News & Moves: February 22, 2008

Ohio-based giant M/I Homes has pulled out of the market in West Palm Beach, Fla. Robert Schottenstein, chief executive officer and president, reported the company has sold more than 3,700 lots for $82 million. The sale included more than 500 lots in four communities in West Palm Beach. M/I Homes has been operating in West Palm Beach, Fla., since 1985.

Barden Gale is the new vice chairman of real estate for Starwood Capital Group. He will work with other senior executives on investment strategies and new business opportunities in the newly created position. He will be based out of the company's Greenwich, Conn., headquarters. He comes to Starwood Capital Group from ABP Investment US, where he was chief investment officer for real estate.

The Building Industry Association of Southern California appointed Laer Pearce vice president of public affairs. The non-profit organization has 200,000 members who work to promote and assist in all aspects of the building industry. Pearce, founder of Laer Pearce & Associates, brings 30 years of experience to the organization.

At the beginning of the year, sister companies Merillat and Quality Cabinets merged to become Masco Builder Cabinet Group. The two organizations will remain two distinct brands under Masco. According to the company, among the objectives of the name integration is to transform business processes to drive out complexity, ambiguity and cost while building the foundation for

Maurice Johnson

planned future growth. Masco Builder Cabinet Group is based in Adrian, Mich.

Taylor Morrison appointed Maurice Johnson vice president of finance for the Phoenix division. Johnson will oversee the day-to-day financial management of the division. Prior to his new position, he served as a controller at the corporate level. He joined Morrison Homes in 2005.

Two new regional managers were hired at Fiber Composites, a manufacturer of composite decking and railing, to provide sales support for the WeatherBest brand. Chris Hedlund is the new regional manager for the Northwest region. Before this position, he served as vice president of operations, advertising and marketing, and remodeling sales for Rum River Lumber Company in Coon Rapids, Minn. He will be based in Minneapolis. Bill Naumann is Fiber Composites' new regional manager for New England and will be based in Boston. Naumann recently served as the regional manager for LP Building Products in New England and New York.