In an industry defined by constant change, effective leadership is what separates surviving from thriving. That was the focus of this year’s Executive Summit, where private home builders came together to gain fresh perspectives and actionable strategies to thrive in any market. Leadership expert Stephen M. R. Covey delivered a powerful keynote, setting the tone for a transformative experience.
Key Takeaways
Covey shared the five emerging forces impacting business leaders today: The nature of the world has changed, the nature of work has changed, the nature of the workplace has changed, the nature of the workforce has changed, and the nature of choice has changed. These forces have resulted in two epic imperatives: To win in the workplace, leaders must create a high-trust culture that inspires, and to win in the marketplace, leaders must focus on collaboration and innovation. During mini group sharing sessions, attendees used Covey’s Trust & Inspire Transformation Cards to identify specific actions to take to enhance trust and collaboration within their organizations and improve leadership effectiveness.
"Leadership is a key advantage in today’s home building market, so we made it a central theme throughout this event,” said Emma Jane Wildermuth, president of Shinn Group. “We were honored to welcome Stephen M. R. Covey, whose powerful message of 'Trust and Inspire' resonated deeply and wove naturally through the entire conference. By combining our proven performance metrics with a focus on strong leadership, attendees left with practical tools and renewed motivation to lead with clarity and purpose. Just as meaningful were the connections formed—between attendees, speakers, sponsors, and our team—fostering a real sense of community and shared commitment to growth."
The concept of using metrics to identify problem areas and improve performance is a staple at Shinn training events. During a session on metrics on day one, Kevin Jewell of French Brothers Homes shared the following words of wisdom: Start with the problem, not the metric. Data doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every number represents a problem we’re trying to solve. If the team doesn’t understand why the number matters, they’ll never connect to it emotionally—or take ownership.
It was our pleasure to welcome back Zachary Nyberg of John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) to present the economic outlook. JBREC is lowering their economic outlook based on the cautious shift in tone across business and consumer gauges, including concerns about government policy changes and their impact on immigration, employment, and housing. They are also lowering their housing market forecasts due to tariffs and interest rate/stock volatility adding to an already soft spring. What is their advice in the uncertain environment? Be patient. The volatility spooking the consumer can’t last forever. Concentrate on the consumers that “need” to buy or rent (demographic and life state necessity). Safety, lifestyle, location, and certainty will resonate. Affordability is key. Focus on smaller homes, concessions, and density to drive demand.
Beyond the formal presentations, attendees consistently pointed to the breakout sessions as an extremely valuable part of the event. Described by many as “mini peer group meetings,” these sessions created a unique opportunity for builders to connect, share experiences, and brainstorm solutions to common challenges. These smaller group discussions allowed builders to dig into shared pain points, compare strategies, and walk away with actionable solutions and fresh perspectives.
Reflecting on the event, our consultant Jerry Schafrath said, “To be successful, home builders must focus on team and culture development, focus on measurable metrics that allow for quick adjustments to stay on schedule and on budget, and have the discipline to stick to the plan (don't get distracted by the next shiny object).”
A Night to Remember
While the rain forced our awards banquet to move indoors, it didn’t dampen the spirit or the fun. After a delicious dinner, we announced the winners of this year’s achievement awards. Conaway Homes of Whitehouse, Texas, was recognized for winning the Builder of Choice Award and the Employer of Choice Award. We congratulate the entire team at Conaway Homes for their dedication to excellence.
New this year is our Rising Star Award. This award recognizes not just growth, but grit, vision, and the relentless drive to build something extraordinary. This year’s Rising Star Award was presented to Cooper Conger of NewPad Building Company in Fort Worth, Texas.
Cooper’s first meeting with us was in January 2024. Since that time—through dedication and discipline—he has reduced his direct construction costs by 11% and his profitability has surged to nearly triple its previous level.
One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is seeing our clients succeed—and grow in meaningful, lasting ways. We are proud to be a part of Cooper's journey, and we congratulate him on his remarkable results. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Following the awards presentation, it was time for the crowd-favorite prize drawing. Thanks to our sponsors, this year’s prizes were truly fantastic. From an HVAC unit, Apple AirPods Max Headphones, and a Yeti cooler, to a free home design, a $100 Amazon gift card, and a Carhart backpack (just to name a few), our sponsors delivered with exceptional generosity.
Together, We Made It Happen
We are grateful to all of the attendees, speakers, and sponsors who helped make the 2025 Executive Summit a truly impactful experience. The success of the event reflects the collective effort of everyone involved.
“Attending the Shinn Executive Summit is a highlight for our team every year,” said Jen Collinsworth, senior vice president of sales of Wayne Homes in Uniontown, Ohio. “The sessions consistently deliver actionable insights, and the environment fosters valuable connections with some of the industry’s most innovative leaders. Each event pushes us to think bigger and stay at the forefront of the homebuilding business.”
We wish to thank our powerful lineup of guest speakers for sharing their expertise and elevating the experience for everyone:
- Stephen M. R. Covey, Author and Keynote Speaker, FranklinCovey
- Doug Allen, Associate Professor, Department of Management, University of Denver
- Dave Barnhart, President, Homebuilding Division, First America Homes
- JD Espana, President, Piedmont Residential
- Robert Gammons, Market Area Director, Schuber Mitchell Homes
- Desmond Graham, COO, Flintrock Builders
- Kevin Jewell, President, French Brothers Homes
- Ed Kubiak, Lead Builder Partner, Higharc
- Daniel Lowery, President, Tim O'Brien Homes
- Bob Mirman, CEO and Founder, Eliant
- Zachary Nyberg, Vice President, John Burns Real Estate Consulting
- Jason Thorson, Director of Business Development, Daikin Comfort Technologies
- Jon Tschetter, VP Ops, Hartford Homes
- Kelly Zitlow, EVP Sales & Marketing, Cornerstone Home Lending
“The 2025 Executive Summit was one of the best I have ever attended,” said Ed Hauck, senior consultant at Shinn Group. “The quality of the speakers and the content was outstanding. The networking was like hanging with friends every night. Thank you to all of the speakers and sponsors for their support.”
Stay tuned for details on the 2026 Executive Summit. We hope to see you there!