Our Team
Mike Newborn
Owner, Founder, and CEO
20+ Years in Development
As a Florida native and a proud full-time resident of Defuniak Springs, James Newborn serves as the backbone and foundation for Southern Home Solutions. Mr. Newborn has over 20 years in the Construction industry and has had a hand in developing and building thousands of homes here in Walton County. Mr. Newborn is results oriented and dedicates much of his time to home buyers and the business itself to full fill his vision of providing number one quality custom homes, all built with the upmost care and attention to detail, to every client that trusts Southern Home Solutions with their investment. Mr. Newborn is a family centered man that enjoys time with his grandchildren, taking care of his animals and farm, and ensuring that he gives back to his community in the way that it has given to him over the years.
Larry Brasher
General Manager
Bachelor's in Communications - 15+ Years in Contracting
Larry Brasher Joined the Southern Homes Solutions team in 2022, Offering intrinsic knowledge in the construction industry and business operations. Larry oversees the daily operations of SHS from maintaining individual work sites to coordinating the main office. Larry’s 15+ years of construction experience, focused on interior trim work and cabinetry, has provided a keen eye for detail, enhancing each home he oversees and ensuring the highest quality for every owner and investor. As a graduate of Chipola College and a proud resident of the Florida panhandle, Larry takes pride in and enjoys providing contracting services and new construction homes so that new owners can experience and fall in love with our community the same way he has.
Brian Allen
Superintendent | Residential Contracting
Contractor & Plumbing License - 5+ Years of Experience
Brian Allen is a licensed building and plumbing contractor with over 5 years of experience working and holding licenses for Southern Home Solutions. Brian oversees many of the technical operations taking place in the field and his keen eye ensures that every SHS home is spectacular on.
Eddie Sanchez
Superintendent | Residential Contracting
Licensed Contractor - 28+ Years Experience in Commercial Development & High-end Residential Custom Builds
Eddie Sanchez provides a unique perspective to SHS with his experience in insulated Concrete Form (ICF) builds here along the emerald coast. Eddie has over 20 years of licensed experience that he brings to the table. Eddie is surely to exceed our client’s expectations and ensure no desired building materials or design aspects are out of their reach.
Tommy Likens
Superintendent | Residential Contracting
Licensed Contractor - 20+ Years of Experience
Tommy Likens is one of Southern home solutions superintendents with a focus on building contracting. Tommy brings over 20 years of licensed experience and knows the industry better than most.
Kaleb Newborn
Superintendent | Electrical Contracting
Licensed Electrician & Plumber - 10+ Years Experience
Kaleb Newborn has served as Southern home solutions’ superintendent of electrical contracting for the past three years and really makes all our homes shine. His decade of experience as a licensed electrical contractor is paramount in the company's mission to make an owner or client's vision come to life. Kalebs can do attitude is critical when working with detailed clients and provides the spark needed to plug each in to their new home comfortably.
Ricky Robinson
Superintendent | Heating & Cooling
30+ Years of Experience
Joining the SHS team in 2022, Ricky Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company serving as the superintendent of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Ricky has 30 years of experience working in the industry and has seen everything from window units to multi ton cooling towers that cool entire high rises and resort. Ricky’s vast experience in the industry has streamlined the HVAC operations, helping the business, the client, and all involved with quick turnaround, efficient installation and service, and a quality of care after the sale that will ensure any owners that utilize yearly service contracts keep cool during our hot summers.
Zach Smith
Superintendent | Plumbing
10+ Years Experience in Plumbing & HVAC
Zach Smith Serves as a manager of plumbing services with southern home solutions. Zach holds serval certificates including EPA certification, OCEA 10, and OCEA 40. With 2 years of trade school under his belt and over 5 years of residential and commercial plumbing experience, Zach is a pivotal part of the SHS team and is charged with ensuring plumbing operations are of the utmost quality.
Bruce Nidy
Superintendent | Site Development
20+ Years of Experience in Infrastructure
As the company's Superintendent of Site Development, Bruce Nidy leverages 20 years of experience with infrastructure and site development to ensure all Southern home solutions projects get off the ground quickly and stay on track. Bruce facilitates any site work at the beginning of the project, including land clearing and development, water mains, grading, retention ponds, parking lots, roads, and foundations. Bruce Begins the process at SHS of turning an empty lot in to a full-hearted home and sets the literal and metaphorical foundation for everything that we do to reach our owner’s goals and timelines.
Pete Bontrager
Site Supervisor
10+ Years Experience in Plumbing & HVAC
As a dedicated Site Supervisor, Pete Bontrager, is Southern homes solution’s “feet on the street” so that the company always has its eyes on the prize. Pete Supervises and assists with the coordination of contracting partners and internal associates to ensure that field operations run smoothly and that each project progresses on budget and on time.
Patricia Garrison
Manager | Accounting
Bachelors in Accounting - 10+ Years Experience
Patricia Garrison is Southern home solutions Manager of Accounting Services and oversees all financials from payroll down to taxes. While she holds her degree in Business administration, emphasizing finances, Patricia has 20 years of experience working as a Director of Operations and Financial Controller here on the Emerald Coast. Patricia has been an asset to SHS by ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks and that the business and operations are as healthy as they can be.
Bethany Newborn
Assistant Manager | Accounting
3+ Years Experience in Accounting
Bethany Newborn is southern homes solutions’ assistant manager of accounting services. Her role over the past three years in ensuring all vendors, partners, and employees are paid and billed correctly, keeps the entire business running. Bethany has lived in the area her entire life and is a true local. She and her husband Kaleb are expecting their first child at the end of 2022 and are excited to continue growing the SHS family!
Johnathan Harris
Manager | Site Operations
11+ Years Experience
Jonathan Harris was tapped by SHS for his experience and skills obtained over a decade as a building supplier department supervisor for an international company. Jonathan is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that site operations move forward with no issues and has a big focus on building rapport with our contracted partners so that everyone involved has a wonderful experience and that SHS clients only receive the best services.
Jodie Gomez
Assistant Manager | Site Operations
Bachelor's in Engineering - 5+ Experience
Jodie Gomez Joins the SHS team as a part of the Site operations department. Jodie has a bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5 years of experience in Design-build and quality, making her an excellent addition to our growing team!
Michelle Kay
Manager | Procurement
11+ Years Experience
Leading the way as Southern home solutions manager of Procurement is Michell Kay. Michelle has an extensive background working in the construction and home furnishing sector and Recently joined SHS after a decade working in upper management for an international construction supply company. Michelles knowledge of the inner workings of our outside partners provides a unique leverage point for SHS to navigate the supply chain issues and supply prices of today's world. Michelle is dedicated to making sure that our client’s choices are purchased and are made available for installation efficiently so that all timelines are easily followed, and that the client truly has a say in the customization of their forever home.
Natasha Banks
Assistant Manager | Procurement
7+ Years Experience
Natasha Banks joined the SHS team in early 2022 serving as a “jill of all trades” for the company until she settled in her role with the procurement department. Natasha has almost 10 years worth of experience as an installation coordinator and understands the minutia of ensuring the correct items are installed on time. Natasha works side by side with each department at SHS to offer her expertise and experience so that the client’s ideas, the company’s operations, and our contracted partners all mesh seamlessly to satisfy the needs of her coworkers and clients alike.
Bridget Nidy
Manager | Sales & Client Development
Licensed Real Estate Agent - Bachelor's Degree
There’s only one name you need to know when it comes to luxury custom home builds and investment properties along the emerald coast. Bridget Nidy heads the Sales, Client Development and Marketing Department for Southern home solutions. Her expertise in real estate can make the selection and purchasing process seamless for even the first-time home buyer. Her team lives for the chance to dazzle clients with the best of Walton County, from new construction to vacation rental properties along scenic highway 30A. In raising 6 children, Bridget understands the subtle nuances that families need to have a fully functional home and can point even the most perplexed home buyer in the direction of their dreams. Contact Bridget today to ensure you secure your slice of paradise while you can!
Becca White
Manger | Marketing & Advertising
Bachelor's in Communication - 10+ Years Experience
Rebecca joined Southern Home Solutions in early 2022 to bring marketing services in-house and assist with Client care and Development. Rebecca holds a decade's experience in the hospitality industry with a focus on marketing real estate, communities, and home furnishings. Rebeccas ability to relate with luxury clients, who desire the finer furnishings and coastal elegant lifestyle, takes all the stress out of the selection process, and ensures SHS clients are among the most satisfied long the emerald coast. As a mother of 4 and a longtime local in Walton County, Rebecca’s goal is to help make our client’s dreams come true so that they can live in the home of their dreams and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
Maegan Allen
Manger | Design & Client Relations
5+ Years Experience
Maegan Allen is no stranger to overseeing projects large and small, within existing buildings or ground-up construction. She’s intuitive in building strong client relations and readily employs innovative strategy. Maegan will work with you throughout your home's project to ensure your needs are met and accomplished in a timely manner.
(850) 724-0001
1226 Circle Drive
DeFuniak Springs, Fl 32435