Selling the American dream one home at a time

M/I HOMES

Alan Beulah is president of M/I Homes Charlotte division, continuing a career built on construction and real estate. He is the second person of color to hold such a position in company history.

When Alan Beulah was asked by long-time friend George Schulmeyer if he was willing to step into Schulmeyer’s role as M/I Homes Charlotte division president, he was reluctant. 

“I was really happy doing what I was doing,” said Beulah, who was Charlotte vice president of sales and marketing at the time. 

However, when Beulah considered the productive office energy that Schulmeyer created, he reconsidered. 

“Only because it’s here,” Beulah recalled, expecting a gradual transition. 

It didn’t happen. 

Schulmeyer died suddenly in February, and Beulah stepped into the role. 

Founded in 1976 in Ohio, M/I Homes is a nationally recognized residential home builder, specializing in family-friendly community developments in 17 U.S. markets. Generally, the communities contain between 70 and 300 single family homes and M/I Homes offers buyers multiple services under one umbrella including financing, design and construction. 

According to CompaniesMarketCap.com, M/I Homes grossed just over $4.5 billion in the U.S. last year. 

While it is a company Beulah’s career path equipped him for, he admits home construction and real estate were not even on his radar as a young person. 

Born in Cambridgeshire, England, where his father, a non-commissioned Air Force officer, was stationed, Beulah spent his early years in Europe. Once the family returned to the U.S., they moved frequently but Beulah doesn’t lament the itinerant lifestyle. 

“I loved the travelling. [I think] you are more well-rounded,” he said. “It broadens your horizons.” 

Eventually Beulah, his parents, and three younger siblings settled at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland. Upon graduating high school in 1977, he attended Frostburg State University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in business administration. Beulah also began working as the university’s assistant director of admissions and minority recruiter – job in which he flourished. 

“I enjoyed interacting with people,” he says. 

Later, Beulah took a job as special assistant to the regional administrator at the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C. 

After earning his real estate license, Beulah started selling real estate as a side hustle.  

His sales skills and personable nature had efficacious results.  

“Within 90 days I handed in my resignation [at GSA],” he said, in favor of work as a realtor in the Washington market before transitioning to new home sales with a small local builder.  After that, he went on to work with National Builders in Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida, Atlanta and Charlotte. 

In 2015, Beulah joined M/I Homes. A few years later, Schulmeyer joined, and the Charlotte division as well as their friendship blossomed. 

“We had a lot of commonality,” said Beulah, who complimented Schuleyer’s tight-knit, people-centric management style. 

“He was very inclusive,” Beulah recounted. “He always involved his senior staff in making decisions. He laid good groundwork.” 

Beulah has endeavored to maintain that atmosphere since taking the helm. 

“I don’t view it as taking over,” he said. “I view it as continuing to carry the torch. And I want to take that torch higher.” 

Beulah also hopes his appointment as president, only the second of a minority in company history, will send positive messages beyond his office. 

“This is my chance to say, ‘Hey, it is indeed possible.’ It opens doors,” he said. “This is a viable career choice. This isn’t just building,” adding the corporation has separate sales, finance, construction, purchasing and customer care departments.  

“This is a big industry,” Beulah adds. “It provides a needed service and that will never change.” 

According to Beulah some 90 people in the Charlotte region are employed by M/I and the industry isn’t slowing down. 

[Charlotte-Mecklenburg] is a very competitive market,” Beulah said. “Most major builders are here, have been here or are trying to get here.”

People just starting to chart a career path aren’t the only ones Beulah encourages to prepare for future success. His hope is to see more people groups become homeowners although there are substantial racial disparities. 
U.S. Census statistics reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis show white ownership rates at 74% compared to the Black rate just under 44%. The gap is higher than in 1960, when race-based discrimination was still technically legal. 

“I think it’s getting educated about the benefits of home ownership,” Beulah said, adding that a broader understanding of finances in general would better equip potential homeowners. 

“[I’d say first] talk with a lender to get an understanding of where you stand. Come up with a plan. If you don’t have a lot of money saved, improve your credit. Have a plan and work on a plan.” 

Beulah emphasizes the struggle toward homeownership is worth it, pointing out it builds financial stability and economic freedom.

“Home ownership is a great steppingstone,” he said. “You are paying for more than just a home, you are investing in your future.” 

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