Trumark Names Industry Vet Steve Kalmbach as First COO to Drive Western US Expansion

Trumark Companies has made a significant strategic move by appointing industry veteran Steve Kalmbach as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer, marking a pivotal moment in the company's growth trajectory. The newly created executive position, which Kalmbach assumed on October 27th, represents Trumark's commitment to strengthening its leadership structure as it pursues ambitious expansion plans across the Western United States. Kalmbach brings an impressive 30-year track record in real estate development, having previously served as Northern California Division President for PulteGroup where he oversaw the construction and sale of nearly 12,000 homes and generated over $10 billion in revenue, establishing Pulte as the Bay Area's dominant attached housing builder. His most recent role was as President of Thomas James Homes in Southern California, further cementing his expertise in the regional housing market.

The appointment signals Trumark's intensified focus on mergers and acquisitions as well as operational excellence across its four regional divisions spanning Northern, Central, and Southern California, plus Colorado. Company co-founders and co-CEOs Gregg Nelson and Michael Maples emphasized that bringing Kalmbach onboard is "essential to drive growth and sustain operational excellence" during this critical phase of the company's development. Kalmbach's educational credentials include an MBA in Finance from UCLA's Anderson School and a political science degree from the same institution, complemented by his 2021 induction into the California Homebuilding Foundation Hall of Fame and extensive board service with industry organizations including the California Building Industry Association and HomeAid of Northern California.

Kalmbach expressed enthusiasm about joining what he described as a "dream opportunity" to work alongside Trumark's "talented team," noting the company's strong reputation for integrity and values-driven culture under Nelson and Maples' leadership. The timing of this executive appointment aligns with Trumark's broader vision to become the dominant regional homebuilder in the Western U.S., building on the company's 37-year history and recent recognition including 2019 Developer of the Year and 2018 Builder of the Year awards. With Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.'s majority acquisition in 2020 providing additional resources for accelerated growth, Kalmbach's operational expertise positions Trumark for strategic expansion through both organic growth and targeted acquisitions in competitive housing markets.