Leadership, Legacy, and Looking Forward: A Conversation with Chris Weekley and Jay Brown

Aug 05, 2025

Tune in to episode 29 of the Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Homebuilding podcast.

What does it take to lead one of the largest private homebuilders in America into its next era—while staying true to a legacy nearly 50 years in the making? In this episode of Zonda’s Inspirational Leadership Series, host Mollie Carmichael sits down with Chris Weekley, President of David Weekley Homes, and Jay Brown, the company’s CEO, for a compelling conversation about growth, culture, and purpose.

From early lessons learned mowing lawns and washing dishes to navigating today’s complex housing landscape, both leaders reflect on what shaped them—and what drives them now. With a people-first mission and a unique ownership structure that sets the company apart, Weekley and Brown are focused on scaling with intention while keeping culture at the center.

Tune in now

Read the full article on BUILDER to dive deeper into their vision for the future, and listen to the full podcast episode to hear the conversation firsthand available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, PlayerFM, and Listen Notes.

We’re just getting started. At 49 years old, we hope to remain private and continue doing great things for our team, customers, and community for generations.

Chris Weekley

President and Vice Chairman, David Weekley Homes

About the series

Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael. Each episode features a personal conversation with a thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. 

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Get in touch with Mollie

Mollie Carmichael is a Principal of Zonda’s Advisory services. Mollie’s expertise in marketing, products, and home design coupled with Zonda’s data, helps clients understand home shopper needs so that builders and developers can maximize revenue. Discover how we can help you think ahead and provide creative and functional solutions to your customers.

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Mollie Carmichael

Mollie Carmichael

Principal