Jim Cramer Jr. knew from an early age that he wanted to be an architect. Cramer, who was hired in late June as the new president and chief operating officer for Regency Homes, moved around the world frequently as a child, and his love for architecture and community design grew with each new city he explored. Cramer, 53, has worked in several U.S. states during his nearly 30-year career in the home building and home design industries, including Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. Cramer values his family as much as his job, and he plans to travel between Des Moines and Indiana, where his wife and younger son still reside, for the next year or so.

Where are you from?

I don’t really have a hometown. My dad was a career officer in the military, so we moved all over the world. I think I went to 12 schools before junior high school, and I spent most of high school in Germany. I got to experience a lot of unique opportunities by moving so much.

How did those frequent moves affect you?

I really enjoyed traveling and experiencing different cultures and people. I guess moving around like that opened a lot of doors as I realized that there were lots of ways for people to live, like in Europe where I saw a lot of residential and commercial properties together.

What interested you in architecture?

I wanted to be an architect since I was in kindergarten. My mom has told me the story that I would always draw houses as a kid. I’m kind of lucky that I didn’t have to bounce around a lot to figure out what I was going to do.

Who in the architecture world has inspired you?

About 30 years ago, there was a famous architect named John Portman out of Atlanta. He was the first architect to take his school-learned trait and apply it to business and development. I’ve always liked not just being an architect, but being able to be the builder and the architect. He wrote a famous book called “Places for People,” which I’m an advocate of. He wrote about how important it is in the commercial and even the residential scope for everything to be designed with people and a pleasant environment in mind.

What was your first job out of college?

I went to (the University of) Notre Dame on an ROTC scholarship, but when I finished school, there were no jobs in the military for architects, so I went on to get my master of business administration at George Mason University.

Why was it important for you to get your M.B.A?

I had heard all the stories about how architects know how to draw, but they don’t understand how to build or pricing. If you design a beautiful house but it comes in way over budget, the plans are no good.

What word best describes your approach to business?

I think that you have to be innovative, focused and treat your employees as well as your customers, if not better.

What was your first experience with home building?

When I was working on my M.B.A, I bought two lots in Arlington, Va., and I got together with an elder carpenter to build two homes. I wanted to experience the process from the ground up. I tried the plumbing and electric, but I didn’t do too well with those. It gave me a lot of respect for people who work in these trades.

How did you find out about this job?

I was very happy working in Indianapolis, and I had no intent of leaving. When the headhunters called me, I said, “No, no, no.” When Regency called, I told them I wasn’t really interested. But they asked me to come here and talk with them, and I agreed. They started impressing me. It’s like what it says in the book “Good to Great:” You can get great people on the bus and it can go anywhere. With the management team here, I saw the makings of a great team and wanted to be part of it.

How do you balance work and family?

I’m a very hard worker, but I put my family and my church as high up there with the job. I told that people at Regency that up front and they told me that was fine, that they feel the same way. Right now, I’m planning on commuting between Des Moines and Indianapolis for the next year or so, while my wife and younger son continue to live there.

Describe your family.

My wife, Judy, is a stained-glass artist. My younger son, Joey, attends Indiana University, where’s he’s on the swim team. My older son, Jayme, is a professional swimmer who swam for Stanford (University). He hopes to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Are you athletic yourself?

I’m not afraid to admit that I’m a klutz.

What do you do outside work?

I run and lift weights to stay in shape, and when I’m home, Judy and I do yoga together and go running together. I also like to read a lot of business books, go to Notre Dame football games and travel. My trips now are mostly tied to my sons’ swimming. We’ve been to South Africa to see swimming, and we get to travel to Australia soon.

-Sharon Baltes