Our People

You hire a remodeler to make good decisions on your behalf,  to be honest and fair, to solve problems quickly, and to get the best work from the subcontractors. It is an important decision that will affect you and your family way beyond those months that you spend with the remodeling team. We think you should meet the people you are going to work with before you make your decision.

We think you'll agree that we're a great team. Call 919-783-9330 or click on the Contact page to arrange to meet us in person.

 

 

Hank Wall

Hank lives with his wife Beth and son Jeremy in a home just about a mile from the Wood Wise office that he has remodeled several times over the years. When he's not working, he likes to hike, practice yoga and travel.

Before starting Wood Wise, Hank taught school, taught carpentry and built solar homes in Vermont. His early decision to hire only nonsmokers has set the carpentry staff apart from other Raleigh remodelers. He has attracted the friendliest, most talented personnel. Hank has an easy-going management style with an emphasis on top-quality craftsmanship and inspired design ideas. Wood Wise's commitment to the environment includes building homes that use eco-friendly materials.

"Wood Wise people are great team players," says Hank. "Our intention is to be good partners with all of our homeowners. We accept your trust and feel responsible to deliver on our promise to be really good at what we do. When you decide to remodel, we can help."

Read the 1996 profile of Hank from the News & Observer.


Kathy Alton, Designer/Contractor

Kathy is an interior designer and the resident expert on kitchen design and cabinet layouts at Wood Wise. She works with clients throughout the design process, beginning with conceptual design and working through all the details and selections to create the perfect plan. With Kathy's knowledge of materials, finishes, and fixtures, our clients can select their new interior features with confidence and insight.

She has a BS in Interior Design with a minor in art, is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and a Licensed General Contractor. Over the last four years Kathy has designed hundreds of kitchens and provided countless drawings and designs, including the cabinet layouts for several of our award winning projects.

 

Ben Toney, Project Manager

Ben has been praised by homeowners for many aspects of his project management. He communicates with everyone daily, which is the ultimate ingredient in getting so many people to complete their part of the project on time. In the remodeling business nothing is more frustrating for homeowners than not knowing what is going on, Ben has mastered the art of client communication, summarized in the recent client comment, "Ben answers his phone every time I call him."

Ben manages projects from start to finish. He often completes large renovations with a "zero punch list." No items on a final punch list is remarkable, a big deal, a sign of a well-managed project. Only by holding every subcontractor to our higher standard can this be achieved. Only by talking regularly with clients is this possible. Only by committing to a strong, organized completion push does a project manager have a final walk-through without anything on the punch list.

Ben does not get ruffled. Remodeling is challenging work, but Ben is smiling throughout.

 

David Clark, Project Manager

David Clark completed his architecture degree from the University of Virginia years ago but found his calling in building, in project management. He wants to get it done, get the details perfect and get the tradesmen to work to a higher standard. David prefers being at the jobsite to being in an office so he is a special blend of project manager, master carpenter, designer and homeowner's friend.

David likes the homeowner relationship and has many social connections with Wood Wise clients that have lasted for years. He is helpful, fun, intelligent and professional. David was an Eagle Scout. You suspect that sort of exceptional background once you meet him.

He has built numerous new homes and has worked on every aspect of remodeling. He manages remodeling projects, coaches kid's sports teams, and keeps Wood Wise clients happy from start to finish.

 

Justin Bell, Project Coordinator

Justin's skills are exceptional in both construction and estimating. As Project Coordinator, he is involved in every project, discovering potential problems at the early stages of design, writing the contract documents and tracking all the costs. He provides essential construction drawings in both AutoCAD and SketchUp.

On weekends, Justin is likely to be playing guitar, adding carpentry details to the home he shares with his wife, Liz, or reading a good book.

At Wood Wise he works with clients, designers, and project managers to ensure feasibility and completeness in our architectural design. Justin is a licensed General Contractor and a graduate of Appalachian State with a BS in Construction Technology. He has over eight years of experience remodeling residential and commercial projects in the Raleigh area and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Construction Management.

 

Cindy Nowell, Bookkeeper

Cindy has been the Wood Wise bookkeeper since 1997. Her background includes work in insurance and real estate before establishing herself as the bedrock of Wood Wise. Cindy is efficient, reliable, and loyal. She has been the constant at Wood Wise, making sure everyone gets paid promptly. Good bookkeeping is a blend of skills and attitude. Cindy has both. Anything less than perfect is not good enough. She gets it right - whatever it takes.