Yankee Barn Homes co-owner and CEO, Paul Marinelli, has had a successful business career, but we believe he saved the best for last. Here is Paul, in his own words, on what prepared him to run Yankee Barn Homes and how he intends to move the company forward.
YBH: Tell Us a Bit About Yourself.
Paul: I was Born and raised in Massachusetts, one of four children. I come from a large Italian family and was the first to go to college. Upon graduating from Boston College with a degree in economics, I went on to serve in the U.S. Army. After completing my service I furthered my education and earned an MBA from Babson College.
YBH: Please Tell Us About Your Business Experience.
Paul: My early career was spent in finance, rising to the level of VP of finance and administration. I had the responsibility of overseeing all company operations. This experience convinced me I could be successful owning and running a business. I purchased my first company in 1990. Since then I have identified, owned, run, and successfully sold three companies.
YBH: How Did You Come to Know Yankee Barn Homes?
Paul: In the mid 80’s, my wife, Marilyn and I began traveling between Massachusetts and Quechee, Vermont. On each trip, we would pass the YBH facilities with its name boldly imprinted on its roof. Thirty years later, the opportunity to purchase YBH presented itself and I was immediately interested. It felt unique and fortuitous as another chapter in my life.
YBH, like virtually all its competitors, had difficult times during the 2007-2010 time period. I was convinced however, that the brand was still strong and the company fundamentals were solid. In partnership with Jeffrey Rosen, we finalized the purchase of YBH in September 2011.
YBH: What’s Your Vision for Yankee Barn Homes?
Paul: My vision for the company is to re establish its iconic image, improve its operational efficiency, and refine/expand its product line, keeping YBH homes at the forefront of energy efficient home-build technology. Simultaneously, I want the company to provide employment opportunities to as many people as possible while restoring itself as an economic engine to the upper valley region.
Our number one priority is to rebuild the sales and marketing efforts enabling us to create backlog. This will allow the operational side of the business to be predictable and efficient. 2014 brought great strides in accomplishing this; 2015 continues to deliver.
I am so enthused about the company that my wife and I just bought our very own Yankee Barn home here in Grantham. Living in a Yankee Barn brings us full circle from our early journey north, and allows us to say we truly live the YBH Lifestyle.
