Buildertrend hires former Home Depot and AMEX executives to enhance customer offerings

OMAHA, Neb. (Nov. 10, 2021) – Buildertrend, the leading provider of cloud-based construction management software for home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors, has recruited two former Fortune 500 company executives to its leadership team to expand its portfolio of offerings to the residential construction industry.

Buildertrend plans to grow out the platform’s capabilities in payment processing and materials management. Andrés Ricaurte, who has a longstanding record of success in the fintech industry, will lead Buildertrend’s financial services offerings. John Sommers Jr. will use his expertise in the home improvement industry to grow and strengthen Buildertrend’s strategic initiatives with material providers.

“As we look to the future, we realize there is an opportunity to grow Buildertrend’s Financial Services and Materials Management offerings. Our focus has always been our customers, which in today’s world goes well beyond just project management software,” said David Arnold, chief strategy officer at Buildertrend. “We are thrilled to welcome John and Andrés and look forward to seeing the success their work will bring in propelling our customers’ businesses forward.”

Andrés Ricaurte | Senior Vice President of Financial Services

Ricaurte is a proven leader with deep experience in fintech and payments. Previously, he was responsible for the payments business at Mphasis, a Blackstone portfolio company, and served in several global leadership roles at American Express.

Notably, Ricaurte worked to embed and contextualize payments inside major B2B software platforms by launching AMEX’s payments-as-a-service business. With a track record of inspiring and managing product development, innovation and partnerships teams, Ricaurte will lead Buildertrend’s fast-growing payments and financial services businesses.

Ricaurte holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in business administration.  In addition to his executive role at Buildertrend, he continues to be an active adviser in the fintech startup ecosystem.

John Sommers Jr. | Senior Vice President of Materials Management

Sommers is a seasoned and accomplished leader in the home improvement space with domestic and international experience in global sourcing, merchandising, supply chain management and strategic planning. After spending 24 years as an operations and merchandising leader for the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, Sommers was appointed as the President of the Resilient Flooring business at Mohawk Industries, the world largest flooring manufacture.

Sommers will strategize and execute the growth of Buildertrend’s materials team. This team will grow exclusive material sourcing resources and incentives, benefitting contractors who utilize Buildertrend’s core software subscription. With Buildertrend’s recent integration announcement, Sommers will continue to grow its partnership with The Home Depot and CBUSA, a company acquired by Buildertrend in February 2021.

Sommers earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Marquette University and his master’s in business administration from Emory University. In addition to his executive role at Buildertrend, Sommers continues to share his expertise in management as an associate professor at the University of North Georgia.

About Buildertrend 

Buildertrend is the leading cloud-based project management software used by home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors. The company’s award-winning culture is one that’s focused on collaboration, putting customers first and a healthy work-life balance. Buildertrend’s team works together to create, sell and service a software solution that provides a better way for construction professionals to operate their businesses. As a workforce, Buildertrend’s software also provides its team with a means to live better lives and be better humans. To learn more, visit buildertrend.com and @buildertrendlife.