FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

With nearly 50 years of experience in construction, Sam’s journey began working alongside his dad on weekends, remodeling the homes they lived in. This early exposure to building sparked a lifelong passion for creating, problem-solving, and collaborating with clients to turn their visions into reality. Sam became a Licensed General Contractor in 1999, bringing his expertise to Sunny Day Homes and continuing to build on his hands-on experience across new home construction, remodeling, and commercial renovations.

Sam has guided the company with a focus on sustainability and innovation. He has a deep interest in building science, valuing what’s “under the hood” of a home as much as the finished details. His passion for teaching and sharing knowledge is reflected in his master’s degree in education and his time teaching construction technology at Appalachian State University.

Beyond running the business, Sam served two years as chairman of the Green Building Council for the North Carolina Home Builders Association as well as co-chair for our local High Country Home Builders Association.

Outside of work, Sam finds inspiration at the lake sailing, boating, or hydrofoiling, and enjoys hiking in the mountains. His passion for teamwork, both on the job and in his leisure pursuits, continues to energize his approach to building custom homes that stand the test of time.

VICE PRESIDENT

Joan co-founded Sunny Day Homes with her husband, Sam, and has managed the company’s financials since the beginning. Being part of a family business committed to honest, ethical, and environmentally conscious practices has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.

Joan’s dedication to supporting others extends both in and out of the office. In addition to her role at Sunny Day Homes, Joan is a family therapist in Boone.

Outside of work, Joan enjoys creating art and music and spending time at Watauga Lake, one of her favorite places in the world. When she’s there, you’ll find her riding the Air Chair Hydrofoil, one of her favorite after work activities.

PROJECT MANAGER

With over 20 years of experience in construction, Kyle has been part of the industry since childhood. He worked on projects with his father and uncles before officially joining Sunny Day Homes. While he has a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, what keeps him engaged is the collaborative nature of construction. He finds great satisfaction in bringing together different skill sets to achieve a shared vision.

As project manager, Kyle’s ability to track progress across multiple projects sets him apart. Over the years, he has developed a keen eye for identifying potential issues before they arise and providing effective feedback to carpenters in the field. His experience allows him to adapt quickly, problem-solve efficiently, and help ensure each project runs smoothly.

What Kyle enjoys most about his work is partnering with clients to turn ideas into reality, guiding them through the process, and ensuring every detail aligns with their vision.

Outside of work, Kyle finds inspiration in the outdoors. Whether camping, mountain biking, or exploring the mountains, he enjoys activities that keep him connected to nature.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Sarah brings 16 years of hands-on experience and leadership in residential construction to Sunny Day Homes. Her path into the field began in an unexpected way during the 2008 recession. A challenging job market led her to a position with AmeriCorps focused on weatherization and new home construction. What started as an opportunity soon became a calling! Spending long hours in crawlspaces and attics, she developed a deep understanding of what makes a home comfortable, efficient, and built to last.

Eager to expand her knowledge, Sarah went on to earn her master’s degree in Building Science from Appalachian State University before joining Sunny Day Homes, where she immersed herself in custom remodeling and new home construction. Over the years, she has also gained valuable experience managing projects, mentoring volunteers, and guiding homeowners through the building process as both a teacher and collaborator. Most recently, Sarah served as Construction Manager for Watauga County Habitat for Humanity and as president of the High Country Home Builders Association, continuing her commitment to community and craftsmanship before returning home to Sunny Day.

Known for her clear communication and thoughtful approach, Sarah brings a unique perspective to every project. Her background in both education and rowing taught her the value of teamwork, precision, and listening; she uses these skills daily to help clients feel confident and informed at every stage of the build.

Outside of work, Sarah finds her greatest joy in motherhood. She’s a new mom and loves spending time with her daughter, soaking up every moment of this new chapter. When she’s not with family, she enjoys being outdoors running, biking, hiking, or canoeing and cheering on the University of Tennessee football team.

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Forest brings almost a decade of custom home building experience to Sunny Day Homes, where he has been a vital team member for the past seven years. Before joining the world of residential construction, he honed his skills in entertainment construction where he designed and built sets, props, special effects for movies, music videos, and commercials.

His passion for building began during his time at UNC School of the Arts where a shift from Cinematography to Production Design sparked his love for designing and constructing. The transition to custom home building was a natural fit when he moved to Boone, NC.

Forest’s background in film production design has equipped him with an eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, allowing him to tackle challenges creatively and keep complex projects on track. He finds immense satisfaction in seeing a project come to life from architectural plans to a finished home down to the last detail. As Forest likes to say, borrowing a line from the Big Lebowski, “That rug really tied the room together.”

Outside of work, Forest channels his creativity into storytelling as a Game Master for Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, crafting original adventures for his players. He’s also an aspiring miniature artist, learning to paint and build custom figures to bring his tabletop worlds to life.

LEAD CARPENTER

With 20 years of experience in construction, Phillip brings a unique blend of creativity and strategy to his role at Sunny Day Homes. He thrives on the multifaceted nature of the work from interpreting a homeowner’s vision and planning its execution to managing talented tradespeople and refining his hands-on skills in the field. For Phillip, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the many moving parts of a project come together and transforming an initial drawing into a tangible structure that becomes part of the community.

Phillip’s love for strategy and detail drives his work from meticulously planning each step of construction to ensuring the smallest elements are executed with precision. His strength lies in his cognitive abilities—information storage, quick math, meticulous planning, and strategic thinking. While working with his hands was a learned skill, his attention to detail and love for numbers have always been natural talents that set him apart.

What truly inspires Phillip is the culture at Sunny Day Homes. He finds fulfillment in collaborating with a team that cares deeply about their work and each other. Watching new tradespeople grow into skilled craftsmen motivates him to continually strive for excellence.

Outside of work, Phillip channels his passion for creativity into music, where he’s been involved in everything from production and engineering to instrumentation and management. He’s also explored filmmaking, visual arts, and literary projects, as well as crafting custom and antique furniture. For Phillip, life is about creating. Whether it’s a home, a piece of music, or a work of art, he’s driven by the joy of turning visions into something you can touch, see, hear, and enjoy.