This year’s young superstars of home building, named as 40 Under 40 winners by the editors of Professional Builder, have already achieved incredible success in their work lives, so it’s not surprising that their backstories are amazing as well. A bareboat sailor who has navigated the waters of the South Pacific, a professional hockey player, and a mountain climber who reached Uhuru Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro are among the outstanding group—all under the age of 40—featured here, who represent the next generation of leaders and innovators in home building. Professional Builder proudly presents the 40 Under 40 class of 2015.

Honor Roll

Kristi Allen, Director of Online Marketing, McArthur Homes, South Jordan, Utah

Rachel Bardis, Founding Member, Bardis Homes, Mather, Calif.

Jarod Blaney, COO, Stanley Martin Homes, Reston, Va.

David Bohler, CEO, Bohler Builders Group, Glendora, Calif.

Brandon Bryant, President/Owner, Red Tree Builders, Asheville, N.C.

Adam Clark, President, Choice Home Construction, Gig Harbor, Wash.

Brad D. Cummings, President, Brad D. Cummings Construction Co., Sanford, N.C.

Billy Doelker, Owner, Key Homes, Buckner, Ky.

Justin Donato, Sales Manager, Toll Brothers, Westborough, Mass.

Matt Doyle, Vice President/Co-Founder, Excel Builders, Dagsboro, Del.

Steven Dubb, Principal, The Beechwood Organization, Jericho, N.Y.

Brandon Elliott, President, Elliott Homes, Gulfport, Miss.

Brian Ferguson, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, D.R. Horton, Albuquerque, N.M.

Bryan Flamm, Managing Partner, Candlelight Homes, South Jordan, Utah

Eugene Graf IV, President, E.G. Construction, Bozeman, Mont.

Michael Graniczny, Partner/CEO, Sublime Development, Frankfort, Ill.

Holly Haener, Director of Sales & Marketing, CBH Homes, Meridian, Idaho

Angela Harris, President & Creative Director, TRIO Environments, Denver

Jerrod Hogan, Founder/Vice President, Rebuild Joplin/Anderson Engineering, Joplin, Mo.

Andy Holmes, Owner/CEO, Holmes By Design, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Penny Hull, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, Stanton Homes, Apex, N.C.

Chad Kane, CFO, Schumacher Homes, Canton, Ohio

Jodi Kish, Senior Purchasing Manager, Lennar, Tempe, Ariz.

Lucian Krawczyk, Executive Designer/Estimator, Granite Ridge Builders, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Maureen Mahle, Senior Vice President–Director, Sustainable Housing Services, Steven Winter Associates, New York, N.Y.

Matt Markovich, Division Vice President, Toll Brothers, Monroe Township, N.J.

J. Blake Massengill, President/Owner, Massengill Design Build, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

Alaina Money, Division President, Garman Homes, Durham, N.C.

Matt Neumann, President, Neumann Cos., Pewaukee, Wis.

Jenn Nowalk, Director of Sales & Marketing, Homes By Dickerson, Raleigh, N.C.

Manuel Pereiras, Principal, Pereiras Architects Ubiquitous, Union City, N.J.

Brad Perkins, President, Elite Construction, Hayes, Va.

Trey Pettis, Owner/President, Pettis Builders, Gallatin, Tenn.

Matt Sauls, Marketing Director, Pardee Homes, Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Mark Somerville, President, Caruso Homes, Crofton, Md.

Russ Van Wagenen, CFO/COO, Tresidio Homes, Boise, idaho

Ryan Waldron, Operations Manager, Omega Builders, Temple, Texas

Jason Weber, Director of Land Acquisition, Maracay Homes, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jay Wiederholt, Senior Architect, Burns & McDonnell, Bloomington, Minn.

Chad Williams, COO, Pepper Viner Cos., Tucson, Ariz.

CLICK NEXT AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

See last year's 40 Under 40 awardees

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Kristi Allen, 30

Director of Online Marketing
McArthur Homes
South Jordan, Utah

Education

• BA, English, Brigham Young University

Accomplishments

• Responsible for complete overhaul of McArthur Homes’ website and online strategy, resulting in a 50% increase in online sales
• Created My Home’s Story App, which led to a 400% increase in referral sales; app now used by builders across the country 

Extracurricular

• Was a top-rated speaker at both the 2014 and 2015 International Builders’ Shows 

Off the Clock

• Hobby: running! Loves training for half-marathons and completed two full marathons. Best time is 4:00; hoping to break the four-hour mark on the next big race
• Greatest personal accomplishment is putting the job of mother of three young children first and finding time to fit career in around their schedule

Secret Life

• Great grandfather was the Governor of Utah

Rachel Bardis, 39

Founding Member
Bardis Homes
Mather, Calif.

Education

• BS, Business and Economics, St. Mary’s College of Moraga

Accomplishments

• Grew a new-home building company at the most competitive time in the market
• Came back into the industry after a five-year sabbatical and was asked by the North State Building Industry Association (BIA), to be a part of their board of directors for the next three years
• Worked with cousin Katherine Bardis on developing and growing a new company, Bardis Homes. Started in 2012, now under contract to build more than 282 homes

Extracurricular

• Chair, North State Building Industry Association
• Chair, The Idea District

Off the Clock

• Her 7-year-old twins are her greatest, most significant personal accomplishment—so far

Secret Life

• Can’t live without her phone; tried, but wound up going through withdrawal 

Jarod Blaney, 34

Chief Operating Officer
Stanley Martin Homes
Reston, Va.

Education

• BS, Accounting, Liberty University
• MBA, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

Professional Credentials

• Certified Public Accountant

Accomplishments

• Attended business school while employed at Stanley Martin, and still found the time to focus on career, school, and a growing family
• Progressed in career and increased responsibilities during one of the worst financial crises, becoming CFO at 32 and COO at 34
• Finding, negotiating, and closing first M&A transaction

Off the Clock

• Home projects: getting things done and knowing that something will no longer be on the to-do list allows him to relax … later

Secret Life

• Spent at the Outer Banks of North Carolina: It has a relaxing vibe, is very family-centric, and it is a perfect spot for getting away from the hustle

David Bohler, 36

Chief executive Officer 
Bohler Builders Group
Glendora, Calif.

Professional Credentials

• Licensed general contractor

Accomplishments

• Joined with local builders to build seven houses in seven days with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help Joplin, Mo., recover from 2011 tornado
• Remodeled 21 houses in 16 weeks throughout Southern California for NBC’s American Dream Builder
• As Director of Construction for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, built more than 175 homes in 48 states from North Pole, Alaska, in 2006 to San Antonio in 2012. Each home was built in 106 hours through four nights and five days, one as large as 12,000 square feet 

Off the Clock

• Plays soccer with an indoor team in Upland called “Man Chest Hair United”
• Is proof that people can live in the 21st century without a personal social media account 

Secret Life

• Can stack 40 quarters on his elbow and catch them with the same hand before they fall

Brandon Bryant, 35

President/Owner
Red Tree Builders
Asheville, N.C.

Education

• BS, Computer Science, Mars Hill University

Professional Credentials

• Certified Green Professional

Accomplishments

• Named one of the top five Best in Green Young Professionals of the Year and received the Best in Green Award (BIG) for Green Single-Family Custom Home from the National Association of Home Builders
• Made a business commitment to build only green-certified, environmentally friendly homes
• Started own business at age 26

Extracurricular

• Member, North Carolina Green Building Council, Asheville HBA

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: gardening, Spartan Races, Ultimate Frisbee
• Favorite flick: Swingers

• Favorite reads: anything by Brad Meltzer

Secret Life

• Ambidextrous; can play any sport from basketball to golf right- or left-handed

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Adam Clark, 30

President
Choice Home Construction
Gig Harbor, Wash.

Education

• BS, Oregon State University

Accomplishments

• Brought Homes of Distinction to Washington state, partnering with local ABC affiliate KOMO TV to showcase two unique custom homes from Choice Home’s new-construction division over three consecutive weekends
• Started a new remodeling division within the company
• Instituted a collaborative design/build selling process

Extracurricular

• Member, Master Builder Association, NAHB, BIAW, and Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals

Off the Clock

• Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and highest free-standing mountain in the world, to Uhuru Peak, 19,341 feet
• Volunteered with the Etta Projects, building sustainable communities in Bolivia
• Obtained pilot’s license at 19

Secret Life

• Played on a Seattle Mariners scout team

Brad D. Cummings, 39

President
Brad D. Cummings Construction Co.
Sanford, N.C.

Education

• AAS, Architectural Technology, Sandhills Community College

Professional Credentials

• N.C. General Contractor
• Certified Green Professional
• Professional Member AIBD
• Licensed real estate agent 

Accomplishments

• Won five NCHBA Stars awards in four years, including Home of the Year in two categories in 2010
• Designed, drafted, and built an award-winning custom home
• Generated nearly 100% of business from referrals of past clients and friends

Extracurricular

• Member, NAHB and NCHBA

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: watching and coaching youth football, drawing
• Favorite food: prime rib and lamb paired with a great wine

• Favorite flicks: The Shawshank Redemption, Rudy, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Godfather, and Star Wars

Secret Life

• Can sing relatively well for someone who refuses to sing in public

Billy Doelker, 39

Owner
Key Homes
Buckner, Ky.

Education

• BS, Business Management, University of Louisville

Professional Credentials

• Louisville BIA registered builder certification

Accomplishments

• Started a home building business at the age of 24 in 1999 and became a top-20 builder in the Louisville market
• Added affiliated construction and real estate businesses to company’s portfolio, including residential and light commercial development

Extracurricular

• Served on the executive committee of the Louisville Building Industry Association, and was its second youngest president in 2011 at age 35

Off the Clock

• Sole sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity home
• Built a playhouse for a child with a rare disease
• Worked with a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation program as an approved employer

Secret Life

• Has a talent for memorizing phone numbers; doesn’t have to use contacts on his phone

Justin Donato, 32

Sales Manager
Toll Brothers
Westborough, Mass.

Education

• BA, Psychology, University of North Carolina

Professional Credentials

• Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Massachusetts accomplishments
• Prepared and implemented a grand opening strategy for Regency at Methuen that resulted in $84 million in sales in less than three years
• Earned National Association of Home Builders Platinum Award ($10+ million in sales volume) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
• Named salesperson of the year by Builders Association of Greater Boston 2011

Extracurricular

• Member, NAHB, Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston 

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: travel, beach, wine, friends
• Favorite reads: anything by David Sedaris
• Favorite vacation spots: Mougins, in the south of France; The Baths National Park, Virgin Gorda

Secret Life

• Received a four-year athletic scholarship for swimming

Matt Doyle, 27

Vice President/Co-Founder
Excel Builders
Dagsboro, Del.

Education

• BS, Hospitality Management
• BS, Entrepreneurship, University of Alabama

Professional Credentials

• Certified Google AdWords Professional
• Maryland Real Estate License

Accomplishments

• Started a company with his father during the worst of the recession with just $600 and a $100 Google AdWords coupon
• Grew it to $2 million in annual revenue after the second year
• Learning what it takes to make sure that the company always has work coming in

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: soccer, softball, kickball, and acting like he knows how to fish
• Favorite foods: orange Gatorade and any food that claims to be Mexican
• Favorite vacation spot: Key West, Fla.
• Favorite read: How Full Is Your Bucket, by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton

Secret Life

• Had his mind made up that he would not be in the construction industry like his dad

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Steven Dubb, 29

Principal
The Beechwood Organization
Jericho, N.Y.

Education

• BA, Studio Art and Real Estate, New York University

Accomplishments

• The success of Bishops Pond Southampton Village, a luxury condominium community in the Hamptons. Few thought condos would sell in the land of single-family mansions. Pushed the project through entitlements, design, bidding, and sales. The community ended up being the company’s best-selling project to date
• The Beechwood Premier Portfolio extends Bishops Pond’s success with high-end custom homes on the North Shore and East End of Long Island
• Diversification of the Beechwood Homes brand with luxury rentals and a hotel project

Off the Clock

• Surfing and skiing: San Francisco is a favorite vacation spot because he can surf in the morning and be skiing by afternoon

Secret Life

• When he’s not catching a wave, you’ll find him sketching with charcoal

Brandon Elliott, 30

President
Elliott Homes
Gulfport, Miss.

Accomplishments

• Builder of the Year for State of Mississippi
• Played professional hockey in an NHL game with players he idolized growing up
• Hired a staff to run Elliott Homes who have more passion than anyone—even hockey players
• Won several awards for homes and developments, but realize the feeling of having a great team that can be counted on is a home run 

Extracurricular

• Built the 2012 St. Jude Dream Home on the Gulf Coast. It was 6,200 square feet and was the lowest-cost home built for them on the coast. St. Jude uses the home on the front page of its national dream home campaign

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: designing subdivisions and elevations of houses, investing in commercial real estate, roller hockey

Secret Life

• When building his first house, he had to ask the foundation crew what an anchor bolt was

Brian Ferguson, 30

Vice President, Sales & Marketing
D.R. Horton
Albuquerque, N.M.

Education

• BA, English, University of Arizona

Accomplishments

• Assisted in launching Express Homes, which addresses the underserved submarket of affordable homes for renters and first-time homebuyers in Albuquerque
• With the introduction of Express Homes, developed a training program that recruits, trains, and retains talent from other industries
• D.R. Horton has been the No.1 home builder in the Albuquerque metro area for 13 years; based on new-home permits, it has recently increased market share to 35%

Extracurricular

• Volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters organization

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: snowboarding, weight lifting, playing Frisbee with Bandit, his Australian Shepherd
• Favorite flick: Midnight in Paris
• Favorite reads: Love Does, by Bob Goff, and The Gifted Boss, by Dale Dauten

Secret Life

• Black belt in karate

Bryan Flamm, 36

Managing Partner
Candlelight Homes
South Jordan, Utah

Education

• BA, Business Management, MBA, University of Utah

Accomplishments

• Partnered with four individuals who are all very smart, work well together, and possess great integrity
• Co-founded Candlelight Homes at age 30, which now generates $65 million a year in sales
• Involved in the acquisition, entitlement, and development of more than 10,000 lots in the past five years

Extracurricular

• Coordinates charitable projects, such as bathroom remodels for disabled homeowners, and donates home building proceeds to Neuroworx, which provides rehabilitation care for people with spinal cord injuries

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: backcountry skiing, mountain biking, hunting
• Favorite flick: Dan in Real Life

Secret Life

• Training for first Ironman in May, the Ironman Texas

Eugene Graf IV, 34

President/Owner
E.G. Construction
Bozeman, Mont.

Education

• Bachelors, Business, Montana State University

Professional Credentials

• Certified Graduate Builder
• Certified Green Professional

Accomplishments

• Served in leadership roles at NAHB, Build PAC Chair 2016 (NAHB), State and Local Government Affairs Chairman, 2014
• Selected as an American home builder to appear on a Japanese TV program; traveled the country and reviewed customs and practices in the Japanese construction industry
• Elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Montana Building Industry Association, 2012-2013

Extracurricular

• Bozeman Planning Board, Economic Development Council, Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman Kiwanis Club

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: reading, teaching his kids to enjoy the outdoors

Secret Life

• Threw the javelin in college

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Michael Graniczny, 34

Partner/Chief Executive Officer
Sublime Development
Frankfort, Ill.

Accomplishments

• Had the guts to pursue dream of becoming a home builder at the age of 21, started first company with $5,000 in the bank
• Made it a success, growing it into a multimillion dollar company just before the downturn
• Lost everything in the recession, having just reinvested all available capital into land development. In 2011, got right back into the game, starting Sublime Development
• Today, Sublime is just as successful as his first company

Off the Clock

• Hobby: researching homes and touring models for ideas and inspiration
• Favorite food: PB&J
• Favorite read: Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson

Secret Life

• Great-grandmother owned a bar in Chicago and was visited by Al Capone who tried to sell her liquor; she told him to get out because she bought it from someone else

Holly Haener, 39

Director of Sales & Marketing
CBH Homes
Meridian, Idaho

Education

• BS, Biology, University of Oregon

Professional Credentials

• Idaho Real Estate License

Accomplishments

• Created the CBH Superstar Sales Team—their drive, passion, and work ethic represent the No.1 builder in Idaho
• Award-winning marketing campaigns including Shiny. New. Awesome, which was also sold to noncompeting builders out of market
• Serves as Director of Communications, Women’s Council of Realtors, Capital City Chapter

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: hanging out with family, traveling, learning, growing, skiing (water and snow), RVing, and reading
• Favorite food: warm butter cake from Mastro’s, with whipped cream

Secret Life

• Great, great, great-grandfather (might be four greats) Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Angela Harris, 39

President & Creative Director
TRIO Environments
Denver

Education

• BS, Marketing, University of Colorado
• MS, Sustainable Design, Philadelphia University

Professional Credentials

• LEED AP

Accomplishments

• Earned Masters Degree from Philadelphia University in Sustainable Design before it was the cool thing to do
• Ran a national design firm for 14 years that has weathered a downturn, produced work to be proud of, and turned jobs into careers for others
• Chaired the Denver Home Builders Association Sales & Marketing Council and won the “Best SMC” nationally for two consecutive years while learning from and working with award-winning “Legends” in our industry

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: snowboarding, paddle boarding, hiking, golf

Secret Life

• Bareboat sailed the Leeward Islands, the Andaman Sea in Thailand, French Polynesia, and from Belize to Guatemala

Jerrod Hogan, 37

Founder
Rebuild Joplin
Joplin, Mo.

Education

• Missouri State University

Professional Credentials

• Licensed land surveyor

Accomplishments

• Raised $6 million and built 180 homes in three years for tornado survivors after the Joplin tornado with the help of staff, AmeriCorps, Farmers Insurance, Toyota, volunteers, and others
• Part of the team that created Bright Futures USA, an organization that connects kids’ needs with community resources; just five years old, it serves children in seven states
• Became a principal of Anderson Engineering at age 29

Extracurricular

• Organized and rode in a charity bicycle tour from Joplin, Mo., to New Orleans. Pedaled 821 miles and raised $158,000 with which to build houses in New Orleans, New York, and Joplin 

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: flying, scuba, cycling
• Favorite read: Positive Intelligence, by Shirzad Chamine

Secret Life

• Used to be a professional cake decorator

Andy Holmes, 36

Owner/Chief Executive Officer
Holmes By Design
Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Education

• BS, Business Administration, Middle Tennessee State University

Accomplishments

• Started his own custom home building business, offering a building experience focused on creative design and outstanding customer service
• Became project manager for the biggest builder in Tennessee, closing more than 800 homes with them in a 10-year span
• Graduated from MTSU with a business degree in 2001

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: riding his Honda dirt bike on trails and his Kawasaki KLR 650 on back roads; live music; woodworking; shooting; and fishing
• Favorite flicks: All Will Ferrell movies • Favorite food: barbecue, any and all styles
• Favorite reads: articles about new products or new creative ideas for his houses

Secret Life

• Grandparents are still married after 76 years; parents have been married for nearly 40 years

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Penny Hull, 37

Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
Stanton Homes
Apex, N.C.

Education

• BA, Mathematics, San Jose State University

Accomplishments

• Built Stanton Homes from a startup to a nationally recognized company, launched at the bottom of the Great Recession
• Implemented “in the cloud” approach to custom home building, with online updates for both homeowners and team throughout the construction process
• Created a proprietary cost-calculation system that quickly and accurately prices any of tens of thousands of available plans from hundreds of architects

Extracurricular

• CEO of Frog in My Box, an online children’s clothing store off the clock
• Hobbies: traveling, hiking, skiing, reading, Dance Revolution on Wii
• Favorite food: anything new

Secret Life

• Played on an indoor soccer team with four brothers and two sisters

Chad Kane, 39

Chief Financial Officer
Schumacher Homes
Canton, Ohio

Education

• BA, Accounting, Myers University
• MBA, Leadership,  University of Findlay

Professional Credentials

• Certified Management Accountant

Accomplishments

• Helped build and guide a company in Cleveland that started with less than $100,000 and was worth more than a billion dollars in eight years
• Implemented a budget process to ensure that key activities of the business are identified and measured and that adequate controls are in place
• Created a pricing model for more than 14,000 Product Location Codes
• Became a CFO at 36, a lifelong dream

Extracurricular

• Volunteer for the Cleveland Sight Center and Toys for Tots

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, watching the Cleveland Browns play
• Favorite flick: Casino
• Favorite food: pizza

Secret Life

• Loves playing the Madden Football videogame, ranked in the top 200 in the U.S.

Jodi Kish, 33

Senior Purchasing Manager
Lennar
Tempe, Ariz.

Education

• BS, Management, BS, Marketing
• MBA, Leadership, Arizona State University 

Professional Credentials

• Certified Real Estate Salesperson, Arizona

Accomplishments

• At the age of 23, with just five years of home building experience, took over purchasing for the Greystone division of Lennar in Phoenix, doing 1,000+ homes a year
• Was a founding member of the Lennar Arizona’s Focused Acts of Caring committee, working on behalf of the Child Crisis Center in Arizona. In 2014, the division’s year-round acts of giving back (including playtime with the kids, charity walk, and diaper drive) were rewarded with a $10,000 donation to the Child Crisis Center from the Lennar Cares Foundation

Off the Clock

• Hobby: loves to cook
• Favorite flick: The Blind Side
• Favorite food: pho

Secret Life

• Worked in radio in both programming and promotion 

Lucian Krawczyk, 35

Executive Designer/Estimator
Granite Ridge Builders
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Education

• AS, Architectural Engineering Technology, Purdue University
• BS, Management, Indiana Wesleyan University

Accomplishments

• Since starting at Granite Ridge Builders in 2002, has played a key role in driving sales from $30 million to more than $75 million annually • Drew more than 5,000 homes in that time
• Sold more than 700 custom homes since becoming executive designer and estimator in 2007 • Is the primary designer behind the 100+ floor plan starters currently offered by Granite Ridge

Off the Clock

• Hobby: spending time with his six children
• Favorite flick: Dumb and Dumber
• Favorite food: rib eye steak
• Favorite read: Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand
• Favorite vacation: Naples, Fla., looking at and listening to the ocean

Secret Life

• For a short time, pursued a career in dentistry

Maureen Mahle, 36

Senior Vice President– Director, Sustainable Housing Services
Steven Winter Associates
New York, N.Y.

Education

• BS, MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Professional Credentials

• LEED AP BD&C
• LEED AP Homes
• LEED Green Rater

Accomplishments

• Tripled the size of the Washington, D.C., office this year by adding Everyday Green LLC to the Steven Winter Associates family
• Created the Multifamily Midrise adaptation of the LEED for Homes Rating System
• Became the youngest ever member of the Board of Directors at Steven Winter Associates

Extracurricular

• Co-chaired the mayor’s NYC Building Resiliency Task Force Special Committee on Homes

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: cooking and eating
• Favorite food: rice and beans, Caribbean style

Secret Life

• Tended bar for six years at a dive called the Red Shed in Madison, Wis.

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Matt Markovich, 39

Division Vice President
Toll Brothers
Monroe Township, N.J.

Education

• B.Arch., Cornell University

Accomplishments

• Oversee seven active luxury home communities in Toll Brothers’ New Jersey Division, consisting of more than 2,200 homes in total, with about 250 homes settled annually
• Revenue from these communities is projected to be in excess of $160 million annually
• Team member and manager of three of Toll Brothers’ flagship communities; won industry awards from the New Jersey Builders Association (Community of the Year in 2012 and Best Clubhouse/Amenities in 2012 and 2014)

Extracurricular

• Member, Builders League of South Jersey Young Professionals Group
• Board of Directors, 2nd Federal Savings and Loan Association

Off the Clock

• Most important house he’s building now is a treehouse with his kids

Secret Life

• One of his drawings was hung for a year in the U.S. Capitol

J. Blake Massengill, 31

President/Owner
Massengill Design Build
Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

Education

• Bachelors, Accounting, MBA, North Carolina State University

Accomplishments

• Started Massengill Design Build at the height of the recession and has grown it over the past five years
• Had two closings in 2010; in 2014, built and sold 29 homes
• Was voted Builder of the Year in 2014 by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County, the largest HBA in the nation
• In 2013, was elected Town Commissioner in Fuquay-Varina, a town of approximately 20,000 outside Raleigh, N.C., the youngest person ever elected to this position

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, boating, and traveling
• Favorite flick: Ghost Busters
• Favorite foods: steamed oysters, banana cake
• Favorite read: James Patterson’s Alex Cross series

Secret Life

• When dancing with his wife, can flip her in the air and over his back to land on her feet (most of the time)

Alaina Money, 39

Division President
Garman Homes
Durham, N.C.

Education

• BS, Saint Mary’s College

Accomplishments

• In 2010, started a blog about learning to build a house after selling new homes for years. “Build Like a Girl” has earned two MAME awards for Best Social Media by a Company
• Debuted a new line of homes that combine the efficiency of a production home with the finish, flair, and edge of a boutique home
• Simplified the building process by curating whole-home selection packages inspired by specific design aesthetics
• In 2014, built the Miracle Home to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: loves to cook and entertain, run, travel to visit siblings, spend long summer days at the beach with kids
• Favorite read: Delivering Happiness, by Tony Hsieh

Secret Life

• Remembers lyrics to lots of rap and hip hop songs from the ’90s and can rap along with the best of them

Matt Neumann, 32

President
Neumann Cos.
Pewaukee, Wis.

Education

• Bachelors, Business Economics, Wisconsin Lutheran College
• MBA, Marketing, Finance, Marquette University

Professional Credentials

• Licensed Real Estate Broker

Accomplishments

• Assembled a team that is best in class in the industry
• Started two companies during the recession that have grown every year (Tim O’Brien Homes and SunVest Solar)
• Never missed a monthly trade partner payment and has paid back every loan taken out

Extracurricular

• Member, NAHB, Metropolitan Builders Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association
• President, Wisconsin Solar Energy Industry Association

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, hunting, fishing, working out
• Favorite food: Swedish meatballs
• Favorite vacation spot: Beaver Creek, Colo.

Secret Life

• Great, great grandfather Otto Neumann had a meteorite land in his backyard

Jenn Nowalk, 38

Director of Sales & Marketing
Homes by Dickerson
Raleigh, N.C.

Education

• BS, Finance/Economics, Elon University

Professional Credentials

• Licensed Broker/Realtor
• Certified Sales Professional
• Certified Marketing Professional
• Certified Green Professional

Accomplishments

• Led company team in building a Miracle Green Home to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital. Raised $108,000
• Received a gold Nationals award for Best Builder Industry Community Spirit
• In 2013, achieved recognition for Sales Team of the Year at local MAME Awards; in 2014, won the Silver Nationals Award for Sales Team of the Year

Extracurricular

• Vice Chair, Executive Committee Member of the Triangle Sales & Marketing Council

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: crafting, running, singing

Secret Life

• Worked on the Catastrophe Team for State Farm

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Manuel Pereiras, 36

Principal
Pereiras Architects Ubiquitous
Union City, N.J.

Education

• B.Arch., New Jersey Institute of Technology

Accomplishments

• Established and grew Pereiras Architects Ubiquitous to an architecture firm that has averaged more than 275 individual projects per year serviced by a staff of eight architects
• Firm is a zoning and land-use powerhouse with an average of eight approvals per month and an approval rate of almost 100%
• Significantly and positively changed the landscape of his home town, Union City, N.J.

Extracurricular

• Member, American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architecture Registration Boards President, Society of Cuban American Engineers and Architects
• Regional liaison for AIA Young Architects Forum
• Board member, Union City Urban Enterprise Zone

Off the Clock

• Favorite vacation: the next one

Secret Life

• Loves to speak in front of an audience

Brad Perkins, 33

President
Elite Construction
Hayes, Va.

Professional Credentials

• VA Class A Builders License

Accomplishments

• Founded Elite Construction in 2004 at age 24
• First year in business did more than $1.5 million in sales in remodeling and new construction work
• Have continued to grow the business at least 10% each year with projected 2015 sales of $10 million
• Worked on and managed the “Extreme Home Makeover” TV show’s Virginia Beach house
• Provided more than 25 siding and framers as a donation to the family in need. Worked with the designers and helped keep the framing and siding on schedule

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: riding his Harley Davidson, dirt bikes, and four-wheelers; boating; target shooting
• Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii

Secret Life

• Grandfather has traveled the world hunting and fishing; his trophy room has been written about in two editions of Trophy Rooms around
the World

Trey Pettis, 37

Owner/President
Pettis Builders
Gallatin, Tenn.

Education

• BS, Construction Engineering and Management, Purdue University

Accomplishments

• Founded Pettis Builders 10 years ago and developed it into the best custom home builder in Sumner Co., Tenn.
• Started Cross Excavating and turned it into a successful business, working with three skid loaders, backhoe, mini excavator, dump truck, and bulldozer
• Began Copenhaver Cabinets, a custom cabinet company in the middle Tennessee area

Extracurricular

• Winner of Luxury Tour of Homes 2013, 2014: Best of Show, Best Living Design, Most Outstanding Feature, Best Exterior Design

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: exercising, running, and lifting weights; competing in triathlons, marathons, CrossFit competitions, Tough Mudder
• Favorite flick: Fools Rush In

Secret Life

• Degree from Purdue includes a minor in Japanese

Matt Sauls, 39

Regional Marketing Director
Pardee Homes
Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Education

• BS, Business Administration, California Baptist University, Riverside, Calif.

Accomplishments

• Led the strategic marketing effort for diverse product offerings and buyer profiles for homes ranging from $200,000 to $2.5 million. Marketing efforts contributed to more than 6,000 new-home sales in the past 10 years
• Responsible for all market research, segmentation, and product development direction within the company division
• Helped lead creation of GenSmart Suite multigenerational concepts, which have had strong sales success

Extracurricular

• Board Member, Greater Sales and Marketing Council, HomeAid Inland Empire 

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: travel, sporting events, beach trips

Secret Life

• Dad was an old-school auctioneer; the kids hustled items, ran concession stands, and cashed out bidders

Mark Somerville, 38

President
Caruso Homes
Crofton, Md.

Education

• BSC, Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Canada

Accomplishments

• Managed and achieved 45% revenue growth year over year since 2011
• Entitled, developed, and built award-winning community Symphony Village at Centreville
• Fully integrated sales/production/accounting/customer service software and processes

Extracurricular

• Ran the Marine Corps marathon while raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, playing/coaching ice hockey, watching his kids’ sporting events
• Favorite flicks: anything with Will Ferrell
• Favorite foods: filet mignon, with ice cream for dessert
• Favorite vacation spot: any island, Caribbean or Eastern Canadian
• Favorite reads: biographies

Secret Life

• Grew up in Prince Edward Island, Canada

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Russ Van Wagenen, 31

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Tresidio Homes
Boise, idaho

Education

• BS, Construction Management, Brigham Young University

Accomplishments

• Won Company of the Year in 2012 from Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho, a very prestigious local award, only three years after starting Tresidio Homes
• Won first place in the NAHB national student competition team event at the Builder’s Show in Las Vegas in 2009
• Took Tresidio Homes from revenue of $300,000 in 2009 to almost $18 million in 2013, more than doubling revenue each subsequent year

Extracurricular

• Member, Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, going to the gym, traveling
• Favorite flick: The Italian Job
• Favorite food: potatoes, any way
• Favorite vacation spot: Maui

Secret Life

• Lived in Italy for 18 months and speaks fluent Italian

Ryan Waldron, 32

Operations Manager
Omega Builders
Temple, Texas

Education

• BA, Economics, Indiana University
• MBA, University of Texas, Austin

Accomplishments

• Established operations in a new market, building Omega Builders’ reputation for quality and customer satisfaction from scratch
• Grew purchasing and estimating department to facilitate the exponential growth that the company experienced
• Implemented numerous lean building initiatives leading to more efficient processes while positioning Omega Builders as builder of choice for the majority of its trade partners 

Extracurricular

• Accepted to Business School and completed MBA while working full time

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, anything outdoors
• Favorite flick: Top Gun
• Favorite food: Mom’s fried chicken

Secret Life

• Wanted to work on Wall Street before finding calling in home building

Jason Weber, 39

Director of Land Acquisition
Maracay Homes
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Education

• BS, Economics, Brigham Young University
• MBA, Finance, Arizona State University

Professional Credentials

• Arizona Real Estate License

Accomplishments

• Helped the company acquire 36 new land positions in Phoenix and Tucson since 2009
• Successfully secured entitlements (annexation, rezoning, and/or preliminary plat) on a number of projects
• Found capital-efficient ways to structure deals during the recession years
• Earned position as director of land acquisition after four years in the land department

Extracurricular

• Member, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: basketball, guitar, sprint triathlons, travel, spending time with his kids
• Favorite flick: Hoosiers

Secret Life

• Minored in zoology; was pre-med in college before changing directions

Jay Wiederholt, 34

Senior Architect
Burns & McDonnell
Bloomington, Minn.

Education

• Professional Bachelor of Architecture, Iowa State University

Professional Credentials

• Registered Architect
• LEED AP BD+C
• NCARB
• AIA

Accomplishments

• Receiving architecture license
• Designed Minnesota National Guard Readiness Center in Arden Hills, Minn., as first project with Burns & McDonnell. Achieved a very low energy unit intensity (EUI) of 35 k/Btu/sf/yr
• President of Passive House Minnesota; goal is to spread the North American Passive Building Standard to the architecture and building community

Extracurricular

• Organized more than 12 continuing education opportunities led by architects and educators focused on high-performance residential design

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: golf, biking, home improvement

Secret Life

• Plays guitar and performs at local open-mic nights

Chad Williams, 38

Chief Operating Officer
Pepper Viner Cos.
Tucson, Ariz.

Education

• BS, Business, Winthrop University

Professional Credentials

• Arizona Real Estate License

Accomplishments

• Part of the team at Pepper Viner Homes that has won Southern Arizona Homebuilders’ Builder of the Year four out of the last eight years. Won the award every year the company was eligible since 2007
• Proud of reputation with trade partners in southern Arizona
• Has grown and succeeded during the worst housing market in recent history; was able to wear many hats in various departments, in preparation for current position

Extracurricular

• Member, Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

Off the Clock

• Hobbies: woodworking, home improvement projects, reading, watching sports
• Favorite flick: Goonies

Secret Life

• Learned to drive a tractor on the family farm when he was 8 years old