Newport Custom Homes | 2019 Distinguished Women in Construction

February 21, 2019
Home Builders
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JODI STEEN

Builder / Owner

Jodi Steen, Builder/Owner of Newport Custom Homes in Corpus Christi, Texas, is a rare breed. Not just because she is a woman builder, but because of how she got started in construction. Most people choose their profession. In Jodi’s case, however, the building profession chose her. “Construction got in my blood,’’ she said. “And I loved it.”

As an only child, Jodi grew up surrounded by the construction industry. Her father, Jim Ward, owner of Jim Ward Homes, was a well-known and respected builder in Corpus Christi in the late 70’s and early 80’s. He was a volume builder by today’s standards and welcomed Jodi’s help with the business. “I began helping my dad at an early age, but by age 19 I was very involved in the business, not only in the office but also on the job sites,” said Jodi. “I was blessed to have a dad that was very generous and shared all his knowledge and experience.”

Jodi learned early on that building homes is more than just the construction part. “There’s a lot more to it,” she said. “There are many parts to keep up with: the banking process, estimating, keeping up with job costs, making sure bills are accurate, paying vendors, managing the contractors—and of course, the design and actual construction of the home.”

Jodi definitely exhibits many of the distinguishing traits and strengths of a woman builder. For example, she isn’t quick to just accept a floorplan from her architects. She reviews every design, looking not just for big flaws, but also the little things that perhaps only a woman would consider. “Things like how the door swings open and if it covers a window view. I look for small things that will make living in the home better for the homebuyers.”

Jodi founded her company, Newport Custom Homes, in 1991. In those early years, she built a few custom homes, but it wasn’t until she began building specs along with custom homes that she found her niche. Not surprisingly, it was the advantage of being able to communicate well with men about construction and being able to relate woman-to-woman with their spouses that made her a popular choice. Yet more importantly, Jodi’s talents for great designs and fine quality construction played the major role in her company’s success.

In 2008, Jodi hired a retired 68 year-old seasoned construction worker—her dad. He came out of retirement to help her with the business—something she was thankful to be able to do. We should all be as blessed as she was to be able to give back to someone who helped us get to where we are today. Her dad, Jim Ward, passed away last year, and Jodi continues his legacy—building homes to be proud of, knowing she has done her best for her customers.

Today, Jodi has developed a new niche. She recently began to build beautiful beach homes at Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas, Texas, for second-home buyers. And it is a perfect fit for her, not only because of the luxurious resort construction she enjoys, but because these projects allow her to serve her customers’ needs in a unique way. “Most of my customers at Cinnamon Shore are from out of town, and they can only visit the job site three or four times during construction, so I have to be their eyes and ears on the job. I have to make many decisions for them—and they trust me. I can do that for them because I make it a point to know my customers well. That’s the only way I can know how they think and what their needs are.”

While the trust and confidence that Jodi develops with her customers is extraordinary, she humbly says, “It’s what every good builder should do.”

Reflecting back on her accomplishments with Newport Custom Homes, Jodi is most proud of her service to her peers, on the local level, with the Coastal Bend Home Builders Association. She served first on the Executive Board for several years, and then as President of the Association and as Government Affairs Chair and Membership Chair. Jodi spearheaded the development of the Association’s Coastal Bend Green Built Program, a “green-built” certification program for new homes that is still in existence today and has even spread to other markets. And on the State level, Jodi currently serves as a Director for the Texas Association of Builders in representing her local region.

As for her job satisfaction as a builder, Jodi realized that building a house is a creative process that ends as a finished creative product. A beautiful home—much like a beautiful painting—will last longer than the artist, and forever remain as a testament to the time, skills, and heart and soul that went into it. It is a great source of satisfaction for Jodi to look at a home that her company, Newport Custom Homes, built years ago and proudly say, “I built that for a good friend—my customer.”

Contact information
(361) 946-5655
www.NewportCustomHomes.net

Newport Custom Homes Gallery

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ABOUT THE BUILDER

JODI STEEN

Builder / Owner

My real job description is… “hands-on” with everything that a construction company does. As a one-person building company, it is my responsibility to handle every facet of the business and help the customer from the initial sale, throughout the construction, to the move-in day. I am blessed to have the experience to do that.

The thing I am most proud of is… my service and contributions to the local Builders Association, serving in such positions as President, Government Affairs Chair, Membership Chair, and my service with the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) as a Director, representing our local area. I get great satisfaction from knowing that my efforts led to the creation of the Coastal Bend Green Built Program which, to this day, continues to provide certifications for sustainable homes and has even spread to other markets.

I love what I do… because it is who I am. Growing up with my dad in construction, I could say that I did not choose construction—construction chose me. It’s in my blood, and I could not see myself doing anything else that would give me as much satisfaction.

The nicest testimonial about our company… was not in words—it was in action. One of our recent homebuyers surprised me and my entire team of contractors who worked on their home to a party hosted at their new home to show their appreciation for our work. How cool was that?

I’m Thankful For…having had a father in construction who took me under his wing and shared all his knowledge and experience. As my mentor, his kind generosity and caring nature–not just with me but with everyone, gave me everything I needed to grow and thrive in this world. I’m thankful for his love.

People Choose Me Because… I offer quality construction. Also, they know they can trust me to be their eyes and ears on the jobsite. Many of my customers are from out of town and are rarely at the jobsite so they rely on me to make decisions for them. It’s an awesome responsibility but it’s one of my strengths.

JODI STEEN

Builder / Owner

People Choose Me Because…I offer quality construction. Also, they know they can trust me to be their eyes and ears on the jobsite. Many of my customers are from out of town and are rarely at the jobsite so they rely on me to make decisions for them. It’s an awesome responsibility but it’s one of my strengths.

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