When Phillippe Lord steps up to bat, he brings more than just leadership; he carries years of hands-on experience, thoughtful strategy, and deep respect for people. Since January 1, 2021, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Meritage Homes, and joined the company’s Board just weeks later in February 2021.
Grounded Beginnings: A Strategist Arrives
Phillippe’s journey with Meritage didn’t begin at the top. In 2008, he arrived to build what would become the heart of the company’s competitive edge, its strategic operations and market research department. It’s the team that shapes how Meritage scouts land, sets pricing, and plans product design.
By 2012, his steady leadership earned him promotion to President of the West Region, a post he held until 2015. There, he crafted a strategy at a regional level, ensuring Meritage remained adaptive and agile in western markets.
Building Operational Momentum
In April 2015, Phillippe moved into the role of Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, overseeing Meritage’s daily engine operations, builds, markets, and financial results. He remained in that seat through 2020, shepherding the company with a steady hand.
His promotion to CEO on January 1, 2021, was not a surprise; it was the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of leadership, creativity, and operational wisdom.
Education: Where His Approach Took Shape
Phillippe Lord’s grounding isn’t just in real estate; it begins in education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business from Colorado State University, then completed graduate-level coursework in Economics at the University of Arizona. These academic roots help explain why he’s so methodical and thoughtful as a leader.
Before Meritage: A Broader Market View
Before Meritage, Phillippe gathered experience across multiple firms. He held leadership roles at Acacia Capital, Centex Homes, and Pinnacle West Capital. That diverse exposure helped shape his long-term perspective and opened the door to joining Meritage in 2008.
Today: Leading with Purpose
As CEO, Phillippe Lord is known for his calm, grounded approach, even when markets get stormy. In 2024–25, he spoke publicly about guiding Meritage forward through market shifts, shaping strategy, and redefining company values. At an Economic Club of Phoenix event, he was described as leading with a “people-centred company culture,” driving diversity efforts, and helping shape core values in 2017.
Beyond the Numbers
What stands out about Phillippe isn’t the titles or transitions, it’s his focus on people and purpose. He helped build research systems from scratch, shaped teams, and moved from regional to company-wide roles by consistently proving value. Many of today’s Meritage initiatives, like energy-efficient homebuilding and community engagement, bear his imprint.
In short, Phillippe Lord’s story is one of slow, grounded ascent, of building and leading from the inside out, focusing on strategy, people, and results. He’s a CEO who earned the title not by flash, but by steady impact.
