Management Team

Pat Neal - President
Pat is a conscientious developer, master builder and visionary President of Neal Communities. He is the third generation in his family to be a builder/developer in this community. A graduate of the esteemed Wharton School of Finance, he was a respected member of the Florida Legislature for 12 years, serving our community in the House of Representatives and the Senate, where he was appointed Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. During this time, he was honored with every one of Florida’s top environmental awards. Since 1970, Pat Neal has built more than 7,000 homes with integrity and commitment in the finest communities, and the awards he has earned in his builder developer career continue to complement his political accomplishments. He is a respected leader and inspirational philanthropist.

A snapshot of Pat Neal’s accomplishments:

• Florida State Senate 1978-86
• Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
• Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources
• Member, Florida House of Representatives, 1974-78
• Member, Florida Commission on Ethics, 2000-01
• Chair, Florida Commission on Ethics, 2002
• Sierra Club Legislative Award, 1984
• Florida Audubon Society Legislative Award, 1983
• Professional Achievement Award, Professional Builder Magazine
• Best master Planned Community in the United States (University Park), National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder Magazine
• Hearthstone Builder Public Service Honor Roll, Builder Magazine and Hearthstone Advisors, 2002
• Advisory Board, The Trust for Public Land, Florida 2001-2002
• Board of Directors, Florida TaxWatch, Inc. 1989, 2000-present
• TIGER Award from the Florida Education Association/United 1983
• Four-time recipient of the Florida Association of Community Colleges Legislative Service Award
• Allen Morris Award for Most Effective Member of the Senate in Committee 1984
• Future of the Region Award – Best Community, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (University Park)
• Ed H. Price Humanitarian Award 2002
• John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award 2007
• Best Boss, Sarasota Biz941 2007
• Community Leadership Award 2008

Charlene Neal - Vice President Design
Charlene is a nationally acclaimed designer who uses her talented vision to bring a home to life. She is the leader in establishing the look and ambiance of the model homes and had a major role as the lead designer in the new 6,500 square foot Design Gallery created solely for Neal customers. Staying up to date on the latest design trends world-wide, Charlene makes sure every home is on the cutting edge while staying true to the Neal design philosophy of a traditional style with the Florida flair. Charlene has been in the building and design business for over 29 years, crafting more than 60 models for Neal Communities, beginning with the enormously successful Players Club in 1978. From there, she has been the leader in ensuring that each home is delivered with the style and panache that each customer deserves.

John Neal - Land Acquisition Specialist
Shortly after finishing work towards a BA in Economics and Interdisciplinary Studies of English at Hampton-Sydney College in middle Virginia, John began to open doors in corporate America right away by joining an arm of C&F Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CFFI). As the director of Technology and System Design, John led this Fortune 500 company's mortgage division through its largest period of growth and office expansion since the company was founded in 1927. John returned to Bradenton in 2004 to join his father's business as the fourth generation developer and homebuilder to participate in the general real estate field. Since joining the team, John has been named as both a "Top 40 under 40" in the Sarasota area and as "One to Watch Young Entrepreneur" by two different area business journals. Showing great attention to detail and market understanding, and a natural business acumen for real estate and deal making, John works closely on land acquisition and the entitlement process with the hands-on-approach for which his family is known for. Guided by the Neal Communities philosophy of natural design, integrity and commitment to responsible growth, John is set to continue the tradition of superior home and lifestyle development with long-term outlook and concern for the local community.

Mark Sochar - Senior Vice President Construction
Mark manages all new home construction. With a Master’s degree in business from Indiana University, Mark has built more than four thousand homes during his career. His exacting attention to detail has helped him establish an impressive list of satisfied Neal homeowners. Mark and his staff communicate with customers to report on the progress of each home during every phase of construction and to ensure that the process of building a Neal home is an enjoyable experience. Mark, who joined the Neal staff in 1989, has earned a reputation in the industry for his vast knowledge of the industry and his strong relationships with vendors and contractors. 

Jim Schier - Senior Vice President Finance
Jim is responsible for tax management and strategic planning for Neal Communities. He has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Benedictine College, Kansas and CPA certificates from Missouri and Florida. Jim has worked with Neal Communities for over 20 years, and is considered a key member of the executive team.

Leisa Weintraub, MIRM & CSP - Vice President Marketing & Creative Director
With over 25 years of experience in new home marketing, Leisa manages all marketing and public relations for Neal Communities. She has also been responsible for creating, designing, and managing the overall design theme for Neal’s communities. Leisa was named Marketing Director of the Year by the Southeast Builder’s Conference Excel Awards. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Florida State University and the professional designations of Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP). In addition, Leisa has served as a Sales and Marketing Council member of the Manatee County Home Builders Association, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Aurora Awards, Co-Chairperson of the Excel Awards and on the Design Committee of the National Association of Home Builders. Under her direction, the company has won numerous awards and recognition by all of the major building associations.

David C. Hunihan, CSP - Director
David Hunihan has been with the Neal team since 2009; this follows a 17-year career in real estate and new home sales. He brings a solid track record of success in sales as well as sales management and training. Prior to joining Neal Communities, Hunihan was president of Fidelity Homes, a Venice-based homebuilding company that he co-founded. There, he oversaw all aspects of operations including sales. The company built more than150 homes with sales of more than $40 Million. Before founding Fidelity, he served as director of sales, senior vice president and president of another local homebuilder, where he helped increase sales from $12 Million to more than $45 Million. He’s an advocate for implementing sales and organizational strategies and maintaining strong relationships with Realtors, vendors, banks and other trade partners. The Boston College alumnus has won numerous sales and marketing awards and is active in the National Association of Home Builders.

Chris Reese - Vice President Land Development
Chris manages all aspects of land development construction and CDD/HOA property management. Chris’s leadership and project management experience stems from over 9 years of service in Airborne, Engineer, and Special Forces units within the Unites States Army. Coupled with degrees in business and mechanical engineering, Chris has developed more than 2,500 lots in Southwest Florida. Chris’s precise attention to detail and disciplined proficiency has enabled him to entitle, construct, and manage over 13 Florida communities. He has also earned recognition as a knowledgeable and skilled leader in environmental management and wildlife preservation. His quick wit and friendly personality have also made him a favorite volunteer in local schools.

David Rapp - Vice President Land Acquisition
David focuses on finding property - vacant, distressed, or never developed, in Manatee and Sarasota that the company can purchase for future development. David is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a BS degree in political science. Prior to moving to Florida, he worked in real estate in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he was a land specialist and oversaw site selection, lease negotiations, municipal approvals and land acquisition. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and has also served as Vice Chairman of the City of Lowell Planning Commission.  

 John Collier - Vice President Neal Signature Pool
John designs all new pools for Neal homebuyers, using some of the most advanced CAD software that enables him to customize each pool. John has extensive experience in custom residential pool design and construction and maintains a strong commitment to superb customer service and excellent construction. He also has an operations background in residential building, where he was involved in completing more than 800 homes in award-winning communities  throughout Southwest Florida. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of South Florida. He also holds a Florida State Certified Pool Contractor license and a Florida State Certified General Contractor license and is a Florida Green Building Coalition Certifying Agent.

John Bowen - Controller
With more than 35 years of experience in the operational accounting field, John brings a depth of knowledge, integrity and expertise to his position. He joined Neal Communities in 2000 to manage all accounting, reporting, auditing, financial planning and IT functions in the residential construction operations. Prior to joining the company, he held positions as treasurer and controller of various manufacturing as well as residential construction companies.  He earned his BBA from Kent State University and earned his CPA license in Ohio. He is active with various non-profit organizations where he has served as director and treasurer.

Cathy Engels - Purchasing Director
With her extensive experience in construction management, Cathy directs all of the daily functions of Neal’s purchasing department including materials procurement, subcontractor negotiations, cost estimating and pricing. Her earlier experience includes working on a General Electric nuclear construction project for nearly a decade, and later for a commercial contractor building libraries and supermarkets in New York. Cathy has been a Neal team member for over 10 years.

Kathy Forinash - Design Director
With nearly 30 years of experience in the new home construction industry, Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge in interior design to Neal. She has been a team member for more than eight years, helping buyers to design outstanding interior spaces. Among her varied responsibilities, she participates in plans review for new communities, evaluates new market trends and designs, develops exterior color schemes and coordinates model home merchandising.

 Karen Byrnes - Human Resources Director
Since joining the organization in 1986, Karen has worked in several departments in varying capacities.  As the Company experienced continual growth, she identified the need and helped create the human resources department model to ensure equitable practices and policies that are consistent with Neal Communities culture, core values and philosophies.  In her current position as Human Resources Director, she is responsible for the management of recruitment, hiring and orientation of all new employees. She has an H.R. Generalist certification from SHRM.

Eddie Gaudette - Warranty Manager
Eddie manages the Customer Service team and Neal Communities facilities, including the model homes in each community. Eddie has over 15 years of experience in customer service and residential construction, combining the two during the past 8 years as Warranty Manager

Randy Craig - Construction Manager
Randy has 35 years of experience in the construction industry; 21 of those years as a Neal team member. He is also a state licensed general contractor, certified by the National Home Builders Association as a residential construction superintendent and is a registered certifying agent for the Florida Green Building Coalition Inc.

Randy Olson - Land Development Manager
Randy’s experience before partnering with the Neal Communities land development team enabled him to work hands on in the actual construction of underground and land development. He began working with the Neal developer team in April of 2005 and has taken the years of experience in the construction industry and entwined it with the Neal Communities vision, which has produced a passion to bring forth responsible land development and natural habitat preservation. He is certified with the Dept of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District and the United States Department of Agriculture to mention a few. His focus in the development process is always foremost to protect the wetlands, uplands, nature preserves and wildlife areas that provide sustainable growth for the future.

Jodi McConnell - Accounting Manager
Jodi manages the accounting and reporting, not only in the residential operations, but oversees the Community Development District Operations.  Jodi has over 15 years of accounting experience throughout various industries.  She earned her BA in Accounting from the University of South Florida and is an actively licensed CPA.

Tammy Kramer - Architectural Plans Manager
With 17 years in the Architectural Cad industry, and 13 of those years specializing in residential homes, Tammy has been a dedicated Neal team member for more than 8 years.  She manages the Drafting department, producing plans used by all phases of the construction process.  She works closely with the builders, designers, and purchasing departments to ensure the homes are built from top quality plans.

Sandy Foster - Purchasing Manager
Sandy has been in the homebuilding industry for over 30 years.  Starting as a Sales Assistant she began working with buyers assisting with color selections.  From there she began visiting the field to verify the correct selections were going into the home and became intrigued with the construction side of the business.  She moved from sales into the new home construction industry where she has been involved in all aspects from land acquisition, development and construction.  The last twelve years she has worked in the purchasing field, securing quality trade partners and suppliers with competitive pricing.