HISTORY
Making Life Better
For our customers, employees, trade partners, investors, and communities.
Our Story
Founded in 2000 when Brian and Heather Bahr started Challenger Homes out of a family garage in Colorado Springs, The Challenger Group (TCG) has grown into a diversified residential housing platform ranked #46 on the 2026 Builder 100, up from #69 in 2024. Today, TCG spans homebuilding, multifamily, and Owner-Operator partnerships through three primary companies: Challenger Homes, Goodwin Knight, and National Builder Group. New NBG Owner-Operators build and sell under Better Life Homes, our unified national consumer brand
ABOUT
Making Life Better
For us, it is more than a motto – it is our mission.
It is something we live and breathe every day. We incorporate our mission into every home we build, from delivering incredible value and warranties that provide homebuyers peace of mind, to thoughtful designs that make everyone feel at home. We extend this same sentiment to our trade partners and everyone we interact with, be it at work or play. It is the cornerstone of our culture at the National Builder Group.
In recent years affordability in housing has become increasingly difficult to achieve, making it challenging for many families to achieve home ownership. At the National Builder Group we focus on providing homes people dream of, and because of how we operate, our Owner Operator led companies deliver immense value in our markets. That means a dream home can now become a reality.
Award Winning
Established Team
Meet The Team
We're an award-winning multidisciplinary team based in Colorado with a passion for supporting our partners in the markets they serve. Our leadership team brings together decades of homebuilding experience, financial expertise, and operational depth. We work with businesses and people to Make Life Better... one home at a time.
Brian founded Challenger Homes in 2000 and has spent the past 25 years building The Challenger Group into a diversified residential housing platform spanning homebuilding, multifamily, and Owner-Operator partnerships. Under his leadership, TCG has delivered thousands of homes and multiple rental communities while championing its mission Making Life Better. He holds a master’s degree in accounting and information systems from Brigham Young University.
Jim is a 30-year industry veteran with experience developing, building and selling a wide array of residential projects from entry-level single-family homes to high-rise condominiums and custom homes. He has owned and led both small and large companies and brings the unique experience of expanding the nation’s leading homebuilding franchisor over a 14-year span. Jim joined National Builder Group to lead its growth as a national recognized Owner-Operator platform.
Matt Wilkinson brings over 22 years of homebuilding experience to the National Builder Group, with a diverse background spanning single-family and multi-family homes, apartments, offices and shopping centers across the country. A LEED and NAHB certified green builder, Matt’s goal is to create real value or NBG’s Owner-Operators through national purchasing relationships, supply chain expertise, and hands-on operational support.
Simon Dexter
VP of Accounting
Simon Dexter serves as Vice President of Accounting and Cash Management for National Builder Group, overseeing financial reporting, accounting operations, and back-office support across the NBG platform. His work ensures that Owner-Operators have the financial clarity and infrastructure.
Todd Gamboa
Director of Field Operations
Todd Gamboa serves as Director of Field Operations for National Builder Group, providing direct construction and operations support to Owner-Operators across the country. With extensive field experience, Todd helps partners maintain quality, schedule, and cost control at every stage of the build cycle.
Lauren Hill
Director of Marketing
Lauren Hill serves as Director of Marketing for National Builder Group, leading brand development, content strategy, and marketing support for NBG and the Better Life Homes network. She works closely with Owner-Operators to ensure they have the tools, assets, and strategy they need to connect with buyers and grow in their markets.
