PulteGroup forms local division, names president

TAMPA — Homebuilder PulteGroup Inc. has added a west Florida division to its operations, naming longtime sales and operations vice president Sean Strickler as its new president.

“The decision to establish a west Florida division is the result of the company's outstanding performance in Florida, and the opportunities we see to further expand Pulte's presence in the area,” says Peter Keane, PulteGroup's southeast area president, in a release. “Sean has extensive business experience, and has proven himself to be an outstanding leader.”

Strickler will be based in Tampa, and will be responsible for communities in both the Tampa and Ocala markets. The new division also will take on some of the finance, purchasing and administrative teams from the company's north Florida division.

PulteGroup, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PHM, operates communities in a variety of locations under its Pulte Homes, Del Webb and Centex brands. The parent company is based in Atlanta, and has operations in nearly 50 markets across the country.

Pulte recently purchased 73 acres of land in Estero for $10.2 million, where it intends to build houses in an age-restricted community there. Earlier this year, Pulte bought 643 acres in Lakewood Ranch for $24 million, with a planned first phase of 392 homes.