ALAIR ENTERPRISES CANADA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales
- Well - Respected International Sales and Business Growth Expert
Adam McCaa is a well-respected international sales and business growth expert with over 25 years of experience in building and scaling businesses. Adam has had the privilege of training and working with some of the most successful business minds on the planet today and has brought those insights and expertise to Alair.
Over the past 10 years, Adam has been responsible for helping to develop and grow the brand into the largest custom home builder and remodeler in North America. Today, Adam works directly with the partners at Alair to help them master the skills to best market, sell and grow their business.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Systems
- Director of Information Services for Alair
As the Director of Information Services for Alair, Burc Gunes is passionate about the synergy between technology and people. Burc's journey into computer engineering began in the 5th grade when he first played with a Commodore 64, and since then, he has built a strong foundation in computer engineering, specializing in software.
Prior to becoming a member of the Alair team, Burc accumulated a spectrum of experiences spanning different industries. His journey encompassed roles in industrial automation at G.E., contributions to financial software such as QuickBooks Canadian and UK editions at Intuit, and active participation in the regulatory oversight of games, alcohol, and cannabis in Alberta while at AGLC.
One of the standout moments in Burc's career was his integral involvement in the cannabis legalization process in Alberta. He led the project responsible for collecting sales and inventory data from cannabis retail stores, delivering crucial metrics to Health Canada. This innovative approach gained nationwide attention and was later adopted by other regulatory agencies.
Job Titles:
- Director of Accounting Services
Powered by a strong commitment to client-centric service, Damien Peters assumed the role of Director of Accounting Services at Alair in 2021.
Before joining Alair, Damien served as the VP of Finance at Prodigy Education, a renowned EdTech company located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). During his time at Prodigy, Damien prioritized the needs and preferences of users, which propelled him to success in the dynamic EdTech field.
This same philosophy now underpins his approach to accounting services at Alair. Damien believes that to serve Alair's partners effectively, an obsessive commitment to understanding their needs and consistently evolving based on feedback and insights is essential.
Damien's primary goal is twofold: to ensure that the accounting team at Alair provides unwavering support to partners and that the team itself feels nurtured and empowered. Currently, Damien's focus is on fostering trust and collaboration between Alair's franchises and their accounting teams.
As Alair continues its growth trajectory, Damien Peters stands as a visionary leader, driving client-centricity and team empowerment at the core of accounting services. His dedication to understanding partner needs and fostering internal support structures makes him a valuable asset to the Alair family.
Deborah has been working in the field of architecture and design since 1997. She has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's in architecture from The Catholic University of America. Deborah worked with hospitality and commercial clients at large, medium, and small architecture firms for many years. She expanded to residential design by opening a boutique design firm in 2009. Her core philosophy centers around the idea that design solutions should be as unique as the needs and personality of each client. Deborah strives to create functional, budget conscious, beautiful, and, above all, inspiring spaces.
Duane entered the construction industry over 30 years ago working on oceanfront estates in The Hamptons on Long Island, New York. From laborer to craftsman to business owner he was always honing his skills and immersed himself in all aspects of high-end custom construction. In 1996 he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and started a general contracting business with Roger Ketchum and the two achieved success right away, winning industry awards and earning rave reviews from clients, designers, and trade partners. That relationship continues to this day.
Glenn Graziano is an award-winning builder, locally and nationally recognized for his remodeling talent. Before joining the Alair Alexandria team in November 2023, he co-owned and operated a successful building and design company.
Glenn's core values are quality, integrity, customer service, and honesty, which he embodies in his hands-on approach to job site supervision and attention to detail. Clients consistently applaud Glen for his ability to convey technical information in an easily understandable manner. He takes immense pride in ensuring total success and complete client satisfaction in every project he touches.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Glenn is an avid golfer and a self-described foodie who loves to cook for his extended family. He lives in Alexandria with his wife and three children.
Jason is originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania and spent 3.5 years after college working as a Project Manager for a national home builder. In 2017, he was offered the opportunity to transfer to the Charlotte market which was always a goal of his to be back in NC. In his free time, Jason enjoys working on his own home renovation projects, and building wood furniture pieces.
Job Titles:
- Director of Training & Education
Meet Jeff Daley, a seasoned professional with a diverse background and extensive experience across various industries. Since July 2019, Jeff has served as the Director of Training & Education for Alair's home office. Jeff has been instrumental in enhancing the organization's training and education initiatives.
Jeff joined the home office after working as a project manager in one of the Nanaimo franchise offices. Since then, he has honed his expertise in management by playing a pivotal role in refining and optimizing Alair's processes and software.
As a director, Jeff brings a multifaceted approach to his role in training and education, introducing principles that he learned during years of experience in sales, marketing, customer service, and financial services.
Jeff is originally from Toronto, Canada. In 2017, he moved to Nanaimo; today, he enjoys everything that beautiful British Columbia has to offer.
Jennifer, a Charlotte native, grew up in the construction industry. With multiple members of her family being tradesmen with various skill sets, she spent several hours of her childhood on job sites and in many homes learning about multiple aspects of construction. Jennifer has also worked to obtain her North Carolina and South Carolina real estate licenses to broaden her knowledge of the industry and homebuilding. Jennifer worked for a production builder before joining the Alair™ team in 2022 and recently she has become a NARI Certified Professional Project Manager. When Jennifer is not working, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking and spending time with her two dogs.
Kareena began her career in the construction industry 27 years ago working at the Kennedy Space Center Space Station Processing Facility. With an extensive background in Commercial Construction, she has worked on everything from build-outs to re-stacks. She continues to use her knowledge and experience from her roles in business leadership to support the growth and development in the Charlotte office. Kareena is a Board member with NARI Charlotte and HBA Charlotte Professional Women in Building and takes these relationships and opportunities to grow her understanding of the ever-evolving construction world.
Kareena is passionate about the Alair™ Next Gen program and works closely with organizations like The ROC Charlotte who educate and mentor the next generation towards opportunities in the construction world. With her involvement with She Built this City and HBA PWB, Kareena is helping to pave the way for young professionals and women in particular, to succeed in the industry and is always looking for an opportunity to support another.
Matt grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, surrounded by all the different Chicago architecture types. He graduated with advanced degrees in engineering and finance from Washington University (St. Louis), where he played soccer. Then, he spent nearly 20 years in infrastructure finance, working on public-private partnerships and other civil works projects worldwide. A growing family and entrepreneurial mindset shifted his focus from corporate work to residential remodeling and construction. As a Class A builder licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, he has enjoyed building and renovating significant additions and whole homes.
Matt targets building truly transformational projects for his clients, embraces attention to detail and is always looking to change how people feel about residential construction projects. As a frame-to-finish builder, he often jumps in to help his carpenters with specific construction details. He is excited about leveraging Alair's resources to better the experiences for his clients and to better the lives of his team. He usually drops by job sites and constantly works to form lasting relationships with market partners. When not checking in on job sites, Matt can be found with his kids playing sports or music, or tinkering with a new gadget or tool in his personal shop.
Michael Duncan is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in business operations, leadership, and team building. With a background in multi-unit management, Michael brings a unique blend of expertise to his role as Director of Operations at Alair. In his previous roles at Starbucks, Michael led a dynamic team to spearhead business growth, enhance service quality, and ensure strict adherence to operational processes and procedures. His commitment to excellence resulted in elevated customer experience and operational efficiency. In his current position as Director of Operations at Alair, Michael has dedicated himself to enhancing the Alair process and communication strategies, effectively streamlining operations and introducing methodologies such as EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and KOLBE. Michael's strategic insight has played a pivotal role in aligning the operations department's focus, ensuring that the right tasks are executed at the right time by the right team members. Michael holds certifications in Servant & Situational Leadership, along with LEAN methodology, underscoring his commitment to effective leadership and continuous process improvement. His proficiency in analyzing and optimizing operational procedures has consistently yielded tangible results. Beyond his professional pursuits, Michael finds solace in the outdoors. You can often find him scaling mountains or navigating waters in a canoe with his family and beloved adventure dog, Benson.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Director of Communications at Alair
As the Director of Communications at Alair, Natalie connects Alair with homeowners across North America through integrated brand campaigns and community engagement. In addition to her role as director, Natalie is also the managing editor of Alair Magazine, which showcases home and lifestyle trends.
In 2011, Natalie founded Harper PR, an independent marketing communications consultancy that serves as one of Western Canada's most sought-after consultancies by global brands. Harper PR has secured media coverage with major outlets such as TSN, CTV, Global National, and more. Natalie has led PR for Food Banks Canada, initiated the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program in collaboration with London Drugs and Operation Friendship Seniors Society, and championed the #BuildingARTyeg initiative, creating the #BuildingARTyeg award in partnership with IDEA.
Over her 10-year tenure at Alair, Natalie has championed an engaging, people-to-people public relations strategy that catapulted Alair's Edmonton locations to the forefront of Alberta's top builders. Now, she continues to expand that successful strategy across Alair, empowering builders at 100+ locations to commit to meaningful change in their communities. Driven by this motivation to give back, Natalie spearheaded Alair Cares, Alair's community give-back program that has contributed charitable donations and services across the U.S. and Canada.
Natalie has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Notable Award in 2016, the Best in Business #Yeggie Award category in 2013, and the Deloitte Women of Influence award in Edmonton in 2010.
In 2022, Natalie received Alair's highest honor at the Alair International Conference Awards: the Jamie Affleck Legacy Award.
Pat has worked alongside Duane and Roger for over 20 years. His level of construction knowledge is unsurpassed. Personally building his own house from the ground up 12 years ago, Pat puts the same time and care into every renovation we do. Clients and Trades alike look to Pat in his breadth of knowledge and expertise. (Fun Fact: Pat and his brother are the highly sought after lead musicians of The Apple Brothers Band, a well known band in and around Charlotte.)
Job Titles:
- Chief Development Officer
- President
Blair founded Alair in 2007 and provides executive leadership, vision, and guidance to Alair.
With a relentless drive for excellence, Robert Kerr brings extensive expertise to his role as Director of Procurement at Alair Homes. A highly accomplished Senior Level Professional, Robert has a solid track record of delivering complex solutions aligned with organizational vision. His career spans a decade, encompassing key positions in sales operations, vendor management, strategic planning, and procurement. Robert's exceptional negotiation skills, coupled with his ability to foster fruitful vendor relationships, have consistently improved profit margins and upheld trust in essential partnerships. Adept at budgeting, forecasting, and retail strategies, Robert's leadership extends to cultivating professional partnerships with stakeholders at all levels. He embodies values of integrity, responsibility, and precision, ensuring a commitment to achieving corporate objectives.
Roger Ketchum began his career in construction as a teenager in upstate NY working on log cabins for his uncle. After graduating high school, he built his own apartment in a building owned by his father, and soon thereafter constructed a similar one as a rental - and thus a passion for creating extraordinary living spaces was born. Roger's natural knack for all things building and renovation has allowed him to achieve great success for over 20 years in the Charlotte area. His lifelong dream is making each project he takes on the best it can be.
Scott fell in love with construction at a young age during a renovation/addition to his childhood home. After working for a custom builder/remodeler throughout high school and college, he decided to enter the field full time after graduating with a finance degree. He worked as a site supervisor before being promoted to a project manager for a production home builder for a couple of years before joining Alair™. In 2022, Scott became a NARI Certified Professional Project Manager. Outside of work, you can find him watching football with friends at Ed's Tavern or spending time in the great outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Director of Market Development
As the Director of Market Development, Shane Duff has been a guiding force at Alair since 2016. With a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, and business coach, Shane's insights have been instrumental for both Alair partners and external companies. His advisory role spans ownership structures, process enhancement, system development, succession planning, and exit strategies. Leveraging eight years of in-depth consultations with thousands of residential general contractor (GC) firms, Shane brings a distinctive depth of experience to Alair, offering valuable insights into effective strategies and pitfalls to avoid. Since joining Alair, his expertise has propelled the integration of over 40 builders into Alair's network, cementing his role as a pivotal driver of growth. For Shane, the allure of Alair lies in collaborating with some of the brightest and most caring entrepreneurs in North America. He is grateful to work in an industry that has tremendous impact on the communities where we operate. In his free time, you can find Shane saving the coastal wetlands of Southwest Florida. Shane is the president of Cypress Cove Landkeepers (CCL) and oversees the Wildlife Monitoring program at the Gore Nature Education Center.
With the Alair since its infancy in 2007, Katrina oversees all financial planning and fiscal management system-wide for Alair as well as leadership of the accounting team.