SHERIDAN, Colo. — When President/CEO Joe Ellis arrived at Habitat for Humanity's Sheridan Square community two years ago, he and other Denver-area CEOs focused their efforts on building three houses.

When Ellis returned Thursday for Habitat's annual CEO Build, he stood in a neighborhood that now boasts more than 30 houses.

Seeing that progress is nothing short of rewarding for Ellis, who supported the CEO Build for the fifth consecutive year.

"For me personally, just to come out and do something that's tangible, productive, meaningful for people — to help a family move into a house — it's a really neat thing," Ellis said. "I appreciate everybody's support. We've had over 100 people out here in the last five years supporting this event and I'm glad to be back for the fifth year."

Ellis joined Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver CEO Heather Lafferty in co-hosting the event, which welcomed more than 40 CEOs on Thursday to build houses for families in need.

"We have 40 CEOs who are spending the entire day out here swinging a hammer with us, helping us to raise walls and put up siding and make these houses a place to become a home for hard-working families," Lafferty said.

And as Habitat aims to put the finishing touches on a neighborhood that will be home to 63 families, Lafferty said it's hard to overstate the impact Ellis and the Broncos have had on the organization.