With four decades of industry-spanning leadership and operational excellence, Russell Crandall brings 40 years of comprehensive homebuilding expertise to his role as South Region President at Meritage Homes. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Russell stands at the forefront of residential development in the South, where his leadership continues to shape communities and elevate performance across one of the nation’s premier homebuilding companies.
Russell’s career is defined by depth, versatility, and a results-driven mindset. For the past four years, he has led Meritage Homes’ South Region with full P&L responsibility—drawing on a career that spans high-growth markets and economically challenging periods alike. From Baltimore and Washington D.C. to Palm Springs, Colorado Springs, and Jacksonville, Russell has successfully operated in a wide range of geographies, each with its own regulatory and consumer complexities. His track record includes overseeing homebuilding operations ranging from 300 to 2,000 homes annually and managing teams from 50 to 450 employees.
Russell’s leadership is hands-on, data-driven, and deeply rooted in end-to-end operational fluency. His expertise spans land acquisition and development, entitlements, architectural and product design, purchasing, construction, marketing, sales, customer service, and financial planning. His ability to integrate all aspects of residential development into cohesive, high-performing operations has made him a trusted leader in both startup and established environments.
Before joining Meritage Homes, Russell held executive roles with several of the industry’s top builders. At Lennar, he served as Division President for Colorado, guiding performance across a critical growth region. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Homebuilding Operations at Real Capital Solutions, where he oversaw assets in five key Western and Southeastern markets. His decade-long tenure at KB Home saw him rise through the ranks, ultimately serving as Division President in both Indianapolis and Colorado, as well as Executive Vice President in Denver. Russell’s foundational years at Pulte Homes solidified his operational acumen as Vice President of Operations across multiple major metro areas.
Whether steering turnaround strategies or scaling for growth, Russell is known for building and inspiring high-performing teams, improving customer satisfaction, and driving operational efficiencies. His approach balances strategic oversight with a deep understanding of the construction and real estate lifecycle, making him a valuable asset not just to Meritage Homes, but to the broader homebuilding industry.
Russell holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Construction Management from Colorado State University. Grounded, experienced, and forward-thinking, he continues to shape the future of residential construction through a leadership style defined by integrity, innovation, and results.
Character
Russell Crandall is a resilient and principled leader who consistently demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to team success, even in the most challenging market conditions. His ability to lead with transparency and build trust across diverse teams has been a cornerstone of his long-standing success in the homebuilding industry.
Knowledge
With over 40 years of hands-on experience in residential construction and development, Russell possesses an exceptional depth of knowledge across all facets of the homebuilding lifecycle. From land acquisition and entitlements to design, construction, and customer service, his comprehensive expertise ensures operational excellence at every stage.
Strategic
Russell brings a strategic mindset to every role, adeptly balancing short-term performance with long-term growth and profitability. He has led organizations through both expansion and downturns, consistently improving processes, strengthening customer satisfaction, and aligning teams with clear, outcome-driven goals.
Communication
Known for his clear, consistent, and collaborative communication style, Russell builds alignment across cross-functional teams and fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. His ability to articulate vision and expectations empowers teams to perform with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
