Meet the Builders

Joey Amuial  Virginia Builders Founder & Managing Member Specializing in Development & Production

“Before Luke Kinser and I co-founded this company in April of 2018, we both had our own building companies. When we decided to join forces and start Virginia Builders, we began a partnership that has produced an incredible company and culture.”

Joey Amuial is no stranger to building and development. His father who is also a builder, ran a development and building company where Joey discovered his affinity for place-making and talent for building. Joey focuses on land development and production, with more than twenty years of experience in all aspects of building.

His passion for the work they do at Virginia Builders has inspired an amazing team of professionals who are more like family.

“It brings a lot of joy to Luke and me to experience working with this team. We’re all professionals but there’s a culture of camaraderie—we’re friends and family. There’s a lot of laughter. Our production meetings are full of fun. It’s just happened organically.”

While Joey loves all aspects of the business, there’s one thing that’s especially inspiring:

“I love finding a vacant piece of property or an old farm and transforming it into a community. It’s amazing to drive back years later and see kids riding their bikes, playing on playgrounds we installed, families walking their dogs… I stand back and think, wow, what an amazing thing our team has created. That to me is the fun in what we do here.

“Whether we’re developing a new community or building one family’s dream home, we put the experience of our incredibly talented team to work for every client.”

Joey resides in Virginia Beach with Minna, his wife of 22 years, and their three daughters: Ema, 21, who attends the University of Virginia, Mia, 20, who attends James Madison University, and Ava, 15 who attends Cox High School.

Luke Kinser Virginia Builders Founder & Managing Member Specializing in Design

“Here at Virginia Builders, one of our core values is to stay curious. When we’re building homes, we listen first, then collaborate to find a way to accomplish our clients’ goals.”

Luke Kinser hasn’t stopped being curious throughout his 20+ years in the building industry. Co-founder of Virginia Builders, along with Joey Amuial, Luke has many roles but his primary focus is on home design.

“The majority of the many skills, methods, and tools we use here, we learned on the job. I never planned on learning to draw houses in CAD and 3D, but through sweat equity we’ve turned it from a minor part of our business to a huge aspect of our brand.

“One of my favorite parts of this business is seeing our designs come to life for our clients.  Almost all our plans are drawn in-house. So, if you want to move a wall or a cabinet space, we can explore that with you and implement a streamlined approach to take it from concept to reality. We know our clients’ individuality will impact the uniqueness of their home’s design. By creating the majority of our designs in-house, we’ve found ways to streamline design, building science efficiencies, and customer service.”

Luke works with the entire team to ensure client expectations are met from first meeting to move-in day.

“We have an amazing team for client care. In fact, everyone here just cares so much. I truly love our business. Every Thursday our office is filled with laughter and clapping at our weekly production meeting. I’m so grateful for the team that we’ve been blessed with. It’s like a family…when we’re designing and building homes, Joey and I often pull in our wives, Minna and Taryn, to bounce ideas off of.

When we drive into a community we’ve developed or walk into a house we’ve designed and built, that’s amazing. It’s not just that we created it, but you see it being lived in and taken care of. You see families creating memories in this space that just started with…paper. From point A to point B, you can look back and say that was awesome. We put our heart and soul into our work. We have the opportunity and pleasure to build homes for families…and that’s a great legacy to leave behind.”

Luke lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Taryn, their two young sons, (Jack & Van), and their black lab, Murphy, and Ollie, a Staffordshire terrier.

Pat Banks Chief Financial Officer

Patrick Banks may carry the title of Chief Financial Officer at Virginia Builders, but as he puts it, smiling, “It’s a big title, but means I’ll do anything, including taking out the trash.”

Patrick has known the principals of Virginia Builders, Joey Amuial and Luke Kinser, as well as their immediate families for nearly 20 years, and was the company’s primary commercial banker from 2020 until he formally joined the Virginia Builders team.  Patrick’s journey in the local community banking sector began in 1999, starting with the former Bank of Hampton Roads, and concluded with Old Point National Bank in 2019.  He joined Virginia Builders in his current capacity in June 2025.  

His role as CFO isn’t so different from his days as their banker; making sure the company’s financial needs are satisfied daily, while looking at least six months to a year ahead.

“This ensures we deliver quality custom homes to our valued clients, who are always the most important aspect of our work.  Conservative forward planning and accurate financial forecasting allows us to consistently deliver an exceptional finished product and provide unrivaled service for every client.”

Patrick’s work is by design ‘behind the scenes’, but it is critical to the team’s success – both in the present and long term – ensuring the entire team has the necessary financial ‘tools’ to bring every client’s dream home to life.   

“Watching this team work together is special,” Patrick says. “Building a home can be a daunting and at times, overwhelming process.  Our clients are making perhaps their largest financial investment and must successfully navigate each and every step of that process to realize their vision.  Every decision and detail matters.” 

Patrick’s role doesn’t put him in direct contact with clients, but his assurance that all team members have everything they need at their disposal enables a successful client experience from start to finish.

A Virginia native, Patrick moved to southern Chesapeake from Norfolk in 1975 and has called the area home ever since.  He graduated from Great Bridge High School (1989) and the College of William & Mary (1993), and spent his entire banking career in South Hampton Roads, primarily in Chesapeake.  Patrick resides in the Hickory community with his wife, Sherry, and their “spoiled” golden lab, Ginger.

Lee Ogletree Production Director

Lee Ogletree has been in the building business for nearly 45 years. Starting out with a local residential builder back in 1979, Lee had the chance early on to see how some builders did things ‘the wrong way.’ He has also had the pleasure of enjoying several decades of being with builders who do things the right way.

Lee has been with Virginia Builders since 2014. As Production Director, he is the onsite supervisor who controls all day-to-day activities of building homes—from scheduling contractors to the cleaning, to the daily operations of starting houses, getting permits, inspections, scheduling from start to finish, and client walk-throughs. Lee’s multi-faceted role ensures that each home built by Virginia Builders is created to specification and is exactly as the homeowners dreamed it would be. It’s a big job and that’s one of the things that Lee likes about it.

“I can’t sit behind a desk. What I like about my job is there’s always something different—something you have to find a resolution for. It keeps your mind going.”

How does Lee describe what Virginia Builders offers its clients? Simple:

“We’re going to build you a house that’s well thought through. You’ll have the chance to choose your options and designs, and our team will build a nice, clean home for you—professionally and on time.”

“Virginia Builders is my second family and we’ve grown this business together. It’s a dynamic team with Joey doing development and Luke designing. We’ve grown all over the Eastern Shore of Virginia and I’m very proud of that.”

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Lee resides in Virginia Beach with his son who is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama.

Chris Marshall Inside Production Manager

Chris Marshall has a long family history in the building industry. 

“I have a strong bloodline in construction. Both my granddad and my dad were custom home builders and did commercial construction as well. I was out there at a very young age framing, cutting wood and putting up walls.”

For about 13 years, Chris worked for a company doing custom home automation systems—security systems, home theaters, and high-end custom work. He first met Luke when he was wiring a home Luke had designed.

“Luke and I always had a good relationship with each other, and I was glad when the opportunity opened up to join him and Joey at Virginia Builders.”

As Inside Production Manager, Chris has many roles. He handles estimating, helps with all interior and exterior selections, pricing custom items, and assists clients. He works hand in hand with clients and agents, for a seamless process. Most importantly, he makes sure everything the buyer has selected is getting done in the field.

Making selections is a big part of designing a home. When a client needs assistance, Chris is there. He has an affinity for making the process stress-free and fun.

“I’m a people person…I enjoy it. It’s a nice part of my day, interacting with our clients. We’re like a family around here. I’ve never had a day where I woke up and didn’t want to go to work. The people here are awesome. It’s enjoyable just to be here.”

Chris is a native of Virginia and has lived in Suffolk for 37 years. He built and remodeled his own home in 2015 and lives just four houses down from his parents and the home he grew up in. He enjoys camping and keeping up with his daughters’ many gymnastics and soccer activities. He resides with his wife, Samantha, daughters, Paisleigh and Charleigh, and their two German shepherds.

Daryll Gatie   Project Manager

Daryll joined the Virginia Builders team in August of 2024 and serves as a Project Manager mostly in Cape Charles. His first year has been fantastic!

The biggest part of Daryll’s job is scheduling and making sure that a house stays on schedule and is completed just as the client expected.

“Each house for me starts when I get permits and plans from the office. The next day, I’m wrapping the lot, scheduling the lot to be marked, starting the footing and breaking ground. At Virginia Builders, we build a customizable home. Ninety percent of the time, we’re building a Virginia Builders home design. But the clients make it their own—moving walls, adding things, and choosing the finishes.”

Originally from Massachusetts, Daryll moved to the area in 2002. His father and step-father were both in the Navy which is how he found himself in Virginia Beach. When he graduated school, he decided to stay in the area.

“My uncle was a builder. When I was young, I used to help him move construction debris, rake out yards, anything he needed—usually for free pizza.”

Daryll played football in college, then got an office job after earning a communications degree.

“It was not for me! I started working for a large irrigation company and we were doing houses for Virginia Builders and others. That’s how I met Joey and Luke, and here I am.

“I love my job. At the end of the day, I’m building something. It’s tangible. It’s right there in front of you…and it’s life changing.”

Daryll lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Jessica, who is a teacher, his son, Koen, 6, and daughter, Kielynn, 3, and their family dog. He loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, hunting and building things. 

Danny Schacht Project Manager

Virginia Builders is known for creating beautiful, customizable homes on time and just as their clients wanted. A big part of making that happen comes down to Danny Schacht, construction superintendent at Virginia Builders.

Danny was born and raised in Virginia Beach and has worked in all facets of the construction industry. He has framed houses, sold building materials, earned his associate’s degree in architectural Drafting and Design, and now shares his decades of experience with the Virginia Builders family.

 “I’m on the jobsite every day. My role is to schedule, organize, make sure personnel is onsite in the correct order, materials are ordered and delivered in the right color, size, shape and model. My overall job is to make sure that all the work that has gone into designing the house happens in the field. Essentially, we take our client’s expectations and turn it into a home.”

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years. What I really appreciate about Virginia Builders, and why I came here, is their integrity. I teach my kids the same thing, to be proud of your product whatever that is. We have a team here who believes that, too. Whatever it takes, we want to do what’s right.”

“All of us as humans…we have an obligation to create something. I like starting with a piece of dirt and leaving behind a home for someone. Whether it’s art or music or homes, we’re all here to create something worthwhile.”

Danny and Jamie, his wife of 18 years, reside in Virginia Beach with their daughters, ages 14 and 11. They enjoy traveling with their daughters’ sports teams and being outside as a family—fishing, hiking, mountain biking and off roading when they get a chance.

Julie Iniguez Bookkeeper / Office Manager

Julie has been part of the Virginia Builders family since August of 2012.

“I started here as an agent assistant. I coordinated all the closings—setting up termite inspections, appraisals, and anything of that nature. When the bookkeeper who was here wanted to retire, she trained me to do the bookkeeping and now I fill that role along with being the overall office manager.

Julie covers a lot of ground every day: bookkeeping, checking over multiple closings per day, and checking all figures. She makes sure all the procedures for getting people into their dream homes go off without a hitch. She is also a notary and ensures that the attorneys have all the paperwork they need for closings.

“I make sure everyone has signed off on everything—the lender, attorneys, both agents—and make sure everyone has everything they need for a smooth closing.”

Before Julie joined Virginia Builders, she was a stay-at-home mom who did closing coordination for specific agents. She has a track record of accuracy, is highly organized, and enjoys helping her clients and colleagues.

“Whenever I get into something, I try to figure out the best and most efficient way to do it.

I worked for other companies that seemed sort of rigid. But here, it’s like a family. We can talk about anything and we’re a very close-knit company.”

Julie lives in Chesapeake in a Virginia Builders home.

“I guess you could call me a native. I’ve lived in a lot of different places. But this is where I’ve been the longest…30 years. I love being outdoors here, hiking, walking, just being in nature.”

Julie has a white labrador who she loves to take walking, a cat, and a bearded dragon. She’s also an avid reader.

Julie has two daughters: a 19-year-old who will be attending the University of Virginia for nursing, and a 25-year-old, who works as a teacher and is expecting her first child, making Julie a soon-to-be first-time grandmother!

Tara Mediate Principal Designer

With over 20 years of experience in retail display, staging, and interior design, Tara Mediate brings a rich blend of creativity and expertise to every project. Her portfolio spans from urban dwellings to coastal new builds and thoughtful renovations, often in collaboration with builders and homeowners. Tara specializes in transitional spaces that balance functionality with elegance. What sets her apart is her ability to listen deeply to her clients and translate their vision into spaces that feel simultaneously polished and personal. Outside of work, she enjoys time at the beach with her husband and cherishes moments with their two sons.

Alexis Dials Junior Interior Designer

Alexis earned her degree in interior design from Bowling Green State University and began her career focusing on kitchen and bath layouts and fixture selections. Her passion is creating spaces that feel like “home”—inviting, relaxed, and beautifully tailored to each client. Known for her approachable style and attention to detail, she brings a sense of warmth to every project. Outside the studio, Alexis enjoys exploring local farmers markets, traveling, and being outdoors with her husband, Matt and their golden retriever, Honey.

Erin Adkins Junior Interior Designer

Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Interior Architecture and minors in sustainable design, landscape architecture, and entrepreneurship. A certified LEED Green Associate, she’s passionate about creating spaces that promote beauty, function, and well-being. Erin believes that great design tells a story and enhances the lives of those who experience it. When she’s not designing, she enjoys cooking, long walks with her rescue pup Jasmine & fiancé Colin and discovering new sources of inspiration.