on-site resume building classes for Anawim residents.