Member Spotlight: Paul Shoopman

18 Feb Member Spotlight: Paul Shoopman

INDIANAPOLIS (February 18, 2025) – In construction, a spike is a steel component that reinforces a building’s strength. Within our federation, “Spike” is the term for members dedicated to recruiting and retaining fellow members, ensuring the association remains strong. Members earn a spike for each new member they recruit and retain. Paul Shoopman, President of Paul Shoopman Home Building Group in Zionsville, is a Statesman Spike, with an impressive 773 spikes—the highest in the state.

• What motivated you to become so actively involved in member recruitment?

In the early ‘70s, I had some bad experiences with land development zoning of projects that I wanted to develop and build houses on. That led me to wonder where I could go to avoid experiencing unjust issues again. A year or so later, after building the largest home in the Carefree South subdivision on the south side by Center Grove on Tarry Lane—which my wife and I moved into—my front doorbell rang one evening. The person at the door said, “I am Floyd Estates. I am also a builder, I live across the street, and I wanted to know if you had any interest in joining the builder’s association.” That was the start of my initial motivation.

• Why do you think member-to-member recruitment is important?

It is vital that our membership continues to grow and bring new blood into the industry. For example, when you see the never-ending tenure of the same people for 50-plus years—like Biden, Pelosi, McConnell, Schumer, etc.—it is easy to see the need for new and younger members and leaders in our business. For me, it was easy to ask our suppliers and contractors to join the association, as their livelihood, like mine, depends on making our presence known to those who want to deter the mission of building new and/or affordable homes for Indiana families.

• What advice would you give to newer members looking to get more engaged in the association?

I would suggest that they get involved if they want to have a successful business and financial success for their own families. They need to recognize that if a membership does not exist to protect us, their future could be seriously compromised.

• How has being a Spike influenced your business and professional relationships?

It has built some great relationships for me over the years, both personally and professionally, especially with people like Bill Fox. I always was so glad to see someone like Bill Carson, whose heart and soul were all about the home building business and how important politics were to making sure we are all properly heard.

• Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Just keep pushing, and remind members and future members how important it is for all of us to have representation and a defense mechanism so we don’t get run over and push back the system of anti-growth.