Providence Homes by Bill Cellar had a modest beginning, opening its doors for business on the Westside in 1992. The first year, Bill Cellar, the company’s founder and CEO, built one home, which sold for about $69,000.
“At that time, I was doing much of the work myself,” Cellar said. “I had been working for a small local builder/developer for about three years, and decided to give it a try. I bought two lots and started building.”
Cellar, whose education and background are in finance, was on his way and found himself enjoying success and growth as indicated by being named 40th in the country on the Fortune 500 list of fastest-growing businesses.
Sean Junker, Providence Homes president and chief operations officer, joined the company in 2001 and provided the operational expertise the growing company needed.
“Our talents and expertise areas complement each other,” Junker said. “Bill has the strong financial and business acumen we need and my contribution is the day-to-day operation of the company, project management, sales and marketing.”
During the downturn in the industry, the Providence team continued to do what they had always done. Providence built nearly 200 homes and was the second largest single-family home builder in 2009, at the lowest point of the recession.
Their basic operating philosophy was a factor in their continued growth.
“We believe the philosophy upon which Bill started this company has been responsible for our success,” Junker said. “That philosophy is simple: Homeowners deserve the best we can give them and our entire team is committed to building every home as if it were for our own family.”
Cellar and Junker also credit the company’s membership in NEFBA. Cellar served as president of NEFBA in 2007. Junker currently serves on NEFBA’s board of directors.
“We see the association as critical for the success of the industry,” Junker said. “That’s why we became concerned about the challenge homebuilders associations faced to maintain membership numbers during the economic turndown.”
Their concerns were the impetus for the Pinnacle Builder award program. Junker and Doug Wenzel, NEFBA’s membership champion, began serious discussions about how to retain existing members and add to the shrinking membership roster.
“At Providence, our approach was straight forward,” Junker said. “We simply told our suppliers and subs that membership in NEFBA was crucial for the industry. If we were going to thrive, we needed a strong, influential association. That required a large membership base.”
Providence has made a commitment to give back both locally and globally. The company is actively involved with HOPE International, Habitat for Humanity and Builders Care. Providence is building its fifth Home for HOPE in support of that organization’s international outreach that includes providing microloans in poverty stricken areas. Providence regularly participates in the local Habitat for Humanity – HabiJax – projects, this year building two new homes and renovating three homes in New Town. Providence partners on a regular basis with NEFBA’s charitable arm, Builders Care, and Cellar has served on the Builders Care board of directors for many years.
Junker became interested in the building profession when as a teenager he traveled with father, a pastor who was active with Habitat for Humanity. It was his father’s influence that encouraged him to serve on the board of York County’s (Michigan) Habitat for Humanity affiliate in its formative years.
Junker completed undergraduate work at the M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction at the University of Florida and continued with graduate studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. After beginning his career in South Florida, Junker settled in Jacksonville.
Cellar and his wife Joanne, married for 25 years, have four sons: Jack, 16; Charlie, 18; Alex, 19; and Will 22. The three oldest are in college. Cellar grew up surfing in California and still enjoys the sport, along with snow skiing and snowboarding, particularly at Big Sky in Montana.
Junker likes to spend his out-of-office time with his 10-year old son Ethan, who keeps him very busy with their shared interests—shooting, fishing and snowboarding. Their favorite travel spots include Montana, the national parks and the great outdoors.
“Providence Homes´ contributions to the community and the association are well known,” said Executive Director Corey Deal. “Bill and Sean are as concerned about the welfare of the association and other members as they are about their own success. Their example of making sure their subcontractors understand the benefits of becoming members is an important element in NEFBA’s growth and strength.”