Wayne Stinnette, Vice President and Operations Manager

Wayne Stinnette is Vice President and Operations Manager of Abrahamse and Company Builders. After earning a BA in psychology from Lynchburg College in 1970 and a MS in psychology from the University of Georgia in 1972, Wayne has pursued a career in construction. His first building experience in Charlottesville began in 1973 when he had the opportunity to work with veteran carpenters who excelled at building custom homes. Wayne’s background includes residential and commercial construction as well as custom cabinetmaking. He worked with Abrahamse and Company in the mid nineteen seventies and then went on to form his own company and subsequently to act as president, designer, and general manager of a firm building quality custom homes in the Ednam development.

Wayne has managed many wonderful projects since rejoining Abrahamse and Company in 1987. A favorite of his was

Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, built by the company that year. He and his family still have a personal connection with Sister David and the Monastery. They cut their yearly Christmas tree from the property and Wayne’s son’s Eagle Scout project made wildlife habitat improvements on the Monastery land. The Stinnettes also enjoy the wonderful Gouda cheese the nuns make and distribute commercially.

Abrahamse and Company built the 10,800 square foot monastery in 1987 and returned to add a dormitory wing in 1992. Wayne appreciates the beauty and substantiality of Our Lady of the Angels. “It was built to last hundreds of years. The masonry foundation walls are two feet thick. The bell tower footings start 17’ below grade and rise 65’. We installed a beautiful bell that was cast in France. It’s a beautiful building that should comfortably shelter generations of residents.”

Wayne is proud of the numerous projects he’s been involved with over the years: the striking contemporary Somlyo residence, a multi-million dollar security hardening project for an international high tech financial institution, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Parkway, the White Hall Winery, and a 17,000 square foot Alzheimer’s care unit addition to Our Lady of Peace.

But with all that psychology background, why a career in construction? “I like seeing something concrete, rather than abstract, at the end of the day”, he explains. “I think that creating something useful and meaningful for clients is the most rewarding part of the work.”

Wayne brings a steadying influence to the company. He’s been with the company longest following Dale. Wayne appreciates the firm’s team approach where an atmosphere of cooperation is fostered at all levels. The input of ideas is welcomed from customers to personnel. This results in successful building projects and an enjoyable construction process. Wayne says, “My best jobs have been working with clients to build to their personal requirements and becoming their friend in the process.”

Wayne and his wife, Mary, have four children. For relaxation he enjoys building furniture and sailboats, whitewater canoeing, and restoring and riding classic BMW motorcycles.