November starts the season of gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches and Christmas follows just a month later. It’s a time we not only associate with major milestones in our lives, but also memories created at home – especially in the kitchen, surrounded by family, friends and other people who matter most to us. At Lee Wetherington Homes, this holiday resonates deeply with our team, as we both design and build incomparable custom homes that align with what each homebuyer cherishes, and we are lucky enough to have rewarding experiences in our careers and with our loved ones.
From our individual successes, professionally and personally, to surviving and recovering in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we’re giving you a glimpse into what deserves our gratitude in 2024! Here’s a look at what our Lee Wetherington Homes team is thinking about this Thanksgiving.
Q: Looking back, what are you thankful for in your life and career this year?
“I am most thankful for my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and three amazing children. I am also thankful to have a long career in homebuilding, where I GET to help people realize their dreams of building a brand-new home. And I GET to work with so many people that I enjoy being around.” – David Hunihan, CEO
“I am so very grateful that I have found the best job I have ever had here at Lee Wetherington Homes. I am Grateful to have such a fantastic team of coworkers, the friendships I now have, and the generosity of this company has for its employees and community. I am proud to say that I work at Lee Wetherington Homes.” – Donna Leach, Purchasing Agent
“I am thankful to be a part of a team that cares so much about the customers’ experience building a home, cares and gives back to the community we serve, and cares so much about our work family.” – Debra Thomas, Sales Consultant
“The past year has brought an exciting new opportunity, as I joined the Lee Wetherington Homes team! I’m grateful to be part of a company that genuinely cares for both its customers and employees. We are a tight-knit, collaborative team, and each of us has a meaningful impact on one another and on our customers. We aren’t just a number… and neither are you!” – Ashley Berg, Director of Finance
“I am most thankful for my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and three amazing children. I am also thankful to have a long career in homebuilding, where I GET to help people realize their dreams of building a brand-new home. And I GET to work with so many people that I enjoy being around.” – David Hunihan, CEO
“I am so very grateful that I have found the best job I have ever had here at Lee Wetherington Homes. I am Grateful to have such a fantastic team of coworkers, the friendships I now have, and the generosity of this company has for its employees and community. I am proud to say that I work at Lee Wetherington Homes.” – Donna Leach, Purchasing Agent
“I am thankful to be a part of a team that cares so much about the customers’ experience building a home, cares and gives back to the community we serve, and cares so much about our work family.” – Debra Thomas, Sales Consultant
“The past year has brought an exciting new opportunity, as I joined the Lee Wetherington Homes team! I’m grateful to be part of a company that genuinely cares for both its customers and employees. We are a tight-knit, collaborative team, and each of us has a meaningful impact on one another and on our customers. We aren’t just a number… and neither are you!” – Ashley Berg, Director of Finance
Q: What’s a ritual you’ve added to your routine that you’re grateful for or has added to your perspective in life?
“The most important habit I have is spending quiet time every morning with the Lord, reading His Word, doing devotionals, praying. It will change anyone’s life for the better and help bring peace that enables you to face the day with confidence and joy.” – David Hunihan, CEO
“Prayer and reading the bible.” – Jae Cho, VP of Purchasing & Estimating
“When I am working remotely, staying routinely connected with Jae Cho, our VP of Purchasing and Estimating, on ‘Teams’ is so important. It keeps all of us engaged with the day-to-day pricing processes for our customers.” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“I gave up drinking alcohol in late 2020. I did not have an alcohol problem, but I became aware of how unhealthy it is for your body and mind. I feel better, I sleep better, and I am a more balanced and happier person.” – Caroline Wetherington
“Knowing that other people have my back helps relieve any unhealthy stress.” – Matthew Mueller, Construction Assistant
“The most important habit I have is spending quiet time every morning with the Lord, reading His Word, doing devotionals, praying. It will change anyone’s life for the better and help bring peace that enables you to face the day with confidence and joy.” – David Hunihan, CEO
“Prayer and reading the bible.” – Jae Cho, VP of Purchasing & Estimating
“When I am working remotely, staying routinely connected with Jae Cho, our VP of Purchasing and Estimating, on ‘Teams’ is so important. It keeps all of us engaged with the day-to-day pricing processes for our customers.” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“I gave up drinking alcohol in late 2020. I did not have an alcohol problem, but I became aware of how unhealthy it is for your body and mind. I feel better, I sleep better, and I am a more balanced and happier person.” – Caroline Wetherington
“Knowing that other people have my back helps relieve any unhealthy stress.” – Matthew Mueller, Construction Assistant
Q: Is there a moment this year that has reminded you of the importance of gratitude in your life?
“Whenever I learn of and see a new photo posted on the board of a new Lee Wetherington Homes customer that has signed a contract with us that I have estimated. Makes me proud to be a part of this wonderful team of professionals.” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“This hurricane season – I’m thankful for a place to live.” – Cynthia Sargeant, Customer Concierge
“When we returned from evacuating after Hurricane Milton and saw that we still had a home, I was truly grateful. Our home was built before all the new hurricane housing standards went into effect and we didn’t have hurricane protection. A Category 3 storm eye went directly over our home, and we suffered minimal damage. We are truly grateful and truly blessed!” – David Hunihan, CEO
“The hurricanes really brought into prospective how fragile life and the safety of home is. I’m blessed to live in a Lee Wetherington home that sustained no damage during the storms.” – Caroline Wetherington
“I’m grateful that God moved the hurricane at the last minute and didn’t flood my home.” – Sue Clear, Purchasing Agent
“Whenever I learn of and see a new photo posted on the board of a new Lee Wetherington Homes customer that has signed a contract with us that I have estimated. Makes me proud to be a part of this wonderful team of professionals.” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“This hurricane season – I’m thankful for a place to live.” – Cynthia Sargeant, Customer Concierge
“When we returned from evacuating after Hurricane Milton and saw that we still had a home, I was truly grateful. Our home was built before all the new hurricane housing standards went into effect and we didn’t have hurricane protection. A Category 3 storm eye went directly over our home, and we suffered minimal damage. We are truly grateful and truly blessed!” – David Hunihan, CEO
“The hurricanes really brought into prospective how fragile life and the safety of home is. I’m blessed to live in a Lee Wetherington home that sustained no damage during the storms.” – Caroline Wetherington
“I’m grateful that God moved the hurricane at the last minute and didn’t flood my home.” – Sue Clear, Purchasing Agent
Q: The kitchen is the heart of the homes we design and build. How is this space important in your own homes, especially around this time of year?
“I designed my kitchen with family gatherings in mind. There’s plenty of space for more than one person to cook and prep food while still having space at the kitchen island for the family to sit and chat. The open floor plan allows everyone to feel comfortable and connected throughout the day.” – Debra Thomas, Sales Consultant
“Our kitchen and island are truly the heart of our home. I love to cook, and I make homemade dinner from scratch almost every night, so the kitchen is the most important space in our home.” – Caroline Wetherington
“The kitchen and dining areas in our home are spaces where my wife, Susan, and I always entertain loved ones. It’s truly the best time of the year to celebrate life!” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“Our kitchen is wide open to the great room and has a huge L-shaped island. Whenever the kids come home or whenever we have guests, we wind up sitting on the barstools around the island. We can place food and drinks and have easy access to the sink, refrigerator and stove, so everyone always seems to wind up there. And since we have a great room, you can still see the TV, the fireplace and the Christmas tree once it’s set up.” – David Hunihan, CEO
“I designed my kitchen with family gatherings in mind. There’s plenty of space for more than one person to cook and prep food while still having space at the kitchen island for the family to sit and chat. The open floor plan allows everyone to feel comfortable and connected throughout the day.” – Debra Thomas, Sales Consultant
“Our kitchen and island are truly the heart of our home. I love to cook, and I make homemade dinner from scratch almost every night, so the kitchen is the most important space in our home.” – Caroline Wetherington
“The kitchen and dining areas in our home are spaces where my wife, Susan, and I always entertain loved ones. It’s truly the best time of the year to celebrate life!” – Michael Garbarino, Estimator
“Our kitchen is wide open to the great room and has a huge L-shaped island. Whenever the kids come home or whenever we have guests, we wind up sitting on the barstools around the island. We can place food and drinks and have easy access to the sink, refrigerator and stove, so everyone always seems to wind up there. And since we have a great room, you can still see the TV, the fireplace and the Christmas tree once it’s set up.” – David Hunihan, CEO
