Photo by Kevin Prieto

Woodhill Homes’ Jay Campbell is having a strong couple of years in the building industry. Campbell was voted President of the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) for 2015, and this month his company was chosen as the 2015 Builder of the Year. Both coveted distinctions, voted on by his peers, illustrate Campbell’s dedication to building and to Central Oregon in general.

“The common thread between all the builders of the year, including Jay, is how they give back to the community, they step up for COBA and they’re advocates for the building industry,” said Andy High, COBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs.

Campbell grew up in a 19th century farmhouse in rural Connecticut. The son of a teacher and a nurse, he was raised knowing the value of hard work — first in helping out on the farm, and then by running a painting business to pay for college. After attending Hobart College in New York, Campbell moved west to live and ski in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before moving to Portland in 1995 to start his homebuilding career with RMP Construction. By 2000, Campbell and his wife settled in Bend, where he began a short stint with Palmer Homes.

Wishing to strike out on his own, Campbell partnered with Portland-based builder and real estate broker George Hale to create Woodhill Homes in 2002. While the post-9/11 economy lagged, Woodhill Homes began developing Willow Springs in Redmond with a purpose of creating, “high-quality production communities built with integrity and sustainability.”

“We really try to create relationships with our customers and give back to the community,” explained Campbell. “I would hope my peers see we are a company that chooses to do the right thing.”

Today, Woodhill Homes predominantly builds affordable and contemporary first homes, as well as “move up” homes for less than $400,000. Their smallest home — 1,120 square feet — sits in Redmond, while their largest, a 5,000-square-foot home, is in SW Bend. They are currently building in Southeast Bend’s Reed Pointe and Northeast Bend’s Tuscany Pines Phase 2 developments, as well as in Corvallis. In 2015 the company’s five employees handle $6.7 million in building costs.

Woodhill Homes has participated in COBA’s Tour of Homes annually since 2002, and collected dozens of awards. Woodhill Homes also won Builder of the Year in 2013.

“Our Green Builder of the Year award a few years ago was special, but Builder of the Year is our most coveted award,” explained Campbell.

A key reason for Woodhill Homes’ success is Campbell’s desire to create strong relationships within the community. Today, approximately 10 percent of their business comes from custom home building, which is impressive considering that side of the business is driven strictly by reputation and referrals from professionals in the industry alone. That includes both those builders who work alongside Woodhill Homes, and the contractors who work for them.

“We need our subcontractors as much as they need us,” said Campbell. “We work together well and it’s a key reason for our success. Without that partnership, we wouldn’t be able to do it.”

High concurs.

“While president, Jay had a very strong leadership quality. He brought a calm demeanor to the position and had a great approach to solving any problems that would arise,” said High.

In addition to caring about the environment through energy efficiency, Woodhill Homes is a supporter of Building Partners for Affordable Housing. In the past five years, they have built 12 homes for the nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing opportunities for working families.

In the past 14 years, Woodhill Homes has built more than 2,000 homes. During that time, they have seen, and weathered, many changes in the local building landscape. In 2002, they were 100 percent bank financed, while today they are 90 percent privately funded. Prior to last decade’s recession, Woodhill Homes operated with a staff of 25 and built more than 100 homes a year. Last year, they built 29 homes with a staff of five.

“We believe smart growth is essential to our survival,” said Campbell. “We are trying to be smart about our position in the market and the land we buy, so we can compete in the future.”