In this business, you need a leader. Somebody has to take the leadership role with a bull’s-eye on their back that this may not work, but by God, we're gonna kick ass, blow the bugle, and open our doors, and people are gonna love to come in and see what we have.”

These are the words of Scott Davis, former Division President of Trumark Homes’ Colorado division and longtime Division President at D.R. Horton, who will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Focus On Excellence Leadership Summit and Workshop, to be held Oct. 28-30, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Austin.

Davis’s focus on operational excellence, team building, and his unmatched, candid understanding of the "countdown" to successfully launching a new residential community makes him a speaker every homebuilding leader should hear.

Register here now.

In a year when housing affordability dominates political debates, and with both presidential candidates spotlighting the issue, the homebuilding industry is under intense scrutiny. For homebuilders, the pressure to not only build homes but also build resilient, high-performing teams has never been greater.

Once we get some sort of alignment with the stars and moon and the sun on the financing picture, and maybe with any five-handle mortgage rates or any kind of enthusiasm with a new economic plan, hopefully whoever wins in January, we might see some tailwinds in our industry.”

Davis's message resonates at a time when the industry is grappling with labor shortages, rising costs, and shifting market demands.

A Timely Rate Pivot Alters the Outlook

Today's announcement from the Federal Reserve to lower its policy funds rate by 0.5% adds a significant layer of urgency and opportunity for homebuilding leaders. This bold move, the first rate cut since 2020, marks a shift in monetary policy aimed at easing borrowing costs for both businesses and households. With the Fed’s benchmark rate now falling between 4.75% and 5%, homebuilders stand to benefit from reduced capital costs, a key concern in an environment where financial constraints have stifled new development.

As Scott Davis prepares to share his insights at the Focus On Excellence summit, homebuilders must recognize that this rate cut is not just a reprieve from high borrowing costs — it’s a signal to act. The lowering of rates is expected to gradually ease mortgage costs for homebuyers who have been grappling with the three-headed monster of high-asking prices, high interest rates, and limited new listings. For homebuilders, this presents a critical moment to plan for future growth and build leadership capacity within their teams to take advantage of a market that may soon loosen its tight grip.

Davis’s expertise in leading through uncertain times — both at Trumark and D.R. Horton — will help summit attendees navigate these new market conditions. His message of balancing great product development with great people development is more relevant than ever, as the industry stands at the precipice of what could be a pivotal market shift.

Scott Davis: Leadership in the Trenches

Scott Davis’s leadership philosophy is built on the dual commitment to creating both great homes and great teams.

Building the best homes and developing people... that really probably helped me hire, I don’t know, 250 people,” says Davis, reflecting on his time leading at D.R. Horton. "You work hard to develop people, and you try to teach them something, help them grow."

His belief in developing talent, coupled with operational discipline, kept turnover rates exceptionally low during periods of growth.

Davis’s session at the Focus On Excellence summit will explore how building great homes and leading people are equally important in today’s challenging environment. His insights will directly address the operational and leadership challenges that top-level executives face as they strive to lead teams through cycles of uncertainty.

Focus On Excellence: Why This Summit Matters

The Focus On Excellence summit stands out as the only leadership platform fully committed to preparing homebuilding’s next generation of leaders. With a hybrid agenda of expert presentations and interactive workshops, this event will provide senior leaders in the homebuilding and residential development industry a space to collaborate, innovate, and equip themselves with the skills necessary to build high-performance teams.

The significance of this event is underscored by the impressive roster of more than 50 industry leaders already confirmed to attend, including top firms such as AMH Homes, Century Communities, Landsea, Davidson Homes, Ashton Woods, Drees Homes, National Home Corp., Tri Pointe Homes, and many more. These companies recognize that to remain competitive in today’s market, builders must push beyond traditional strategies. They must focus on both operational excellence and the development of leadership talent capable of navigating a rapidly changing industry.

Davis will play a key role in this context, bringing decades of experience from both large-scale national builders and smaller, nimble organizations. His session will highlight how homebuilders can create synergies between product excellence and people development to drive their businesses forward.

Navigating the Countdown to Community Launch

“The countdown to launch” is a recurring theme for Davis. He likens the opening of a new residential community to a complex orchestration of efforts, requiring flawless execution and team alignment.

At the end of the day, unless we're in a market where people are buying homes off the internet sight unseen, we gotta earn it," Davis says. "So let’s get back into earning the referral, and it starts by being ready for that first prospect coming into your community.”

This focus on execution — blending operational acumen with team empowerment—sets the foundation for sustainable growth. Davis is candid about the fear of failure that leaders face in the homebuilding industry, but emphasizes that it’s only through taking risks and focusing on both product and people that success happens.

You work hard to develop people, and you try to teach them something, help them grow,” Davis notes. “Ultimately, good things happen, right?”

A Call to Action for Homebuilding Leaders

For every homebuilding company president, CEO, and division leader, the Focus On Excellence summit offers an unparalleled opportunity. The challenges of today’s homebuilding environment — ranging from housing affordability pressures to the integration of new technologies — demand innovative leadership solutions and real-world high performance results.

In our workshops, participants will collaborate actively with peers and facilitators to tackle industry challenges, create actionable strategies, and leave with roadmaps for leadership success.

With limited attendance remaining, this is your chance to learn from leaders like Scott Davis, engage with top industry minds, and leave with actionable strategies to drive your teams and companies to new heights.

Supported by partners like Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, Boise Cascade, Builder Advisor Group, New Home Star, and Westwood Insurance Agency, Focus On Excellence is the must-attend event for homebuilding’s forward-thinking executives.

Register today to ensure your place and help shape the future of homebuilding leadership.

The countdown has begun. Will you be ready to launch?

Join us.