Category Archives: The ADB Team

ADB’s Steven Roberts Achieves NARI Success

The 9th annual NARI Atlanta Golf Tournament in August was an overwhelming success. Atlanta Design & Build would like to express our pride in and appreciation to Steven Roberts, Sales and Design Consultant.  Not only was Steven part of the team that won the 2017 event, and with his new team placed third in this year’s event, he was this year’s event Chairman. This is his third year of involvement in some level of planning for the tournament, and his first year as Golf Committee chair. 

The golf tournament was held at Bear’s Best in Suwanee that boasts a collection of Jack Nicklaus’ favorite golf holes from Nicklaus designed courses around the world. The planning committee consisted of four other NARI members and also received a tremendous effort from NARI Atlanta’s new Executive Director, Kathryn Stempler. Steven and the other committee members met their goal of obtaining participants in each category. The event enticed over 50 golfers, 18 hole sponsors and a handful of other trade partner sponsorships to participate. 

“Steven was able to secure sponsorships for all 18 holes, lunch, and the beverage cart, again far exceeding what was accomplished last year,” Kathryn Stempler remarked. “Steven was creative and motivated in his determination to obtain more sponsorships and more golfer registrations than in 2017 and his hard work really paid off.” 

“We had great participation this year,” agreed Steven. “Sponsors, volunteers and especially the players turned out in numbers we have not seen in years!”

“The Golf Tournament fundraiser was incredibly successful this year,” Kathryn Stempler attested. “NARI Atlanta raised over $5,000, which almost doubles last year’s revenue!” The money raised allows the organization to enhance the member benefits of continuing education, networking mixers, Contractor of the Year Awards Gala, a newly initiated social media strategy which highlights members and promotes the NARI Atlanta brand and several other improvements that make engaging with NARI Atlanta easier and more meaningful for members and homeowners, alike.  

Steven eagerly accepted the chair position this year and is looking forward to continuing his involvement next year due to his love for the game and interest in helping NARI grow and prosper. He hopes to improve the tournament at all levels next year with the continued participation of the committee members and the support of Kathryn. 

“We are looking forward to the 2019 event which we have decided to move to the first week in October,” Steven explained. “We are excited about the new date and believe playing in the early fall will bring even more interest and participation to this annual event.”

Sydney Takes On a New Role at MAGIC Camp

Mentoring a Girl in Construction (MAGIC) Camp is a free, one-week camp designed to introduce middle school and high school girls to exciting careers in construction. It takes place at multiple locations in Georgia, one of which is Gwinnett Technical College, as well as Wichita, KS. Each day has a separate emphasis that lets young women, 14 years and older, have hands-on experience in several areas of the construction field. The camp covers topics from safety classes, to carpentry, electrical, welding, heavy equipment and beyond. Tuesday is Carpentry Day.

Atlanta Design & Build’s Project Manager, Sydney Contant Nunes, has been volunteering at Gwinnett Technical College on MAGIC Camp Carpentry Day for several years. Every year she has impressed the MAGIC Camp instructors with her skills in leadership, so gradually she has been asked to take on more responsibility. 

In years past, Sydney was the keynote speaker for Carpentry Day, and provided oversight without hands-on involvement in the carpentry lab. During the girls’ lunch break, she gave a presentation about carpentry and how a woman can make her place in an unconventional field. She would give a brief history of herself and her involvement/progression at Atlanta Design & Build. Sydney shared a slideshow of Before and After photos of projects for which she had been the project manager. She also displayed informational spreadsheets on how to begin a career in the industry from point A to point B, depending on whether the girls prefer learning by book at a technical college or are more hands-on driven and would like to start working in the field. 

Last year, in addition to her presentation, Sydney was also one of the carpentry lab assistants providing a watchful eye during the hands-on building class. 

This year Kathleen Torrence, the woman previously in charge of the carpentry lab, was retiring and asked Sydney if she would be interested in filling in for her as carpentry lab leader. Sydney energetically took on the larger role, which meant she was directing the girls as they actually performed physical carpentry skills. Four female Gwinnett Technical College carpentry students provided a lot of great help while she instructed 18 high school and late middle school girls in completing their carpentry projects.

Continue reading Sydney Takes On a New Role at MAGIC Camp

ADB’s Deep Sea Fishing Trip

A few weeks ago, Dale Contant arranged for a quick 3-day road trip and deep-sea fishing expedition for our employees, their spouses, and several ADB “partners”.

The group of twenty embarked from Orange Beach, Alabama on a 10-12 hour deep sea fishing frenzy aboard the “Shady Lady”. What a marvelous adventure to be aboard this legendary custom-built sport-fishing vessel! Red snapper prevailed as the catch of the day. When they returned to shore that evening, the group’s fresh catch was cooked to their individual orders, resulting in a delicious meal for everyone. There was still plenty of remaining fillets to package and share with everyone, including those team members unable to join the whirlwind event. 

Thank you, Dale, for the wonderful, satisfying experience and team-building summer fun!  

Boat Photo Courtesy of Shady Lady Charters (www.shadyladycharters.com)

ADB Attends the NARI 8th Annual Cutting Edge Event

Our entire Atlanta Design & Build field team took advantage of the opportunity to attend the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 8th annual Cutting Edge Event. This year’s event took place on May 8 returning to the Cobb Galleria, Atlanta Marriott Northwest and featured an incredible line up of top-notch speakers and programs.

The NARI-Atlanta Cutting Edge was a full day of continuing education during which our team members attended six different one-hour sessions delivered by industry experts. The course offerings were divided into four tracks: Business, Building Technology, Design, and Environmental (Green) Sustainability.  

ADB recognizes the importance of encouraging our remodeling crews to achieve their potential and grow both personally and professionally. Continuing education benefits each of our team members as they are able to develop new skills or sharpen current ones. For ADB team members who hold NARI certifications or are preparing to become certified in the future, continuing education is a requirement. 

We are committed to keeping our crews at the top of the industry for the sake of our clients

As you are searching for the best remodeling company to work on your home, it is critical that you choose a company whose expert teams are certified in the field of remodeling. Our team members have proudly earned the following NARI certifications: Master Certified Remodeler, Certified Remodeler, Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler, Certified Remodeling Project Manager, Certified Lead Carpenter, and Universal Design Certified Professional.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Small Communications & Marketing

We Ensure Your Remodeling Project is Done Right!

Some homeowners are reluctant to remodel because they’ve heard horror stories about dishonest, inexperienced, fly-by-night remodeling companies.

Quality, Integrity, Teamwork, and Community

Atlanta Design & Build has a very different story to tell. Our Core Values describe our passionate dedication to Quality, Integrity, Teamwork, and Community. Through Guild Quality reviews, past clients tell how our actions prove that we adhere to these same values.

For example, our Core Value of Teamwork includes providing “a professional environment where team members claim ownership and pride in their work, are challenged to achieve their potential and are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally through continuous education and learning.”


As NARI Certified Remodeling Professionals, our team has achieved a level of knowledge and expertise that far exceeds that of your everyday remodeler or handyman. Each certified team member must meet annual recertification requirements involving continuing education and participation in industry-related programs. Atlanta Design & Build is proud that our team boasts the following NARI certification credentials: 1 – Master Certified Remodeler (MCR), 1 – Certified Remodeler (CR), 1 – Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR), 4 – Certified Remodeling Project Manager (CRPM), 2 – Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) and 1 – Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP). Congratulations Dale Contant, Mike Pike, Jamie Franks, Steven Roberts, Dave Newell, Sydney Contant on your continued hard work.

Steven, one of our Sales & Design Consultants, also recently completed a two-day intermediate training seminar with Chief Architect Software in Nashville, TN to hone his skills in working with this 3D Architectural design tool.  We applaud Steven that his ADB Core Values are showing!

These are just two of the many ways Atlanta Design & Build is continually working to ensure your remodeling project will be done right! So, no more remodeling hesitation is necessary—go ahead and give us a call at 770-565-8999 or visit our website to get started.

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Welcome to Miguel Solis to the Atlanta Design & Build Team

We are pleased to introduce the newest member of our Atlanta Design & Build team, Miguel Solis. Miguel joined us in January 2017 and is highly experienced in the construction industry. Originally from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miguel now makes his home in Decatur. “Georgia is a great place to live. I love it here!” exclaimed Miguel.

While a young man living in the Virgin Islands, Miguel attended vocational school and then in 1977 he became a member of the U.S. Army National Guard for 11 years. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he was trained as a construction utility worker. During this time he completed a wide variety of construction projects.

In 1988, Miguel resigned from the Army National Guard and returned to the Virgin Islands. At first he worked with local contractors who were building houses. Later he did construction utility work at an oil refinery for two years. “That place was at one time the second largest oil refinery in the United States,” noted Miguel. “But unfortunately the business slowed down and all the workers were laid off.” Today the refinery is officially closed.

Miguel decided to move to Miami, Florida, where he ended up living from 2002-2015. Some friends in Decatur requested he come and work for them so he moved to GA. Eventually, that business also slowed down. Miguel sent out resumes to see what work positions might be available that fit his expertise. He was excited when Express Employment Professionals recommended an opening with Atlanta Design & Build and arranged an interview.

Miguel Joins the Atlanta Design & Build Team as a Carpenter

“During the interview, the Atlanta Design & Build staff was exceptional,” states Miguel. “They explained very clearly their expectations, and everything sounded highly professional. As they explained all the details to me, I realized their company attitude is one of encouragement, whether you are their clients or team members. ADB is made up of very good people to work for and they are respectful of everyone.”

Miguel works as a Carpenter for our ADB team. His specialties are framing, building decks and screened porches, plus tiling in bathrooms and kitchens. ADB provided Miguel with his very first screened porch project. “It was a challenge to me since it was vital that I get the screening nice and tight without any wrinkles,” Miguel remarked. “But now that I’m experienced with screened porches, the process is a breeze.”

He also mentions that his work responsibilities involve job safety, watching out for his co-workers, being careful of his surroundings, and protecting clients’ property. Believe it or not, some of the remodeling work he really enjoys is demolition, cleaning up debris, and preparing the job site for reconstruction. “ADB knows I’m capable and handy,” said Miguel. “I may not be the fastest worker, but I always work hard to get the job completed to the best of my ability and to their satisfaction—which is very important.”

Outside of work, Miguel’s favorite activities are getting together with family and friends at home for a barbecue cookout, watching sports on television, and playing dominos. Playing dominos has gotten to be a very popular game with his family, and they play every weekend. He also enjoys going fishing whenever he gets a chance, and he absolutely loves the beach!  “I just like to relax and enjoy being with my family.”