Building Trade Seeing New Leaders for the New Year

Home builders Lennar and KB Home have new CEOs in 2026, as does key retailer Floor & Decor.

The changing of the guard at the corner office of large companies in the home building and woodworking trade is an ongoing event but as the new year starts, two of the biggest builders in the country are getting new leaders—as is one of the important retailers in the flooring sector.

At Lennar, co-CEO and president Jon Jaffe retired effective on the last day of 2025 after a 42-year career with the company, the second largest home builder in the country with $34 billion in annual revenues. He is also stepping down from the company’s board.

His co-CEO, Stuart Miller, is assuming full leadership of the company, which said it has no plans to replace Jaffe. Miller will also be executive chairman of Lennar.

Miller praised Jaffe’s career with Lennar. “Jon has been a driving force behind Lennar’s success. His dedication, work ethic and operational focus have provided mentorship and shaped our company into what it is today.”

At KB Home, with revenues of $6.2 billion last year, long-time company veteran Robert McGibney is taking over as the new president and CEO, effective March 1. He will succeed Jeffrey Mezger, who is moving on to executive chairman of the board after serving as CEO for two decades and as chairman since 2016.

McGibney, who has been with KB since 2000 and most recently served as president, said of the transition, “I am honored to be appointed president and CEO of KB Home, where I’ve spent nearly 26 years, the majority of my professional career. I am excited about the future of our business and to work with Jeff and the KB Home team, as well as the board, to create long-term value.”

At Floor & Decor, current president Bradley Paulsen has been named CEO and a board member. He succeeds Thomas Taylor, who has been CEO since 2012 and will stay on as executive chair of the board. Norman Axelrod, the current chair of the board, will become the lead independent director.

Paulsen joined the retailer last year after serving as CEO of pest control company Rentokil Terminix for one and a half years prior to that. He also spent a number of years with Home Depot and its now-subsidiary HD Supply.

“I’m excited and honored to step into this role and lead our next phase of growth – scaling toward 500 warehouse stores and accelerating our commercial flooring expansion,” Paulsen said.

“Our associates are the heart of this company, and together, we’ll continue delivering exceptional value and service to homeowners and pros across the country.”

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