If you could design and build your dream home anywhere in the world, where would it be and what unique feature would it have?                 

My dream home would be built on the side of a mountain overlooking a lake. It would have an outdoor area with landscaping that includes a waterfall and a lazy river.   

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you on a home building project? Any surprise moments or funny encounters with clients?              

Early in my career, flooring was installed on a diagonal and the fireplace wall was also on the diagonal. Sadly, we found that the framer did not frame the wall square, and it was obvious that we had a problem that needed to be fixed. I mobilized the necessary trade partners and had the issue resolved in 3 days, and we closed the home two days later. The customer was beyond happy with the response, our ability to get the job done, and the fact that we stood by our word.

When you’re not helping build dream homes, what’s your hidden talent or surprising hobby?   

 My passion is coaching and helping others to achieve their own greatness. I host a weekly podcast, host a weekly mastermind group on leadership, and do one-on-one coaching with construction management professionals.         

If you weren’t in the homebuilding business, what’s a surprising career you’d pursue instead?  

If I could do life again, I would have committed to schooling and become a lawyer with aspirations to enter the political arena.   

Describe your perfect day off—bonus points if it includes something quirky!           

The perfect day off for me involves going for a 7-10 mile run, reading a good book on self-improvement, and watching sports. If I could be specific, it would be watching LSU beat Alabama.

What life skill did you learn the hard way (but will never forget)?         

The power of managing cash and income. I wasted so much money in my twenties and thirties, and it has propelled me as I entered my forties. It taught me how to invest my money so I earn money while I’m sleeping. I use the lesson when I’m coaching others to help them not make the same mistakes that I made as I was coming up.

Which song or artist is always on your playlist when you’re working?              

I listen to everything from Christian music to gangster rap and everything in between, so it all depends on my mood. Ice Cube is always on my playlist if I need to take care of business. I need anything by Ludovico Einaudi when I need to focus and complete a lot of work in a short amount of time.

If you could invite one famous architect, designer, or historical figure to a team lunch, who would it be and why?    

Thomas Jefferson is who I would invite to lunch. I see myself as a visionary leader and to talk with Jefferson and better understand his thought process and how he went about architecture would be a monumental session.

When it comes to home trends, are you Team Minimalist or Team More-is-More?

I am a team minimalist and don’t like when homes are cluttered. I feel the home should have a focal point that draws everyone in and the home should flow so the viewer is intrigued and can see themselves leaving there.

On a serious note, what do you love most about working in the homebuilding industry, and how does it impact your work here at Bramante Homes?

The way we do business in the homebuilding business is antiquated, and the industry is ripe for transformation. I love the ability to lead others and to leave the industry better for the next generation. My ability to see the future helps me, and it fuels me to keep going.

At Bramante Homes, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best people in the industry. While working with some of the team, we have seen ample growth in their leadership capacity and ability to work through problems to improve the client experience.