Gary Le Francois
Gary Le Francois, director of the infrastructure committee on the Gabriel Homes Board of Directors, has over 40 years of experience in commercial real estate property management. He retired from Transwestern in 2018.
Why I Love What I Do
Hands-on house projects for Gabriel Homes (GHI) in Herndon and Reston are deeply personal in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve been there. With over 40 years of experience working on commercial real estate property management, I helped companies operate more efficiently and improved the spaces where businesses sealed the deal. But at GHI, you’re not just fixing a wall or painting a room. You’re improving someone’s home, their quality of life.
History of House Projects in Herndon and Reston
Every project has a face and a story behind it. You walk into our homes and know that residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) benefit directly from your work.
Every hammer swing carries a sense of purpose because you know your effort makes a real difference.
I took pride in my professionalism and precision for commercial projects.
Staying on schedule, on budget, and within spec was satisfying in a technical sense. But at GHI, projects go beyond the numbers. The mission is driven by heart. When you don’t show up, a project might get delayed for someone who’s been waiting for something as simple as a functioning bathroom.
Our goal is to keep these homes safe, comfortable, and dignified.
Through September, I’ve volunteered over 250 hours helping with renovations and maintenance this year. The most I’ve volunteered in recent memory was in 2023, with 551 hours.
What keeps me coming back to Gabriel Homes for hundreds of hours each year?
It’s my son Sam (right), his housemates, and all the residents across all the homes. Seeing their faces light up when a project is completed or when they say thank you gives me all the motivation I need.
Volunteering for GHI, doing house projects across Herndon and Reston, gives me a sense of fulfillment no paycheck can match. The work brings my skills, time, and values together. Since I retired from Transwestern in 2018, it became my time to give back. I plan to keep showing up for Sam and Gabriel Homes as long as I am able to do the work and make a difference.