Our Team

Craig Hervey ~~

When Craig envisioned the kind of construction company he wanted to create, the values and work ethics of his farming background were carried into that vision. After a few years of honing carpentry skills with employers, Craig founded Housewright in 1985. Of the company he says ~~

"The foundation of the business is our dedication to be honest and fair with everyone, no matter what. And no matter what challenges or problems come up, we hang in there until it's solved."

"Above all, I insist on quality. I want all the crew to be conscientious in the execution of their work … and they are. The strength of Housewright is the sum total of all the people working in it."

"We provide a simplified communication process for the client in the complex context of design and construction, with centralized oversight and quality control."

"Housewright offers clients creative, artistic, unique options within the context of the client's vision and budget. From the very first project assessment, we show you what's possible and practical – and what isn't – based on our experience with a wide range of projects."

These were the key principles in Craig's founding vision and they continue to be Housewright's guiding principles today.

Lisa Hervey ~~

Lisa is involved in the oversight of all the business aspects of running Housewright. She is also often engaged in outreach activities involving industry-related associations and civic organizations.

Lisa brings to the job nearly 3 decades of wide-ranging experience, including 10 years in administration and management. She holds a B.A. from Plymouth State University.

Tom Bryer ~~

Tom especially enjoys working closely with clients, architects and interior designers to ensure that their design intent is carried out. He collaborates with architects to produce shop drawings prior to fabrication. In the design phase with clients, he employs 3-D modeling to help them visualize their projects.

In addition to design and drafting of cabinetry and millwork elements, Tom's responsibilities include pricing, scheduling projects, directing shop personnel in fabrication techniques and installation oversight, including coordinating associated trades. Housewright often makes use of Tom’s extensive design and field experience in ways too numerous to mention.

Tom has been with Housewright since 1994. His prior experience included 10 years as a self-employed carpenter/builder and another 10 years running his own cabinetry shop. His shop clients included Ben & Jerry's and a company that produced synthesizers. Sting, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa and the late Michael Jackson have owned the synthesizers with cabinetry crafted by Tom.

Our architect associates rely on Tom and the shop to produce some of their most challenging designs.

Ellyn Ingalls ~~

Ellyn is always available to clients who want detailed information on the status of their projects. She is at the heart of tracking and ongoing review of each job—including coordinating estimates, budgets, contracts and logistics of materials, subcontractors and labor. With architects, she is the information liaison for our office, their office and the job site.

Ellyn came to Housewright in 1997, having provided administrative support in the president’s office at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for 8 years. She also brought 7 years of experience in real estate sales and interior design. Ellyn ran her own business in specialty food production for 8 years. She was the founder of the New Hampshire Specialty Food Association and wrote their handbook. Her Bachelor’s degree is from Johnson State College, and she has an A.S. in Interior Design from Becker College.

Transparency of all aspects of our business, from project processes to billing, is a high priority at Housewright and Ellyn executes that priority.

Jay Graves ~~

Jay serves clients behind the scenes in ways that significantly contribute to the high standards Housewright maintains. He is responsible for estimating, project scheduling, code compliance oversight, thermography and monitoring energy efficiency elements and field detail design. Jay also researches and maintains the handbook for field crews outlining Housewright's "best building practices" guidelines.

He joined Housewright in 2007, with 20 years of carpentry experience as an independent builder, 15 years design experience in all trades, and 5 years in project coordination. Jay holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Trinity College of Vermont and an A.S. in Architectural and Building Technologies from Vermont Technical College.

Jodi Ovens ~~

Jodi is a key link in our client communication network. In addition to her general office management duties, she handles oversight of all insurance matters, is our Safety Officer and oversees maintenance of OSHA standards. In her HR role, she is responsible for the coordination and administration of our employee benefit programs.

Jodi came to Housewright in 2005 with 7 years administrative experience in industry-related jobs, including managing in-house construction and maintenance divisions for a property management company. She has an A.A. in Social Work & Human Services from Hesser College. Jodi has held the office of treasurer for the Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network since 2008. She also has a home-based business providing consulting services to small companies.

With Jodi's oversight, clients can rest assured that our employees and subcontractors are properly insured and that job sites operate according to essential safety guidelines.

Tom Williams ~~

Tom joined Housewright in 1989, bringing the total number of Craig Hervey’s employees up to 2. Back then, Tom swung a hammer as well as a brush, bringing 15 years' interior/exterior painting experience with him. In the ensuing years, Tom has explored the world of finishes. From faux finishes to old world finishes such as milk paint, from tinting to troweling hay into plaster for a 3-D surface, Tom delivers the special effects requested by architects, interior designers and clients.

Staying abreast of developments in the industry is as important to Tom as it is to Housewright in general. He tests and employs natural products such as shellac, vinegar or ammonia based stains and natural oil finishes as well as newer, environmentally friendly products such as low VOC paints, water-based lacquers and stains.

Tom attends workshops, adding such techniques as wood graining, marbling, and clay plastering to his repertoire for the benefit of our clients.

Project Managers ~~

Our project managers are charged with the responsibilities of keeping the job within budget and on schedule while providing the best value to the client. They work within the collaborative culture that is Housewright, with a constant flow of information and interaction from the field with office staff, clients, architects, interior designers and subcontractors.