Expedition Evergreen: David Weekley Homes Charts A New Future

Over the next decade, we will double the size of our company and do so in a way that allows us to maintain our commitment to being the builder, the employer, and the partner of choice,” says David Weekley, founder and chairman of David Weekley Homes, reflecting on his vision for the future of the company.

Weekley – who spent time talking with The Builder's Daily this week – believes that the time has come for the company to embrace a new era of growth and innovation, which he describes as "David Weekley Homes 3.0."

After decades of success built on the foundations of people, culture, and a flat organizational structure, the firm is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan known as Expedition Evergreen. This initiative will double the company’s size while continuing to deliver on its core values of high performance, customer service, and operational excellence.

Since founding the company in 1976, Weekley sees the evolution of David Weekley Homes as occurring in phases. The first 17 years, pre-1990, can be seen as "David Weekley Homes 1.0," a period of experimentation and rapid learning in the early days of homebuilding.

Those early years were exciting, and we built the company on a foundation of innovation and pushing the boundaries of what was possible,” Weekley recalls.

The next phase — David Weekley Homes 2.0 — began with the hiring of John Johnson as chief operating officer in 1990, whose leadership would guide the company through three decades of transformation and growth. Now, as Johnson steps down after 21 years as CEO, David Weekley Homes is prepared for its 3.0 evolution under the leadership of incoming CEO Jay A. Brown. The company will continue its trajectory, focusing on doubling its size and making significant strides in operational excellence, team member empowerment, and sustainable homebuilding practices.

An earlier press statement notes:

David Weekley Homes, founded in 1976, operates in 19 markets across the United States and is headquartered in Houston. David Weekley Homes was the first builder in the United States to be awarded the Triple Crown of American Home Building, an honor which includes "America's Best Builder," "National Housing Quality Award" and "National Builder of the Year." Weekley Homes has been recognized 18 times by Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For."

We are thrilled to welcome Jay as the next CEO of David Weekley Homes," stated Mr. Weekley. "His understanding and embrace of our culture, coupled with his leadership capabilities, make him the ideal choice to accelerate our growth and capture the opportunities ahead of us. As we embark on our Expedition Evergreen to double our home closings, further embrace technology, and continue to improve our customer experience, we are excited to have Jay lead the team."

At the heart of Expedition Evergreen is something that sets David Weekley Homes apart from every other major U.S. homebuilder — its ownership structure. One-third of the company’s ownership belongs to its team members, who are empowered as stakeholders in the business. Another one-third is owned by Charitable Trusts, serving over 100 charities in 35 countries.

Our Charitable Trusts allow us to serve some of the world's most helpless and hopeless," explains Weekley. "It's an essential part of who we are and what we stand for."

Chris Weekley, President of David Weekley Homes, emphasizes that team member ownership and the charitable trust ownership model are integral to the company’s culture.

We’re proud to empower our team members as owners while giving back through these charitable efforts. It’s not just about being a great homebuilder; it’s about creating lasting impact in the world," says Chris.

This triple-ownership model — team members, charitable trusts, and the Weekley family — reinforces the company’s deep commitment to doing business in a way that enriches both the people within the organization and the global community. It also strengthens the company's ability to attract and retain talent, as well as trade partners, investors, and others who share these values.

Thomas Carpitella, CEO of executive search firm FTS, observes that the company’s approach to ownership and culture makes it highly attractive to top-tier talent.

Their organization is remarkably flat and team-driven, which draws people who are humble, collaborative, and motivated by purpose,” he says.

Carpitella adds that this purposeful, people-centric culture also translates into superior business performance.

Weekley’s culture attracts people who are in it for the long haul, and that drives not only high performance but also constant improvement across the board."

John Johnson, who led the company for more than two decades, has been a central figure in embedding this culture of excellence and continuous improvement into the fabric of the organization.

From day one, the focus has been on creating an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow and improve," Johnson tells The Builder's Daily. "We’ve always believed that a commitment to people, combined with a relentless focus on improvement, is the key to high performance."

David Weekley agrees, adding that this "people-first" culture is hardwired into everything the company does, from the homes they build to the relationships they forge with trade partners, suppliers, and customers.

We’ve always been about our people. When we invest in our team and empower them to do their best work, the results speak for themselves," he says.

As the company prepares for its next growth phase, Expedition Evergreen will continue to leverage this culture of empowerment and collaboration. With a focus on doubling its size and maintaining its commitment to high performance, David Weekley Homes is poised to build not only more homes but also a stronger, more resilient organization — one that stands out as a homebuilder-of-choice for employees, customers, and partners alike.

Chris Weekley captures this spirit succinctly:

It’s about continuing to do what we do best — delivering great homes and creating a place where people love to work — while constantly striving to do better."

With Expedition Evergreen, David Weekley Homes is setting the stage for its next decade of growth. Armed with a strong sense of purpose, an ownership structure that emphasizes giving back, and a culture deeply rooted in its people, the company is ready to take on the future — David Weekley Homes 3.0.