EXECUTIVE PROFILE: CLARK IVORY, IVORY HOMES

IVORY BUILDS UTAH

As Ivory Homes nears its 35th year, Clark Ivory looks back on his tenure as owner/CEO of Ivory Homes. The moments that have helped define the company's direction and meet its goals, Utah's growth and development, and the people who help make Ivory Homes the number one homebuilder in Utah. Ivory also asks how we continue forward. To many's surprise, the company's overarching goal isn't staying on top of Utah's homebuilding industry. Instead, it is how to continue the business principles established over four decades ago, which have been carried on and expanded to ensure that Ivory Homes continues to lead the market.

Having witnessed income and social class inequities entrenched by corruption on their European mission, and a system in which government officials and business entrepreneurs rarely collaborate to solve civic and social problems, the Ivory family recognized the seeds of similar dynamics in their own backyard. With its strong economy and growing population, the need for housing proliferated, while at the same time, housing production was hindered by regulatory barriers. The influx of people drove up local housing demand, but high-paying jobs and tightening supply boosted prices, too. Ivory reckoned that if trends continued, housing affordability in the Salt Lake metro area would follow the same path as California's Silicon Valley. It was potentially creating an estimated shortage of 50,845 housing units in the Salt Lake market by 2044, according to a 2018 study by the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. "We had to somehow get involved and see what we could do to deal with this issue and how we could contribute," Ivory says. "I knew we couldn't be the same builder we'd always been." But addressing the future housing affordability needs — namely, expanding its product mix and pool of buyers, retooling its well-known, long-standing brand, and managing NIMBYism against its vision — would not happen overnight, or alone. Ivory knew the big-picture problem was way over the head of one person or company to achieve a widespread, lasting impact; it called for an army to navigate the maze of barriers that hinder entry-level homes. And so, over the next few years, Ivory and his team did just that.

Since then, Ivory Homes has introduced countless communities and plans to assist Utah's growing demands and needs for affordable housing — including building homes and providing additional benefits to those in specific fields of work through the Ivory Homes Workforce Housing Priority Program. Which, to this day, has helped nearly 600 families afford and move into a home of their own. So why does Ivory choose to build solely in Utah? "Simple. We have come a long way in the product that we provide. The term ‘home’ has come to mean so much more than the structure in which you live. It's also the neighborhood that surrounds your home. A beautiful community, a superior home — this is our commitment. And not until we feel we have fulfilled the demands in this market will we consider others," says Ivory. "We have always believed that the best home builders are local. As Utah's #1 homebuilder, we are in touch with our market. We have created strong relationships with the communities, suppliers, and customers for whom we build. Most importantly, however, our focus on this market means we are entirely committed to Utah's long-term growth and success and will continue to give back to the community to support that success."

Ivory's views on building also shed light on his employees' importance and success — "we would not be here without the wonderful people on the Ivory team. Indeed, the people that buy and live in our homes are vital, but the people that hammer the nails, pave the streets, engineer the lots, supply the lumber, install our doors, and market our communities. It's hundreds of influential people who make Ivory Homes who we are. And we strive to take care of our employees however best we can, whether creating opportunities for growth or assisting in achieving their own housing goals. We enjoy one another, challenge one another, and help one another improve. We hire quality individuals who understand that every role and part is significant to a winning team's ultimate accomplishment and success."

So as Ivory Homes continue to grow, its values will remain. With the inherent belief that their product is the mark they leave today and their legacy for the future. "After all is said and done, the ads forgotten, and the blueprints put away — what remains are the homes and communities we build. That's why we care so much. A home is where families grow, memories are made, and where kids and grandkids come back to visit." Ivory's passion and care for home building can be seen reflected across Utah because, indeed, Ivory Builds Utah.