2018 COBA Builder of the Year

Luke Pickerill’s efforts to support the building industry in Central Oregon over the past few years is coming to fruition. On the heels of serving as president of the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) last year, Pickerill’s company, MonteVista Homes, was named 2018 Builder of the Year during COBA’s annual awards gala.  Each year, COBA nominates companies it feels are fitting and deserving to receive the prestigious award. COBA members vote on the nominees based on multiple factors, including industry accomplishments and civic activities plus involvement with association and membership activities.

“The award means a great deal to us at MonteVista Homes because those awards are voted on by peers,” said Pickerill. “To know that everyone thinks we’re worthy is a very special thing.”  To be involved in the building community working for positive change and advocating for issues that affect builders and homebuyers is at the heart of Pickerill’s involvement with COBA.  “We’ve been staunch advocates for the home building industry as a whole and lent a lot of support to other builders and trades,” said Pickerill.

“Luke Pickerill and MonteVista Homes have shown a commitment and loyalty this past year to COBA and have earned COBA’s top honor,” said Tim Knopp, executive vice president of COBA. Pickerill, his staff, and other members of COBA have been heavily involved with multiple jurisdictions in working through building-related issues such as codes, restrictions, and requirements and helping to negotiate favorable terms for both the local cities and builders in town.

“I hope that COBA can continue to be the voice for our industry locally. There are really no other organizations that fight for the builder. And, I would contend that it’s more for the homeowner. A lot of times we say builder, but we’re really fighting for affordability in our communities,” said Pickerill. When local and state governments impose more regulations and policies to home building, such as higher building permit fees, system development charges, or restrictive land use laws, it drives up the cost of new homes, he explained. “That all equals rising costs for the homebuyer. COBA is on a mission to keep the cost down for the homeowner as much as possible so we can continue to have a vibrant and thriving economy in Central Oregon.”

After a successful career in the TV and film industry in Southern California, Pickerill moved to Central Oregon in 2012 and bought MonteVista Homes from his father-in-law in 2015.  MonteVista Homes has developed several subdivisions in Bend and currently has a 60-home community under way in north Redmond. Pickerill said his company will launch a brand-new community in Redmond called Mirage in late spring with 59 new homes. Pickerill anticipates those houses will start under $300,000.

2019 is shaping up to be fantastic. We’re going to continue to keep building,” he said.

Current MonteVista Homes Communities include: