As technology continues to reshape the home building landscape, New Home Star remains at the forefront of helping builders navigate the intersection of innovation, people, and process. At The Builder’s Daily’s Focus on Excellence conference, New Home Star Founder Dave Rice led a dynamic discussion on how builders can leverage AI and technology to drive efficiency, elevate customer experience, and future-proof their organizations.
The session brought together leading voices from across the industry—Stephanie McCarty of Taylor Morrison, Linda Mamet and Urmila Menon of Tri Pointe Homes, Brandon Sharp of Brookfield Residential, and Mark Minor of Higharc—to explore practical strategies for digital transformation.
Their collective message was clear: technology is no longer a luxury or differentiator; it’s the foundation of operational excellence, customer trust, and scalable growth.
The conversation opened with a universal truth: technology can’t fix what isn’t operationally sound.
“Technology doesn’t erase poor operations or a lack of discipline; it amplifies what’s already working, or exposes what’s not.”
Many builders struggle to unlock the full potential of digital tools because their data is fragmented or inconsistently defined. Brandon Sharp underscored the importance of accurate cycle time measurement, while Mark Minor reminded the audience that automation starts with clean data and structured plans.
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Every successful technology initiative starts with people who understand its purpose.
“Our number one value is excellent careers for our people, and that starts with helping them see technology as a path to advancement, not replacement.”
Stephanie McCarty shared how sales teams that embraced digital tools at Taylor Morrison consistently outperformed their peers. Urmila Menon added that building a growth mindset through upskilling is crucial for sustaining innovation.
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Automation doesn’t eliminate jobs; it unlocks capacity.
“Automation gives people time back to do the work that matters most: relationships and problem-solving.”
Linda Mamet detailed how Tri Pointe Homes implemented bots to handle closing documentation and data entry, freeing up teams for higher-value work.
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Complex product catalogs slow innovation.
“You can’t create automation from chaos.”
“Rationalizing plans and SKUs may not sound glamorous, but it’s the single biggest enabler for future automation.”
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Today’s buyers expect the same transparency and self-service experience they find in every other industry.
“If we keep saying, ‘we don’t do it that way in home building,’ we’re going to lose trust.”
Stephanie McCarty highlighted the need for buyers to engage on their own terms, while Urmila Menon stressed that omnichannel experiences must feel seamless from online research to model home tours.
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The panel emphasized experimentation as the fastest path to sustainable ROI.
“You don’t have to swing for the fences. Prove one or two things work, and the momentum will follow.”
Mamet shared how 90-day pilots at Tri Pointe Homes allow teams to measure results before scaling.
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Private builders’ strength lies in their agility.
“If you’re smaller, your advantage is agility. You can make bold tech moves faster than the publics."
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“Innovation doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when you carve out capacity to experiment.”
Minor and Mamet agreed that empowering small, digitally fluent teams to test ideas can yield outsized results.
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Tech modernization should enable resilience, not just novelty.
“Use new technology as a reward for good process. Don’t try to fix bad habits with fancy tools.”
Menon advised that modernization must include cloud-first infrastructure and disciplined governance, but timing and sequencing matter.
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Conversion isn’t one metric; it’s a philosophy.
“Every handoff, every delay, every missing data point is a chance to lose momentum,” said Rice.
“Conversion isn’t a single KPI, it’s a mindset.”
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“Across every story we heard today, one truth stands out,” concluded Rice. “Technology works when people, process, and platforms are aligned. It doesn’t replace leadership, it enables it.”
The Focus on Excellence panel reaffirmed what New Home Star has long championed: The future of home building belongs to companies that blend operational discipline with a human-centered approach to innovation.
David Rice
Founder & CEO, New Home Star
David Rice leads one of the nation’s largest private sales and marketing organizations for home builders, partnering with over 60 builders nationwide. Since founding New Home Star in 2008, he has leveraged technology as a force multiplier for sales performance and customer experience, transforming the company into a fully integrated platform business.
Stephanie McCarty
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Taylor Morrison
Stephanie McCarty oversees marketing, communications, and government affairs for Taylor Morrison. Under her leadership, the company has redefined the homebuying experience through personalization, transparency, and digital innovation, placing technology and empathy at the center of its brand.
Linda Mamet
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Tri Pointe Homes
Linda Mamet leads marketing strategy, customer experience, and brand innovation across Tri Pointe’s national footprint. Known for driving operational and digital transformation, she integrates data insights and consumer-centric design into every facet of the homebuyer journey.
Urmila Menon
Chief Information Officer, Tri Pointe Homes
As CIO, Urmila Menon spearheads Tri Pointe’s enterprise technology, cybersecurity, and AI strategy, aligning IT with business goals to deliver measurable performance gains. Her leadership bridges the gap between technology and operations, ensuring scalable innovation across the company.
Brandon Sharp
Chief Information Officer, Brookfield Residential
Brandon Sharp blends operational and financial expertise with data-driven IT leadership. His pragmatic approach has guided Brookfield through system modernizations grounded in governance, process clarity, and measurable ROI.
Mark Minor
Co-Founder & CEO, Higharc
Mark Minor leads Higharc, a software company revolutionizing residential design and construction through automation and connected data. Backed by major industry investors, Higharc is helping builders modernize product development and unlock efficiency at scale.
Produced by The Builder’s Daily, Focus on Excellence convenes the nation’s most influential housing leaders for candid, data-driven discussions on the future of the industry. Each session goes beyond presentations to surface actionable insights, shared challenges, and opportunities for innovation.
Founded by journalist John McManus, The Builder’s Daily is the homebuilding industry’s leading intelligence platform, connecting decision-makers shaping the built environment through analysis, reporting, and events.