Our Team

Jared Gossett, CGB, CFA, Co-Owner, Director of Sales

Jared and his wife, Leslie, have made Austin their home since 2009. Jared is responsible for the company’s strategy and operations. Prior to co-founding Gossett Jones Homes, Jared worked as a Vice President for Realty Capital Partners, a real estate development and investment company. Jared was responsible for analyzing and structuring new investments and for managing a $1 billion portfolio of properties. These properties ranged from high-end condominium developments in San Francisco and Las Vegas to luxury homes in Dallas and Houston.

Jared graduated magna cum laude with a BBA from Texas Tech University, and received a Master of Accounting from The Ohio State University. Jared is a Certified Graduate Builder through the National Association of Home Builders, and also holds a CFA charter from his previous days in real estate investment.

Matt Jones, Co-Owner, Director of Business Development

Matt, an Austin native, is responsible for the company's marketing and business development. His knowledge of the Austin real estate market gives Gossett Jones Homes an edge in the best neighborhoods to buy and build. Prior to co-founding Gossett Jones Homes, Matt worked as the Event Director for StarVision Sports, LLC, a company which promoted, organized, and hosted national sporting events throughout the United States. He was instrumental in helping the company achieve national recognition to rival other great names in the industry, including Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. Previously, Matt worked with Austin commercial real estate development firms Pohl, Brown, and Associates and Oxford Commercial.

Matt graduated from Texas Christian University with a BBA in Finance and Real Estate and holds an active license with the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Julie Jones, Director of Accounting & Administration

Julie is responsible for the Company’s finance and administration. Prior to joining Gossett Jones Homes, Julie was a Practice Manager at Schurig Jetel Beckett Tackett, an international estate planning law firm in Austin that managed the assets of high net worth individuals. While at SJBT, she managed the accounting and tax reporting practices. In this role, she was in charge of the development and maintenance of accounting systems and procedures for foreign and domestic trusts and entities. She was also responsible for the timely filing of U.S. tax returns for individual clients and their trust and entity structures.

Before working at SJBT, Julie formed Julie R. Jones Company, an accounting service providing bookkeeping and tax services to small, independently owned companies.

Julie worked in Oil and Gas Accounting prior to staying home to raise her family and forming her own home-based company. She graduated from Southern Methodist University where she earned a BBA in Accounting.

Tara Kaminski, Purchasing & Customer Selection Manager

Tara and her fiancé have been living in Austin since 2006. Before joining the Gossett Jones Homes team, Tara worked in the accounting field, managing accounts payable and receivable for seven of Austin’s locally owned and operated automotive repair shops. Tara manages the purchasing department for Gossett Jones Homes, and ensures all building materials and trim out products are ordered for our homes. Her additional responsibilities include drafting and assisting during the design process, as well as providing our homebuyers with her expertise during the selections process.

Tara graduated from the Art Institute with her B.F.A., Interior Design.

Peter Pevoto, Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Peter makes up our creative department, responsible for the company's branding & marketing. Our constant promoter, Peter handles all of our social media, graphic & web design, and grassroots marketing. As an Austin native, Peter provides important insight into local neighborhoods and available properties. Prior to joining our team, Peter handled the marketing for StarVision Sports, LLC.

Peter Graduated with Honors from New York University's Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, and has worked in video production for local businesses, bands and events including SXSW.

Kristi LaRue, Selections & Administrative Assistant

Kristi, a native Texan, grew up on the coast in Corpus Christi. Her dance background led her to Kilgore Junior College where she became a Kilgore Rangerette. She moved to Austin in 1980 to complete her Geology degree at the University of Texas and upon graduation, began her 17 year career as an Environmental Geologist.

When she left her job to raise their daughter, Kristi began working with her husband, James D. LaRue, at his architectural firm as Office Manager. Among other things, her duties included writing articles detailing projects and staging photo shoots. Her experience at her husband's firm has allowed Kristi to fit right in at Gossett Jones Homes, where she serves as Selections and Administrative Assistant.

Brian Winburne, Director of Construction

Brian is a results-driven project manager with more than 12 years of experience managing all aspects of residential construction projects. He began his career with a large Austin based home builder, starting as a Field Supervisor successfully overseeing multiple subdivisions, and was rapidly promoted to Area Project Manager with management responsibilities over the entire Austin Metropolitan Area. This experience, his positive work ethic, willingness to succeed, and his ability to effectively communicate with homeowners in achieving their goals, makes for a fluid and positive building experience for all of our clients.

Chris Sharp, Project Manager

Chris has been in the construction industry for over 15 years and has spent the last 10 years in construction management. With a background in both commercial and residential construction, Chris brings extensive experience to every facet of the industry. His widespread construction experience has given him the ability to be effective and efficient while, at the same time, customizing the home building process to fit each individual homeowner's specific needs. This all-embracing approach lets the homeowner feel at ease as the project glides seamlessly along. His broad love for construction has led him from high-end lakefront properties to the 40 million dollar Seton Hospital in downtown Austin. He approaches each project with the same can-do attitude, exceptional organization, and a great willingness to make the construction process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

Dean Jones, Project Manager

Dean began his career in real estate in 1996 as a property manager at DeBordieu Colony in South Carolina, where he managed vacation rentals until 2000 when he began building homes. He has over ten years experience building homes in DeBordieu Colony, Litchfield Plantation and the surrounding area.

Prior to his real estate career, Dean practiced his culinary skills in various places including Hoffbrau Steakhouse in Fayetteville, AR, North Wharf Fish House in Nantucket, MA, Spotted Horse Ranch in Jackson Hole, WY, Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, and even the Pacific Orion Fishing Vessel on the Bering Sea. His colorful culinary past has really influenced the design and construction of our Award-winning gourmet kitchens.

He attended Louisiana Tech University, University of Arkansas, and holds a BA in History from Coastal Carolina University.