Early Life and Education
Dwight Schar was born in 1942 in rural northeast Ohio. He graduated from Norwayne High School in 1960 and went on to attend Ashland University (then Ashland College), where he majored in education, graduating in 1964. After graduation, Schar began teaching but also sold homes on weekends.
Rise to Success
Schar left teaching to pursue a career in homebuilding. He founded NVHomes in 1980. Under his leadership, the company experienced rapid growth. In 1987, NVHomes acquired Ryan Homes, and the combined entity was renamed NVR, Inc.. Schar served as CEO of NVR until 2005 and as Executive Chairman of the board until his retirement in 2022.
Key Business Strategies
NVR, under Schar's leadership, focused on building and mortgage banking operations. The company strategically acquired finished land lots, mitigating risks associated with land development. This approach, along with a focus on homebuilding and mortgage banking, allowed NVR to become one of the most successful homebuilding companies in the U.S.. NVR operates under the brands Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes.
Philanthropy
Dwight Schar is known for his philanthropic activities in education and healthcare. He has made significant donations to Ashland University, George Mason University, and Elon University. He has also been involved in healthcare, including contributing to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute and the Inova Schar Heart & Vascular Institute.