Veteran Chicago Builder, Banker Team Up

John L. Wozniak, a former division president of Summit Homes and Lennar, and James L. Chittaro, a former executive in the real estate lending divisions of Bank of America and Royal Bank of Canada, have announced the formation of a new homebuilding venture, J. Lawrence Homes. Wozniak will serve as president, while Chittaro will hold the title of CFO.

Although J. Lawrence Homes is a new company, Wozniak and Chittaro have almost four decades of combined housing-industry experience.

Wozniak is a 25-year veteran of the housing industry, starting as a field laborer. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually serving as division president for two of the largest homebuilders in the Chicago area.

Chittaro began his banking career at Cole Taylor Bank in Chicago. Later, he established the Midwestern homebuilder/finance divisions for two of the largest banks in North America.

Naperville-based J. Lawrence Homes could have as many as 400 homes in its development pipeline by next year, according to the two principals.