Johnson Development Promotes Stephen Barrera

 Stephen Barrera has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager of two Johnson Development communities, Woodforest and Kresston.

Barrera joined Johnson Development in 2014 as Development Manager of Woodforest and was promoted to Senior Development Manager in 2023. In this role, he has been responsible for working with development planners and engineers to prepare and deliver homesites to builders, among other duties. 

“From the beginning, Stephen impressed me with his enthusiasm, industry knowledge and fresh ideas,” said Virgil Yoakum, who has taken on a new role with JDC as an Executive Advisor for Community Planning and Development. “I have watched Stephen grow tremendously over the past 10 years, and he has contributed significantly to the success of Woodforest. This is a natural next step for him.”

Barrera holds a master’s degree from Texas A&M University in land and property development. He also has a bachelor’s degree in university studies with a concentration on planning, design and construction from Texas A&M.

Prior to joining Johnson Development, Barrera worked at Keys & Walsh Construction and did an internship with Satterfield & Pontikes Construction.

“I came to Woodforest not too long after college and have learned so much from Virgil and the rest of the Johnson Development team,” Barrera said. “I’m excited to continue my work here at Woodforest and close out the community while introducing a brand new Johnson Development community.” 

Located in Montgomery, Woodforest opened in 2009, ranking among the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities by 2012. Currently, more than 13,000 people call Woodforest home. Fewer than 200 opportunities remain for a newly constructed home. Eight builders remain in Woodforest, offering townhomes, single-family homes for 40-, 55-, 60-, 65- and 85-foot homesites and custom homes on half-acre properties. Pricing is from the $300,000s to the millions.

The 1,400-acre Kresston community is under construction with home sales expected to begin in early 2025. Six builders — Chesmar Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, Lennar, Perry Homes and Westin Homes — have been announced for the first phase of the community, which will have a Magnolia address. Phase 1 also includes a site for a proposed Magnolia ISD school.