Disrupting the new home industry

David Rice

Founder

David Rice is a homebuilding industry expert, sales and marketing authority, and the architect of New Home Star. Recognizing an opportunity to provide a specialized sales outsourcing service to the homebuilding industry, Rice left a national role with Pulte Homes and launched New Home Star in 2008. Prior to New Home Star, he spent nearly a decade with Pulte Homes as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for their DiVosta, Del Webb, and Pulte brands. As Corporate Vice President of DiVosta Homes, Rice led Pulte's top-performing division to nearly $1 billion in single-year sales revenue. The beginning of Rice’s career was spent "on the floor" in new home sales offices throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. There, he set the state record for the most new homes sold in Michigan in a single year. He went on to become the youngest vice president in a Fortune 150 homebuilding company with more than 14,000 employees. Today, Rice spearheads New Home Star, a leading sales management firm that partners with some of the largest homebuilders in the U.S. and Canada. He is married to his junior high school sweetheart and has three children, is a graduate of the University of Michigan, attended Harvard Business School, and is Founder and Chairman of the charitable organization, Debbie’s Closet™.

Keith Mckinney

People Development

Keith McKinney is one of the most dynamic leaders in the new home sales industry. As the Vice President of Organizational Development, he is directly responsible for personnel development on all tiers of New Home Star, application of our national sales training programs, and maximizing the sales performance of all associates across each division. Keith's vast understanding of the new home sales process combined with his unique and commanding leadership style has propelled him to play a vital role in several other organizations, and our own.

Keith is an award-winning sales and management professional who has been operating in the new home industry for more than two decades and has been with our organization through its very inception. Throughout his career, he has been recognized as National Sales Leader of the Year, State Sales Manager of the Year, and Regional Sales Professional of the Year. Through these accolades, Keith has shown an expertise in expert-level sales training, organizational management, community marketing analysis, and people development. Keith’s strong belief that New Home Star offers individuals a unique place where they can find the resources needed to have an excellent career beyond their own vision of themselves is what motivates him in his position to be a leader in driving the award-winning culture at New Home Star.

He finds joy in watching people achieve their maximum potential while being an integral part of their career path along the way. To further develop his skills, Keith received an MBA from American Public University and is currently in the process of obtaining his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. In addition to his studies, he also serves as a member of the University of South Florida’s Digital Marketing Advisory Board and the National Sales Network. Outside of his many responsibilities, Keith enjoys spending time with family, working on musical composition, and carries a love for theater arts.

Achievements

• 2018 Sales Leader of the Year
• Dallas/Fort Worth Sales Manager of the Year

Mary Lindeman

Corporate Operations

Mary Lindeman currently serves as the Vice President of Builder Operations for New Home Star. With over seven years of experience at New Home Star and over thirteen years in the home building industry, Mary was able to develop and foster her profession in one of the most volatile times in the industry.

Mary's tenacity to succeed while doing meaningful work helped her persevere through the entire Career Path at New Home Star. She has worked in our Chicago, Oregon, and northern Colorado divisions as Director of Sales and also oversaw sales operations in Texas and Florida as a Senior Sales Director. She now spearheads installing operations with new and expanding builder partners, implements national builder initiatives, and leads the national Online Sales division. Mary also provides support to the company through strategic marketing, management consulting, and business development, and she was named the 2018 & 2020 Leader of the Year.

Starting as a Sales Manager in Chicago and quickly moving into several Director roles, her unrelenting work ethic and involvement in the organization have brought unprecedented value. Born and raised in Michigan, Mary received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Central Michigan University. She currently lives in Chicago, IL but has provided her vast knowledge, commitment, expertise, and work ethic to this organization wherever she has been needed.

Achievements

• 2018 Corporate Leader of the Year
• 2020 Corporate Leader of the Year

Nate Amidon

Sales Strategy

Serving as Regional Vice President, Nate Amidon oversees all sales and operations for our builder partners in the southeast. As one of the longest-tenured team members at New Home Star, Nate has been an integral part of building New Home Star from the ground up. With more than a decade of experience in new home sales and sales management, he brings a unique perspective shaped from working with three of the largest private builders in the country, as well as mid-sized builders all located in various markets.

During his time with Pulte Homes, Nate was recognized as Top Sales Associate and awarded for achievements such as Best Performing Area in Chicago and Manager of the Community of the Year in 2010. In 2016, Nate received New Home Star’s Sales Leader of the Quarter award for his outstanding performance, and in 2017, he won the prestigious title of Sales Leader of the Year.

Nate strives to be the support individuals need in their life, whether that means being a coach, friend, critic, or voice of reason, and looks for any way that he can help others grow, just as people have done for him. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Illinois and currently belongs to the National Association of Home Builders. Nate resides in central Florida with his wife and two young children, enjoying all that the Florida lifestyle has to offer — noting that trips to visit Mickey Mouse are plentiful these days.

Achievements

• Best Performing Area in Chicago
• 2010 Manager of the Community of the Year
• 2016 Sales Leader of the Quarter
• 2017 Sales Leader of the Year

Jeff Menzel

Sales Leadership

Regional Vice President Jeff Menzel lends over 25 years of new home sales experience to New Home Star’s executive team of seasoned industry experts. As one of New Home Star’s top instructors, Jeff specializes in new home sales operations, advanced marketing strategies, and business development. Jeff graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Management and has held a number of executive positions within the home building industry.

Jeff is a true family man, noting that some of his biggest passions reside in his family life and four children. He is known for his leadership abilities and unique personality, and wants to be a mentor to others just like so many have been to him. He puts his full effort into being a part of the homeownership process and strives to provide the best possible customer experience for each and every individual who embarks on their homebuying journey.