Southern Living Custom Builder Program renews selection of John Leebel as member

Lewes builder John Leebel of The Lewes Building Company has been selected for the 2014 year to be part of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program.

Leebel is one of an exclusive group of builders chosen for the 21st annual builder program. Each year, Southern Living carefully selects members based on their community reputation, strength of presence in their respective markets, superior quality and attention to detail, innovative style and other criteria. Builders are required to reapply each year and are evaluated annually by Southern Living to assure they have met the standards.

Through participation in the program, builders have access to more than 1,000 exclusive plans in the Southern Living House Plans collection. They also participate in a conference and educational workshops where they learn the latest trends and technologies in their trade.

“We are very proud to have The Lewes Building Company back for this year’s program,” said Kristen Bryan, associate marketing director. “The Custom Builder Program includes some of the finest custom builders from the Southeast.”

The Lewes Building Company was established in 2007 by John and Kathleen Leebel. In fall 2010, Jeffrey Dawson joined The Lewes Building Company as a principal and partner. John Leebel has more than 16 years experience in home building with specialized training in construction scheduling and subcontractor management as well as large-scale project management experience in costing, contracting, and budgeting.

In November 2012, The Lewes Building Company built Delaware’s first Southern Living Showcase Home in the community of Hawkseye. In a week’s time, more than 1,000 visitors from 13 states, including from as far away as Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida and California, came to Lewes to see Kousa Creek, a design from acclaimed architect John Tee.

Proceeds from the showcase home open house were donated to the Tunnell Cancer Center. Other recent Southern Living design projects include Wellstone Place, Summerlake, and Elberton Way, which can also be found in the community of Hawkseye in Lewes.

Southern Living celebrates the best food, travel, style and design across the South. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the rapidly expanding Southern Living brand is part of Time Inc., the largest publisher in the United States.