Last year, Tom Woods filled one of the most important roles in the home-building industry.

Woods, who owns Blue Springs’ Woods Custom Homes, was the chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

Whenever the NAHB needed to support legislation or fight a regulation, Woods served as the voice of the organization, explaining how changes could impact its 140,000 members.

“We had so many things thrown at us over the last few years,” said Woods, who joined the NAHB’s national board of directors in 1983.

Top of Woods’ to-do list: the so-called Waters of the U.S. rule, which would expand federal agencies’ authority under the Clean Water Act. Builders say the rule would unfairly burden them and raise housing costs.

Thanks to opponents’ work, the rule is now being blocked by a federal injunction. Woods is confident the issue is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

And there’s a good chance he’ll still be part of the fight. As immediate past president, Woods will likely be called upon to consult on these and other issues.