Name changed to Lusher Builders

Jerry Ballard Homes, one of the Metro South area’s best known and most active home builders since 1979, has become Lusher Builders, effective Sept. 12, 2006.

Eddie Lusher, who has been in charge of day-to-day operations of the company since 1992, has purchased all of the assets of Jerry Ballard Homes from Jeanie Ballard, the widow of company founder Jerry Ballard, who died in a tragic plane crash in Florida in January 2005.

Jerry Ballard Homes has built over 2,000 homes in the Metro South area over the past 27 years and has developed communities in Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry and Troup Counties.

As Lusher Builders, the company has current projects underway in Henry and Coweta Counties.

In Henry County, the company recently opened Phase III of Smithfield Estates, where the price range is from the $170,000s to $250,000 and which has a new model home. Denise Rimlinger with Keller Williams represents Lusher Builders in Henry County.

The company is also continuing to build in three neighborhoods in SummerGrove, the planned community in the Newnan area of Coweta County. These homes in the Ashton, Tapestry and Golf View neighborhoods are priced from $230,000 to $350,000, and Frank Kimble with The Home Source, Realtors represents Lusher Builders in Coweta County.

New company owner Lusher said, “With Jerry Ballard Homes, I gained valuable personal and business experience, My years working for Jerry were very rewarding, as he taught me so much about the building industry. He was a mentor whose memory I will always carry with me. As he did with so many people, he changed the course of my life...in a good way.”

Lusher noted that Lusher Builders will operate with the same standards and values as Jerry Ballard Homes. “This business will continue with the same group of dedicated employees, three of whom each has 20 years of association with Jerry Ballard Homes. We all hope to grow and expand the company over the coming years.”

A 1976 graduate of the University of New Orleans with a degree in business, Lusher began working in the construction industry as a project manager with his brother’s company, which built residential homes and attached townhomes. In 1986, he was hired by Jerry Ballard to be a building superintendent, and he moved to Fayetteville.

Then, in 1993, he accepted the position of executive vice president of Jerry Ballard Homes, becoming responsible for all day-to-day business operations, all phases of home building, and land development.

Lusher was the 2001-02 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia and was the association’s 2001 Builder of the Year. He remains active with the organization as a state and national representative, and he has also earned the Certified Professional Builder designation from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. He and his wife Mary live in Fayette County and have two daughters.

login to post comments