The Woodlands-based LGI Homes earlier this month announced the appointment of Maria Renna Sharpe as a new independent director to its Board of Directors.

A press release issued by the builder on Jan. 6 said Sharpe possesses more than 37 years of legal, human resources and accounting expertise and works as the managing principal of Sharpe Human Solutions, LLC, a human resource consulting and commercial real estate investment company.

“Maria is an exceptional executive with an outstanding background in leadership, human resources, accounting and law,” LGI Homes coard chairman and chief executive officer Eric Lipar said in the release. “We are excited to add Maria’s valuable skillsets and perspectives to our Board of Directors and know her contributions will help drive our long-term growth and continued success.”

Sharpe’s résumé includes the following: Senior Vice President, Global Human Capital Management, Services and Operations at PepsiCo, Inc. from 2014-2016; Chief Human Resources Officer, PepsiCo Europe from 2010-2014; Senior Vice President, Compensation, Benefits and Human Resource Systems from 2008-2010; and Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Secretary of UST Inc. from 2004-2008.

Sharpe, who earned a Juris Doctorate from the Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Syracuse University, also held various senior human resources and legal positions at PepsiCo, Inc. from 1995-2004.

Founded as Lippar Group, Inc. in 2003, has operations across 35 markets in 19 states, and since 2018 has been ranked as the 10th largest residential builder in the United States based on units closed, according to the release.