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Author: Jasmine

  • Neal Communities Provides $6,500 in Community Sponsorships in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the Suncoast

    Neal Communities Provides $6,500 in Community Sponsorships in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the Suncoast

    Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, recently donated $6,500 to various community organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the Suncoast.

    Neal Communities gave $2,500 as a premier event sponsor of the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair; $1,500 to sponsor the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Leadership Breakfast; $1,000 as the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Humanitarian of the Year Sponsor for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund 2022 Wine Soiree; $1,000 to Lakewood Ranch Baseball and $500 as a Birdie Sponsor of the Manatee County Public Works United Way Golf Tournament.

    Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $7.5 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

    “We love to see our employees get involved in organizations that make a difference in the community, and we support them,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. Often, the organizations Neal donates to are selected because they are important to Neal Communities’ employees.

    Neal Communities Area Sales Manager Elayne McKinney explained why Jack and Jill of America is meaningful to her and why she appreciates her employer’s sponsorship of the organization. “My Mother was one of the charter members of the Suncoast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America that was organized in the Spring of 1989. I grew up in these enrichment programs,” McKinney said. “As a child and teenager I was involved in philanthropic giving, leadership modules and strong value of commitment to family and community. I have served as president and presently on the executive board.”

    Jack and Jill of America and its partners hosted the area’s only college fair for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). The Virtual College Fair will took place on Sept. 15, giving attendees the opportunity to speak to alumni and admissions reps from colleges and universities and to learn about the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, Greek life and more. The virtual event was followed by an in-person panel discussion at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg on Sept. 17. The panel included Shorecrest’s director of college counseling, Myra Simpson, along with college admissions representatives.

    The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Leadership Breakfast was held on Friday, September 9, and honored Carolyn Mason and Steve Cantees, two individuals who are actively making a difference in the lives of teenagers in the local community. Ivory Matthews, Neal Communities’ vice president of community of governmental affairs, said, “We have participated with the Boys & Girls Clubs for years and it is incredible what they have been able to accomplish. The most important thing we can do for our community is to give our time and be a part of youth development. I challenge everyone, especially the leaders in our community, to volunteer their time and put in the work with our youth.”

    “We are grateful to Neal Communities for their ongoing commitment to our mission and programs. With their support, we are ensuring that thousands of children and teens across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties have access to opportunities that will help them achieve their full potential,” said Bill Sadlo, president/CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. “This support empowers our Club members to excel in school, become leaders, live healthy lifestyles and create plans for success after high school graduation.”

    To donate to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties and support teen programming, visit www.bgcsdc.org.

    The Manatee County Public Works United Way Golf Tournament will be held at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2022, at Tara Golf and Country Club. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the event.

    For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com.

  • Neal Communities Donates $50,000 to Riverview High School’s Construction Academy

    Neal Communities Donates $50,000 to Riverview High School’s Construction Academy

    Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, donated $50,000 toward Riverview High School’s new Construction Academy, designed to prepare high school students for a career in the building industry.

    Riverview High School’s new construction technology program will be the first of its kind in Sarasota County. The program will incorporate a curriculum from the National Center of Construction Education and Research along with providing hands-on experiences for students.

    Currently, 60 students are enrolled in the program, which also has a waiting list. Those that complete the curriculum are eligible to earn industry-recognized credentials and have access to local internships, apprenticeships and jobs.

    Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle, a partner company of Neal Communities, organized the $50,000 donation on behalf of Neal Communities because of her desire to support a program that would have lasting positive effects on the students at Riverview High School, her alma mater.

    “We are very happy to support Riverview High School’s new Construction Academy, which was designed to provide long-term career solutions and opportunities to its students,” Neal said. “Our hope is that students acquire both the skills and enthusiasm for success in the building industry.”

    In addition to its financial contribution, Neal Communities intends to provide staff resources to assist with the program, from guest speakers and field trip opportunities to internships and apprenticeships. The program also creates a pipeline of potential employees who already call Sarasota County home.

    Neal Communities joins a variety of local supporters through the Gulf Coast Building Exchange that are working to make the new construction lab at Riverview High School possible. The donations garnered to date have helped renovate an art lab into a functioning shop for students. The community celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 9.

    “We are grateful for the community support,” said Riverview Principal Erin del Castillo. “I’m also grateful for the support of parents and the students, themselves. Everyone is truly excited about the opportunities that this new academy will bring to our students.”

    The new program is designed similarly to a Manufacturing Academy at South Fort Myers High School, which launched about five years ago. The school’s Manufacturing Academy is allowing students to take elective credits in specific areas of focus, like electrical, painting, plumbing and masonry. del Castillo said she toured the South Fort Myers High School campus and was impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement she heard from students enrolled in the classes. “The passion they had for the career path they were on was evident,” she said. “As an educator, you want that for every student.”

    The program launches at a time when the nation faces a shortage of construction workers. According to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ independent study, the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 650,000 additional workers on top of the normal hiring pace in the coming year to meet the demand for labor. The report also indicated the industry’s average age of retirement is 61, and more than 1 in 5 workers are currently older than 55.

    “In today’s world, students have many opportunities to be successful. The Construction Academy allows students to either continue their construction studies at the university level or have an immediate local pathway to start a fulfilling career,” del Castillo said.

  • Amenity Center Opens in Neal Communities’ Windward Neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch

    Amenity Center Opens in Neal Communities’ Windward Neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch

    Residents of Windward at Lakewood Ranch, a Neal Communities neighborhood, have a new reason to enjoy their community. A 9,600-square-foot clubhouse with a gathering center, full-time activities director and state-of-the-art fitness center recently opened.

    The neighborhood amenities also include two resort-style pools – one for families with children and one for adults only, as well as pickleball and tennis courts, trails for walking and biking, and playgrounds and park areas.

    “We want residents of Neal Communities to love where they live,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “This amenity center for Windward will be a center of community for these families to enjoy for years to come.”

    Windward at Lakewood Ranch is located near 1-75 at Fruitville and Lorraine Roads in Sarasota County. It is a gated community featuring homes with two to four bedrooms, ranging in square footage from 1,434 to 2,936. Home prices start at $495,990 and there are new homes under construction now. Visit nealcommunities.com/new-homes/windward/ for more information

  • A Great Home In Grand Park

    A Great Home In Grand Park

    Dear Mr. Neal,

    I wanted to take a moment to provide feedback regarding a home that Neal Communities is building for my wife and me. Last February we signed a contract to purchase a home in the Grand Park community (a Sandcastle).

    I have 45 years of experience in the construction industry, mostly in hospital & healthcare construction. I am a licensed Florida General Contractor (CGC-1512717). I know and understand the phases for design and construction of all types of residential homes & commercial buildings. I have been through the build process hundreds of times. Like Neal Communities. I live with the supply chain shortages that are now an ever-present part of the construction industry.

    Right from day 1, it was clear that the processes that Neal Communities had in place to build the home (and build the community) were fabulous!! The paperwork, descriptions and breakdowns for all standard features, for all options; every part, piece, nut and bolt were accounted for! The paperwork and the line­ item descriptions left no confusion. There was no mystery. Electrical systems, elevations, landscaping, cabinetry; every item is documented and detailed clearly to avoid any confusion. In my opinion Neal Communities has one of the best documentation processes I have seen in the construction business. I also noticed Neal Communities does a great job at getting that information and documentation out to field personnel and the Subcontractors. Everyone understood what the specifications required on the home.

    As good as the Neal Communities processes are, I have noticed another remarkable attribute your organization has. Your people are amazing! I am very pleased to tell you, the character, commitment and values displayed by everyone I have dealt with in your organization, are extraordinary.

    A few people that need to be mentioned: David Sanvidge; since taking over as my sales associate, has communicated with me on a weekly basis. Typical sales associates are focused on selling the next home, not following up with their previous customers. David constantly relays progress, pictures and status updates. The follow-up on David’s part makes me feel like he is walking with us every step of the journey, through the build process.

    On site, Alex Castaneda is delivering the highest quality home possible. Being in the construction business myself, I set an extremely high standard for quality and workmanship from the people & subcontractors I employ. It was great to see that Alex demands the same quality and attention to detail from the subcontractors working for Neal Communities. He kept in constant communication to ensure my questions and concerns were being addressed. I would like to recognize Alex for the heroic effort he made to ensure the house was constantly moving forward.Alex did a superb job of orchestrating the entire building process and managing the schedule. When a component or material was delayed due to supply chain issues, Alex made sure all other activities were ongoing. When I had questions, he was always there with his sleeves rolled up, getting it all sorted out.

    How a project site is kept, speaks volumes about how the site is run: Is the site a “subcontractor run site” (not clean/ debris everywhere)? Or is the site clean and demonstrates the Project Manager is in charge of the project? Is the PM respected by the site’s subcontractors? It was clear that Alex is fully in charge of his site! The house was always clean and the rough grade always had positive drainage, with no standing water on the lot. Alex’s attentionto detail and his “customer first” philosophy are unrivaled. Alex has the drive and commitment to go far in the construction industry; his future is bright! Alex is truly a Neal Communities rock star!!

    I get the feeling from all of your team that they were working for me alone. They make me feel that I am their single, most important customer. All of your team does a fantastic job communicating their portion to me. All ofthem encourage me to call if I have any questions or concerns. Every one of them takes whatever time is required to ensure my total satisfaction. Many have met with me during non-business hours to accommodate my schedule. They all deserve to be recognized for the job they are doing. Simply put, it is truly an outstanding, pleasant andtrouble-free process. Please take the time to convey to your team at Grand Park how much I appreciate the job they are doing and what a beautiful community they are creating!! I would also request that a copy of this letter beplaced in David’s and Alex’s personnel file for future reference.

    One last comment; generally speaking, great staff and great team members are reflected through great leadership in an organization. It is evident the executive leadership drives a very high standard of quality; this radiates outward, throughout your organization’s culture. Neal Communities stands head & shoulders above all of the competition. Neal Communities is the premier home builder in Florida!!

    Thank you for perfection!

    Respectfully yours,

    William A. Shevlin (Bill)

  • Neal Communities Promotes 14 Employees

    Neal Communities Promotes 14 Employees

    Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilder based in Lakewood Ranch, has promoted 14 employees over the last several months. With 295 employees, Neal Communities is a prominent employer in the local area. The promotions show a commitment to developing talent from within the company.

    “We try hard to create a family atmosphere,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Many employees stay with us for a long time, and we work with them to ensure they are growing in their careers.”

    The promotions include two vice presidents: Ivory Matthews promoted from director of community and governmental affairs to vice president of community and governmental affairs, and Carlos Puente promoted from vice president of sales to vice president of sales and marketing.

    In addition, the following employees were promoted: Pam Curran from bank financing manager to director of finance, Rob Kozlowski from senior financial analyst to business insights and analytics manager, Janet Ladwig from director of design to director of community design and product development, Mathew Lavish from project manager to director of construction, Heidi Lustig from staff accountant III to senior accountant, Jodi McConnell from assistant controller to controller, Marjory McGloin from job coordinator to purchasing supervisor, Kristin Mullins from senior accountant to accounting manager, Ben Renner from area construction manager to director of construction, Kameren Saffold from assistant construction manager to construction manager, Michael Thomas from purchasing agent to estimator and Rob Woods from project manager to area construction manager.

    The employees’ tenure with the company ranges from just over two years to nearly 14 years.

  • Neal Communities and Canoe Creek Win Gold as Bradenton’s Best

    Neal Communities and Canoe Creek Win Gold as Bradenton’s Best

    At Neal Communities, we strive to build homes in great cities throughout Southwest Florida. Our neighborhoods reflect their cities – beautiful locations where residents can enjoy natural beauty, make lasting connections and thrive in all aspects of life. Why? Because Where You Live Matters.

    The Bradenton Herald recently released its annual “Bradenton’s Best” edition. This magazine honors local businesses in a variety of categories for being “the best of” the city. These awards are particularly meaningful as the winners are decided by votes of current Manatee County residents.

    As a proud builder in Bradenton, we are incredibly honored that we took the top spot in the “Best Home Builder” category! Bradenton is a city with a rich culture and history, and we are happy to build in a location where residents can always find something new every day.

    As one of Southwest Florida’s most celebrated homebuilders, we pride ourselves in creating high-quality communities and homes that allow homeowners to find a place matching their personal idea of the Florida lifestyle. That is why we overjoyed to see that Bradenton residents also voted Canoe Creek into the top spot for the “Best New Home Community” category.

    Opened in 2018, Canoe Creek is a warm and inviting community, offering comfortable living with an urban farmhouse feel. It provides easy access to a host of venues such as the Ellenton Outlet Mall and Fort Hamer Park and is perfect for families as it is close to a variety of schools. Emphasizing community connection, the casual elegance of Canoe Creek also offers spacious homes and a suite of amenities allowing owners to meet and enjoy time with their friends and neighbors.

    We are honored to receive these distinctions from Bradenton’s public and to continue building more homes in this area and the rest of Southwest Florida. To learn more about the communities fulfilling your needs, contact us here.

  • Neal Communities Sponsors 23rd Annual BIG Backpack Event in Fort Myers

    Neal Communities Sponsors 23rd Annual BIG Backpack Event in Fort Myers

    Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, sponsored the 23rd Annual BIG Backpack Event in Fort Myers for the seventh consecutive year.

    The BIG Backpack Event, hosted by the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, provides students with backpacks and school supplies donated by local community members, organizations and sponsors. This year’s event, held on Sunday, July 24 at Fort Myers Skatium Rink, provided nearly 3,000 students in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with school supplies. Nearly 1,000 more students were assisted this year than in prior years.

    According to organizers, the line of vehicles stretched more than a mile from the parking lot to U.S. 41. Typically, the event provides 2,000 students with supplies, but this year’s event surpassed expectations. Organizers said they had to start an hour early to accommodate the additional students.

    As the primary sponsor, Neal Communities and its trade partners raised nearly $25,000 to assist with the event – the highest amount raised for this event by the home builder and its partners to date. Other sponsors, including corporate and individual donors, also helped to make the event possible.

    “We are so appreciative of the generosity of Neal Communities, their staff and vendors over the years,” said Leonardo Garcia, founder of the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida and the Annual BIG Backpack Event. “Their support makes it possible to provide students with new backpacks and school supplies each year.”

    Local vendors also were on site to provide additional benefits to families. One sponsor provided 1,000 bags of groceries, and a local health department provided vaccines to incoming seventh graders.

    An estimated 150 volunteers, including Neal Communities employees, helped make the event possible. Several people volunteered on Saturday, July 23rd to pack the backpacks and prepare other supplies to distribute at the event.

    “The volunteer network, led by the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, is strong,” said Tim Oak, Southwest Florida Regional President of Neal Communities. Some volunteers have returned to help every year throughout the event’s 23-year-history, he said.

    “We are very proud to be a part of the BIG Backpack Event,” Oak said. “Those at Neal Communities and our trade partners are happy to help the children and families of Southwest Florida. We look forward to this event every year.”

  • Neal Communities Breaks Ground on New East Manatee Community

    Neal Communities Breaks Ground on New East Manatee Community

    Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, has broken ground on a new community in eastern Manatee County.

    Marisol, located on 39 acres near Lakewood Ranch’s northeastern sector, will include 172 paired villa homes. The community will feature a British West Indies and Coastal architectural theme. All of the villas are maintenance-assisted for worry-free upkeep. Two villa home styles ranging from 1,434 square feet and 1,524-square feet will be offered inside the new neighborhood.

    The community will be conveniently located just outside of Lakewood Ranch’s borders on State Road 64. The homes will encircle a small lake, and some will have waterfront views from their lanais. The community also will have a private pool with bathroom facilities.

    Marisol residents will enjoy the close proximity to Lakewood Ranch, a 50-square-mile community filled with shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, nature and recreation. State Road 64 also offers easy access to Bradenton, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island and I-75.

    “We are happy to announce the start of construction of a new neighborhood in growing eastern Manatee County,” said Pat Neal, founder and CEO of Neal Communities. “These homes are perfect for those looking to right-size their living space in a maintenance-assisted community while still being close to all the area has to offer.”

    Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. During the company’s 50-year history, it has built over 19,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. The company consistently ranks among the nation’s top 100 home builders and has earned numerous awards including the prestigious Builder of the Year from Professional Builder in 2015 and America’s Best Builder in 2012 from BUILDER Magazine.

    For more information about Neal Communities and Marisol Villas, call (941) 229-0630 or visit NealCommunities.com.

  • The Four Steps of Homeownership

    The Four Steps of Homeownership

    As one of Southwest Florida’s most celebrated homebuilders, Neal Communities strives to create the feeling of “home” for future homeowners by offering innovative floorplan designs found only in our beautiful communities.

    Whether this is your first home or your tenth, we want to make the experience as effortless as possible. To help, we’ve identified the four key steps that will guide you on this exciting new construction home journey!

     

  • Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County Floats 26,312 Ducks Down Manatee River, Raises more than $150,000

    Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County Floats 26,312 Ducks Down Manatee River, Raises more than $150,000

    Approximately 26,312 ducks floated down the Manatee River on June 11, raising more than $150,000 for Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County.

    For the seventh consecutive year, Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, partnered with Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County as a Diamond Duck sponsor of the nonprofit’s 13th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace.

    In addition to its $5,000 donation, Neal Communities’ employees also supported the cause individually by purchasing more than 230 ducks, raising more than $900 additional dollars.

    “Neal Communities was pleased to support of the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace again this year,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities.

    The race, which started at Caddy’s at the Pointe in Bradenton, is one of Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County’s largest fundraisers. The Pace Center offers a year-round school that provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The comprehensive program integrates social services and education in an individualized manner, and it is recognized nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping adolescent girls out of the juvenile justice system. Pace Manatee has worked with more than 1,500 girls over the years and is one of Pace Center’s almost two dozen Florida locations.

    “Funds from our generous Diamond Duck sponsors, including Neal Communities, completely offset the cost of the event,” said Christi Haley, development director of Pace Center for Girls. “When individuals like the Neal Communities’ staff members adopt ducks, funds raised directly impact the lives of girls right here in our community.”

    Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. During the company’s 50-year history, it has built over 19,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.5 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.

    For more information about Pace Center for Girls Manatee, visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/manatee. For more information about Neal Communities, visit nealcommunities.com/.