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Management

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R. Chad Dreier

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ryland Group Inc.

R. Chad Dreier was elected president and chief executive officer of Ryland on November 29, 1993, and chairman on December 21, 1994. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the homebuilding industry, Mr. Dreier possesses a unique combination of experience and proven results in finance, homebuilding and mortgage operations. Over the course of his career, Mr. Dreier has earned a reputation for building strong, profitable businesses, with the most notable of his successes being the rebuilding of Ryland.

Under his leadership, Ryland achieved a turnaround like no other in the homebuilding industry. In addition to surpassing the company's profit goals, Mr. Dreier vastly improved the quality of the company's home designs and land positions, as well as put in place a high-caliber management team and a solid, performance-driven strategy.

Mr. Dreier has positioned Ryland for continued success while reinforcing the company's position as a dominant, high-volume production homebuilder by:

• Focusing on entry-level and first- and second-time move-up buyers.
• Providing homebuyers with the best value in terms of both product and price.
• Building upon the strength of the company's national brand and reputation for customer service.
• Maintaining geographic diversity.
• Following a decentralized operating strategy to capitalize on the company's extensive local market knowledge.
• Providing a great value to stockholders through the careful management of risks and returns on investment.

Mr. Dreier earned his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1969 from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and was a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1972. He is chairman of the board of trustees for Loyola Marymount University.

Mr. Dreier is an avid sports fan, enjoys collecting sports memorabilia, and owns a first-class baseball card collection. He and his wife, Ginni, live in Santa Barbara, California. They are active members of the community, providing both personal and financial support to a number of community organizations, especially those dedicated to literacy, education, and health-related causes. They have two grown children, Kristin and Doug, who are active professionals and philanthropic contributors in their home city of Santa Barbara.

Larry T. Nicholson

Chief Operating Officer

As chief operating officer of The Ryland Group, Inc., Larry Nicholson is responsible for overseeing Ryland Homes' national homebuilding, purchasing and safety operations.

Mr. Nicholson has more than 25 years of experience in the homebuilding industry. He joined Ryland in March 1996 as vice president of operations for the Southeast region and subsequently ran the Greenville and Orlando divisions.

In 2004, Mr. Nicholson was promoted to president of Ryland Homes' Southeast region where he was responsible for homebuilding operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. He assumed his current position in June 2007.

Mr. Nicholson previously served as vice president of Berman Development Corporation in Philadelphia and vice president of construction for Transeastern Properties in Coral Springs, Florida. Upon graduation from college Mr. Nicholson was a player in the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Organization.

Mr. Nicholson received a bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1979.

Gordon A. Milne

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

As executive vice president and chief financial officer of Ryland, Gordon Milne oversees the company's financial, planning, investor relations and information system activities.

As a key member of senior management, Mr. Milne is responsible for Ryland's relationships with the financial community, as well as managing various internal operations. Mr. Milne joined the company in January 2000 as senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Mr. Milne has more than 25 years of finance experience, encompassing work in the energy, chemical and homebuilding industries. Previously, he served as senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer of Agrium, Inc., in Calgary, Alberta, where he was responsible for accounting, tax, treasury, information systems, internal audit, insurance and investor relations.

Prior to joining Agrium, Mr. Milne was division president of finance for Nexen in Calgary, Alberta, from 1994 to 1996. He served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Bow Valley Energy Inc., also in Calgary, from 1991 and 1994. In addition, he has direct experience in the homebuilding and mortgage-finance industries, having worked with KB Home Corporation from 1986 to 1991 as vice president of finance, treasurer, and president of KB Mortgage Company.

A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Milne earned his MBA at the University of Chicago and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Brigham Young University.

Robert J. Cunnion, III

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

As senior vice president of human resources, Bob Cunnion oversees human resource and administration functions for Ryland and its operating divisions.

Mr. Cunnion joined Ryland in January 1988 as a human resources manager for manufacturing and became the vice president of human resources for Ryland Building Company in 1991. In 1993 he was promoted to vice president of human resources for Ryland's West region. He assumed his current position in 1999.

Prior to joining Ryland, Mr. Cunnion was employed with Owens-Corning Fiberglass for 10 years in various personnel management positions.

Mr. Cunnion earned a master's degree in management from Northwestern University. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Juniata College.

Eric E. Elder

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications

As senior vice president of marketing and communications, Eric Elder is responsible for national marketing strategies, including advertising, promotion, Internet-based marketing and sales training, as well as oversight of the company's communications and public relations efforts.

Mr. Elder joined Ryland in 1995 as vice president of marketing for Ryland Homes' West region. In February 2000, he was promoted to his present position as senior vice president of marketing.

Prior to joining Ryland, Mr. Elder was with KB Home for nine years, where he held the position of corporate vice president of marketing for the 15 operating divisions in the United States and Mexico. Mr. Elder's experience includes residential project management, sales, sales management, marketing and advertising.

Mr. Elder is involved in several professional organizations. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Los Angeles and Ventura County Sales and Marketing Councils, where he has also been awarded both Sales Manager and Marketing Director of the Year. He is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), where he was named Marketing Director of the Year in 2001.

A graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Elder earned his bachelor of science degree in home building in 1980.

David L. Fristoe

Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

As senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer for Ryland, David Fristoe oversees the financial reporting, accounting and information technology functions of the company.

Mr. Fristoe began his career with Ryland in January 1995 as vice president of financial operations for the West region, where he was responsible for reporting and development, and implementation of operating and financial strategies. He was promoted to vice president, controller and chief accounting officer of Ryland in 1999 and to his current position in February 2000.

Prior to joining Ryland, Mr. Fristoe served as corporate controller for a Southern California land developer and homebuilder, and as a real estate consultant with EY Kenneth Leventhal and Co. of Newport Beach, California.

Mr. Fristoe is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. Fristoe earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Timothy J. Geckle

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

As senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, Tim Geckle oversees Ryland's legal representation and manages all legal matters for the company.

Mr. Geckle joined Ryland in January 1991 to start Ryland's legal department. He was promoted to his current position in August 1997. Previously, he worked for Ryland's outside legal counsel, Piper Rudnick, handling Ryland's legal matters and transactions and specializing in corporate, securities and real estate law.

Mr. Geckle earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco. He also is a graduate of Catholic University of America, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in religion and religious education.

Craig McSpadden

Vice President, Chief Information Officer

As vice president, chief information officer, Craig McSpadden oversees the technology infrastructure and applications development for both The Ryland Group and Ryland Mortgage Company.

He joined Ryland in 2001 as vice president of information technology and has more than 24 years of experience in the field.

Prior to joining Ryland, Mr. McSpadden served as manager of global network systems for Honeywell International. In this role, he was responsible for global telecommunications operations and service delivery, architecture development, operational planning, voice and data network design, and e-business infrastructure. Previously, he was manager of communication technology services and database technologies for the aerospace division of Allied Signal.

Mr. McSpadden has a bachelor's degree in data processing and quantitative analysis from the University of Arkansas.

Steven M. Dwyer

Vice President, Purchasing

As vice president of purchasing for Ryland, Steve Dwyer is responsible for the daily operations of the regional and division management team to support Ryland's purchasing efforts at all levels of the organization. He also develops and manages national supply contracts for the company for a range of products, including appliances, flooring, cabinetry and light fixtures.

Previously, Mr. Dwyer was operations manager for the Atlanta division, where he was responsible for the daily operations of the division, including sales, marketing, production, service and purchasing.

Mr. Dwyer joined Ryland in July 1994 as controller for its Columbus, Ohio, homebuilding division. He was promoted to president of the division in November 1994. In January 1997, he became corporate director of land acquisition in Columbia, Maryland. He was named operations manager for Atlanta in 1998 and he assumed his current role in July 2000.

Prior to his work at Ryland, Mr. Dwyer was division controller for Centex in its Columbus, Ohio, operation. He also held a controller position with County Carpet Service in Illinois and was a loan officer for Eagle Mortgage Corporation in Illinois.

Mr. Dwyer holds a master's degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in finance from Southern Illinois University. He received a Certified Public Accountant license in Illinois.

Charles W. Jenkins

Vice President, Sales Training

As vice president of sales training, Charlie Jenkins is responsible for developing and managing companywide new home sales training, the cornerstone of which is Ryland's week-long sales training program, F.I.R.E. (For Igniting Ryland Excellence).

In addition to managing the program, Mr. Jenkins leads various workshops during the training seminar, presenting on such topics as professionalism, leadership skills and overcoming objections. He has also played an instrumental role in the development and delivery of all the Ryland University programs. Mr. Jenkins routinely travels to the divisions to work one-on-one with all members of the sales staff.

Mr. Jenkins has more than 20 years' experience in the industry, with his career spanning all aspects of the new home sales arena—including top sales associate, field supervisor, manager and owner. As past director of sales and marketing for a major homebuilder in Texas, and most recently as the national sales director for The Hyland Bay Company, he has successfully educated sales and management teams across the country with innovative selling skills and leadership techniques.

Mr. Jenkins graduated from West Texas State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology.

Drew P. Mackintosh

Vice President, Investor Relations

As vice president of investor relations, Drew Mackintosh acts as a spokesperson for Ryland to the financial community. He is responsible for communicating Ryland's strategy and investment highlights to investors and industry analysts. Mr. Mackintosh works closely with senior management in an effort to educate investors on the merits of Ryland.

Mr. Mackintosh joined Ryland in October 2005 as a director of investor relations and was promoted to his current position in July 2006. Previously, he was a director for UBS Investment Bank in San Francisco. While there, he worked as an institutional equity broker providing research coverage to large institutional money managers. He held a similar position at Janney Montgomery Scott. Mr. Mackintosh also worked for Deutsche Bank Securities in New York as an equity research associate.

Mr. Mackintosh earned his MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan. He is a CFA Charterholder.

René L. Mentch

Vice President, Tax

As vice president of tax, René Mentch is responsible for the development, management and implementation of tax-planning ideas directed at decreasing the company's overall tax liability. In addition, she ensures Ryland's tax compliance and defends its positions to tax authorities.

Ms. Mentch joined Ryland in 1988 as a tax senior. She was promoted in 1991 to tax manager, in June 1995 to tax director and to her current position in February 2000.

Since joining Ryland, Ms. Mentch has developed and defended tax planning strategies resulting in substantial reductions in the company's income and sales/use tax liabilities.

A Certified Public Accountant, Ms. Mentch has more than 20 years of experience in the field of taxation. Ms. Mentch is a graduate of the University of Baltimore, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting.

Her industry involvement includes memberships in Tax Executives Institute and Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Tax Council. In addition, Ms. Mentch has advised the U.S. Treasury Department regarding the development and implementation of tax regulations having significant impact on the real estate industry.

Prior to joining Ryland, Ms. Mentch worked as a tax senior for Deloitte & Touche and as an accountant for Daniel Conkling, P.A., both in Baltimore, Maryland.

Jennifer Painter

Vice President, Assistant General Counsel

As vice president, assistant general counsel, Jennifer Painter is involved in all legal matters of the company and provides legal support to The Ryland Group, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Prior to joining Ryland in June 2004, Ms. Painter worked for Cadiz Inc., a water resources management firm in Los Angeles, where she was vice president, general counsel. She was responsible for financing and contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, litigation, and intellectual property issues. Previously, Ms. Painter was a senior associate at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP.

Ms. Painter spent five years in the United States military as an engineer officer, handling construction and design project management with the Corps of Engineers in Kansas, Virginia and California.

Ms. Painter received a law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. She earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point.

Thomas M. Pearson

Vice President, Internal Audit

As vice president of internal audit for Ryland, Tom Pearson is responsible for the internal financial and operational audits throughout the company. In addition, Mr. Pearson ensures that Ryland has the proper internal controls, policies and procedures in place to operate in a manner that is socially responsible and in accordance with Ryland's high standards of integrity.

Mr. Pearson joined Ryland in May 2000 in his present position. He has more than 28 years' experience in audit management capacities. Previously, he served as director of controls evaluation and audit for another builder. Prior to that, he was senior audit manager for Arthur Andersen & Co.

A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Pearson is also a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from California State University at Long Beach.

Valerie S. Zook

Vice President, Compensation and Benefits

As vice president of compensation and benefits, Val Zook is responsible for the company's benefit plans, board of director compensation and payroll. She oversees benefit plan design, communications, open enrollment and compliance activities. She also manages executive benefit programs, including the long-term incentive plans, stock grants, executive health and life insurance, deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plans and other executive perquisites.

Ms. Zook has 19 years of human resources experience. She joined Ryland in March 2000 as a senior benefits specialist. She was promoted to benefits manager in July 2000, to executive compensation and benefits manager in December 2001, and to her current position in September 2003.

She graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Northridge, with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing. In addition, she earned professional benefits certification through World at Work and a professional designation in human resources management from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Keith E. Bass

President, South Region

As president of Ryland Homes' South region, Keith Bass oversees Ryland homebuilding operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas.

Mr. Bass has more than 24 years of experience in residential homebuilding and new community development. He joined Ryland in December 2003 as vice president of land resources for the Southeast region, overseeing land development, land budgeting systems and general strategic planning.

In 2004, Mr. Bass was promoted to president of Ryland's Orlando division, where he was responsible for overall planning and direction of the division, including land acquisition, sales, marketing, production, and customer relations. He was promoted to lead the Southeast region in 2007 and, in 2008, also assumed management of homebuilding operations in Texas.

Prior to joining Ryland, he was a region president for Taylor Woodrow Homes, with bottom-line responsibility for homebuilding and development operations in Florida. He previously served as president and partner for Renaissance Homes, where he acquired, developed and sold properties in the Tampa market. He also spent several years with Ryan Homes as a regional land resource manager and a sales and marketing manager.

Mr. Bass is a Florida state-certified general contractor, a licensed real estate broker and served as a board member of the Homebuilders Association of Metro Orlando. A graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration.

Peter G. Skelly

President, North/West Region

As president of Ryland Homes' North/West region, Pete Skelly oversees division operations in Ryland's Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Western markets, including Baltimore, Chicago, Indianapolis, the Ohio Valley, the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C., Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Northern and Southern California.

He was promoted to his current position after nearly eight years leading Ryland Homes' Chicago division as president. A 19-year veteran of the homebuilding industry, Mr. Skelly has been responsible for managing land acquisition and development, product design, sales, marketing, production and customer service.

Mr. Skelly joined Ryland in 1988 as an assistant controller. He subsequently held positions as Midwest region controller and vice president of financial operations for Ryland Homes' North Central region before being promoted to Chicago division president in 1999. He became president of the North region in December of 2006 and added responsibility for Ryland's Western markets in 2008.

Prior to joining Ryland, Mr. Skelly served as senior accountant for Travelers Real Estate Investment Group in McLean, Virginia.

A graduate of Georgetown University, Mr. Skelly earned his bachelor's degree in accounting.

Daniel G. Schreiner

President, Ryland Mortgage Company

As president of Ryland Mortgage Company, Dan Schreiner is responsible for the operations of the financial services group, which includes the mortgage, title/escrow and property insurance companies.

Mr. Schreiner has 20 years of experience in mortgage banking, giving him in-depth mortgage lending knowledge and a proven track record in the industry.

Mr. Schreiner's background includes a 12-year tenure with KB Home Mortgage, where he held a variety of senior-level positions, including president from 1991 to 1998.

Prior to joining KB Home, Mr. Schreiner enjoyed success at First Interstate Mortgage Company, where he was vice president and division controller, and at the accounting firm of Ernst and Young, where he was senior financial auditor and computer auditor.

Mr. Schreiner is a graduate of the University of Montana, Missoula, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business with a concentration in accounting. He holds accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant.