Sales & Marketing Council
Board Members
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Stewart Title
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Bridgeland
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Taylor Morrison Homes
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Taylor Morrison Homes
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Colleen Ellison, CSP, MCSP, CMP
Digital Map Products |
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Barrera Design
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Post Oak Publishing, Inc.
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Frankel Building Group
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Ashton Woods Homes
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Newland Communities
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Bridgeland
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Trendmaker Homes
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Meritage Homes
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D'Nita Kuhn
D&R Signs |
Jay McManus
Ryland Homes |
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Gigi Musachia
Houston Community Newspapers |
Elizabeth Phillips
Partners in Building |
Taylor Morrison
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PulteGroup
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NewHomeGuide.com
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Ashleigh Genzer - President
Ashleigh Genzer currently holds the position of Builder/Developer Services for Stewart Title, with over 10 years experience in the real estate industry. In her position she is responsible for builder/developer sales in the Houston market. She is an active member of The Greater Houston Builders Association, where she serves on several councils, SMC, Membership, Ambassadors, and Associates Council. In 2009 Ashleigh received a Houston Best Award, formerly PRISM Award for Sales and Marketing Council Board Member of the Year. She currently holds the position of Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Sales and Marketing Council. Ashleigh is a graduate of The University of Houston with a BBA in Management.
Lona is a native Louisianan and a graduate of the University of Central Florida. She has been involved in marketing for more than 10 years, the last seven of which have been in the homebuilding and land development industry. Currently she is the marketing director for Bridgeland and handles all aspects of promoting the 11,400 acre master-planed community located in northwest Houston. She has been an integral part in winning more than 60 awards for the community on a local, regional and national level. Lona has been a member of SMC since 2005 and is proud to be serving this year as vice president.
Upon graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1995, Amy moved to Houston, Texas to pursue a career in teaching. She taught for two years while working part-time for Pulte Homes which evolved into a full-time career in new home sales in 1997. Amy furthered her success in new home sales at Standard Pacific Homes, receiving the PRISM award for rookie on-site salesperson of the year in 1999. She then pursued an opportunity on the vendor side of the homebuilding business with Ranger American Security Systems, serving as vice president of sales and marketing and various other roles for six years. In 2005, Amy joined Taylor Morrison as the vice president of sales and marketing. She has been an integral part of the growth of the company through the merger of Morrison Homes and Taylor Woodrow in 2007. Her passion for her people continues to be paramount in her leadership. During her tenure, the company has earned a number of industry awards and Amy was awarded the 2007 PRISM marketing professional of the year. Throughout her career, she has been involved in the GHBA and is currently the secretary on the Sales and Marketing Council board of directors.
Teresa is native Iowan and graduated from Iowa State University in 2002. In late 2003 she moved to Houston with the plan of starting a career in the hospitality industry. Shortly after her move to Houston, Teresa happened upon an opportunity in Real Estate with Taylor Morrison (then Morrison Homes) as a new home sales associate which was the beginning of her career in homebuilding. A year into her role, Teresa was promoted to Marketing Manger and she currently works as Marketing and Internet Sales Manager with Taylor Morrison. In 2008, she received the GHBA PRISM award for Marketing Professional of the Year and has also played an integral role in the success of Taylor Morrison at PRISM/Houston’s Best for the past 3 years. She has been involved with the SMC since 2005 and this will be her first year to serve on the SMC Board of Directors.
Colleen Ellison - Immediate Past President President
Colleen Ellison, CSP, MCSP, CMP currently serves as President of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) Sales and Marketing Council (SMC). She has been actively involved in the GHBA and SMC since 1995 which has earned her the SMC Associate of the Year distinction in 1999 and again in 2006. In addition to her contributions at the local level, Colleen is the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) liaison for the GHBA and an active member of the NSMC. She has earned her Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Master CSP and Certified Marketing Professional (CMP) designation. Colleen is currently using her 15+ years of Real Estate experience to grow Digital Map Products, LandVision Central Division as their Regional Director. LandVision is the premier land acquisition and land data software solution.
Colleen Ellison, CSP, MCSP, CMP currently serves as President of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) Sales and Marketing Council (SMC). She has been actively involved in the GHBA and SMC since 1995 which has earned her the SMC Associate of the Year distinction in 1999 and again in 2006. In addition to her contributions at the local level, Colleen is the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) liaison for the GHBA and an active member of the NSMC. She has earned her Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Master CSP and Certified Marketing Professional (CMP) designation. Colleen is currently using her 15+ years of Real Estate experience to grow Digital Map Products, LandVision Central Division as their Regional Director. LandVision is the premier land acquisition and land data software solution.
Johnnye Barrera
Johnnye Barrera has worked in the field of marketing since 1984, forming Barrera Design in 1994. Clients range from home builders and developers as well as the medical field. The largest portion being real estate related, Barrera's work has been published in local, state-wide and national publications with campaigns targeted accordingly. Helping clients communicate effectively, strategically plan campaigns year round while receiving awards in their respected fields is what Barrera Design does best. As a newly-elected board member of the 2011 GHBA Sales & Marketing Council, Johnnye will be instrumental in designing the graphics for its marketing needs.
Johnnye Barrera has worked in the field of marketing since 1984, forming Barrera Design in 1994. Clients range from home builders and developers as well as the medical field. The largest portion being real estate related, Barrera's work has been published in local, state-wide and national publications with campaigns targeted accordingly. Helping clients communicate effectively, strategically plan campaigns year round while receiving awards in their respected fields is what Barrera Design does best. As a newly-elected board member of the 2011 GHBA Sales & Marketing Council, Johnnye will be instrumental in designing the graphics for its marketing needs.
Contact Johnnye at (713) 626-7507 or email johnnye@barreradesign.com. Visit BarreraDesign.com for more information.
Michael Blalock is the president of locally-owned and operated Post Oak Publishing, Inc. / www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com and a partner in Poetic Systems, LLP, a web marketing & development company, specializing in Web design, new media, Web optimization, iPhone apps and application development.
Mike has more than 20 years experience working with newcomer and relocation guides and Chamber of Commerce publications. Mike also created and works on the Clear Lake, West Houston, Northwest Houston, Northeast Houston, Texas 288 South and Fort Bend newcomer and relocation guides.
Mike serves on the board of directors for the Silver Spur Alumni Association, the GHBA Sales and Marketing Council and was the 2007 president of the Houston Relocation Professionals. Mike is a native Houstonian and enjoys occasional rounds of golf when he is not coaching his kids. Connect on LinkedIn. Facebook.
Scott Frankel, GMB, CGP, CGB, MCGP
Scott is a third generation builder who attended The Kinkaid School and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduation, Scott began working with Newmark Homes as a construction superintendent building starter homes, predominantly in the Pearland area. He then went to work as a construction manager for a new building company called Lindenwood Homes, which was later acquired by John Lang Homes. Scott joined Frankel Building Group in 2006, where he could take full of advantage of the opportunity to expand his vision and passion for custom home design and building.
Scott is a Graduate Master Builder, a Certified Green Professional and a Certified Graduate Builder. Scott is finished with the requirements and will receive the status of a Master Certified Green Professional in March when the NAHB makes it available. In addition, Scott is a member of the NAHB Builder 20 Group "Excells."
In his free time, Scott has done fundraising for Case De Esperanza’s Young Professional’s Organization, Ronald McDonald House and The Bush Clinton Haiti Relief Fund. He is also the founder of the Young Professionals Group for Y.E.S. Prep, an organization that supports low-income Houstonians in their effort to graduate from college, giving underprivileged youth greater opportunity to compete in the global marketplace and to assist in improving other disadvantaged communities.
A native of Chicago Illinois, Gezella graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design form Southern Illinois University. He next moved to Texas to attend graduate school at the University of Texas, completing a Master’s degree in Business and Administration (MBA). Gezella has recently been working on a Ph.D in organization and management.
Gezella has been involved in the new home building industry for more than 19 years, starting his career in 1991 as a construction manager with then home builder Emerald Homes of Houston. In 1993 Gezella found his passion in the sales side of the industry and started his new home sales career with McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. (MHI) of Houston, after a very successful career of almost 10 years of selling new homes from entry level to semi-custom, Gezella moved into sales management with Morrison Homes from 2002 to 2004. From 2004 until 2008 Gezella was the director of sales and marketing for Kimball Hill Homes, in Houston Texas. Currently, Gezella is vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes, a position held since 2008.
Gezella is an active member of the GHBA, the local SMC, the NAHB and the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC). He is certified in the following specialties: Master Certified New Home Sales Specialist (MCSP), Certified Marketing Professional (CMP), Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), and is a certified national trainer for the NAHB. As a former employee of three major home builders, he has been a leader among his peers, setting records and earning numerous awards in sales, sales management, marketing and leadership. Having twice been named Sales Manager of the Year in the NAHB Silver Awards competition, having earned the honor in 2008 and 2011, the National Association of Home Builders honored Gezella with the 2011 Gold Award for Sales Manager of the Year, the nation’s largest competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals. He also was named Sales Manager of the Year during the 2009 and 2006 Texas Star Awards (Texas Association of Builders) and during the 2009 Houston’s Best Awards (Greater Houston Builders Association) and 2008 PRISM Awards (GHBA).
Gezella says his specialty is building teams and achieving results. “I credit my success as a sales manager to my sales team; we have an incredible group of people focused not only on individual success, but also team success. That dedication and belief in our product serves our buyers well.”
Heather Gould currently serves as the Marketing Director for Newland Communities. She is responsible for all marketing efforts in the master planned communities of Cinco Ranch and Telfair. Prior to her time at Newland Communities, Heather served as a Marketing Manager for a builder. She then spent 2 years as a Design Studio Manager for a builder. Heather earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from TrinityUniversity in San Antonio. This is Heather’s second year as a member of the SMC Board.
Martha is a native of Louisiana and after earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006, she moved to Houston. Martha began her business career in 2006 in the retail industry working as a sales associate at White House Black Market. In less than six months; Martha was promoted to assistant manager.
In 2007, Martha welcomed an opportunity to join the land development industry with the Bridgeland team. Martha began her career with Bridgeland as a consultant in the Welcome Center. In 2009, she quickly advanced and was promoted to the position of architectural review coordinator. Martha was promoted to the position of assistant marketing director, while keeping her ARC position, when Bridgeland was recently acquired by the Howard Hughes Corporation.
Martha assisted the marketing team in organizing the Howl-O-Ween Fest 2010, The Howard Hughes Launch Party 2011 and is currently planning Nature Fest and Howl-O-Ween Fest 2011. Since Martha has held the position as assistant marketing director, Bridgeland has received the 2010 GHBA Planned Community of the Year and the 2010 Texas Association of Builders, Developer of the Year awards. This is her first year as a member on the SMC board.
Experienced marketing professional with a 10 year career in the homebuilding industry; earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Houston-Downtown
Gigi Musachia began her business career in 1999 with ICC Communications, an event marketing company based in New Jersey. While working for ICC, Gigi managed events and programs for such companies as Chrysler Group, U.S. Army and Church & Dwight Co. Inc. In 2002, she moved back to Houston to work in sales and marketing for The Real Estate Book, Star Publications and now Houston Community Newspapers where she has been since 2008.
Houston Community Newspapers, (HCN) is a division of ASP Westward, L.P. Westward publishes various community newspapers in suburban, metropolitan and isolated rural communities. The company is focused on establishing and maintaining a strong franchise as the leading provider of local information and advertising. She has served as an account manager for local community newspaper groups within the Houston Metro area and has remained focused on the real estate industry with her role at HCN.
Gigi has been a member of the Greater Houston Builders Association and Sales and Marketing Committee since 2008. She has also been an associate member of the Houston Association of REALTORS® and the Fort Bend Women’s Council of REALTORS® since 2004. She is a member of both the Katy and Fort Bend Chambers of Commerce. In 2009, she began volunteering with the Katy ISD Junior Achievement program, teaching a 4th grade class the basics of entrepreneurship. She is a third generation Houstonian and a current resident of Bellaire, Texas.
Elizabeth is serving for her fourth year on the Sales and Marketing Council's board of directors, and she is currently the membership chair. She started her home building industry career with Partners in Building, where she has worked for 10 years. She spent her first five years as a sales counselor, and received the "Salesperson of the Year" award at PIB in 2005. In 2006, she became the marketing director, and she also received her real estate license that year. Elizabeth has helped Partners in Building win numerous Texas Star and Houston's Best Awards since becoming the marketing director, and in 2010, Elizabeth was named Houston's Best Marketing Director of the Year.
Elizabeth is a native Houstonian, and she graduated from the University of Texas with a business degree in marketing. She also serves as the Women's Council of Realtor's Houston Chapter secretary.
Sarah is a native Houstonian and upon graduating from Texas A&M University started in the homebuilding industry in 2003. She has worked for various builders in both sales and marketing roles and currently serves as marketing and internet sales manager for Taylor Morrison Homes. She is responsible for all aspects of advertising, marketing and branding for all the Houston area communities and has played a vital role in her company winning two grand awards for Volume Builder and Promotions at the Houston’s Best Awards Show in 2010. Sarah has been involved in SMC for six years and this is her second year as a member of the SMC Board. In the fall of 2010, Sarah earned the SMC Board Member of the Year distinction.
Christy Stratton
Christy Stratton and her more than 16 years of marketing and public relations experience spanning many different industries, including real estate, hospitality and nonprofits has recently returned to Texas Houston
Stratton spent most of the last decade in Las Vegas , Nevada Nevada she helped to start the state’s ENERGY STAR® Partners program bringing awareness of energy-efficient opportunities to both businesses and consumers and has brought the same sort of efforts to Houston
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Stratton started her career in the home building and real estate industry in Houston and remains involved with memberships in Women’s Council of REALTORS®, the Houston and National Association of REALTORS, the Greater Houston and National Association of Home Builders as well as its Sales and Marketing Council.
A seasoned sales professional for NewHomeGuide.com, the nation’s trusted source for new home online content and leading publisher of new home magazines, Laurie Wilson played a key role in firmly establishing and now leading Houston as one of the most successful growth markets in the country for parent company, Primedia, Inc. Prior to joining NewHomeGuide.com in 2005, Laurie was the senior account manager for Hot On! Homes - Houston and has been an active member of both the GHBA and SMC since 2003. Formally elected to the SMC board in 2005, she was co-chair of the 2003 PRISM Judging Committee, chair of the 2004 and 2005 PRISM Judging Committees, chair of the 2006 PRISM Criteria Committee, and co-chair of the 2007 and 2008 Houston’s Best Program Committees before taking a year off from the board to recharge. Laurie was honored as SMC Associate of the Year for 2006, holds an NAHB “Certified Sales Professional” (CSP) designation, and was recognized in the Consumer Source, Inc. “President’s Club.” Her experience outside the new home building industry includes broadcast television and radio sales, as well as regional management and business development roles. She is a passionate volunteer for Cocker Spaniel Rescue of E. Texas and an avid supporter of M.D. Anderson’s Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research. Born and raised in the Boston area, Laurie has called Houston home since 1990.
2012 SMC Underwriters
Gold:
Silver:
For more information, contact Mel Audain: 281-970-8970, ext. 130 or MAudain@ghba.org
