Blog Posts in the Outdoor Living Category

Kelly Short
Design Manager

Kelly’s hands on experience, keen eye for design and positivity make her a great addition to the team at James River Construction as a Design Manager. With 15+ years experience here in Richmond in the world of design, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for working closely with clients to bring their visions to reality on each and every project.  She truly enjoys helping clients see their visions through, with a particular interest in new design trends. Her favorite type of projects are additions to older homes, given the challenge of making those additions flow and not seem like additions at all. Beyond the work itself, Kelly appreciates the culture, the team and dedication to true craftsmanship at James River Construction. When she’s not working with clients on all things design, Kelly enjoys hiking, camping, anything outdoors, and spending time with her family

Westin Browder
Project Manager

Though he graduated from Radford University with a major in finance and minor in marketing, Westin knew that a normal desk job just wasn’t for him, and that’s what drew him to the world of construction. A normal day for Westin includes working with our trade partners, applying creative solutions to intricate projects , and even getting his hands a little dirty when needed.

His favorite part of working for James River Construction is seeing the final product of all his hard work… a big project, completed.

When not working, Westin likes to hunt, fish and spend time with his dogs.

Ken Felts
President

Growing up in the Felts household, Ken was fully invested all the time in helping his dad and in learning how to make and fix things with his hands. From an early age, Ken learned the value of building… whether building relationships, building a business and reputation, building a uniquely positive culture or actually building people’s homes.

While Ken still loves building, his role now at James River Construction revolves more around sales, estimations and providing the vision and focus for the future. Ken’s favorite projects include tackling the types of complex home construction projects that make many other builders nervous. He appreciates the challenge of taking on anything new, difficult and exciting. Even though Ken is no longer building with his hands, he continues to build a structured and well disciplined organization with a core focus on doing what is right.

While not focusing on building a positive culture for both team members and clients for James River Construction, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, traveling and all things snow sports.

Adam Cunningham
Vice President, Operations

Adam spent years in construction, marketing/sales and television production before joining the team at James River Construction. Therefore, he brings unique and effective skills to all aspects of our business.

Adam’s day-to-day focus is helping our Project Managers execute each project efficiently and effectively while helping operate a successful business and all that entails. He loves the collaboration it takes to do custom, high-quality work and that every day brings new challenges.

His favorite types of projects are home transformations that positively change how people live.

Adam enjoys hanging with his wife and two teenage boys while they surf, snowboard, fish and hike along the James with Lucy (#JRCMascot)

Ben Goodman
Account Executive

Ben brings a wealth of experience, a passion for architecture/building and a meticulous focus on the details to each and every opportunity at James River Construction. From his time in the United States Army Reserves to being self-employed for 20 years as a Class A Contractor, Ben understands the value of discipline, hard work and efficiency.  His role as an Account Executive is a perfect fit for Ben, as he can balance his excitement for architectural plans with his understanding of people and business. Like many of our team, Ben appreciates the relentless focus on quality and an overwhelming positive team attitude at James River Construction. When he is not working on architectural plans or meeting with potential new clients, Ben is likely spending time at his home on the Chesapeake Bay or working on a muscle car.

Field Witt
Selections Coordinator

Field brings a wealth of experience in design and coordination to each and every project. She acts as the “liaison” between the Project Managers, the rest of our team and our clients, with a focus on helping clients choose the right vendors and selections for their home. Her focus is doing things right from start to finish.  Field appreciates kindness, honesty and a true caring for people. Her favorite home renovation projects always include kitchens. Field enjoys spending time with her family, trips to the river, swimming and watching anything on HGTV.

Michele Slagey
Accounting 

Michele spent years as a Government Cost Accountant and in working for other entrepreneurs before meeting Ken and the team at James River Construction.  In her accounting role, Michele manages invoices, budgets, payroll, HR, insurance, and most things financial.  She truly appreciates that Ken and the team give her the freedom and trust to bring her best to the team every day, and she values the people and culture. Michele’s favorite projects involve finding new solutions, processes and procedures that continue to help James River Construction evolve and improve. While not pouring over expenses and accounting, Michele loves cooking, anything involving World War II history, and spending time with her family preferably on the boat.

Ann Gooch
Account Executive – Operations 

Ann brings a wealth of knowledge from all angles of the construction industry to each and every project. From operating a small construction company with her husband, to years working in various roles at both Lowe’s and Morris Tile, Ann’s experience and understanding of projects, processes and people is invaluable to the James River Construction team. Her passion is breaking down processes, in looking for ways to improve efficiency and structure.  Ann appreciates that the culture at James River Construction encourages everyone to do what’s right, come from a position of “yes” and to focus on family first. When not helping the team operate at a higher level, Ann spends time with her husband, son and daughter.  She enjoys time at the river, going to her son’s baseball games and everything involving her family.

Jimmy Walter
Senior Project Manager

From working as a hang gliding instructor in the Outer Banks to owning his own carpentry business, Jimmy brings a world of experience and a unique perspective (and smile) to the team at James River Construction.  As a Senior Project Manager, he oversees our trade partners, handles estimating and ordering and focuses on site maintenance…all while staying in constant contact with our clients. He appreciates the passion, knowledge, wide range of backgrounds and enthusiasm that the entire James River Construction team brings to every home construction project.  His favorite part of his job is creating truly individual and custom solutions, particularly on whole house renovations. Jimmy enjoys playing volleyball, listening to live music (perhaps some Funk), traveling and scoping out the Richmond restaurant scene. Read more about Jimmy in his Employee Spotlight!

Lee Lacks
Senior Project Manager

From owning a cabinet business, to being a partner in an internet company, to now a Senior Project Manager at James River Construction, Lee brings a unique perspective, positive attitude and focus to every project.  Like most of the team, Lee really appreciates using his hands and his mind to craft creative solutions to difficult situations, particularly full on kitchen remodels and renovations.  Lee particularly enjoys the atmosphere and culture at James River Construction, and welcomes the fact that he has both the flexibility and trust to make the decisions he feels make the most sense. As it relates to how he engages with clients, Lee comes from “a place of yes.” Lee is actively involved in his church, spends as much time as he can with his family, and loves golf, traveling and everything outdoors.

Steve Osberger
Project Manager

Steve brings a wealth of experience, insight and passion to James River Construction. From his years in the plumbing industry, to his time owning his own residential construction business, Steve draws on his understanding of people and business to stay calm and focused on particularly challenging home construction projects.  He appreciates the planning,  problem solving, and attention to detail required in his role as the “conductor of the building symphony.”   Like many of the team at James River Construction, he enjoys the satisfaction of finding beautiful solutions to complex problems that seem impossible to many builders. Outside of his role in conducting his building symphony for James River Construction, Steve enjoys traveling, the outdoors, playing guitar, spending time with family and supporting his home town Detroit (in pretty much all things).

Mac Rolfe
Project Manager 

A passion for “the lost art of craftsmanship” defines what Mac brings to every home construction project for James River Construction.  As a Project Manager, Mac enjoys all aspects of learning and building, specifically from the before, during and after transformations of projects like porches and kitchens. From Mac’s perspective, every project presents an opportunity to see how things work and also how things could work better, given the right perspective.  A key aspect that Mac appreciates about James River Construction is the emphasis on “work-life balance,” teamwork, accountability and communication. On the weekends, Mac enjoys taking what he learns on the job and applying those concepts and ideas to his own home.  He also loves spending time with his wife and son, with the occasional weekend trip exploring and camping on the James River in Shenandoah Valley.

Steven McCleod
Project Manager

More than anything, Steven enjoys seeing the results of his work and bringing ideas to life. As a Project Manager, he focuses on managing all renovations, remodels and additions day to day, with a focus on staying on time, on budget and in touch.  He appreciates the focus that James River Construction places on custom solutions, with an emphasis on the best products and the best solutions. His favorite parts of being a Project Manager at James River Construction are making people happy, doing a great job while working with his team, and being excited about going to work every day. In his personal time, Steven spends time watching his Pittsburgh Steelers and all things sports.

Anthony Dulio
Tile Trade Partner 

When you grow up like Anthony did, with a dad who is a builder, it’s hard not to be drawn towards the world of construction and renovations.  So after a career as a Civil Engineer here in Richmond, Anthony shifted gears back to working on homes, specifically with tile work.  Anthony appreciates the unique nature of the type of home construction projects that James River Constructions specializes in, and pours his experience, effort, and craftsmanship into every tile project.  He most enjoys working on new, different and particularly challenging projects in which he and his team break something down and build it back together again. Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, fishing and taking trips to the Outer Banks.

Adam Hogston
Tile Trade Partner

Adam represents what James River Construction is all about: a focus on quality, communication (both internal and external) and an overwhelming positive attitude.  From his days in the servicing wells and pumps to his current roles as a Tile Trade Partner, Adam understands the importance of hard work, vision and the amazing feeling of a job done right. Above and beyond anything else, he enjoys working on bathroom renovations, in seeing the fruits of his labor come to life. When not working with Anthony and his team at James River Construction, Adam is hanging with his wife and two girls, likely running from one softball game to another. He enjoys traveling, classic cars (like the 57 Bel Air) watching Alabama football and the Washington Capitals.

Cody Stephens
Carpenter

As a carpenter, Cody understands the importance of attention to detail.  As one of the newer members of the James River Construction team, Cody brings a passion to create, a thirst for knowledge, and an overwhelming positive attitude to our core team.  He appreciates thinking about the big picture while capturing the little details that helps bring a project to life.  Cody enjoys all types of trim work and any type of carpentry that allows him to funnel his focus and positive energy into beautiful solutions.

During his free time, Cody loves building furniture and enjoying the great outdoors. When asked about any hidden talents, Cody said “I keep my talents out in the open.”

Lucy Cunningham
Mascot

Lucy was a Christmas puppy in 2014 and quickly earned the title “Mascot” from Ken.
She’s a German Shorthaired Pointer who loves to chase rabbits, squirrels and deer and to be chased by other dogs. Although, the last one isn’t fair as she’s not only fast she also doesn’t tire easily. You’ll catch glimpses of Lucy at Bandy Field and Pony Pasture in-between stops at JRC projects or uncontrollably loving her family at home.