On this CEO Exclusive we talk with Jim Chapman with Jim Chapman Communities and Betsy Sheppard with Gilbert & Sheppard Group about trends in residential real estate for the over 55 demographic.
Jim Chapman, President of Jim Chapman Communities, and voted “55 Plus Builder of the Year” in 2018 by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is an Atlanta-based home building veteran. Chapman launched his first custom home building firm, Jim Chapman Fine Homes, in 1998. An Atlanta native and graduate of The Westminster Schools, Chapman earned an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. In 2005, Chapman shifted his focus from building single-family custom homes to developing and building 55 Plus active adult resort-style communities, and re-branded his firm as Jim Chapman Communities. Now recognized as Atlanta’s premier 55 Plus homebuilder, Chapman currently has communities completed or under development throughout the Metro Atlanta area, including Buckhead, Vinings, Cobb County, Forsyth County, North Fulton County, Hall County, Dawson County and Cherokee County. His design style and architectural flair are both heavily influenced by his design partner, mentor and father Jim Chapman, Sr., a well-known Atlanta architect.
A Certified Professional Home Builder, Chapman is deeply committed to the success of the home building industry and is heavily involved with local, regional and national industry organizations. He is currently serving as the 2018 President of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), Secretary/Treasurer of the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG) and Vice Chair of the NAHB’s Land Development Committee. The former Chair of NAHB’s 55 Plus Housing Industry Council, Chapman is the Founding Chairman of the ALL Home Program, a voluntary statewide certification created by HBAG to promote accessibility and universal design. He was recently named “2018 Builder of the Year” by HomeAid Atlanta, the nonprofit arm of the GAHBA. HomeAid builds new lives for homeless families and individuals through housing and community outreach.
Connect with Jim on LinkedIn, and follow Jim Chapman Communities on Facebook.
Betsy Sheppard, CEO of Gilbert & Sheppard, is currently serving on on the 2018 NAHB 55+ Industry Housing Council Board of Trustees and serves as the national membership committee chair. She is serving as the Second Vice Chair of the NAHB Professional Women Building Board of Trustees and as a Regional Trustee. In her home county of Gilmer, Georgia, Betsy is currently involved with the Gilmer Chamber and is a past board member. She is a member of the Gilmer Rotary Club, Kids First, Gilmer Optimist Club and Leadership Gilmer Alumni Association.She also serves on the Gilmer County Keep Gilmer Beautiful Advisory Committee.
Betsy’s parents influenced her by being good examples for volunteering. She always tries to give her all and be the very best she can be.
Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn, and follow Gilbert & Sheppard on Facebook.