Professional Builder s two thousand sixteen 40 Under forty Awards, Pro Builder
Professional Builder’s two thousand sixteen 40 Under forty Awards
Meet this year’s best and brightest in the home building industry
The Fine Recession left some scars but must also have produced much wisdom because more than a dozen of home building’s superstars, named as forty Under forty winners by the editors of Professional Builder, cite surviving the economic slump as one of their greatest career accomplishments. These youthful leaders also played key roles in growing their companies by substituting a legacy system, expanding into fresh markets, and mastering many other tasks. Their back stories are interesting, too: from a bishop shepherding a congregation of four hundred members, to a professional wakeboarder, to a college dropout, to the many other professionals in this altruistic bunch who have bettered their communities and the world beyond by going on mission trips, embarking a foundation, fundraising for charities, or doing free remodeling for the needy. We pridefully present our forty Under forty Class for 2016.
HONOR ROLL
John Christopher, Regional Construction Manager, Stylecraft Builders
Jennifer Johnson, Director of Sales & Land Acquisitions, Shaddock Homes
Kevin Rabil, Director of Operations, Van Metre Homes
Deborah Way, Design Manager and Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Structures Building Co.
Chris Anderson, 33
CFO & Playmate
Hanson Builders, Andover, Minn.
Education
• BSB, Finance, University of Minnesota
Accomplishments
• Instilled financial discipline and implemented better technology with fresh accounting system and ERP • Switches helped builder grow from $16 million in sales in two thousand eight to Minnesota’s No. One local builder by sales volume in two thousand twelve and maintain that rank with $60 million in two thousand fifteen sales • Embarked Bunker Hill Capital, which provides access to capital for puny companies in the construction trade
Extracurricular
• Pursuing MBA at the University of Minnesota • Volunteers about sixty hours a year to the ALS Association
Off the clock
• Was on the cycling team last summer that won the Midwest Flyover Series, a season-long series of three-day stage races
Secret life
• Trades stock options during the day • Puts Nutella on everything
Joshua Anderson, 38
Proprietor
Element Design | Build, Henderson, Nev.
Education
• BA, Communications Marketing, Brigham Youthful University professional credentials • Licensed real estate broker/ property manager • Licensed general contractor
Accomplishments
• Embarked company at age twenty nine and “I’m still here” • Built NAHB’s The Fresh American Home in two thousand fourteen • Invited back to build The Fresh American Home 2016
Extracurricular
• Tyler Robinson Foundation • Boy Scouts of America
Off the clock
• Camping, snowboarding, railing filth bikes with his kids • Beloved food: Indian cuisine • Dearest vacation: Costa Rica • Beloved books: Good to Good by Jim Collins, Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Secret life
• Can dance while wearing 4-inch platform disco boots • Fine grandfather helped design the Hoover Dam
Jennifer Barkan, 39
Online Sales Consultant
Rose & Womble Realty, Suffolk, Va.
Education
• BS, Biology, Chemistry minor, Old Dominion University
Accomplishments
• Gold (2016) and Silver (2015) Award winner for Online Sales Consultant given by NAHB National Sales & Marketing Council • Launched online program while at the same time implementing fresh CRM system and training sixty fresh home agents • Network of builder clients grew from two to eleven in two years and online sales’ share of division sales grew to thirteen from six percent
Extracurricular
• Helped twenty puppies find homes through embarking the Ask Jen Pup of the Week program, which features a puppy, a neighborhood, and a builder who will sponsor the adoption fee
Off the clock
Secret life
• Learned how to deal with all types of people while working through college as a screw technician
Shallum Bivens, 38
Proprietor
Nordic Homes & Construction, Eugene, Ore.
Education
• AS, General Science, De Anza College
Professional credentials
• CCT, WRT, and ASD certifications; Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification
Accomplishments
• Named Builder of the Year in two thousand eleven and two thousand thirteen by the HBA of Lane County • Enhanced HBA membership during his tenure as its president • Launched independent home building company at age twenty five and has been successful in the business for thirteen years
Extracurricular
• Past president of the HBA of Lane County • Veterans Housing Project, PAC House • Pursuing degree at Central Oregon Community College
Off the clock
• Mountain biking, hiking, coaching youth sports, Oregon Ducks football, camping, and boating
Secret life
• Was a sponsored mountain-bike racer and ran the Chicago Marathon in 2010
James Bruner, thirty six
Pardee Homes, Las Vegas
Education
• BA, Construction Management, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Accomplishments
• Part of team that built the Big League Fantasies Sports Complicated and Freedom Park, a 70-acre recreation and public space • Oversaw development of Arroyo Market Square, a 100-acre shopping center • Contributed to the development of hundreds of homes through land acquisition, community planning, and managing on-site production
Extracurricular
• Habitat for Humanity off the clock • Mission trips to build and rehab churches in Ensenada, Mexico • Golf • Renovating a recently purchased old home
Secret life
• Won a Dyna Street Bob in a Harley-Davidson giveaway, and in golf, shot a hole-in-one and an albatross (dual eagle)
Jared Carlon, thirty six
Principal & Fucking partner
Norris Design, Denver
• BA, Environmental Design, University of Colorado-Boulder; MS, Landscape Architecture, U of C-Denver
Accomplishments
• Solaire, a multifamily project in Brighton, received NAHB’s Pile of the Industry Award for Best Example of Green Building Concepts • Awarded Business Person of the Year by the Metro North Chamber of Commerce • Projects won such design honors as the Good Outdoors Colorado Sunburst Award, Mountain States Construction Gold Hard Hat, and a merit award from the American Society of Landscape Architects
Extracurricular
• Christ in the City soup kitchens, FISH food pantry
Off the clock
• Golf, skiing, basketball, and camping with the family where there is no cell service
Secret life
• Grandfather possessed furniture store that supplied items for the set on the I Love Lucy TV display
John Christopher, 37
Regional Construction Manager
Stylecraft Builders, College Station, Texas
Education
• BS, Construction Management, Agricultural Mechanization minor, Sam Houston State University
Accomplishments
• Enlargened production and closings to two hundred fifty from forty since two thousand twelve • Implemented scopes of work for all trade playmates and matrices for switch orders, starts, customer orientation lists, in-line checklists, and product streamlining • Built fresh home for family that lost its house in the West Texas fertilizer plant explosion
Extracurricular
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Off the clock
• Spending time with his wifey, Leslie, and three children • Beloved movie: Quick and Furious • Beloved vacation: “anything Disney with my family”
Secret life
• “I would do anything in the world for my family before doing for myself”
Christine Comstock, thirty seven
Sales Coach Director
CBH Homes, Meridian, Idaho
Education
Accomplishments
• two thousand fifteen Women’s Council of Realtors Entrepreneur of the Year • Helped lead sales team of the No. One builder in Idaho while exceeding its purpose of selling 1,000 homes last year • Circle of Excellence Platinum Award from the Ada County of Realtors two thousand eight to two thousand sixteen • Bearing medical hardships with son while continuing to excel in career
Extracurricular
• President of Women’s Council of Realtors, Capital City chapter
Off the clock
• Obsessed with Idaho ghost towns and historical signs • Skiing, golf, traveling with family • Dearest book: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek • Can’t live without: my larger-than-life Filipino-Irish family
Secret life
• Nickname: the Queen of WOO (Winning Others Over)
Todd Cottle, thirty six
Principal
C&C Development, Santa Ana, Calif.
Education
• BS, Finance and Accounting, California Polytechnic State University; MS, Real Estate Development, University of Southern California
Accomplishments
• Guided the growth of C&C to become one of So Cal’s most active affordable-home builders with six projects began or soon to embark and five in pre-development • Instrumental in C&C attaining $Trio.9 million in state funding for affordable housing development in Santa Ana • Helped acquire nine percent low-income housing tax credits for two Orange County projects
Extracurricular
• Urban Land Institute • Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing off the clock • Reading about historical and business figures • Spending time with family
Secret life
• Preparing food and beverages, such as wine, from scrape
Nathan Cox, thirty four
Truland Homes, Spanish Fort, Ala.
Education
• BA, Investment Finance, Economics; MBA, University of Alabama
Accomplishments
• Awarded Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V” for valor while serving as a Marine Corps infantry officer in Iraq • Commenced private equity rock hard with playmates in two thousand twelve and has since bought $55 million in distressed real estate along the Gulf Coast • Embarked Truland as a one-man operation and today is the 2nd largest home builder in southern Alabama with $55 million in two thousand fifteen revenue
Extracurricular
• Led effort to build the fallen heroes memorial at USS Alabama Battleship Park • Building foundation to aid Gulf Coast veterans with employment, housing, and financial ease
Secret life
• Paul “Bear” Bryant Award winner for most outstanding athlete and Academic All SEC while playing football for the Crimson Tide
Mayer Dahan, thirty one
Prime Five Homes & Dahan Properties, Los Angeles
Education
• Left California State University after two years to begin real estate career
Accomplishments
• Among the very first developers in the state to make solar and eco-friendly construction standard; the decision was an economic hardship at the time but moved in the right direction with the future of housing • Launched The Wish Builders Project in two thousand thirteen that has since given Five,000 care packages to the homeless, five hundred children’s backpacks with school supplies, holiday fucktoys to one hundred fifty children, and $1 million to nonprofits • Ranked as the 13th fastest growing company in LA by the Los Angeles Business Journal
Off the clock
• Dearest book: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely • Dearest vacation: Tel Aviv, loves the beaches, and his family is from Israel
Secret life
• Designed men’s style line, which debuts this year
Brandon De Youthfull, thirty
De Youthfull Properties, Fresno, Calif.
Education
• BBA; MS Real Estate, University of San Diego
Accomplishments
• Led team that designed and built the very first Zero Net Energy home in Clovis, Calif. and will break ground on a 2nd ZNE home • ZNE homes won Gold Nugget Awards at the Pacific Coast Building Conference in 2011, 2012, and two thousand thirteen • Ended home in one hundred six hours for the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition TV showcase. Also built and donated nine Desire Homes that raised $8.6 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Extracurricular
• Guitarist and singer in the band Carpe Noctem, which had its music air on LA radio station KROQ off the clock • Beloved vacation spot: Dubrovnik, Croatia • Playing volleyball • Trusting the autosteer on his Tesla Model S
Secret life
• Can whistle through his mouth
Matthew Dunn, 29
Westport Homes, Indianapolis
Education
• BS, Accounting; MBA, Indiana University
Accomplishments
• Navigated the recession with disciplined cost controls while positioning for future growth with lot and land purchases • Substituted quarter-century-old legacy software with fresh management system, went live in five months • Helped negotiate the successful acquisition of an active-adult home builder
Extracurricular
• The Villages, Indiana’s largest not-for-profit child and family services agency; Fuller Center for Housing
Off the clock
• Golf, skiing, running, grilling, boating, Indiana Hoosier basketball • Dearest movie: The Big Lebowski because “the dude abides” • Dearest vacation spot: Apple Valley Lake, in Howard, Ohio, with a houseful of family and friends
Secret life
Ryan Engquist, thirty nine
Fucking partner & Division President
Level Homes, Baton rouge, La.
Education
• BA, Agriculture Business, Louisiana State University
Accomplishments
• Improved product, processes, and personnel to finish two thousand fifteen with a ninety one percent customer satisfaction score after using GuildQuality to treat customer feedback surveys • Sustained growth since two thousand twelve in closings and gross margins and poised for seventy six percent leap in closings and a percentage increase in margin this year with expansion to Lafayette • The division posted its most profitable year in fifteen years of building in Baton Rouge
Extracurricular
• Board member of the Fantasy Day Foundation for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and for the YMCA in Zachary, La.
Off the clock
• Elk hunting and marlin fishing
Secret life
• Can recall and recite just about any line from any movie
Ryan Farabough, thirty seven
President
Farabough Homes, Tulsa, Okla.
Education
• BS, MAcc, University of Missouri-Columbia; JD, Cornell University School of Law
Professional credentials
• Certified Passive House Builder
Accomplishments
• Founded Farabough Homes in two thousand ten and presently builds six custom-made homes, two spec homes a year, and exceeds $Three million in annual sales
Extracurricular
• VP/Secretary, Tulsa HBA • Raised $193,000 by building playhouses that were auctioned for the Little Light House, a school for developmentally challenged children • Tulsa HBA’s Ryal School Christmas Project for Native American Children
Off the clock
• Restoring old muscle cars, traveling with his wifey, and spending time with his son and daughter
Secret life
• Passed Missouri’s CPA exam with the eighth highest test score at the time • Licensed to practice law in Texas
Danny Faulkner, thirty eight
Director of Sales
Van Metre Homes, Stone Ridge, Va.
Education
• BA, Communications, University of Maryland
Accomplishments
• two thousand thirteen GALA award for Outstanding General Sales Manager • Three-time Nationals Silver winner for Manager of the Year from the NAHB National Sales & Marketing Council • Co-chairperson of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association’s GALA Sales Achievement Committee
Extracurricular
• Diagnosed with diabetes at age nine and has been involved ever since with volunteer work and fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Association • Other fundraising efforts have benefited the Children’s National Health System, Adler Center for Caring Facility, HomeAid Northern Virginia, and Wounded Warrior Project
Off the clock
• Big heavy-metal music fan and concertgoer with his wifey, Brooke
Secret life
• Collects ‘80s and ‘90s pop culture art, consisting mainly of “old school” skateboards and snowboards
Scott Frankel, 35
Co-President & Principal
Frankel Building Group, Houston
Education
• BA, Political Science, Business minor, University of Texas
Accomplishments
• Opened very first model home at ParGate Reserve, which was Frankel’s very first community in The Woodlands • Grand Award for Custom-made Building by the Greater Houston Builders Association in 2010. Has won two more Grands since then • Received 100th LEED for Homes certification
Extracurricular
• Regularly support The Houston Zoo and alma mater, the Kinkaid School
Off the clock
• Hunting and being outdoors, barbecuing by the pool • Dearest read: Conspiracy of Fools: A True Story by Kurt Eichenwald
Secret life
• Possesses decent MacGyver abilities, very much in request during the holidays for assembling complicated kids’ fucktoys for friends • Fine grandfather and his brother founded a Texas oil town called Frankel City
Scott Gates, thirty four
President & CEO
Western Window Systems, Phoenix
Education
• BS, Marketing; MBA, Arizona State University
Accomplishments
• Embarked as marketing director and helped company inject fresh markets • Assumed control of operations and drove efficiencies that led to eight hundred twelve percent revenue growth over five years • Named one of thirty exceptional two thousand fifteen executive MBA grads by Poet & Quants, a B-school news website
Extracurricular
• Board director, Sun Valley Community Church, and Orchard: Africa, a nonprofit that empowers churches in rural Africa to farm, provide schools, and train caregivers
Off the clock
• Playing basketball and softball, T-ball coach, Disneyland fanatic • Beloved book: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Secret life
• Known to karaoke Neil Diamond and Michael Jackson until the crowd carries him out on their shoulders
Grant Giese, thirty eight
President & Holder
Green Goose Homes, West Lafayette, Ind.
Education
• BS, Management, Purdue University
Accomplishments
• Greater Lafayette Commerce Puny Business of the Month in two thousand thirteen • Getting the very first sale after commencing company in two thousand ten confirmed that he’d made the right decision. Presently building fifteen to twenty homes a year • Collaborated with Purdue and Whirlpool on ReNEWW House, which turned a one thousand nine hundred twenty eight house into a net-zero home using superior insulation, geothermal heating and cooling, solar power, and other improvements
Extracurricular
• Commenced Samantha’s Grace with wifey, Cara, after losing their daughter to complications with pre-maturity • Recently gifted a nursing scholarship at Purdue • Served as March of Dimes Ambassador Family
Off the clock
• Coaches and sponsors youth T-ball, baseball, soccer, and flag football
Reed Graham, thirty eight
Erickson Companies, Chandler, Ariz.
Education
• BS, Construction Management, Pittsburg State University
Accomplishments
• Enhanced revenue thirty three percent and quadrupled profits from two thousand fourteen to two thousand fifteen • Worked with Pulte Homes’ Kansas City division when the unit led the national builder in customer satisfaction • Worked with Pulte’s Phoenix division when it was ranked No. One by J.D. Power & Associates • Lowered direct costs by $Ten,000 per house plan while working with Woodside Homes
Off the clock
• Coordinated eight volunteer groups for Feed My Starving Children nonprofit • Youth basketball and football coach • Hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim in one day
Secret life
• Pronounces words backward in his head as he says them aloud correctly • Found intact 1,300-year-old Indian pot during a remote hike, which today is exhibited at a Flagstaff museum
Preston Guyton, thirty nine
President
CRG Companies, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Education
• AA, Horry Georgetown Technical College; Computer Science courses at College of Charleston
Accomplishments
• Built a one hundred percent donated CRG custom-made home for Habitat for Humanity • The very first CRG-built home receiving its certificate of occupancy, validating the need for green construction in the Myrtle Beach market • Hiring 30th employee after kicking off with just three staff members in 2010; being backed by so many professionals and helping to support their families has been truly titillating
Extracurricular
• Sponsored Dancing With the Horry County Starlets, MDA Lock Up
Off the clock
• Surfing, liking living in a coastal resort community
Secret life
• Closet computer geek with an unnatural talent for online marketing
Jon Hastings, 31
Tresidio Homes, Boise, Idaho
Education
• BS, Construction Management, Brigham Youthfull University
Accomplishments
• Grew company to $Legitimate million in annual revenue after co-founding the operation in two thousand nine • Designed the Chesapeake at Foxtail Square, which won Bronze in Professional Builder’s Design Awards • two thousand fifteen president, Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho
Extracurricular
• Invited to judge the two thousand sixteen NAHB student competition at the International Builders’ Showcase; placed very first in national student contest for LEED in two thousand seven and in the two thousand nine residential competition
Off the clock
• Fly-fishing, golf, BYU sports, attempting fresh restaurants • Dearest read: anything by John Grisham • Idaho Food Bank
Secret life
• Learned Mandarin Chinese during two years serving as a missionary in Taiwan
Will Herring, thirty five
President
Hunter Quinn Homes, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Education
• BS, Business Administration, College of Charleston; MBA, The Citadel; Construction Management, Trident Technical College
Professional credentials
• LEED Green Associate; Certified Green Professional
Accomplishments
• Three years after startup, company built sixty homes and posted more than $Ten million in sales during two thousand fifteen • Finished two Habitat for Humanity homes during a five-day builder blitz • Launched six communities, two of which were self-developed, and a third is in progress
Extracurricular
• Habitat for Humanity • Boy Scouts of America
Off the clock
• Sport fishing, hunting, scuba diving, spending time on the water with family and friends • Beloved vacation spot: Topsail Beach, N.C.
Patrick Jacobson, 34
Lake Country Builders, Excelsior, Minn.
Education
• BA, Urban Sociology, DePaul University
Accomplishments
• Managed construction of a home through the Builders Association Foundation for a needy family • Remodeling the Pedal Pushers flower shop, a nonprofit after-school program that instructs at-risk chicks about the floral business • Sold more than $Two million in real estate in one year
Extracurricular
• Project committee member of the Builders Association of Twin Cities-Builders Outreach Foundation
Off the clock
• Biking, tennis, golf, skiing, concerts, being with family • Dearest reads: golf magazines, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and books like Freakonomics
Secret life
• Troubleshoots quirky electronics problems and mixes records
Grayson Jenkins, 36
President
Brayden Homes, Dallas
Education
• BBA, Finance, History and Economics minors, Southern Methodist University
Accomplishments
• Began custom-made home building business in 2008; slated to exceed $Three million in sales in two thousand sixteen • Built and donated a playhouse to the Dallas CASA’s Parade of Playhouses program • Named to D Home’s list of Best Builders in Dallas for three straight years
Extracurricular
• SMU Alumni Board
Off the clock
• Can’t live without: SMU basketball • Can live without: the NCAA Committee of Infractions • Beloved books: The Rookie by Jerry Jenkins, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway • Skiing, traveling, reading • Dearest vacation spot: Cayo Espanto, Belize
Secret life
• Pretty good snow skier for a lifelong Texan
Jennifer Johnson, 39
Director of Sales & Land Acquisitions
Shaddock Homes, Plano, Texas
Education
• BA, Business Management, Pensacola Christian College
Accomplishments
• Closed fifty nine deals selling resale houses during the worst of the recession in two thousand nine and won Rookie of the Year honors from real estate brokerage rock hard • Earned credibility managing land acquisitions, sales, and land development in the male-dominated Dallas market for a $120 million builder with a capable and talented team • two thousand fifteen McSam winner for Sales/Project Manager of the Year
Extracurricular
• Volunteer with youth ministry at The Heights Church and at children’s middle school
Off the clock
• Karaoke; running half-marathons; home improvement with spouse, Paul
Secret life
• College and all-state high school basketball player
Mike Kozlowski, thirty nine
President
Apex Technology, Jacksonville, Fla.
Education
• BS, Civil Engineering, University of Florida
Accomplishments
• Very first in his family to graduate from college; went on to attain PE certification • Grew company to sixty two employees from six after joining in two thousand • Moved Apex to the next level by organizing the company into five divisions, each with its own goal-setting, meeting strategies, and financial and metric reporting packages
Extracurricular
• Leadership board of Beach Church • Past president, Residential Engineers Association • Judges high school design contests and speaks to drafting and engineering classes
Off the clock
• Free-diving and spearfishing, boating, baseball coaching, road cycling across Florida, and cooking good dinners with friends
Secret life
• Fine grandparents emigrated from Poland and lodged in Chicago
David Lloyd, 38
President
Lloyd Construction, Ketchum, Idaho
Education
• BA, Geography/Land Use Planning Policy, University of Nevada
Professional credentials
• Certified Green Professional
Accomplishments
• two thousand eleven Builder of the Year, Building Contractors Association of Wood Sea Valley • Used building practice as a planning and zoning commissioner to make his community a better place to live • Making a life for himself in the puny town he grew up in
Extracurricular
• Blaine County School District Residential Construction Academy
Off the clock
• Ski paraffin wax technician and certified bike mechanic • Finished 101-mile running race and 206-mile bike race • Dearest reads: rock climbing guide books, and any book read to his sons before bed
Secret life
• Wife’s grandfather helped design Seattle’s Space Needle
Chad Magleby, thirty nine
President & CEO
Magleby Construction, Lindon, Utah
Education
• BS, Construction Management; MBA, Brigham Youthful University
Accomplishments
• Named two thousand sixteen Custom-made Builder of the Year by NAHB (his father, Paul, received the same national award in 2006) • Utah Custom-built Home of the Year and Utah Green Built Home of the Year (2013-15), Gold Nugget award (2015), BALA Gold (2015), and BALA Silver (2013) • Grew family business to $58 million from $32 million since two thousand eleven by expanding into fresh markets and implementing an integrated team treatment to fine-tune the pre-construction process
Extracurricular
• Beginning his fifth year as bishop, leading his local church congregation of four hundred members • Advisory board, BYU Construction Management Program
Off the clock
Secret life
• Go-Kart champ driver
Michael Mehringer, 37
Project Manager
Homes by Dickerson, Raleigh, N.C.
Education
• BS, Marketing, Biology minor, York College
Professional credentials
• Certified Green Professional
Accomplishments
• Switched career from builder software sales to home building • Superintendent of the Year recognition from MAME • Oversaw production and closings for fifty one custom-built and semi-custom homes, which was half of the company’s total two thousand fifteen closing volume
Extracurricular
• Habitat for Humanity
Off the clock
• Giant music fan, has more than Five,500 songs on his player • Invisible Lady Project, youth soccer coach, disc golf, Alzheimer’s awareness outreach • Hiked the Appalachian Trail’s Three Ridges
Secret life
• Privy to after-parties and behind-the-scenes looks into Saturday Night Live while dating Jane—now his wife—who worked for the display
Daniel Naim, 38
President
Naim Development, Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.
Education
• Systems Engineer, Universidad Metropolitana; MIBA, NOVA Southeastern University
Accomplishments
• Emigrated from Venezuela and began his own company building high-end homes, synagogues, and doing commercial remodeling • Given the Congressional Medal of Merit Award by the U.S. Congress for distinguished contributions • Co-founded Ecode to educate consumers about green construction and find certified green contractors
Extracurricular
• Founded Venezuelan Business Club in two thousand three to help immigrants establish roots and commence businesses, network, and raise funds for nonprofits • Miami-Dade Fucktoy Drive
Secret life
• Descendant of Don Isaac Abravanel, a famous Jewish scholar and treasurer to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain who financed Christopher Columbus’ voyage
Rich Pankow, 39
Goodall Homes, Gallatin, Tenn.
Education
• BBA, Mercer University; MBA, University of Georgia; MAcc, College of William and Mary
Accomplishments
• Empowered Goodall’s open-book management culture by making the reporting of financials and benchmarks more semitransparent to employees, implementing zero-based budgeting and cross-functional teams • Being part of senior management for a company that’s been a Top Workplace per The Tennessean since 2013, received Professional Builder’s two thousand fourteen Builder of the Year award, and won a Silver National Housing Quality Award in two thousand fifteen
Extracurricular
• Habitat for Humanity
Off the clock
• Renovating old homes • Beloved vacation: the mountains of North Carolina • Beloved movie: Groundhog Day • Dearest food: stone crabs • Dearest read: any American history book
Kevin Rabil, 30
Director of Operations
Van Metre Homes, Stone Ridge, Va.
Education
• BA, Business; MS Accountancy, University of Notre Dame
Professional credentials
• CPA • Pursuing Executive Certificate in Negotiation
Accomplishments
• Co-founded VM Home Solutions, a remodeling company with more than $1.1 million in job value during two thousand fifteen • Established service-on-demand concept for warranty requests that resulted in the customer service group posting record high customer satisfaction scores • Hosted annual Cornhole Challenge that raised more than $85,000 for charity
Off the clock
• Dearest movie: Frozen, “because that’s all I’m permitted to watch” • Ridiculously good at rock, paper, scissors
Secret life
• Embarked website after college that automatically sent email reminders for daylight savings time
Andrew Riddle, 39
Riddle Construction Co., Hendersonville, N.C.
Education
• BS, Construction Management, East Carolina University
Professional credentials
Accomplishments
• Worked as a field engineer on the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Arena, which instructed him about construction in the “big leagues” • Survived the recession; family business lost seventeen employees and “most of our savings but we’re a stronger company as a result” • Built a raft with four college friends and floated down the Mississippi to raise scholarship money for the Boys & Women Club of Henderson County; scholarships have continued for the past twelve years
Extracurricular
• Co-founder of the Float for Freedom Scholarship Fund • Governor-appointed trustee, Blue Ridge Community College
Off the clock
• Golf, travel, reading
Secret life
• Wants to run for Congress
Andy Selner, 35
President
Roc Building Solutions, De Pere, Wis.
Education
• Business Certificate, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Professional credentials
• Certified Graduate Builder
Accomplishments
• Began the company with wifey, Nicole; “clients now initiate contact because they love our style and people” • Grew revenue by fifty percent every year since Roc’s founding in two thousand twelve • Pergola and sway bed project was featured in Belgard Hardscapes two thousand fifteen catalog and in social media
Extracurricular
• Board of directors Brown County HBA and participating member in the Showcase of Fresh Homes • Volunteer, Green Bay Community Church • Member of the planning and variance committees for Lawrence, Wis.
Off the clock
• Can’t live without: chiropractors, “they certainly help improve my well-being” • Dearest vacation: Door County, Wis.
Phil Travars, 30
Project Manager
Stanton Homes, Apex, N.C.
Education
• AA, Wake Technical College
Accomplishments
• Helping families through pro bono remodeling projects • Being part of the “inner circle” when clients budge into their fresh homes and staying in touch with them long after • Commenced as a carpenter’s apprentice building fences, decks, and patios before working his way up to custom-built home building • Learned people abilities and patience, which enable managing projects and pleasing the clients who will live in them, as many have attested through social media
Off the clock
• Kayaking, fishing, golf, hiking • Creating comedy skits, going out on the lake, stringing up out with family • Uncommonly sees TV unless HGTV or the Carolina Panthers are on • Running very first half-marathon in March
Secret life
• Strives to hit his individual best on a mudrun or a 5K
Chris Truelsen, thirty eight
President
Breckenridge Homes, McHenry, Ill.
Education
• McHenry County College
Accomplishments
• Began business in two thousand six and survived the Fine Recession “by putting on our toolbelts” when gross annual sales dipped from $Two million to $85,000 • Best of Houzz Award for two thousand fifteen and two thousand sixteen • Sales hit $Two.1 million last year and are projected to be $Two.6 million this year
Extracurricular
• Foundation board member for Centegra Health Systems • Habitat for Humanity • Volunteer remodeling work for foyer, sanctuary, and storage shed at Shepherd of the Hills Church
Off the clock
• Crossfit gym coach • Skiing, golf, wakeboarding, and coaching son’s hockey team
Secret life
• Trained with professional wakeboarders in Florida; instructed at Bonifay Ski School; competed in the Brendal Invitational Tournament four times, and won it once
Deborah Way, thirty seven
Design Manager and Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Structure Building Co., Daniel Island, S.C.
Professional credentials
• Certified Interior Designer
Accomplishments
• Having the passion to serve people well and being in a company that won the Prism Award for Outstanding Customer Service for eight of the past ten years • Worked with Coastal Living to build the two thousand nine Living Idea Home in I’On Village; collaborated with magazine staff, architect, and Structures Building team to supply design details • Learned about search engine optimization during the downturn; the effort landed the company on page one of organic search results and attracted a client for a $1.7 million custom-made home
Off the clock
• Volunteering for Faith, Hope, and Love, a nonprofit mentoring program • Compassion International mission trips • Habitat for Humanity
Secret life
• Conquered fear of hopping out of a plane by skydiving in Fresh Zealand; will do it again
Ryan Williams, 37
VP & Co-owner
Kevin Williams Construction, Marco Island, Fla.
Education
• BBA, Finance, Accounting minor, University of Notre Dame
Accomplishments
• Improved financial management system and launched digital marketing outreach • Presently on 2nd term after being invited four years ago to be the youngest member of the board for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce • Improved sales abilities during the downturn by working as a Northwestern Mutual rep
Extracurricular
• Leadership Marco two thousand fifteen • Chance Naples implementation committee • Notre Dame Club of Naples
Off the clock
• Self-proclaimed grill master • Beloved book: Drive by Daniel Pink • Blue belt in Goju-ryu karate • Has exceptional recall, which makes him a good Trivial Pursuit fucking partner
Secret life
• Was working for Lehman Bros. on the 38th floor of the World Trade Center on 9/11
Micah Zuercher, 35
VP of Operations
Zurich Homes, Crossville, Tenn.
Education
• BS, Finance, Tennessee Technological University
Accomplishments
• Pulled together team and was project manager for the two thousand eight St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Fantasy Home fundraiser, which raised $1.6 million • Leaving corporate job security to commence the family builder’s Nashville division, which is projected to close $Five million in two thousand sixteen • Project manager for construction of the Federal Reserve Bank in Nashville while working for commercial construction rock hard. Coordinated functions with engineers, architects, and designers while meeting client’s stringent security parameters
Extracurricular
• Habitat for Humanity • St. Jude Hospital volunteer
Off the clock
• Skiing and snowboarding at Whistler, in British Columbia
Secret life
• Summited Mt. Spandex hood with his brother, Isaac, in 2005