Cole West promotes Chris Winter to President of Homebuilding

Utah-based Cole West named Chris Winter as the company’s new president of homebuilding to help facilitate the developer’s expanding footprint across Utah, according to a company announcement. 

Winter will oversee Cole West’s homebuilding operations in both Northern and Southern Utah, according to the company announcement. He previously led the firm’s Southern Utah homebuilding division and has overseen the development of more than 1,400 homes during his tenure with Cole West.

Based in Centerville, Utah, Cole West is a fully integrated real estate company focused on land, development, construction and design. The firm, which ranked 49th by sales revenue on the inaugural 2025 HousingWire Homebuilder Rankings, is active in homebuilding, multifamily, master-planned communities, retail, mixed-use and other strategic real estate projects in Northern and Southern Utah and Dallas, Texas.

Winter joined Cole West in January 2021 after serving as vice president of finance in Northern California for PulteGroup. He began his career in Sacramento as an audit professional at Ernst & Young, experience the company said informs his data-driven approach to growth and capital allocation.

“Chris’ proven leadership and deep understanding of the Utah market make him exceptionally well-suited to lead our homebuilding operations during a time of significant growth,” Cole West CEO Darlene Carter said in the announcement.

Cole West said that Winter’s promotion comes during a period of “significant growth” for its homebuilding platform. The company currently offers homes in 21 communities across Utah, ranging from single-family detached homes and townhomes to active adult and vacation rental communities.

“It has been a privilege to be part of Cole West’s evolution from a startup homebuilder to a leading, diversified real estate company in Utah, and I am honored to step into the role of homebuilding president,” Winter said.

The firm also named Lancaster Brown as the new division president of homebuilding in Southern Utah. Brown previously served as vice president of construction operations for the company.