another builder—a rare honor in the industry. “It’s always humbling when a builder asks you to build their personal home,” Routh says. “It’s a big vote of confidence in what we do.” This relationship-driven approach extends beyond clients to include trade partners, subcontractors, and even the broader community. “We’ve never done a project that wasn’t somehow tied to a relationship,” Routh says. “It’s just how we operate.” ADVOCATING FOR THE TRADES Routh’s passion for building extends beyond his company, driving his involvement in shaping Tennessee’s construction workforce’s future. “I sit on the Institutional Advisory Committee for TCATs— the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology— and help shape construction-specific curriculum,” Routh explains. “I’m also on the board of Go Build Tennessee, which acts as the marketing arm for our trade school programs. A lot of state funding goes into that to help bring awareness to the trades.” His passion for the cause is personal.“I grew up here in Nashville and went to public school. I did a brief stint in college, but it just wasn’t for me, so I joined the military,” he says.“Back then, I didn’t know about the opportunities that existed through trade schools. Now I want to make sure other kids do.” Under the leadership of Governor Bill Lee—a tradesman himself—the state has made remarkable progress in elevating the profile of technical education. Routh and his peers work directly with high schools to introduce hands-on learning opportunities and dual-credit programs. “We’ve had high school students visit our job sites,” he says. “They’re able to get both college and trade school credits for co-op programs. It’s been amazing to see.” His leadership roles are extensive. Routh currently serves as the incoming President of the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, a state director, and a national director with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He also sits on the boards of the Housing Industry Political Action Committee and BuildPAC. “We see the writing on the wall with labor shortages,” he says. “That’s why I stay so involved—so we can keep attracting young 50 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx