Swinerton taps new Carolinas lead

San Francisco-based Swinerton has appointed industry veteran Kevin Smith to lead its Carolinas division, the West Coast builder announced on Nov. 14. 

Smith joined the company in 2010, according to the contractor, and has more than 20 years of experience. Prior to the promotion, he was operations manager for the division, where he established a strong team and expanded the firm’s presence in multifamily and ground-up construction in the region, Swinerton said.

“Kevin’s proven leadership and understanding of the success factors in advancing Swinerton’s growth in this promising market make him the ideal choice to lead the future of the Carolinas division,” said Ray Haj, senior vice president and regional manager.

Since the contractor expanded to the Southeast in 2018, the Carolinas division has built approximately $360 million in commercial environments, and counts a team of 90 construction professionals, according to the release.

Smith’s appointment comes as the builder continues its growth in the market, and demonstrates how bullish it is on the region’s future. 

Swinerton expanded its Charlotte, North Carolina, office space in 2021, more than doubling its prior footprint with its 8,535-square-foot space. It grew again in 2023 after bringing on additional employees from Indianapolis-based contractor Shiel Sexton, which closed its Charlotte office. Swinerton made those hires in anticipation of 75% growth year-over-year in the area.

Further south, the company has also grown its Atlanta footprint. In July, the builder announced it would move into a new, 10,000-square-foot office in Atlanta’s Armour Yards business park this fall and picked Katayoon Alavian as the company’s director of special projects in the area. Swinerton expects the Atlanta division to top $150 million in revenue, a 130% increase year-over-year.