“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
This timeless insight captures the essence of what it means to be a truly great leader. It means not only guiding teams through complex challenges but also creating environments where innovation and collaboration can thrive. It also means to inspire teams to surpass expectations and push the boundaries of what is possible, all while fostering a culture of respect and growth.
Ronda Conger embodies this philosophy with extraordinary grace and strength. As Vice President of CBH Homes, she has shattered stereotypes and thrived in a traditionally male-dominated industry, proving that leadership knows no gender. Her visionary approach and relentless commitment have transformed CBH Homes into Idaho’s premier homebuilder and earned her the distinction of being one of the most inspiring business leaders to watch in 2024. Ronda Conger’s remarkable achievements and her ability to lead with authenticity and vigor make her a standout figure, setting new standards of excellence in the business world.
Trailblazing Leader
Ronda Conger stands out in a traditionally male-dominated industry with over 31 years of experience. Leading Idaho’s largest homebuilder, she has managed all aspects of the company for the past 21 years. Ronda’s leadership is marked by her belief that winning is a habit. Her achievements include being named the 2021 NAHB Woman of the Year and recently recognized as a Most Influential Women Leader to Watch in 2023.
Ronda’s commitment to service extends beyond her role at CBH Homes. As a businesswoman, professional speaker, and author of five books—including “Better Human,” “Better Thinking,” and “You Go First”—she is dedicated to spreading her message and fostering leadership.
Starting her career with KB Homes in Las Vegas in 1993 and later joining O’Neill Enterprises in Boise, Ronda Conger has built a strong foundation in homebuilding. Her influence extends to the Boise business community, where she has been named a 2023 Most Influential Women Leader to Watch and a 2024 Most Inspiring Business Leader Revamping the Future.
A proud wife and mother of two sons, Ronda Conger attributes her high energy to her supportive family and a positive outlook on her remarkable journey.
Driven by Vision
Ronda Conger reflects on her early realization that she is a learner of two things: homebuilding and people. She began her journey in the industry, gaining valuable experience working for a national homebuilder and an award-winning land developer. Over two decades ago, she was introduced to Corey Barton, the owner and founder of CBH Homes. For a year, they met every Friday to discuss his vision for the company, which profoundly inspired her. Their shared ambition to accomplish big things in homebuilding fueled her journey forward, leading to significant growth for CBH Homes.
One of her key insights was the importance of speed. She acknowledges that if she could do one thing differently, it would be to move faster—stop waiting for the right conditions and seize opportunities as they come. To her, luck favors those who are in action. She emphasizes that if a person or company desires growth, opportunities, or financial success, the answer is to go after it with urgency.
Leading by Example
Ronda follows a straightforward yet powerful leadership philosophy: “You go first.” She firmly believes that as a leader, taking charge is essential—leading by example and eliminating the blame game. Her passion for learning drove her to embrace every role within the company, even the challenging ones. This hands-on experience shaped her understanding that the core responsibility of leadership is to make things better.
For Ronda Conger, leaders must constantly strive for improvement—whether it is enhancing the company, empowering the team, or refining processes. When a leader’s vision is clear and their commitment to improvement is evident, the team naturally aligns with that mindset. They follow step by step, adopting the same drive for betterment throughout the organization.
Embracing Change
Ronda Conger believes that progress stems from embracing change, which she considers a crucial growth element. Her approach to innovation is rooted in a proactive mindset: change is something to be embraced, monitored, and adapted as needed. She emphasizes the importance of closely tracking results after implementing changes. If something isn’t working, adjustments are made swiftly.
Ronda fosters an environment of constant movement, adaptation, and evolution to ensure that any changes contribute to the company’s growth and improvement. Her strategy balances risk with stability by anticipating challenges and navigating them—whether by going around, under, or over them—until the desired results are achieved.
Cultivating Leadership
Ronda Conger places a strong emphasis on leadership at every level of the organization. By adding “leader” behind each employee’s title, CBH ensures that everyone understands their role as a leader, regardless of position. Ronda Conger identifies talent by observing individuals who display the right attitude, actions, and results, allowing them to stand out naturally.
Mentorship plays a key role in Ronda’s development strategy. She believes in the principle of “letting go to go up”—passing on knowledge through teaching and mentoring so that others can grow. This, in turn, allows leaders to continue advancing and taking on greater responsibilities.
Building Dreams Since 1992
CBH Homes has been crafting dreams in Idaho for over 30 years. Founded by Corey Barton in 1992 with just a hammer, a pick-up truck, and a vision, CBH has grown into a national powerhouse. Today, it comprises seven companies, with over 375 teammates, and has been recognized as the #1 homebuilder in Idaho and the 48th largest builder in the nation. For 15 years and counting, CBH has earned a spot as one of Idaho’s Best Places to Work.
Ronda Conger leads all areas of the company. In a male-dominated industry, CBH stands out with a workforce that is 70% women. The company has built over 26,000 homes across Boise, Meridian, Caldwell, Kuna, Star, Nampa, and Mountain Home.
CBH’s success is not by accident. Their approach to building quality homes and strong relationships has led them to become a staple of the Treasure Valley community. With 26,000+ homeowners and 660,000 jobs created, CBH has transformed the homebuilding landscape in Idaho.
Their dedication to delivering homes built with care by real people in the community has fueled their continuous growth. With homes still available in the region, CBH invites everyone to experience why their legacy is worth celebrating.
Comprehensive Home Solutions
CBH Homes specializes in new home construction, offering homeownership at every level. As Idaho’s leading home builder, they’ve expanded their expertise beyond just building homes. CBH now includes a real estate brokerage, a multifamily division, a truss plant, a property management company, an HVAC company, an electrical company, and an interior finishes supplier. This wide range of services allows CBH Homes to provide a seamless and complete experience for homeowners, ensuring every aspect of the process is handled with care and expertise.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
At CBH Homes, growth is always the goal, and when opportunities arise, the company seizes them. For instance, when city ordinances rejected plans for a new community, CBH adapted by designing a product that met the city’s requirements. This led to their expansion into building storage units, single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial properties.
The same mindset was applied when faced with supply chain issues on lumber and trusses. CBH decided to take control, producing their materials and ensuring better quality and efficiency. This ability to turn “no” into an opportunity has fueled CBH’s continued expansion in products and services. Their focus is on controlling as many factors as possible, allowing them to innovate, move faster, and sustain their growth.
Tech-Driven Homebuying
CBH Homes prides itself on being a tech company that builds homes. Committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, they integrate technology into every aspect of their operations—from the construction process to home buying. CBH has made purchasing a home easier and more accessible through features like Tour Now Locks, Buy Now options on their website, and a dedicated online sales team with chat support.
The company’s culture is built around change and innovation, encouraging what they call “questioning the old ways.” This mindset allows CBH to adapt quickly and remain ahead of industry trends, continuously enhancing the customer experience.
Unique Company Attributes and Offerings
- Community Involvement: CBH Homes believes that love wins. When they love their team, their buyers, and their community they will win. They feel a deep responsibility to give back to the communities they build in and call home. In 2024, CBH gave back to 126 organizations and counting, including one epic week, called Project Gold where they built 6 ADA cabins in 3 days!
- Tour Now: CBH Homes gives buyers easy and instant access to tour homes, all on their own by installing keypads on select homes. This innovative tool reflects CBH’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry, offering a flexible, pressure-free experience that meets the demands of today’s homebuyers. It’s house hunting reimagined, with CBH leading the way.
- 100% Spec: CBH Homes offers 100% spec homes. This means they can be quick to market, creating plenty of ready-to-move-in inventory for buyers. It allows for market flexibility and ultimate control of designs aligned with current trends or features that are in high demand, making them more attractive to prospective buyers.
- CBH On The Block: CBH Homes brings a fresh twist to the traditional open house. Every weekend, CBH Homes hosts an engaging event in two of their communities, where prospective homebuyers can get a feel for the neighborhood. The event features tours of two fully furnished homes, a free food truck, fun games, and activities, and even CBH Hot Air Balloon rides for a little extra fun!
Team-Driven Success
CBH Homes’ long-standing success is attributed to its exceptional team and unique company culture. The team’s dedication and hard work are complemented by a culture that values both performance and enjoyment. By constantly pushing themselves to achieve more and be better, they have established a work environment that fosters continuous improvement and success. This blend of commitment and camaraderie is what truly sets CBH apart.
Revolutionizing Home Sales
CBH Homes has transformed the traditional home buying and selling process. Unlike most builders who assign teams to specific communities, CBH centralized its sales team at headquarters. Recognizing that 80% of their sales were conducted digitally, CBH shifted away from gatekeeping information. Instead, they provide 24/7 access to details and model homes, meeting the modern buyer’s need for constant availability.
CBH has also innovated the sales experience by hosting targeted open house events that create a lively, block party-like atmosphere. This approach drives in-person engagement and creates a sense of urgency and excitement, fundamentally changing how homes are sold and experienced.
Staying Ahead
In the real estate industry, market predictions can be challenging, but CBH Homes stays competitive by adapting swiftly to changing conditions. They continuously monitor both industry trends and innovations from outside the sector to identify effective strategies. By incorporating successful practices from other fields, CBH enhances its processes and maintains a forward-thinking approach.
Additionally, CBH Homes values customer feedback, using it as a tool for improvement. Listening to their clients and integrating their insights helps the company stay relevant and responsive to evolving market demands and customer needs.
Enhanced Home Warranty
CBH Homes has teamed up with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, a leader in new construction warranty coverage, to offer homeowners peace of mind and exceptional customer service. 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty now covers one in five homes in the US.
Customer Testimonials:
- “David and Cole, the handymen who handled our warranty issues, were fantastic. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and highly capable.”
— Shane S. - CBH came out for some warranty work and provided excellent service. They offered great advice on improving home energy efficiency and even fixed the weather strip on my front door. Their service went above and beyond.”
— Matt Y. - “I’ve called CBH’s Warranty Department several times for both minor and major issues. The response has always been prompt, with courteous and skilled service people. The repairs were completed on time, and I felt valued throughout the process. I’m very pleased.”
— Marianna F. - “CBH’s quick response to our warranty claims was commendable. The CBH Homes repair person not only fixed our issue but also provided valuable tips for enhancing our home’s energy efficiency. We absolutely love our home.”
— Tammy J.
“Ronda’s approach to innovation is rooted in a proactive mindset: change is something to be embraced, monitored, and adapted as needed.”
