Bio: John Fischer

At the company helm since 1984, John was literally born into the St. Louis homebuilding industry, working his way from the field to the presidency at the age of 31. The recipient of countless awards for excellence, his firm is ranked among the region’s leading homebuilders. John’s corporate philosophy, ‘There is no shortcut to quality,’ has earned the loyalty of nearly 20,000 customers who would settle for nothing less than a Fischer & Frichtel home.

Bio: Jim Brennan

James G. Brennan is the owner and President of McKelvey Homes, St. Louis’s oldest and most established homebuilding company. Building a Tradition of Excellence since 1898, McKelvey Homes has grown to the fifth-largest homebuilder in St. Louis with multiple communities throughout St. Louis and St. Charles Counties.

Over the years, McKelvey Homes has built thousands of homes around the area, and has won numerous awards for excellence in design, construction, value and customer service. In addition, McKelvey Homes was voted the #1 Homebuilder in St. Charles County.

With more than 35 years of experience in real estate, construction and homebuilding, Jim is well-known for his community service and his activities on behalf of the homebuilding industry. Outside of the office, Jim enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and spending time with his family. He and his wife of 42 years, Rose, are very proud parents of three grown sons and even prouder grandparents to three beautiful grandchildren.

Jim is an active member of many HBA committees. As a Past President of the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri, he was elected to its prestigious Hall of Fame for Excellence in Achievement. He has chaired numerous HBA committees over the years. He has been involved in the Home Builders Charitable Foundation since inception and served as past president. In addition, he has twice been honored with its Champion Builder Award for his exceptional service. Jim is a frequent industry speaker and is often quoted in local media on the status of homebuilding in our area.

Jim has worked in a host of political, civic, and charitable organizations over the years including being a past President for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Board Member for over 30 years. He served as board member for Habitat For Humanity, and was Chairman of the Development Council. He was also a Board Member for St. Louis Community College Foundation, and a Participant in Leadership St. Louis. Jim currently serves on the Board of Governors for Bellerive Country Club.

Jim has helped raised millions of dollars for worthy causes. In 2019 he chaired the inaugural Dance for Dravet to raised funds for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation to help find a cure for this rare form of epilepsy.

In 2017 he won Dancing with the St. Louis Stars for the benefit of the Independence Center. He continues to be involved in the raising of funds for mental illness.

Jim is a former member of the Boards of Trustees for the Carpenters’ Health & Welfare Trust Fund of St. Louis, the Carpenters’ Vacation Trust Fund of St. Louis as well as the Carpenters’ Pension Trust Fund of St. Louis.

A 1974 graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a CPA Jim was honored with its Salute to Business Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and Professional Achievement in Business Award, and is also a recipient of the 2020 UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award.

Bio: Ken Stricker

Ken Stricker joined The Jones Company in April 1994 as operations manager, later earning promotions to vice president, chief financial officer and president. He became president and CEO at Consort Homes in March 2006 before returning to The Jones Company as CEO in January 2013. Prior to joining The Jones Company in 1994, Stricker was an accountant and audit manager at Kiefer, Bonfanti and CO, LLP, CPA, where he was assigned to The Jones Company account and worked closely with them for several years. As an active community member, Stricker serves as commissioner of the St. Louis County Building Commission and Board of Appeals, trustee of the Carpenters District Council Pension and Health and Welfare Plan, chairman of the Homebuilders Association Legislative Policy Committee and director on the board of St. Louis Bank. He is also a committee member for the HBA Federal Government Affairs Committee, the Home Building Industry Political Action Committee and the Southeast Missouri State University Corporate Planning Committee.

Bio: John Houston

As owner of Houston Homes, LLC, John has been in the home building industry for over 40 years. Today, they are proud to be your locally-owned builder of quality new home communities and one-of-a-kind custom homes.

Starting with a passion to build beautiful structures with his own hands, he has come to love creating luxury homes for families, individuals, young couples, and empty nesters who are seeking the American Dream.

Their community of homeowners, contractors, and industry professionals, is as solid as the foundation upon which the company builds its quality homes.

His son John and he, stake their names and reputations on the homes they build. They promise to deliver the quality that makes their house, your home.