Daniel Nickless CPA

Daniel J. Nickless, Land President Lennar Homes Daniel J. Nickless is the Land President for Lennar Homes of Colorado, the state’s largest homebuilder and developer with over 50 active communities in the Front Range. Prior to the recent merger of Lennar and Cal Atlantic Dan was the Division President for CalAtlantic Homes’ Colorado responsible for planning and directing the division’s overall operations. He focused the division’s local emphasis on sustainable development and energy efficient product with recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Certified Homes Leadership in Housing Award. Dan has a wealth of real estate knowledge earned over more than 25 years in the industry. 

Dan is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and began his career with KPMG Peat Marwick after earning his bachelor's degree in accounting with a marketing emphasis from Metropolitan State University of Denver, formerly Metropolitan State College. He currently serves on the board of advisors for the Dean of the Business School at MSU. In his current capacity, Dan is responsible for the strategic planning for the land acquisition group, sourcing community opportunities and the cultivation of relationships to sustain the division’s growth strategy, which includes 2,000 + homes a year. In addition, he oversees new product development that will led the division into new market segments. Dan is a third generation Colorado native. He began his real-estate career with the Writer Corporation an award winning real-estate developer and home builder. He served Writer in senior manager positions and ultimately as President and Chief Operating Officer through his 12 year tenor with Writer. Writer was a visionary organization which brought the first PUD to Colorado and the first PUD to be approved for VA/FHA financing in the country. Notable projects include Writer Square (a mixed use community in downtown Denver) and numerous residential masterplans throughout the metro area. Prior to the Cal Atlantic/Lennar positions he served as president of two other national builders. While in these positions, he has led the organization’s teams in the collaboration with several architects in the creation of numerous award winning product lines including; single family detached, paired and attached multi-family “for sale” homes. 

Most recently, his team received the Gold award for the Best Masterplan Community at the 2017 Metro Denver HBA Mame awards. In addition, his teams have been recognized on a national level with the Gold Nugget, and Silver Award from the National Association of Homebuilders and the Gold Award from the Home Builders of Metro Denver (HBA) for Best Attached product. His team was also recognized with the Gold Award from the HBA for the Best “Green Home”. Dan has been a featured speaker at the International Builders Show (IBS) on topics of house design for aged targeted buyers, and the Millennials. In addition, he has spoken at several industry events as an expert for discussions ranging from emerging trends to current industry economics, at the University of Denver and in collaboration with the Meyers Group and for the Colorado Real Estate Journal’s industry events. 

Dan is active in his community, serving two terms on the Board of Catholic Charities, two terms on the Archdiocese of Denver Housing Authority and served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Denver Home Builders Association. He has been active in youth athletics and he and his wife Kristy, of 35 years, boast three, 4th generation, Colorado native children from their home in Lone Tree, Colorado.