Jim Brickman leads Green Brick Partners, a diversified homebuilding and land development company that operates in Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida and develops large masterplanned communities. Brickman is responsible for major investment decisions, capital allocations, strategic planning, and relationships with its partner builders.
EDUCATION: Southern Methodist University (MBA, BBA)
TOUGHEST CHALLENGES: “Controlling costs, a tight labor market, and dealing with some cities and local governments that want to restrict growth.”
FIRST JOB: “I sold lemonade on a golf course when I was 10 and learned about pricing power. I could sell a lot more on a hot day at a much higher price.”
MENTOR: “I had a wonderful teacher, coach, and role model in high school named William Walker.”
LESSONS LEARNED: “To have the discipline to not get carried away when times are good, so I have cash to buy when prices are low.”
FUN FACT: “I play the piano. (Not well.)
ADVICE FOR AN 18-YEAR-OLD ME: “Nothing substitutes for effort.”
SCARY MOMENT: “The time my brakes went out while driving down Vail Pass.”
FUNNY EXPERIENCE: “During college, I traveled throughout Europe by train. I had a wonderful time in Cannes and planned to take the train to Rome the next day. But I fell asleep and woke up in Naples—at the end of the line.”
CAR I DRIVE: “Mercedes”
HOW I MOTIVATE: “Hopefully by example, more than words.”
PROUD MOMENT: “Being a father to our four children.”
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Father of the Bride”
LOOKING AHEAD: “I’m excited about the future. We have the capital and organization in place to substantially grow our business.”
An abbreviated version of this Q&A appeared in the 2019 Dallas 500, a special publication produced by D CEO that profiles the region’s most influential executives.
