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William J. Pulte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William J Pulte
Born
William John Pulte

(1932-05-16)May 16, 1932
Died(2018-03-07)March 7, 2018
Known forFounder of PulteGroup
Height5'8
Spouse
Karen Koppal
(m. 1993)
Children14

William John Pulte was the founder and chairman of PulteGroup, one of the largest home construction and real estate development companies in the United States.

Biography

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Early life and education

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William J. Pulte attended De La Salle Collegiate School in Detroit. He was a three sport varsity athlete in football, track and basketball.[1]

Career

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In 1950, just after graduating high school, William J. Pulte and 5 friends built a 5-room bungalow near Detroit City Airport, which they sold for $10,000.[2]

In 1956, he founded William J. Pulte Inc.[3] In 1959, he built his first subdivision.[2][3]

In 2016, after Richard Dugas Jr., the former chief executive officer of the company, moved the headquarters of the company from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to Atlanta and initiated a change in direction for the company, William J. Pulte, who owned 9% of the company at the time, pressured Dugas to resign. Dugas resigned, and the stock price fell 6.57%.[4]

Death

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William J. Pulte had 14 children (and was predeceased by one). He divorced his first wife, and married Karen Koppal in 1993.[citation needed] William J. Pulte died at his home in Naples, Florida, on March 7, 2018, at the age of 85.[5][3][2]

References

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  1. ^ Schuler, Joe (2006). Building a Legacy (The William J. Pulte Story). SangFroid Press. ISBN 978-0917939129.
  2. ^ a b c "The Pulte Family Shares Passing of William J. Pulte, Founder of PulteGroup (PHM), and Transition Plans" (Press release). PR Newswire. March 7, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c PINHO, KIRK (March 7, 2018). "PulteGroup founder William Pulte dies at age 85". Crain Communications.
  4. ^ PINHO, KIRK (April 4, 2016). "PulteGroup chairman, CEO Dugas to retire under pressure". Crain Communications.
  5. ^ Kirkham, Chris (March 7, 2018). "William J. Pulte, Who Made Home-Building a Big Business, Dies at 85". The Wall Street Journal.