- How does your past work for the City continue to impact your career? My 11 years with the City of Amarillo provided me with a variety of opportunities: land use planning methodology, importance of zoning and land use strategies, interactions with land developers, exposure to City Council approval procedures, and a firm knowledge of development criteria. I also interacted with community focus groups, and learned the most important quality-of-life issues for many Amarillo citizens.
- What do people not understand about what you do? Not everyone understands that developers are responsible for the expense and construction of neighborhood infrastructure: drainage, dirt work, utilities, streets and alleys. That cost does not come from taxpayer dollars. We design and build all the interior infrastructure to meet city specifications. Once complete, inspected, approved and accepted, the city takes over ownership and maintenance. This infrastructure also provides a revenue stream for the city through water and sewer sales to individual home and business owners. Another thing that tends to surprise people is how long it can take from concept to completion. In 1997, I spent three years designing what we know today as The Colonies. Our portion of The Colonies’ residential phases began in 2001 and were finally completed with all infrastructure and residential lots sold out in late 2025, with many homes still under construction or yet to be started. More than a quarter century later, we have a neighborhood that is still not completely built.
- Beyond sales numbers, how do you define a “successful” neighborhood? When we set out to plan a new development, we must be able to predict what about this neighborhood will be relevant in 20 or 50 years from now. Ultimately, homeowner quality of life is our No. 1 priority. We now have the luxury of seeing an entire generation of families creating their story in our neighborhoods. We know before we sell the first lot where the parks, schools and churches will be, and then ultimately the non-residential neighborhood amenities such as grocery and convenience stores, medical offices and other businesses that can not only serve our neighborhoods, but also the surrounding areas.
- Amarillo is growing and changing. How do you think about development/housing trends without losing what people love about the city? As a native Amarilloan, I am very biased in my love for this city. I try to stay in my lane and remain focused on creating the highest quality neighborhoods, providing the highest quality experience for the home buyer. Having said that, we pride ourselves in evolving our neighborhoods. For example, increased focus on pedestrian safety and a focus on walking trails, landscaped common areas and a general invitation to get outside and walk or ride your bike to your neighbor’s house, the coffee shop or restaurant, or play tennis or hang out on a park bench and read a book.
- When you imagine a Rockrose development 20 years from now, what do you hope people say about it? Our hope is that our neighborhoods have created and will continue to create lasting memories and a high quality of life for Amarillo families. And that our legacy is recognized not only in the efforts to accommodate growth in a healthy and sustainable way, but also in our contribution to our community through the partnerships and gifting of land for schools, parks, churches and the Kids, Inc. Rockrose Sports Park.
