About

A native son of Charlotte, Scott Whitlock represents part of the second generation of Whitlocks who currently own and manage the company established by Hubert Whitlock in 1957. Scott serves as president and CEO of the company providing innovative leadership while honoring the mission of fine custom homebuilding established by his late father.
After earning his business degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, Scott explored several career paths before joining Whitlock in 1982. His familiarity with the building industry was a boon—he had begun as a carpenter’s helper in high school—and over the next five years Scott investigated every facet of the business, ultimately deciding it was what he wanted to do with his life. His steady hand and guidance have helped grow the company and its reputation ever since.

Scott says, “I was fortunate to have the opportunity. I realized that I was part of something truly special that suited my skills, interest, and temperament. I love working with our clients, developing long-term relationships and exceeding their expectations. We work with highly respected architects, and it is very satisfying to bring their designs to fruition. Lastly, providing a great place to work is incredibly important to me. As a result, we have the most talented people in the business who have remained loyal over the years.”

“In my role, I continually strive to provide the vision that makes Whitlock a great company to work with and to work for. My dad, as the founding visionary, was and continues to be a huge influence in this respect. I am also indebted to Frank Phifer, an expert in concrete techniques, who worked for Whitlock and set the example for mentorship until he was ninety-five years old.”

When he isn’t setting goals, developing new relationships, monitoring performance, analyzing results, giving back to his community, and planning the next steps for Whitlock, Scott spends time with his family. He enjoys camping and backpacking sections of the Appalachian Trail. His most recent endeavors have been traveling with an airstream trailer and remodeling an old farmhouse near the Blue Ridge Parkway with his wife.

Scott is a member of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), NAHB Remodel and ers Council, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and serves on the City of Charlotte’s Historic District Commission.

Steven Whitlock serves as Whitlock’s Vice-President and COO, and his purview covers finance and administration. Steven notes, “Scott and I lived the life of the company while we were growing up. The early morning phone calls, the late nights our father worked, the interesting clients, the craftsmen and suppliers; it was our normal. As I got older, I worked both in the field and in the office, bookkeeping and estimating. All of this became familiar terrain, and I would return to Whitlock during summers to help out as needed.”

Always eager to absorb and implement new technology, Steven notes that as exciting as the business can be, watching the growth of individuals who contribute to the value of the company is equal to the success of the enterprise. He continues, “Scott and I take our leadership very seriously and aspire to sustainable growth without wavering in the delivery of excellence.”

Steven earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Although he enjoyed being a teacher and a technical writer, in 1996, Steven circled back to work with the family business for good, “a delightful turn,” as he reflects on his path.

“We are a learning company. We hire the best people and offer great experiences that have stretched and matured us along the way. There is minimal turnover, and I am extremely proud of our capacity together to serve our clients. I am thankful for the kindness, understanding, and expertise of the people I work with every day.”

An inveterate and seasoned traveler, Steven recently explored Scotland and Australia. When not working or planning his next trip, Steven enjoys his family and five grandchildren, keeps up with friends, and is active in his church and community.

Tyler Mahan has been with Whitlock since 1989, overseeing production as Vice President since 1999. Tyler began his career as a carpenter, quickly advanced to project management, and ultimately grew to production management. His experience in custom home building, remodeling, and home services have set a standard for the company and within the custom home building industry.

Tyler attended Widener University and Chowan University. He has a Professional Builder’s License in North Carolina, is a Certified Graduate Builder (CGB), and a Certified Graduate Remodeler (GGR). He notes, “Whitlock is a perfect fit for me. I love the strong relationships we have with clients, architects, designers, and craftspeople. The homes we build together are a testimony to those relationships.”

Originally from Delaware, Tyler moved to Atlanta, GA, after college and then to Charlotte, NC. He and his wife share a love of building and decorating beautiful homes. They are empty nesters who enjoy being outdoors, biking, and spending time with family.

Mark Britner started at Whitlock in 2018. He is dedicated to the construction industry because he enjoys finding solutions and breakthroughs while making challenging situations look easy. Mark is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I enjoy the challenge. Both individually and collectively. Each and every day faithfully presents an opportunity to rise to the occasion, to live in the moment, and face life head-on.”

In his spare time, Mark enjoys working with his hands, doing various home improvement and woodworking projects, and spending quality time with his family.

Heather Trester has been part of the Whitlock administrative team since 2002. She started as an Administrative Assistant in Accounts Receivable and worked up to her current position as Manager of Administrative Services, overseeing all administrative departments.

“I am part of an extraordinary company, where each person contributes to the process of crafting exceptional homes. I look forward to what we will accomplish next.”
Heather is a native of Charlotte, NC.

She graduated from Emmanuel College in Northeast Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. She enjoys teaching Sunday school, spending time with her family, and playing a good card game.

Katarina Thompson supports the company’s marketing and human resources initiatives. She has implemented systems to bolster and grow Whitlock’s marketing goals and streamlined internal communications among team members. Katarina is from a military family and was born in Frankfurt, Germany. She later attended and graduated from the University of Alabama in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She loves that no two days at Whitlock are identical and credits her parents as her inspiration. “They have accomplished so much in their careers and encourage me to be the best person I can be.”

Brittany is likely the first face you see at the Whitlock offices or the first voice you hear on the Whitlock phones. A New Jersey native, Brittany graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, with a Bachelor of Art and later lived in China, mastering the language and teaching students. She presents a warm welcome to office guests and lends a helping hand to her colleagues. Brittany’s career aspirations involve public policy and international relations. At work, Brittany enjoys helping out and making everyone’s day run smoothly, and at home, she enjoys relaxing with a movie, studying Korean and Mandarin, and listening to foreign music.

Cliff Newbury has been a Project Manager at Whitlock since 1997. Before transitioning into project management, Cliff worked as a lead carpenter for ten years. He is proud to combine his love of custom home building with his desire to fulfill our homeowner’s dreams. Cliff’s management style focuses on harmony among all people involved in the process and commitment to delivering excellent craftsmanship and exceptional quality.

“One of the wonderful aspects of my work is getting to know the individuals on the job site and honoring their expertise and talents. What the electrician does and his attention to detail, even though largely hidden, is just as important as the millwork that is typically showcased. Collectively, we’re all working toward the same goal—crafting exceptional homes.”

Originally from Michigan, Cliff enjoys reading, spending time in the wilderness, and riding motorcycles and snowmobiles. He’s passionate about art, literature, and history; and enjoys studying architecture from the early 1900s.

Richard Reif started at Whitlock in 2010 as an Assistant Field Superintendent, was promoted to Home Services Coordinator in 2012, and then to Project Manager in 2017. Richard maintains Whitlock’s lifelong commitment to its clients by providing a variety of post-construction services. A Charlotte native, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Math and Computer Science from Appalachian State University and has been a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the Timber Framers Guild.

“I am fortunate to experience the rich variety of projects that come to Whitlock, and I’m very proud of our community and the quality of our work. I love the opportunity to apply my knowledge to each project, and I get great satisfaction from helping clients enjoy their homes.”

Richard finds inspiration by studying historic architecture and traditional carpentry. Richard’s downtime is spent with his wife and two children. He and his family enjoy spending time together in the great outdoors.

Charlie Thomas has worked with Whitlock since 1995. Much like the Whitlocks, Charlie was born and raised in the construction business. He joined the Whitlock team after working for his father’s construction business for thirteen years. His keen sense of organization, decades of experience in residential building, and ease with people contribute to constructing homes that exceed his clients’ dreams.

Inspired by his father’s work ethic and the satisfaction of building a well-designed and beautiful home. Charlie works hard to provide an excellent product for every Whitlock client. “The best part of what I do often manifests unexpectedly. It’s a joy to me when clients let us know how much they enjoy their home.”

Charlie is a Charlotte, NC, native who enjoys relaxing lakeside and doing yard work.

Before working at Whitlock Builders, James Hess worked in monumental stair construction, drafting and engineering, and timber framing. His responsibilities with Whitlock focus on quality control, driving project schedules, and budget monitoring. Originally from Sumter, SC, James has a B.S. in Building Science and Timber Framing from the American College of the Building Arts and a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the College of Charleston. James enjoys “problem-solving with our trade partners when we face new and unique challenges that accompany building complex homes.”

James loves to spend time with his wife at home, draw in software, game with friends, and hike the mountains exploring new trails in the Blue Ridge.

When he was growing up in North Carolina, Brian Breitenfeld knew from a young age that he had a passion for finish carpentry and building design. After receiving his Associate’s degree in Building Construction Technology from Haywood Community College, he worked in the commercial building industry, honing many aspects of his trade. He soon realized that he had a stronger interest in custom home building and started with Whitlock Builders in 2016 as an Assistant Field Superintendent.

As Home Services Field Superintendent, he handles the majority of Home Service repair and warranty projects and manages the Home Services field staff. Brian enjoys working hand in hand with architects, designers, and craftsmen and providing excellent service to clients. “I enjoy learning new things. This industry is ever-changing and requires you to stay light on your feet. I want to keep progressing and learn from the builders and artisans I respect. It’s important that their knowledge is passed down as we continue the legacy of building extraordinary homes.”

In Brian’s time away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, family, friends, and dogs. His hobbies include spending time outdoors, farming, and cooking.

When Whitlock Builder’s clients need Home Services, they will likely benefit from the expertise of Caleb Friend. After growing up in Charlotte, Caleb attended the Univesity of the North Carolina Charlotte studying construction management. Before joining the Whitlock team, he ran his own handyman business. Caleb aspires to be a valuable part of the team and step up to perform tasks as they are needed.

Cathleen Batten, known as Cathy to all, has been an Administrative Assistant at Whitlock since 2003. In addition to her role at the reception desk, she processes proposals from trade contractors and coordinates meetings.

“I feel very much at home working for a family-owned company. Working with three generations of Whitlocks has given me a sense of belonging that goes beyond an ordinary job.”

Both of Cathy’s parents worked in the construction industry, and their work continues to be an inspiration for Cathy to do her best.

Originally from Western New York, Cathy moved to Charlotte in 1998. When not at the office, she loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters.

Lynne is contributing more than 30 years of client accounting experience in her role at Whitlock Builders. Before joining the Whitlock Builders team, Lynne worked primarily in the Advertising industry, applying her Associate’s degree in Advertising Design and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. Lynne’s professionalism and work ethic stem from her parents, who instilled her with a strong work ethic and integrity, which perfectly aligns with Whitlock’s values. The best part of her work is the team of people and seeing the beautiful homes that result from the process. When not working, Lynn enjoys spending time with her family and is looking forward to more travel.

Sarah has been with Whitlock Builders as a Home Services Project and Officer Administrator since February 2021. Most of her career has been in the accounting aspect of the residential construction industry. Sarah’s skills include procuring the necessary materials, assisting field staff, and figuring out how to accomplish essential tasks. Sarah says, “I absolutely love the people, from the team members whin our company to the clients I can help. Every day I learn something new.”

Sarah is a graduate of Malaspina University in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Outside work, music has always been an important part of Sarah’s life, along with yoga, hiking, and volunteering. She also enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Peter.