A Brief Introduction

My name is James McClister, and I am Custom Builder’s new editor. It’s with humility that I take over from Nigel F. Maynard, whose shoes are not easily filled, though I stand in them all the same.

A little about me ... I come from a partner publication, Pro Remodeler magazine, where I served as managing editor for the past four and a half years. I spent that time getting to know remodelers—their businesses, jobsites, and industry—and sharing their stories and insights the best I could. I departed the magazine lucky enough to have helped win a Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Industry Coverage, announced in June. 

With eyes forward, I’m both excited and intrigued to begin my position at Custom Builder, ready to maintain the tradition of quality reporting our team of editors has worked hard to build, while also anxious to learn where our readers may want more. 

Residential construction, and its many verticals, face significant crosswinds: rapid digitization of all processes from sales to production that are pushing paper into obsolescence; labor shortages that are accelerating innovations in efficiency and setting new standards for quicker, easier installs; and recent building materials shortages and price increases that are challenging once brand-loyal builders and remodelers to look for available alternatives wherever they can. And those are just the mainstream talking points. 

Whatever the issue, whether persisting or burgeoning, it’s my intention to keep Custom Builder ahead of it so our readers can better do the same for themselves, their businesses, and their 
staff (subs included). 

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to introduce yourself, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

James McClister      [email protected]