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Gregg Carlson, CEO of Lee Wetherington Homes, caps successful 2019 as BIA “Builder of the Year” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2020 • CONTACT: Jo Morello, 941.587.8290 Sarasota, FL—Gregg Carlson, CEO of Lee Wetherington Homes, ended 2019 with a bang when the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association (MSBIA) chose him as its “Builder of the Year.” In its announcement, MSBIA said that its honoree “exemplifies everything our association stands for. They have an outstanding reputation in the local community, building excellent relationships and making sure the building industry thrives. In addition, they contribute to the community, building industry and association through volunteer activities and leadership.” Carlson has been an MSBIA member for over 20 years, serves on its Board of Directors and is the association’s Treasurer. Among other 2019 milestones: • Tallahassee-based Florida Certified Master Builder, an organization created to help consumers find a builder they can trust, named Gregg Carlson a “Florida Certified Master Builder” (FCMB). Among the selection criteria, FCMBs must meet strict requirements and demonstrate a proven track record of building expertise, business stability, integrity and exceptional customer service. • Lee Wetherington Homes opened its new Magnolia model in the private, maintenance-free community of Cypress Glen, located within the gates of prestigious, amenities-rich, River Wilderness Golf and Country Club in Parrish, Florida. • Lee Wetherington Homes won 21 awards in the Parade of Homes sponsored by Sarasota and Manatee Counties, including three for best overall model (Magnolia in Cypress Glen, San Mateo in The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch, and Windward at The Islands on the Manatee River) plus “Best” awards for specific features (“Best” pool, curb appeal, kitchen, architectural detail, floorplan) and the “Overall Green Award.” • Lee Wetherington Homes broke ground for a two-story, contemporary 15,000-square-foot headquarters building at 7498 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, designed by Gary Hoyt and Chris Gallagher of Sarasota-based Hoyt Architects. “Our new home reflects our commitment to, and our confidence in, the expected growth of the Sarasota/Manatee area,” Carlson said, “and the signature design makes an impressive statement.” He expects the staff to move into the $4 million building in the fourth quarter of 2020. He said part of the ground floor, approximately 6,000 square feet, will be leased to carefully selected tenants. • The Lee Wetherington Foundation awarded a $25,000 matching grant to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to provide support in perpetuity for WBTT’s performing arts center, artist development, education and outreach. Founded in 1974, Lee Wetherington Homes has long been recognized for its high quality and innovative design in the luxury home market as well as its social conscience and philanthropic activities. The company’s showcase displays more than 300 awards from Parade of Homes competitions over the years, along with numerous other honors and awards. Lee Wetherington Homes is currently building luxury homes in prestigious communities and also on private homesites in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In Sarasota, the builder offers homes in the Founders Club while five communities in Manatee County boast homes by this builder: The Islands on the Manatee River, Cypress Glen at River Wilderness—where it is the exclusive builder—and the Lakewood Ranch communities of LakeHouse Cove at Waterside, Country Club East, and The Lake Club. Each of these communities offers unique amenities to homebuyers, often including a country club lifestyle with golf, a clubhouse, tennis, swimming, and other options. For more information about Lee Wetherington Homes, visit LWHomes.com, call 941.922.3480 or email info@LWHomes.com. -30- PHOTO CAPTIONS Gregg Carlson Gregg Carlson, CEO of Lee Wetherington Homes, started his career in the homebuilding industry as a laborer and carpenter. He joined Lee Wetherington Homes in the early 1990s and was a major part of the company’s growth through the early 2000s. He served as the Tampa division president for two national homebuilders from 2003 until 2016, when he returned to Lee Wetherington Homes as its CEO. LWH Magnolia, Cypress Glen The furnished Magnolia, one of five stunning home designs in Cypress Glen, took four awards in the 2019 Parade of Homes: Best Overall, Best Kitchen, Best Floor Plan (tie) and Best Architectural Detail (tie). This stunning home provides two bedrooms plus a third bedroom or den flex, a great room, a kitchen and dining area, and two baths within its 2,017 square feet of living space. The Magnolia also includes extra storage space with a “Florida basement,” as well as a two-car garage and exquisite outdoor living area. Lee Wetherington Homes, recognized as “America’s Best Builder,” is the exclusive builder in Cypress Glen, a private enclave with only 47 homesites, 25 of them being waterfront homesites. LWH headquarters The new headquarters building for Lee Wetherington Homes at 7498 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, was designed by Hoyt Architect and is being built by Lee Wetherington Homes. The two-story building will house the company’s administrative operations, Lee Wetherington Design Center, and LeeSure Water Pools on the second floor, as well as storage and other functions on the ground floor. The remaining 6,000 square feet on the first floor will be rented to carefully selected tenants. (Photo credit: Hoyt Architects) -30-