Star News July 2014
“Mark Batson of Tongue & Groove Custom Builder built the structure”
“Peoples choice” category of the George Matsumoto Prize for Modernist Architecture.”
After living in Wisconsin for most of her life, Stephanie decided it was time for a change in scenery and packed up her things to move south to the coast of Wilmington, NC with her daughter and many beloved animals. She has over 7 years of experience in the construction and management arena, having successfully managed a flooring store in Wisconsin and a local Wilmington studio prior to managing operations at T&G. Stephanie‘s primary goal is to provide the optimal support to her clients and team members in order to create satisfaction and success through our Mission. When managing to have free time on her hands, she spends it exploring new places, helping others and always finding ways to leave things better than she found them.
Mark's family has been living in the Wilmington area for hundreds of years, passing down local knowledge. His background has been tied to the sea, from his days as a child working with his dad on fishing boats, to living on the water for years. When you think about how a home will live, especially on the water, nothing can replace someone's direct/immediate/everyday life experiences. Projects we design + build usually include being on the water, in or near a flood zone. They include bulkheads, boat docks, structures on pilings, swimming pools, and outdoor living.
The essential advantage for clients working with Mark is that he lives the life they're looking for every day. His house has docks, swimming pools, and pilings. He knows what works and doesn't work. He knows what will not only look awesome but function beautifully. He has the direct, functional experience that can't be taught; it must be lived to be understood.
Mark studied at UNCW. He earned his BA in History, which is the study of the past and how it relates to people. Relating to people is what the business of custom home building is all about. Mark applies lessons from his past experiences, and intuitively guides his clients through the design/build process to create something unique. He sees his purpose is to help families imagine how their lives could be, actualized into real environments, improving their lives through better living. Winner of multiple awards and recognition, including the 2020 NAHB Custom Home Builder of the Year Award Finalist, Mark has found that cultivating long-term relationships with clients and colleagues is the real reward.
As a leader, Mark's role is to instill a sensibility about how things should be done. He believes in having a warrior's spirit, a servant's heart, and a fun-loving atmosphere. His promise to the client is never to compromise quality or coolness. Mark lives in Wrightsville Beach with his family of five, where his young children keep him busy. Occasionally, he'll get opportunities for fun, like flying, surfing, spearfishing, and other water sports. Overall, he wants to leave a legacy that positively impacts himself, his family, and his community.
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Aaron specializes in innovative and creative design solutions for residential projects. He earned his Master of Architecture degree from the North Carolina State University College of Design and has an extensive background in residential design. He is also a licensed general contractor with years of experience in construction management. With a multi-faceted background in architecture, art, design, craft and construction, he is uniquely equipped to think outside the parameters of his discipline allowing for diverse and innovative design solutions. Aaron’s expertise in residential design is not limited to a particular style, but rather he seeks to collaboratively work with our clients to understand their needs and design in a manner that is reflective of the type of project they desire. Aaron’s process is driven not by style, but by an early analysis and interpretation of our client’s needs through careful consideration of the site and program, exploration of space, materials and creative ways to meet the budget. He searches to develop clear, distinguished work informed by the craft of construction, sustainability, culture and technology. It is Aaron’s belief that every project is unique, thus each design response should be diverse, and a reflection of the clients involved. In his free time outside the office, Aaron enjoys traveling, hiking, researching motorcycles and spending time at the beach.
Bridgett brings her creative and nationally award-winning design expertise to Tongue & Groove, guiding our clients through making selections for their project. She brings inspiration and life to a space through timeless design, modern concepts and immaculate details. Her design philosophy fits in perfectly with the T&G team, as she promises to never compromise details or lifestyle when bringing concepts to life through quality and thoughtful selection choices.
With over 14 years as an interior design expert, Bridgett boasts an Interior Design Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNCW in Education with a Minor in Psychology. She is a member of ASID and CCASID and represents over 100 furniture, lighting, window treatments and accessory lines – equivalent to the same buying power as a retail store. Bridgett has been the head designer for several homeowners, communities and clubhouses.
When Bridgett is taking a break from designing luxury homes, she is spending time with her husband and two children at Wrightsville Beach.
Kelsey Talis is a multi-talented, eminently creative and nationally published interior designer with over eight years of experience in the New York, Philadelphia, South Florida and North Carolina areas. She is motivated by her love for design as well as her ability to coordinate, oversee and complete high-caliber projects. Kelsey attended Drexel University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the dually accredited (CIDA, NASAD) program. Prior to joining the Tongue & Groove team, Kelsey spent over five years in Naples, Florida where she designed and managed numerous high-end residential projects. Kelsey’s education and vast experience have enhanced her ability to set realistic projections, manifest trust, and empathy, construct lasting client relationships, and ultimately exceed expectations by turning design visions into reality.
As a passionate creative and allied ASID professional, Kelsey has a constant desire to enhance her knowledge and skillset in the realm of innovative design, construction and project management. This enthusiasm allows her to view projects from various relevant perspectives and greatly augments her design dexterity.
Outside the office, you can find Kelsey on the water. Whether it be fishing, boating, wakeskating, paddleboarding or running her dog, Pompano, on the many islands surrounding Wrightsville Beach.
25 years ago, Greg decided to move to Wilmington from Fair Hill, Maryland because of the good surf and ideal weather. Since then, Greg opened his own successful architectural visualization and drafting firm. Specializing in 3D modeling and photo-realistic renderings of both residential and commercial exteriors and interiors, Greg loves to give clients the opportunity to see what hasn’t been built yet and consequently provide them with the confidence that they will love their new home! In Greg’s free time, he likes to spend time with his three daughters, cook, play guitar, scuba dive, and spearfish.
Anna brings her wide-eyed perspective to Tongue & Groove Design+Build along with avid support for her beloved alma mater, the University of Louisville. Anna comes from a diverse marketing background managing over 20 luxury brands for a Boca Raton-based luxury agency to then working in-house for an award-winning hospitality group. Specializing in luxury marketing and public relations, Anna has joined the Tongue & Groove team as the firm's Director of Marketing & PR. She has a keen interest in social trends, digital advertising, and unique marketing strategies. Anna ensures Tongue & Groove's digital presence is prominent and ever-evolving.
As a marketing strategist, Anna meticulously caters to our brand to capitalize on unique marketing opportunities. She specializes in crafting campaigns that provide multi-channel marketing strategies, all while guiding our brand to a strategically sound future. When Anna isn't dreaming up the next big marketing strategy, you'll find her boating around Wrightsville Beach with her family.
Abby has a proven track record of operational and sales support, in addition to broad-reaching real estate knowledge, strong communication, and unparalleled enthusiasm. She has a strong ability to streamline processes, maximize efficiency, and foster professional relationships within organizations. Abby recognizes that our clients need more than customer service; they need an advocate, someone who is fully invested in their goals and uses their knowledge as a tool to help them achieve exceptional results. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Abby came to Wilmington to pursue a degree in International Business at UNCW, upon graduation; she knew the beach was the place to call home.
Abby has a background in sales, client service, and interior design. Having lived on Wrightsville Beach, in midtown, and downtown Wilmington, Abby has a personal connection and understands, with great certainty, each market. Abby’s philosophy centers around what role she can play in helping others make thoughtful, qualitative decisions to set themselves up for success. She is committed to excellence in service; she predicts needs and always practices personal accountability in any situation. When it comes to getting questions answered and logistics in order, Abby is on it. She enjoys tackling the administration that ensures each transaction runs smoothly.
In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and three labs; you may even see her around town checking out homes with the three pups in tow. Abby has traveled the world extensively and is always looking forward to mapping out her next international trip!
Rita earned her Accounting degree at Temple University Fox School of Business in Philadelphia, PA. She received her CPA license in New Jersey and Washington, working for KPMG in Princeton, NJ, and at Boeing in Seattle, WA. Rita moved back to the East coast to Wilmington, NC, and is enjoying the beaches and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. She has over 30 years of service-oriented teamwork experience with strong organizational and analytical skills. Rita and her husband enjoy spending time with their grown children in Boston and Seattle.
Mitch grew up in a small town in east central, Indiana and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia shortly after high school where he began a career in music. Continuing to pursue his passion, he started a family and took many more opportunities across the country. Along his journey, he decided to broaden his creativity and craftsmanship into the custom construction field. It all began with the position at a custom cabinet and mill shop in Philadelphia which triggered his new passion and curiosity to learn more. Mitch spent 8 years learning all aspects of cabinet making and finishes before he started working as a remodeling carpenter for the next 3 years. In Fall of 2016 he took the opportunity to move to Wilmington, NC and join the team at Tongue & Groove where he has been successfully managing not only projects, but also client relationships.
Jim Wright holds over 20 years of professional experience in the construction industry having worked for major global brands like Chanel and the American Red Cross. After graduating from State College and the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology’s carpentry and building program in 1991, Jim made his way south to Wilmington. He quickly became immersed in the exciting entertainment business, as a prop designer for Screen Gems Studios.
After several years in the film industry, Jim later went on to run his own business specializing in interior trim for high-end custom homes until 2007. He was later offered an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, working for Chanel, building window displays all over the world. After many years of multifaceted experience in construction, project management, and the trades as a trim carpenter, Jim has a wealth of experience and knowledge with which he applies to his position as Project Supervisor at Tongue & Groove. He takes pride in his work and goes by the belief that if a project is done right the first time, it won’t have to be done again. He believes his work in the film industry has taught him that anything is possible. If you can imagine it, he can build it!
Jim Wright holds over 20 years of professional experience in the construction industry having worked for major global brands like Chanel and the American Red Cross. After graduating from State College and the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology’s carpentry and building program in 1991, Jim made his way south to Wilmington. He quickly became immersed in the exciting entertainment business, as a prop designer for Screen Gems Studios.
After several years in the film industry, Jim later went on to run his own business specializing in interior trim for high-end custom homes until 2007. He was later offered an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, working for Chanel, building window displays all over the world. After many years of multifaceted experience in construction, project management, and the trades as a trim carpenter, Jim has a wealth of experience and knowledge with which he applies to his position as Project Supervisor at Tongue & Groove. He takes pride in his work and goes by the belief that if a project is done right the first time, it won’t have to be done again. He believes his work in the film industry has taught him that anything is possible. If you can imagine it, he can build it!
As a passionate custom home designer, Lindsay is continually able to demonstrate her ability to create responsive, nurturing, and sophisticated spaces. Her body of work further establishes her technical skills and understanding of building materials, as well as highlighting her artistic flare.
Lindsay has 7+ years of experience in custom residential design, construction, and project management, the knowledge gained from working with renowned builders and designers over the years in the high and low country of North and South Carolina. She graduated in 2013 Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Appalachian State University's CIDA accredited design program. Lindsay finds that her most significant accomplishments within her career are the opportunities she's had in designing and building a multitude of homes that ultimately end with overjoyed clients.
She understands that building a home is a very personal experience. An overwhelming, fun, stressful, exciting, exhausting, rewarding journey — and that's just from the client's perspective. She's grateful to be on this journey with Tongue & Groove clients to help navigate and understand their vision, goals, wants/needs, how they live day-to-day, and ensuring we execute their home beyond their expectations. Her priority, along with the T&G team, is to create spaces that maximize the potential of a home's context, enhance functionality, and are loved by its inhabitants. During her off-time, you can find her horseback riding, dirt track racing, hammocking, and exploring the beautiful city of Wilmington.
Originally hailing from New Jersey, Patty was the Vice President of Finance for an Atlantic City-based architectural firm for 25 years. In 2006 Patty followed her dream of owning a Bed and Breakfast, which ultimately brought her to North Carolina. After ten years, she sold the B&B and moved to Wilmington. Prior to joining Tongue & Groove Design + Build, she worked with a coastal rental company, where she handled the Accounting for Vacation Rentals, Operations, and Payroll. Patty has been with Tongue & Groove Design + Build since the Summer of 2020 in the role of Accounting Manager and oversees the accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll responsibilities for the firm. When she's not crunching numbers, Patty is on the beach with her husband or enjoying living in downtown Wilmington.
Coming Soon.
Originally from Fountain, NC, Allen attended Louisburg College before transferring to North Carolina State University. He was part of the Rufty Homes team since 1996, a luxury home builder in the Raleigh area. In 2020, Allen and his family made the move to Wilmington and he joined the Tongue & Groove Design + Build team as a Project Supervisor.
As a proven expert in residential construction, Allen enjoys the challenges that every project brings to the table and is a great source of knowledge to the Tongue & Groove team.
When he is not managing our client’s projects, Allen enjoys getting outside by golfing or biking and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, their kids Josh and Jordan, and their dog, Gracie Lou.
Hailing from Annapolis, MD, Cait is the oldest of three girls. She studied undergrad at Towson University and received her BFA in Art & Product Design. She then worked for Anthropologie for five years in display and merchandising. In 2016 she decided to go back to school for Interior Design; she had found what she was truly passionate about. Cait then completed a two-year program & internship with a design firm in Fenwick Island, Delaware, and then went on to work as an Interior Designer for an Architecture firm in Downtown Annapolis. Building something from nothing will never cease to amaze Cait. Whether it be interiors, florals, tablescapes, or moments to share, she is most happy when creating. Cait believes space has the power to transform our daily lives for the better. She loves helping clients visualize their dream space, bringing their style & story to life through the form and function of their home.
Cait has always wanted to call a beach town home. Her family spent a lot of time over at the Delaware beaches, visiting family & friends since she was a kid. Her parents are currently building a home in Ocean View, Delaware. She decided she was ready for something new, to expand her world. After visiting Wrightsville on many occasions, having family in the area, and being offered an opportunity with T&G, it seemed like all of her boxes were being checked. In her spare time, when she's not creating something, Cait loves to stay active, run down to the beach, walk her dog, Finn, around the loop, spend time with friends and family. If she's on the water, even better. She loves to travel when she can, meet new people, appreciate the architecture & design of new interior spaces.
Growing up in New York, Bill's family would frequently vacation to Topsail Beach. He had such fond memories of this area that he decided to move to Wilmington. Bill has always enjoyed building and enjoys the challenge of building custom homes. He studied Building Trades with a focus on welding and fabricating. He began his construction career in concrete, exterior framing, in interior trim, ultimately allowing him to become well versed in all aspects of residential building. When Bill isn't managing one of our jobsites, you can find him enjoying the outdoors with his wife Kathy, his four children, and nine grandchildren.
This bio is currently under construction - Check back for an update this week.
Born in Guatemala, Hugo made the United States his home in the early 90s, where he began working in construction. Hugo developed a love for working with his hands and building something beautiful out of nothing as a child. Ever since being in the states, Hugo has taken on various construction positions where he began to develop his skillset for residential building. With more than 30 years of hands-on construction experience, Hugo brings a wealth of knowledge to our client's projects - His greatest reward is being able to see the client's vision come to life. Hugo has been on the Tongue & Groove team for more than a decade and prides himself on his ability to meet and exceed client expectations by ensuring our homes are built to the highest standard possible. When Hugo isn't hard at work on our jobsites, you can find him at the beach with his family, running around with his Grandson, playing soccer, fishing, and playing with his three fur children - Max, Coco, and Ziggy.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ray joins the Tongue & Groove team with over a decade of construction experience. He moved to Wilmington in 2004 and went straight into the local design + build industry. Ray thoroughly enjoys working with his hands and troubleshooting any roadblocks that may arise during the construction process. When Ray isn't working on our design + build projects, he loves spending quality time with his wife and fur children and enjoys spending time outdoors whenever possible. Ray is excited to join the team and to continue building high-quality, one-of-a-kind homes for Tongue & Groove's clients.
Matt was born and raised in Pickerington, Ohio, and moved to the Wilmington area with his wife in 2015. He studied engineering and finance in college. While working towards his degree, Matt began working in managerial roles as well as client relations. He quickly realized his true passions were building quality relationships with people over long periods and a career that allowed him to work with his hands on a daily basis.
At Tongue & Groove, Matt is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Home Maintenance division, working with clients on our warranty plan, and coordinating subcontractors to ensure the needs of our clients are being met flawlessly and on time. Before being involved in Tongue & Groove's Home Maintenance division, Matt started his journey with us as a carpenter, where he honed in his woodworking skills and learned the process of building waterfront homes.
In his free time, Matt enjoys building furniture, disc golfing, and spending time downtown with his wife and two dogs.
Originally from El Salvador, Tony grew up with a passion for working with his hands and building beautiful things. Throughout most of Tony's career, he's focused on residential building projects and has also dabbled in commercial projects. Tony has been with the Tongue & Groove team for nearly a decade and brings invaluable expertise to our projects. When Tony isn't on our jobsites building, you can find him gardening and fishing around Wilmington.
Orlando was born in São Jorge, an island in the central group of the Azores archipelago and part of the autonomous region of Portugal. After he and his family immigrated to the states, he grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, and in 2004, he moved to Groveland, MA, up until 2020, when he and his family moved to Wilmington. Orlando has been self-employed for many years and primarily doing remodeling and finish carpentry. Through his experience, Orlando can be a great source of knowledge for the Tongue & Groove carpentry team. When Orlando isn't on our jobsites helping our client's dreams into a reality, he's with his wife, daughter, and two sons enjoying the Wilmington area, especially the picturesque sunrises.
Williams enjoys the art form of building custom homes, the hands-on work, and the gratification of building something from the ground up. Originally from Iceland, growing up on a farm, he began working in a shipyard at 14, building ships and repairing them. He became a dock builder and welder for a decade; then, he started his remodeling company with commercial and residential clients. For the past five years, William has been in Wilmington and brings a plethora of experience to the Tongue & Groove team. In his free time, you can find him with his amazing wife and dog Piper, mountain biking, flying helicopters (fully licensed helicopter pilot!), and traveling with his two grown children.
As a Wilmington native, Chris knows this city inside and out. He enjoys being able to work with his hands on Tongue & Groove's waterfront projects. Chris has been on the T&G team since 2019 and has been able to learn and hone in on his carpentry skills over the past couple of years. When Chris isn't working on our jobsites, you can find him on his boat heading over to Masonboro Island to hang out and surf.
David has an extensive background in technology sales & development but recently has transitioned to a career in construction as this industry was a better match for his values and goals — Quickly realizing he has a passion for carpentry and the satisfaction that comes from building something beautiful with his own hands. Originally from Colorado, David earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Colorado State University. He and his family made the move to Wilmington in 2018. On David's time off, you'll find him fishing or hanging out at the beach with his beautiful wife Tara and his son Forrest!
This bio is currently under construction - Check back for an update this week.
Born in Flordia, and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina; Walt moved to Wilmington for college. He attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington and received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, and has lived in the Wilmington area ever since. After college, Walt became a local police officer, and in 2020 he joined the Tongue & Groove team as a Carpenter. Walt enjoys working with his hands and the satisfaction that comes from building something beautiful that will have a lasting impression on our community. When Walt isn't working on our jobsites, you can find him enjoying all that Wilmington has to offer with his beautiful wife and children.
As the Architectural Drafter of Tongue & Groove, Kaysey plays a significant supporting role in the firm. Kaysey works closely with our in-house design team to create unique and memorable residential projects from concept sketches through construction and making the clients' dreams a reality. Client satisfaction is at the forefront of every project she works on; each and every project inspires her to think outside the box to create a visually unique home to each client's specific needs. Joining Tongue & Groove in 2021, Kaysey holds a Master of Architecture from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Originally from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, Kaysey knew that she wanted to live on the North Carolina coast where she could put her Architectural talents to use after graduation. After graduating, she has enjoyed working in the commercial architecture industry around the Wilmington area and recently transitioned to luxury, residential architecture work here at T&G. In Kaysey's free time, she's hanging around at home with her beloved dog, Rambo, and outside with friends, wherever they land whether it is the beach, pool, or backyard barbeques.
Billy was born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design from University Wisconsin - Stout. Upon graduation, Billy began his postgrad travels around the country. He spent several years on Maui, two years in Greenwich, CT, and five in the Minneapolis area. With a stop in Summit County, Colorado, for a winter. Billy then moved back to Wisconsin for 19 years to start a family. While in Wisconsin, he was a firefighter for 17 years and was a two-term elected official, the Town Supervisor. Now that Billy's twin daughters are off to school, he and his wife decided to leave the winters behind and move to Wilmington in 2021.
Billy says that construction chose him; he didn't choose it. Billy started building things when he was growing up; forts, toys, bikes. When Billy went to college, he got a job as a building manager in exchange for free rent. He was looking for free rent; he didn't know at the time that he was choosing a new life path. After graduating, Billy began flipping houses and found that he loved working with his hands and fixing something.
Billy started his construction journey as a commercial builder in Minneapolis. When Billy moved back to Wisconsin, he began working for himself for a few years and then went on to work for a production builder. After three years of building mid-level homes, he went on to work for a custom home building company. At the custom home building company, Billy started using his art degree and putting more of his ideas into the projects. He then started his own custom building company - Next Step Builders, which he owned and operated for eleven years. Billy closed Next Step at the end of 2020 to move to Wilmington. He is thrilled to start this new phase in North Carolina with Tongue & Groove.
In Billy's downtime, you can find him, his wife, and their daughters exploring all that Wilmington has to offer.
This bio is currently under construction - Check back soon.
This bio is currently under construction - Check back soon.
Originally from Southern Pines, North Carolina, Tyler made the move to Wilmington in 2012. Tyler brings a wealth of residential building knowledge to the Tongue & Groove carpentry team. He has had the pleasure of constructing many homes in Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, Bald Head Island, and throughout the Wilmington area. His experience focused on residential building and renovations such as additions, decks, pergolas, and custom woodwork before expanding to framing houses. Working in the construction industry is a perfect fit for Tyler as he thoroughly enjoys working outside and with his hands. As many of his colleagues say, the gratification of seeing a projects come to fruition throughout the years is what keeps his passion alive. In Tyler's free time, you can typically find him and his wife eating at local places and hanging out with their adorable dachshund, Penny, and Squiggles, their snake.
Ryan has always found creating something that others can enjoy highly satisfying. The utilitarian and aesthetic mix of construction is why he continues to do residential construction work. Seeing the end result of a project being something that's both beautiful and useful is why Ryan continues to excel and become better in the construction industry. Originally from Simsbury, CT, Ryan moved to Wilmington in 2015 to pursue a degree in Biology from Cape Fear Community College. Although his studies were scientific in nature, Ryan's passion for residential building became a powerful force in his life and ultimately drove him into his career in construction.
Ryan has worked in residential construction his entire life. He originally started up North working for a roofing company; he found the work demanding but even more rewarding. After moving to Wilmington, Ryan began working for a sunroom company where he learned to frame and create full additions and how things are created from the ground up. After a handful of years building, Ryan was presented with the opportunity to spearhead the Sales department for that same company. Ryan was mentored by a General Contractor during that role and learned how to price and sell additions properly.
It's that experience that brought him to Tongue & Groove, where he is a Carpenter, putting his skills to use and learning from the very best in aspects of construction, specifically high-end interior finish, which is a skill he has always wanted to master. During Ryan's downtime, you can typically find him at the beach with his fiancée, catching some waves, kayaking, biking, and exploring the downtown area with his two fur babies.
Spencer was born in California and raised in Texas. He then spent several years living in Maine and is new to the Wilmington area. Spencer has worked in the residential building industry for nearly a decade and has extensive experience in the remodeling side of construction. Before beginning his career in construction, Spencer studied Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M; now working on waterfront projects, he's able to mix his passion for the ocean with construction and have the best of both worlds. Spencer enjoys working with his hands honing his carpentry skills with the Tongue & Groove team. Also, seeing and being a part of a project as it progresses from the design to completion is extremely rewarding. In Spencer's free time, you can find him out and about with his girlfriend exploring the outdoors and trying new restaurants around town.