Our Culture

Some of you may be aware that in addition to my sales and marketing responsibilities here at Penn Homes, I am also finally completing my Managment Degree. One of the recurring topics is organizational culture. So in this spirit I sat Mike Penn down this last week, and asked him a few questions in an effort to get more of his story and uncover what makes Penn Homes tick.

I have always known Mike is focused on producing quality homes through excellent service both before and after the sale. His goal is to provide our clients peace of mind during the process. I have also witnessed his vision for this company he is building with care. Mike Penn is a highly ethical, financially wise businessman. What I haven’t always witnessed is his softer side. It’s one thing to know he cares, but … to see him become quiet as he speaks of a family that changed his life is unusual.

Mike Penn is a modest man. When I asked about his greatest achievements in his career he said he wasn’t sure where to start. There were two residential remodel jobs that stood out due to the scope of the work involved. He also mentioned the South Wing Addition at Schumpert Hospital. After six months of preparing for the transition of the power source, everyone took a deep breath and went on emergency generated back up power for twelve hours. Generators were backed up with generators. Nurses hand ventilated patients. It was a stressful day at the office. Failure was not an option.

When I asked Mike about his most difficult day at the office he responded, “The most difficult days are when the stuff you never dream can happen is what happens.” A project he had been working on burned to the ground. I asked what he did. “I started over.”

As hard as the days get, and as the economy turns down and begins to rise up again, one Penn Home memory always remains: the smallest home he ever built. If you want to see a tear form in his eye, ask Mike Penn about the day he was hugged by a crying homeowner for making their dream come true.

Making dreams come true is ultimately what drives Mike Penn. Mike is developing an organizational culture of making dreams come true. That’s not a bad way to spend a day at the office and just one of the many reasons I enjoy Penn Homes. Building dreams for one family at a time…