Broomall native Chris Gillen’s 22 years of homebuilding experience prepared him just in time to lead the nation’s new fourth-largest homebuilder through its opening chapter.

Gillen arrived at Ryland Homes just a year and a half before it merged with fellow giant Standard Pacific last year, creating a leader in 26 real estate markets with a value of $8.4 billion, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report by Alan Heavens.

“It is unusual in this business when two strong companies get together,” Gillen said of the CalAtlantic Group.

CalAtlantic has since built nearly 13,000 homes nationwide, with many of the ones built in the Philly area considered “boutique” developments on 25 or fewer lots in the suburbs, where large parcels of land are easier to come by than in the city.

“I am proud of our accomplishments,” said Gillen, a Drexel graduate and the chief of CalAtlantic’s Philly regional division.

Read more about the CalAtlantic merger’s first year in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.