Charlie Conner, owner and President of Conner Homes Company, Inc., started working in the summers, at age 13 for his father, Bill Conner's companies. He began as a construction laborer and worked his way up through the trades as framer and finish carpenter during breaks from school. In 1978, after receiving a finance degree from the University of Washington, Charlie joined Conner Development full-time. From that point forward he worked in all areas of the business, from sales and estimating to construction management. Charlie purchased the company from his father in 2000 and formed Conner Homes Company, Inc. He is also President of The Conner Group, a real estate brokerage firm dedicated to selling Conner homes and neighborhoods.
Community Involvement:
Charlie believes in supporting the communities where Conner Homes builds. He donates a percentage of the company profits annually to local youth, education and community safety net organizations, and matches employee pledges to charitable organizations.
He is a Past President of the Issaquah Schools Foundation. He is also a member of the Construction Industry Advisory Council for the University of Washington.
Charlie acted as Builder Captain for the HomeAid Master Builders Care Foundation project for Vision House, Children's Village Phase II. For over a year, company resources were dedicated to the job working with over 120 subcontractors to bring the building to completion for one-half the estimated construction costs. This new facility combined four housing units for transitional families with a full childcare center. At its completion, it was dedicated to Charlie's parents, William and Marilyn Conner, honoring their guidance and belief in sharing the benefits of personal success with the community.
With Charlie's support, Conner Homes' staff members have worked on various non-profit programs such as People Helper, Master Builders Care Foundation Rampathon, and Habitat For Humanity to complete construction projects throughout the central Puget Sound area. Charlie believes in utilizing the company's building skills for a charitable benefit.
Political Activity:
Charlie believes in the democratic process and encourages all of the employees to exercise the right to vote and make a difference in their communities.
He supports the Evergreen Freedom Foundation and the Pacific Legal Foundation in the fight to preserve private property rights and keep housing available to the market.
Charlie is a Past President of the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties. In 2000, Charlie was named "Builder of the Year" by the association.
Environmental Practices:
Conner's Earth Sense Home program, established in 1991, lead the industry in providing homes and neighborhoods that incorporate efficient environmentally sound technologies.
Bill Conner, founder of Conner Development Company, holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. He has been a member of the residential construction community, building for sale and rental housing throughout the Puget Sound region, since joining his brother John's, Conner Construction Company in 1959. Bill set out on his own as Conner Development Company in 1964.
The Conner companies rehabilitated historic hotels in Seattle, Centralia, Hoquiam, and Port Townsend, and built apartments, condominiums and homes. The Company received environmental awards for stream rehabilitation and was the pioneer of the "Zero Lot Line" concept in the Seattle area.
Bill served as President of the Seattle Master Builders Association (SMBA) and President of the Washington State Home Builder's Association. From 1979 to 1982, he served on National Association Committees, including Land Use Committee, chairman of the Land Development Sub-Committee, Trustee of Build Pac, and Area XV Vice President. He served as member of the Seattle Citizen's Housing Board, the Renton Board of Adjustment, chairman of the SMBA Land Use Committee, and Life Director of the National Association of Homebuilders. He was twice named "Builder of the Year" by the SMBA. In 1995, Bill was an inaugural inductee into the University of Washington Department of Building Construction Hall of Fame. He currently serves on the boards of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation and the Washington Policy Center.
In 2000, Bill retired from the daily operations at Conner Homes Company, however he remains involved in an advisory role to Charlie and the company leaders.
