Building Inroads
Candi Alexander’s construction career leads her to Southport
Builder CANDI ALEXANDER’s passion for connecting with communities one person at a time led her to her current role: on-site builder for a new, cottage-style community in Southport called Southport Way.
Alexander learned the business from the ground up during twenty-five years with SANCO HOMES, the parent company for Southport Way. She says she is excited about her new role with Sanco at Southport Way and the new development inspired by the charm of the city’s historic downtown but with modern, low-maintenance amenities.
“I went to Southport and took thousands of pictures,” she says. “In the plans, we tried to incorporate those aspects that people responded to – exposed rafters, metal accents on the roof, Craftsman-style columns on front porch.”
The plan for Southport Way was born, and Alexander began the next chapter in her unique construction and development career.
Alexander’s life has taken many turns since she realized she wasn’t cut out for the merchandising career she had planned as a teen. After operating a local fire tower for the North Carolina Forestry Service one season, a friend suggested she interview with Sanco, which was in need of a receptionist.
The position was filled, but the construction manager who interviewed her thought Alexander would make a good fit with the company.
“They were in the process of creating a new position – a second person in the construction division to work with the construction manager,” she recalls.
Alexander was offered the job, and after a few years was promoted to construction manager, before moving to the land development end of the business.
“I had a lot of opportunities,” she says. “I was able to get my broker license and take construction-related classes like blueprint reading and scheduling.”
Alexander says she has been fortunate to have found supportive mentors at each level who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Alexander, a past president of the National Association of Women in Construction, currently serves as president of a women’s investment club and as a member of the homebuilder’s association.
She realized early on that her passion is developing relationships with buyers and first-time homebuyers in particular are close to her heart.
“They were so excited to be buying their first homes. The real estate agent would put the home under contract, and I would work with the buyers through each part of the construction process,” Alexander says. “I was the one person they dealt with through that process.”
Now, she is utilizing her extensive skills to make the same inroads in Southport as in the other communities where she has worked.
What makes her job at Southport Way unique is that she is the builder on-site to answer any questions potential buyers have about the cottage-style homes.
“I’ve been in the Wilmington area for years, so I know the streets and the businesses,” Alexander says. “Now, I’m working in Southport every day. I’m learning the businesses, meeting the realtors. I spent three months establishing relationships. I have enjoyed learning Southport.”
To view more of photographer Chris Brehmer's work, go to www.chrisbrehmerphotography.com.
