Ryan Marshall Leads PulteGroup's Decade-Long Mission to Support America's Veterans Through Built to Honor Initiative

When Ryan Marshall, President and CEO of PulteGroup, took the stage at Building Homes for Heroes’ 11th Annual Honoree Gala on November 6, 2023, at the New York Stock Exchange, he represented far more than corporate leadership—he embodied a commitment that has transformed the lives of hundreds of military families across the nation.

Marshall was selected as the distinguished honoree at the gala, a recognition of PulteGroup’s unwavering dedication to the Built to Honor program and its partnership with Building Homes for Heroes. “I am humbled to receive this recognition and grateful for the enduring partnership of our Built to Honor program and Building Homes for Heroes,” Marshall said. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to impact the lives of our nation’s heroes and their families. We are committed to continuing this effort and look forward to collaborating on seven new homes with Building Homes for Heroes next year.”

A Legacy Built on Action: The Built to Honor Story

Since its inception in 2013, PulteGroup’s Built to Honor initiative has delivered mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans and their families—a gift valued at over $30 million. The program has constructed and donated 80 homes nationwide, each representing not just shelter, but a foundation for recovery and renewed purpose.

The scale of impact deepened significantly when PulteGroup formalized its collaboration with Building Homes for Heroes in 2019. This strategic partnership has resulted in 14 additional homes being gifted to military veterans and their families, expanding the reach of both organizations’ missions across multiple communities.

The Human Face of Impact: From Del Webb Nocatee to Nationwide

The keynote address at the gala came from retired Army Staff Sergeant Ellis “Jerry” Majetich, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient who embodies the spirit behind the initiative. Majetich and his wife received a mortgage-free home in Del Webb Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Florida—a historic milestone as the first home the homebuilder donated within a Del Webb active adult community designed for those 55 and older.

Kimberly Vesey, Building Homes for Heroes President and General Counsel, underscored the power of this collaboration: “Through its unwavering commitment to giving back, PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program has joined with Building Homes for Heroes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our veterans. Together, we’re building brighter futures for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and compassion, and we salute PulteGroup and Ryan Marshall for their dedication in honoring our heroes.”

Expanding Horizons: What’s Next

Looking ahead, the momentum continues. PulteGroup and Building Homes for Heroes have announced plans to construct seven additional homes in the coming year, signaling a deepening commitment to veteran support. This expansion reflects both organizations’ recognition that the work of honoring service members extends far beyond a single gesture—it requires sustained, strategic partnership.

The Broader Vision

PulteGroup’s portfolio of homebuilding brands—including Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods—operates across 40+ markets nationwide. While known for serving diverse buyer demographics, the company’s Built to Honor program demonstrates that corporate responsibility and veteran support are integral to its corporate identity.

Building Homes for Heroes, recognized by Charity Navigator with a perfect 4-star rating for seven consecutive years, achieves a 95.5% program efficiency rating—a testament to organizational integrity. The nonprofit completes home modifications and provides recovery services alongside housing provision, addressing the multifaceted needs of veterans, first responders, and their families.

Through initiatives like those spearheaded by Ryan Marshall and PulteGroup, the nation’s commitment to those who served continues to take tangible, transformative form.