Houston Home Builder Names New Leader, Market briefs

In Houston, Partners in Building, a Houston-based custom home builder founded in 1986, reported Chris Lemming as its new President as part of a planned succession.

Jim Lemming will retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer following a more than 40-year career in home building. His son Chris Lemming has been named President to lead the company into its next phase of growth. The change is effective June 2026.

Partners in Building was founded in Houston by John Bily in 1986 and purchased by Jim Lemming in 2010. Jim Lemming has guided the company’s expansion in Texas and Tennessee, strengthened its Build On Your Lot program, and deepened relationships with leading large-scale planned community developers.

Jim Lemming’s career spans more than four decades, including serving as President of the Houston division of Ryland Homes from 1996 to 2003.

Partners in Building, which closed on about 300 homes in 2025, first expanded outside of Texas in 2016 to the Nashville market. The firm entered Dallas with the purchase of Paul Taylor Homes in 2022 and now builds in more than 30 communities.

“Serving homeowners and helping families achieve their dream of building a custom home has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life,” said Jim Lemming. “When I purchased Partners in Building in 2010, I saw an opportunity to build upon an already strong company and continue its tradition of delivering exceptional homes and customer experiences.”

Chris Lemming, who began his career as an attorney, joined Partners in Building in 2015. He has held leadership roles across land development, construction, project management, and operations. He most recently served as Division President of the company’s Dallas-Fort Worth operations.

Jim Lemming will continue to serve as Chairman, providing strategic counsel and supporting a smooth leadership transition.