A coastal builder and developer creating thoughtfully designed homes and communities within the South Padre Island Golf Club: crafted for the way coastal living is meant to be experienced.
At Gallery Built Homes, we are both the builder and developer behind communities designed around the way people want to live. The South Padre Island Golf Club is a reflection of that vision: a thoughtfully planned coastal community where timeless architecture, walkable streets, and carefully considered amenities create a lasting sense of place.
As the developer, we thoughtfully plan communities that encourage connection, relaxation, and everyday enjoyment. As the builder, we craft homes that complement the surrounding environment and support the coastal lifestyle homeowners seek.
Life here extends far beyond the front door. Residents enjoy access to the Gulf Coast, championship golf courses, resort-style pools, parks, dining, shopping, and year-round community events, creating opportunities to gather, unwind, and make lasting memories with family and friends.
Every aspect of the homeowner experience has been considered with intention. From community design and amenities to the quality and craftsmanship of each home, our goal is to create places that are both beautiful and highly livable. Seasonal activities, family-friendly events, and thoughtfully curated spaces foster a vibrant coastal lifestyle that can be enjoyed for generations.
At Gallery Built Homes, we are committed to developing exceptional communities and building timeless homes that reflect the character of South Texas: places designed to enhance everyday living, strengthen community connections, and stand the test of time.
MEET THE TEAM
Founder
James Austin “Bubba” Vann had already built a successful empire and developed neighborhoods for the largest company in the world before expanding Gallery Fine Homes into his hometown of Fort Worth, the place where he grew up and attended college at TCU. His success was not handed to him; more than 22 years ago, he started out with a toolbox, a pickup truck and a small loan from his father. Then, someone took a chance on him to build a multi-family unit in South Texas. The rest is history. He’s expanding his vision to be a servant-leader in building safe, secure, and beautiful spaces that improve people’s lives. He invites you to see not just what he builds, but the communities he helps grow and to be part of that story.
MEET THE TEAM
CEO
Billy Brentlinger grew up on a farm near Mansfield, Texas while also attending Fort Worth Country Day. He co-owned a wholesale nursery with his brother, and later, a nursery software business, and a nursery-specific retail merchandising business starting right after he graduated from TCU in 1988. The business eventually grew into the largest Texas-owned nursery in the state. Both the homebuilding and nursery industries manufacture something that takes months of planning, problem-solving and growing. As the CEO, he focuses on strategic planning, business development, long-term financial strategies, working with his ecosystem of winners on developing people in the positions they are in.
MEET THE TEAM
CCO
Leading and empowering teams and complex projects as a football coach and former NFL player made COO Jason Starkey uniquely qualified to bring Gallery Fine Homes to where it is today. Jason speaks all over the country with an agenda to get young athletes to stop measuring their worth through external achievements. His message is that their worth is intrinsic. He learned this the hard way as a professional football player who lost everything after leaving the NFL. He now applies his passion for building people up into building homes and communities while leading the Gallery Fine Homes’ team in operations.
MEET THE TEAM
CFO
Chief Financial Officers may not always seem exciting on paper, but for Christian Skonberg, his role isn’t just spreadsheets; it is transparency, stewardship, creative solutions, impact and strategy. A CFO is often the person who ensures the company’s vision is possible, and Christian does this by keeping the company funded, backed and able to take risks responsibly. “I zoom out and draw a big picture to make sense of everything that is happening in the company, almost like a financial narrative,” Christian says. What he loves most about the position he’s in is the challenge, and making decisions that have a big impact, which is why he leads the business office with honesty, integrity and openness. He also loves the people he works with.
MEET THE TEAM
Director of Design & Client Experience
Tristen Resendiz brings a lifetime of construction knowledge and a passion for thoughtful design to every home she helps create. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the construction industry, she developed a hands-on understanding of residential building from an early age.
After spending more than five years managing luxury custom home projects alongside one of the region’s most respected residential designers, Tristen refined her expertise in both design and construction. Her unique ability to balance aesthetics with buildability allows her to create homes that are beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully executed.
As Director of Design & Client Experience, Tristen guides clients through every stage of the custom home journey, from architectural planning and interior design to finish selections and project coordination. She is committed to creating a seamless, collaborative experience while helping clients bring timeless, personalized homes to life with confidence and attention to detail.
