Our Team

Every project is a collaborative effort between the Southern Evergreen team.

A homeowner comes in with an idea. The architect puts the idea on paper and makes it come to life with hand sketches and 3D models. Finishing touches to the space are added by the interior designer. The building team carefully constructs the addition or home. The real estate agent helps a client find the perfect land or sell a home.

Meet the Southern Evergreen team, who are all Certified Green Professionals (CGP). We are the local experts for local preservation projects. Click here to view a list of our professional certifications and awards.

Tom Garcia, CEO, General Contractor, Realtor

Tom’s responsibilities include project management and customer satisfaction.

Tom earned his Engineering Degree from Louisiana State University (LSU).

He has worked in project, management and senior management roles for more than 25 years, including 13 years with a Fortune 5 Company.

In 1998, Tom formed Garcia Homes, Inc. to fulfill a lifelong desire to build custom homes.

In 2002, he earned the distinction of becoming the Greensboro regional exclusive builder of Southern Living homes. Four years later, Tom transformed Garcia Homes into Southern Evergreen, LLC to fulfill his vision to assemble a team of professionals to assist customers with all phases of the design and build process.

Under Tom’s leadership, Southern Evergreen was one of the first builders in North Carolina to be designated a Certified Green Professional (CGP) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Tom obtained his Real Estate license to be able to help clients locate land, sell current homes and find new homes. He is able to advise clients on renovations and additions that will add value to homes.

He is partial to Southern Living home plans because the designs incorporate the use of natural light, good traffic flow and provide an understated elegance that is rarely matched by other home plans.

Tom lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife. Their daughter is currently studying at LSU.

Tom is familiar as WFMY News 2’s “Mr. Fix It”, which airs on Friday mornings in the Triad and other markets.

Garcia is the C.E.O of Southern Evergreen’s commercial construction partner, Evergreen Commercial Construction.

Steve Johnson, Principal Architect

Steve manages all phases of the design process and facilitates the construction process as needed.

Credentials:

He is licensed is the state of North Carolina to practice Architecture (per NCARB) and has an unlimited NC Commercial General Contractor’s license. Steve and the team at Southern Evergreen can literally design and build anything.

Steve is a Certified Green Professional, a designation of the National Association of Home Builders, is an ENERGY STAR partner, and is experienced with LEED.

Steve is also an Executive Project Manager for Southern Evergreen’s commercial construction partner, Evergreen Commercial Construction.

Technology:

Steve uses his design and drafting skills to incorporate functional and aesthetic details into each plan. He uses computer aided drafting (CAD), 3D modeling technology, hand rendered sketches, and water color rendering in his work.

Education:

Bachelor degree in Architecture (School of Architecture) with a minor in Photography from Kansas State University. He also spent a year in Italy studying Architecture as part of a study abroad program.

Associate Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Style:

Steve is often asked what his “design style” is… and if he had to define his style, it would be “minimalism” with a respect for the vernacular, which is more a design philosophy than a style.

Style is influenced 100% by his clients desires and needs… but admits that “less” is more and structure and simplicity is always in the fore-front of his mind.

His job is to solve design and function problems,and those solutions will take on whatever “style” is required to reflect the personalities of his clients. The current portfolio is littered with Mid-Century Modern, Craftsman, Queen-Anne, Bungalow and Prairie Style, and Vernacular “Traditionalism”.

Affiliations:

American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is the 2012 president elect of the Piedmont Chapter.

Steve participates on several boards and subcommittees for Preservation Greensboro Incorporated (co-chair 2012/2013 and chair 2014/2015) the PGI Development Fund board, Habitat for Humanity Building Committee and Executive Committee, the Greensboro Builders Association (GBA)committee member, and the GBA Remodelers Council (2011 past president).

History:

He moved to the Triad in 2000 to practice commercial architecture with two of the Triad’s most prominent architecture firms, where he contributed to high-profile projects in downtown Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC. (Chances are that you have been to or seen his work!)

In 2002, Steve founded Brown Dog Designs (inspired by his family’s chocolate lab) and teamed up with Garcia Homes to customize Southern Living Program Homes for clients throughout the country. Together with Tom Garcia, Steve helped create Southern Evergreen.

Steve, together with his wife, two kids, and dog, lives in Summerfield, NC. He is active at St. Pius Church including Parish Council, enjoys yard work and building things, as well as cycling, exercising and generally being outdoors with his family.

Happy Clients:

“My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Steve on the design and construction of an addition to our house. Steve is hands down the best architect we have ever worked with! He was a superlative listener who really tried to understand the design features we were looking for. Steve came up with some very creative ideas and suggested ways we could augment our design. The end result was an outstanding structure we enjoy to this day. I highly recommend Steve and would definitely consider working with him in the future” John and Aggie Schner

Jamie Hilton, Interior Architect

Jamie holds a degree in Architectural Technology with additional studies in Building Information Modeling.

Through the use of computer aided technology, Jamie renders highly complex models so clients can see their options and make the best possible selection.

As a project manager, Jamie helps clients plan their new space and make selections to complete the project. She carefully listens to the needs and wants of each client to design the perfect space.

Jamie also worked with major furniture manufacturers to prepare vignettes for the International Furniture Market, which is held twice a year in North Carolina.

She uses this experience to assist clients in achieving the right look and feel they are seeking for their renovation, addition or custom home.

Sarah Mayhew Reece, Broker-in-Charge

Greensboro native

Lifelong residency gives me the knowledge base to provide clients with the best information to make wise decisions regarding their real estate needs.

Married to Dave Reece, retired Science teacher; one daughter, Meredith (no pets at the moment)

Member of Greensboro Regional Realtors Association, NC Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors

Represent both Buyer & Seller clients

20+ years in corporate world; many years of business and experience in the community help me provide superior service, honesty and fairness to all my clients.

Volunteer docent at ACC Hall of Champions, annual GRRA Red Cross Blood Drive and the annual Realtors “R” Rebuilding event in conjunction with Housing Greensboro

Duke basketball fan

Dan Turner, Field Operations Manager

Dan has been involved in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He is charged with the daily field operations for Southern Evergreen.

He works closely with the rest of the Southern Evergreen team to implement design concepts and maintain quality.

Dan has worked for Tom Garcia for over ten years, and he can be seen with his dog, Jake, at some of our job sites.

The entire Southern Evergreen team believes in being stewards of our community. All members of our team are involved in our churches, civic groups and sit on boards for various professional organizations.