When the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga named Nerren Pratt its 2025 Developer of the Year, the recognition reflected more than a single project or milestone. It honored a development philosophy rooted in long-term thinking, careful stewardship of land and a commitment to building neighborhoods that endure.
As one of the owners of Pratt Home Builders, Pratt has played a central role in shaping residential growth across the Chattanooga region, overseeing the development of communities where thousands of families have put down roots. The award recognizes both the company’s homebuilding work and its broader approach to community development, emphasizing quality, consistency and lasting value over quick returns.
In the following Q&A, Pratt reflects on what the honor means to him, the projects he’s most proud of and the principles that guide his decisions as a developer. He also discusses the challenges facing the housing industry today and the responsibility that comes with helping shape the future of Chattanooga’s neighborhoods.
What does being named HBAGC’s 2025 Developer of the Year mean to you?
“It’s a tremendous honor and something I’m deeply grateful for. This recognition isn’t about me alone; it reflects the dedication of our development team and the entire company, who work every day to bring our communities to life. From the beginning, our mission has been to build homes that hold their value and are backed by exceptional care, and I’m incredibly proud of the team that brings that mission to life. As we move through this year and into the years ahead, with several new communities already underway, this award affirms our direction and our commitment to creating homes people are truly proud to call their own.
“I also want to thank my wife, Victoria, and our four children for the sacrifices they’ve made along the way. Their support makes all of this possible.”
Looking back at the projects and decisions that led to the award, what are you most proud of and why?
“What I’m most proud of is creating neighborhoods that truly feel like home and hold their value. Since we began building in 1998, more than 2,800 families have put down roots in our communities, forming connections that turn neighborhoods into places where kids play outside, neighbors know each other and families thrive. Building high-quality homes and thoughtfully planned communities that truly matter to the people who live there is incredibly rewarding, and it’s how we know we’re creating something that truly matters.”
Pratt Home Builders has built a strong reputation in the Chattanooga market. How would you describe your approach to development and what principles guide your decisions?
“Our approach is long-term and hands-on. As a local, trusted homebuilder and developer in the Greater Chattanooga area, we’re focused on creating lasting value for homebuyers – not just building houses. We’re vertically integrated, managing everything from land acquisition and civil engineering to our own heavy civil site work, which allows us to maintain consistent quality throughout the home building process. These principles were established by my brother, Win Pratt, and our dad, James Pratt, when they founded Pratt Home Builders, and they continue to guide how we build high-quality homes and thoughtfully planned communities across our region.”
How do you balance the practical demands of development – costs, timelines, regulations – with creating places where people genuinely want to live?
“Having control over the process helps us make better decisions early. Because we do so much in-house, we can stay efficient without sacrificing quality. We’ve also started building our own community pools so we can control the process and add real, lasting value to each neighborhood. That kind of control allows us to deliver amenities that residents actually use and appreciate for years.”
What role has HBAGC played in your growth as a developer and in the success of your company?
“Being part of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga is very important to me. Development can be stressful, and it helps to be around other builders and developers who truly understand the demands of this profession. HBAGC provides that sense of community, shared experience and support that you don’t get anywhere else.”
Every developer has a “why.” What originally drew you to this work, and what continues to motivate you today?
“I joined the business about 10 years after my brother and dad started it, and I’ve now completed my 16th year in development. What drew me in, and still motivates me, is a genuine love for developing and creating new homes in Chattanooga. I enjoy turning ideas into real places where people can live, grow and build their lives.”
How has your perspective on development changed over the course of your career, especially as Chattanooga and the region have evolved?
“Early in my career, my focus was on execution and learning the business. Over time, it’s shifted toward stewardship and long-term impact. As Chattanooga has grown, the responsibility to build thoughtfully and with the future in mind has only become more important.”
Share a bit about your background and early experiences and how they shaped the way you approach leadership and building today.
“The values of hard work, accountability and taking care of both customers and team members were instilled early by my dad and reinforced by my brother.
“Jennifer Dorsey, our company president, was our very first team member more than 23 years ago and continues to uphold those same standards today. That continuity has helped shape our culture in a very intentional way.”
What challenges facing the housing and development industry concern you most right now, and how are you navigating them?
“Affordability remains the biggest challenge. Rising costs, labor constraints and regulations all make it harder to deliver attainable housing in Chattanooga. At the same time, cities and counties want development to help offset rising costs without increasing taxes on residents. That puts additional pressure on new projects.
“There’s also the reality that people who already own homes often don’t want new housing built nearby. We’re navigating that by working closely with city and county leaders and focusing on thoughtful development that adds value rather than creating strain.”
Looking ahead, what do you hope your work ultimately represents about your impact on Chattanooga and the communities you help build?
“I hope our work represents integrity, care and lasting value in the way that we help shape Chattanooga neighborhoods and the local housing market.
“If families are happy in these communities years from now, have built lasting connections and we see our neighborhoods continuing to add something meaningful to the greater Chattanooga area, it will affirm that we are creating quality homes and communities that truly stand the test of time.”