VanPuymbrouck isn’t a common name in Nassau County but Donna Lynne and Bob VanPuymbrouck are doing their best to make it a household name.
He owns Bob’s Irrigation and Landscape, she owns Donna Lynne Custom Homes and both are members of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Female builders aren’t common in Nassau County, either. Probably not in most locales, but Donna Lynne hasn’t let that hinder her success.
“I started out working for a commercial real estate investor who built about two houses a year,” she said. “When Bob and I moved to Jacksonville, I knew I wanted to work for another builder, and I was fortunate to be able to work for Howard White (2001 NEFBA president) at North Florida Builders and for Harry Trevett of Trevett Homes. I learned all the office functions — budgeting, permitting, closings and job costing — and all the paper work and research. Then I got into the field and that’s where I hit my stride.”
She went back to school and became a licensed contractor.
“Women bring a different viewpoint into the design,” VanPuymbrouck said. “Not that men aren’t at home in the kitchen or in children’s spaces but, in reality, women usually bring a higher degree of functionality into those areas.”
VanPuymbrouck has been a NEFBA member and active on the Nassau Builders since she’s been in business in the county. She served as council chair in 2000, 2001 and 2011, and has served on the board since 1997.
Membership in the Nassau Builders Council has been important to VanPuymbrouck’s continued success and she believes it offers a great opportunity to network and to find specialty subcontractors. With a large group of associate members, VanPuymbrouck would like to see more builders in the council.
“Not too many builders are headquartered in Nassau County,” she said, “and those who build here have been slow to join our local council. We think they are missing out on a great opportunity. And, we need them. We could have even more influence on regulatory and political issues if we had more members. Numbers are important when you want to make your voice heard.”
In addition to her involvement with NEFBA, VanPuymbrouck serves on the boards of Baptist Medical Center-Nassau and Family Support Systems. She is a member of the Fernandina Beach High School Business Partners, serving as its chair in 2002 and 2003. She is a member and past chair of the Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee Chamber of Commerce. She has served in various capacities with Micah’s Place and First Coast Community Bank.
VanPuymbrouck began accepting remodeling and renovation projects during the recent downturn in the market.
“Remodeling, additions and renovations became a larger focus for us, and I found I really liked remodeling,” she said. “It’s very satisfying to transform an outdated, tired space into something new and vibrant. I like seeing the dramatic difference in before and after pictures.”
VanPuymbrouck is happy with the size of her business. With a few new homes a year plus remodeling projects, she can keep in close contact with her customers. That is important to her.
“I don’t want to lose a personal touch,” she said. “I’ve based my business and my reputation on it. I don’t build spec houses or inventory homes, and my business is by referral. I want to keep it that way.”
This homebuilder started and grew her business while raising a family. She and Bob have been married 35 years and have three daughters, two University of Florida alumni and one student there, so the VanPuymbroucks are avid Gators fans. Between a daughter and two granddaughters in South Carolina, a daughter in Tampa and one in Gainesville, the VanPuymbroucks are on the road quite a bit — as if they didn’t have enough to keep them busy.
“Donna Lynne has served this association and especially the Nassau Builders Council extremely well,” said Corey Deal, NEFBA executive director. “Her enthusiasm and active participation make her a model for all NEFBA members. We salute her and know we’ll see and hear more about her continued success in the coming months and years.”