About Us

Charlie Johnson Builder has been building beautiful homes in central Florida for 50 years.  Founded by Charlie Johnson in the 1950s, we have grown from a small family company to one of Central Florida's  largest builders according to the Central Florida Business Journal (2004). 

Carl Ludecke, Builder/Vice President

Carl began his career in the real estate in Central Florida in 1968.  He was president of the Lake County Realtors Association and Realtor of the Year in 1973.  In 1974 he received his building license and has been building homes ever since.  He learned the business from his father-in-law, Charlie Johnson and in 1980 took the helm of Charlie Johnson Builders.  Carl remains active in local, state and national committees, specific to our area and our industry.  He is a three time past President of the Lake County Home Builders Association, was Florida's "Builder of the Year"™ in 2001, and the Central Florida Mortgage Bankers Associations "Builder of the Year"™ in 2001.  Carl currently is Chairman of the Florida Home Builder's Associations Affordable Housing Committee and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders Affordable Housing Committee.  In Lake County he is a member of the Affordable Housing Committee, Board of Adjustments and Impact Fee Committee.

Kristin Beall Ludecke, Builder

As a third generation, licensed Building Contractor in Florida, Kristin is the mastermind behind a new concept in safe, energy efficient, affordable housing called 'Storm Safe Homes'. Kristin's innovative design and building concepts have made her an industry leader and a sought after home improvement expert and speaker. As a result, she has been seen on ABC's Good Morning America , NBC's TODAY Show, the Weather Channel, DIY, the Do-It-Yourself Network, HGTVPro, and in The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and BUILDER Magazine to name a few. Kristin is currently the "Contract-Her" on the nationally syndicated morning television show The Daily Buzz, giving homeowners the tricks of the trade in home maintenance, repair, and design.

She and her family have built almost 4000 homes over the past 50 years and have won numerous building and design awards.  Kristin’s first Fortified®, ‘Storm Safe Home’ won both the 2007 Parade of Homes and the coveted Aurora Award, for the best home between $200,000-$300,000 in the Southeast. Kristin is currently building America 's first affordable, Fortified…for safer living® community as designated by the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
 
Kristin holds a Bachelors degree from Stetson University and a Masters degree from the University of Central Florida . Kristin is also hold the Certified Green Professional, (CGP) designation from the National Home Builders Association.

Kristin always finds time to give back to her community. She completed building a house for Habitat for Humanity and was the construction supervisor for this all female build. Kristin is currently building replacement housing for the victims of the 2007, Ground Hog Day Tornados through the Lake County Affordable Housing Program.  Kristin also spent several years as the Spokesperson for the Department of Juvenile Justice, mentoring young people in prisons throughout the state.