Professional Builder 40 Under 40: Chris Kornman

Chris Kornman, 39 President Southern Homes, Slidell, La. EDUCATION BA, Psychology, Emory University; PhD, Psychology, Georgia State University PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS Certified Green Professional, licensed real estate broker, licensed residential/commercial contractor ACCOMPLISHMENTS Launched renovation division in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to help repair flood-damaged homes; unit now specializes in high-performance, green remodeling projects Built one of the first homes certified under NAHB Green Building Guidelines Program Improved all key customer satisfaction metrics, including willingness to refer (from 71 percent to 94 percent) and custom enthusiasm (35 percent to 76 percent) EXTRACURRICULAR Member, HBA of Greater New Orleans, NAHB, and National Association of Realtors OFF THE CLOCK Makes a mean Sazerac — a local New Orleans bourbon-based drink believed to be one of the first known American cocktails Fave foods: shrimp po-boy from R&O’s and wife’s sugar cookies Highly addicted to all forms of reality TV, including “The Real Housewives,” “Jersey Shore,” “The Bachelor,” and “The Bachelorette” Getaway spot: any beach SECRET LIFE He’s a licensed psychologist (“When people find out they get worried that I’m psychoanalyzing them while we talk”)