Hugh Stearns: President, Owner and Founder

Hugh is typically the second person you will speak to after you call the office. He is the President and Founder of Stearns Design Build.  Hugh ran Stearns Design-Build as a one-person operation when he founded it in 1993. He has been the first employee of virtually every position in the company. He grew up in College Station and Bryan and graduated from Texas A&M.

His background in philosophy and psychology has helped develop the design theory that drives the company’s unique approach to residential design and green building. He took his first class in green building in 1976 and has remained a student of building science ever since. His passion for remodeling and custom home design are a large part of what has driven our growth and award-winning recognition for customer service. When you meet with Hugh, he will answer any questions you have, explain how our process works, and discuss what you would like to do with your remodeling project.

Tammy Holifield: Office Manager

Tammy is the Office Manager and most likely the third member of our team that you will meet.  She has working hard since she was 15 years old. She started her journey at Stearns Design Build as a Production Coordinator and worked her way up to Office Manager in a matter of a few months. Tammy has several years of customer service and a great background in logistics and accounting prior to Stearns Design Build. She brings a great attitude and friendliness to the Stearns Design Build company. In her free time Tammy enjoys spending time with her two children and her crazy cat, Taz, organizing, watching Television, and family game nights. Tammy will be the person you talk to in regards to payments, invoices, and updates on your project.

Joseph Garavito: Designer

Joseph is most likely the fourth team member you will meet. He is the Designer.  Joseph received his Bachelors of Architecture in 2001 from the Universidad Regiomontana in Mexico. Prior to joining the Stearns Design-Build, he was a Designer for Mirador in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, Joseph worked for Archodesign; a multi-disciplinary firm in Monterrey, Mexico.  His work history provides Joseph with a diverse knowledge of many projects including residential, restaurants, office and furniture. Much of his on-site working knowledge has provided a deep understanding of the construction process.  Joseph views architecture not, as a creation of static three-dimensional objects, but one that includes time and the movement of people.

His strengths are in the creation of habitat spaces and of functional geometries with a pleasing aesthetic. Joseph focuses on the human-side of design and takes great care understanding the needs of the end-user. In his free time, he actively participates in the Scouts and values teamwork and a strong sense of ethics, which is cast onto all of his projects.

Matthew Kuback: Production Manager

Matt is probably the fifth team member you will meet along your remodel process. He is the Production Manager for the company.

Matt is a second-generation home builder, native to College Station, with 15 years in the construction field and experience managing remodeling of residential, commercial, and medical facilities along with both commercial and industrial ground-up projects. Matt will join Joseph in taking measurements and gathering information of the project area.

During the design process Matt helps align scope and budget.  Matt also oversees the production Department.

Matthew Edwards: Job Manager

Matthew Edwards is one of the Job Managers for the company and the last member of our team you will meet.  Matthew grew up working with his dad remodeling homes and doctor’s offices. He has been a carpenter for 30 years. Matthew has a fun and humble attitude. In his free time, he enjoys spending time his wife, Teresa, and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Madison, he also enjoys spending time with the men and women in his Bible Study Group.

Once a contract has been signed, Matthew will be your onsite point of contact responsible for the day to day production/advancement of the project. He is also responsible for coordinating all work on the project, communicating between the client and the office, and resolving any project issues that may arise.

Chuck Gryska: Estimator
Chuck is the Estimator for the company. Chuck began his construction career as a field carpenter at the age of sixteen. He attended Chapman College in Orange, California, and the University of Texas before rejoining the construction industry. Since then, he has worked as a residential designer and draftsman, the Site Manager of a 3200-acre planned community in New Jersey, the Production Manager and Designer for three custom home builders in Texas, and the owner of a general contracting and custom home building company in Texas. He was also the Production Housing Superintendent for various development companies in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, where he was named Superintendent of the Year by First State Inspections Services. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, woodworking, and spending time with his two grandsons.