A Legacy In Brick And Heart: Celebrating The FOBA Family Heritage Award

Summary: At the 2025 Family Owned Business Awards (FOBA) in Fresno, The Business Journal introduced the first-ever Family Heritage Award to honor Bonadelle Neighborhoods, De Young Properties, and McCaffrey Homes. These three Central Valley builders are led by a child of legendary homebuilder John Bonadelle Sr. have constructed over 30,000 homes across Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Tulare, and beyond. United by family heritage yet independent in operations, the companies all use ECI solutions like MarkSystems®, Lasso®, LotVue®, BuilderMT®, AvidCX®, AvidWarranty®, and HomeKeep® to power their growth, customer experience, and community impact. 

This story originally appeared in The Business Journal Aug. 28, 2025.

From one builder, many roots 

Nearly 80 years ago, John Bonadelle Sr., a farm kid from Corcoran who couldn’t serve in WWII because of a back injury, turned his energy to building homes. What started as a favor for a neighbor grew into entire neighborhoods. His craftsmanship and vision helped shape Fresno and the Central Valley. 

With his wife, Pauline, he passed down more than blueprints. Vacations included model home tours, and dinner table conversations often circled back to concrete, lumber, and communities not yet built. The building bug stuck with his children. 

Today, that legacy lives on in three independent companies: 

• Bonadelle Neighborhoods (ECI solutions: MarkSystems®, Lasso®, LotVue®)
• De Young Properties (ECI solutions: BuilderMT®, Lasso®, AvidCX®)
• McCaffrey Homes (ECI solutions: MarkSystems®, Lasso®, AvidCX®, AvidWarranty®, HomeKeep®) 

Together, these builders have constructed over 30,000 homes—a testament to one family’s enduring influence on the Valley. 

Quality for generations 

Founded in 1945, Bonadelle Neighborhoods is now led by JB’s son, John Bonadelle, alongside his children. They’ve built more than 10,000 homes and 40 communities across the Valley. 

Their vision is simple but profound: to walk through these neighborhoods decades from now and proudly say, “Our family built this.” 

By leveraging MarkSystems ERP and LotVue platform, Bonadelle has been able to scale operations while maintaining a personal touch. With Lasso, they nurture strong connections with homebuyers—because for them, building isn’t about square footage; it’s about family. 

Innovation with heart 

Founded in 1974 by JB’s daughter Paula De Young and her husband Jerry, De Young Properties has built more than 8,000 homes and pioneered sustainability in the region. They created Central California’s first grid-connected zero-energy community—the largest of its kind in the state. 

They’re also deeply rooted in philanthropy, raising more than $16.5 million through the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. 

With tools like BuilderMT and AvidCX, De Young ensures projects stay on track and customers enjoy a seamless, transparent experience. Lasso’s CRM helps them build not only homes but also trust and lasting relationships. 

A complete experience 

When JB’s daughter Karen McCaffrey and her husband Bob founded McCaffrey Homes in 1976, they brought more than bricks and mortar to the table. They envisioned a complete homebuying journey—from financing to design to warranty. Today, with more than 10,000 homes built, that vision is reality. 

Karen recalls her father taking her on horseback rides through future neighborhoods, pointing to open fields where communities would one day stand. That spark never faded. 

With the help of MarkSystems, AvidCX, AvidWarranty, HomeKeep, and Lasso, McCaffrey Homes provides a seamless digital-to-physical experience for today’s buyers—supporting them from first click to final closing. 

A rare award for a rare story 

The FOBA Family Heritage Award may never be given again. Why? Because this story is nearly impossible to replicate. Three siblings, three companies, technically competitors—but bound by the same legacy, values, and community spirit. 

The Bonadelle, De Young, and McCaffrey families remind us that business is never just business. It’s personal. It’s heritage. It’s community. 

And at ECI, we’re honored that our solutions play a small but meaningful role in helping these family builders carry their father’s legacy into the future. 

Recap: The 2025 FOBA Family Heritage Award honored Bonadelle Neighborhoods, De Young Properties, and McCaffrey Homes—three Central Valley builders united by family, heritage, and community impact. Collectively building over 30,000 homes and now three generations strong, they are rare competitors bound by the same bloodline. With ECI solutions—MarkSystems®, Lasso®, LotVue®, BuilderMT®, AvidCX®, AvidWarranty®, and HomeKeep®—these family builders continue to grow, innovate, and deliver lasting value to homebuyers across Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Tulare, and beyond.