FRONT PORCH

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier homebuilder based in Lakewood Ranch, has promoted 14 employees over the last several months. With 295 employees, Neal Communities is a prominent employer in the local area. The promotions show a commitment to developing talent from within the company.

“We try hard to create a family atmosphere,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Many employees stay with us for a long time, and we work with them to ensure they are growing in their careers.”

The promotions include two vice presidents: Ivory Matthews promoted from director of community and governmental affairs to vice president of community and governmental affairs, and Carlos Puente promoted from vice president of sales to vice president of sales and marketing.

In addition, the following employees were promoted: Pam Curran from bank financing manager to director of finance, Rob Kozlowski from senior financial analyst to business insights and analytics manager, Janet Ladwig from director of design to director of community design and product development, Mathew Lavish from project manager to director of construction, Heidi Lustig from staff accountant III to senior accountant, Jodi McConnell from assistant controller to controller, Marjory McGloin from job coordinator to purchasing supervisor, Kristin Mullins from senior accountant to accounting manager, Ben Renner from area construction manager to director of construction, Kameren Saffold from assistant construction manager to construction manager, Michael Thomas from purchasing agent to estimator and Rob Woods from project manager to area construction manager.

The employees’ tenure with the company ranges from just over two years to nearly 14 years.