Peter Leeke

Founder & President | Charlotte

Peter Leeke founded Kingswood Custom Homes with his wife, Louise, in 1995 when they moved their family to Charlotte, North Carolina from London, England. Prior to the Leekes’ relocation to the United States, Peter ran a successful homebuilding and development enterprise, which built award-winning residences in and around London. He also worked with the British government, building apartments and townhomes for people with special needs. An experienced homebuilder and entrepreneur, Peter is long-inspired by his grandmother, who was knowledgeable about construction and involved in real estate investments in London.

Regarded for his warmth and integrity, Peter enjoys the relationships that he nurtures with his team, their clients, and industry professionals alike. As a philanthropist, Peter has dedicated himself and Kingswood to supporting the community, which as he says, “has been so good to us.” From raising over a million dollars for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital to sponsoring events for The Heartest Yard and Inspire the Fire, among others, Peter sets the bar high in both business and service. His passion for quality—from working with top architects to maintaining skilled currency with technology and materials—is evident in every Kingswood project.
Peter is the recipient of the 2018 Leadership Award from the Charlotte Home Builder’s Association.

Louise Leeke

Vice-President | Charlotte

Louise Leeke founded Kingswood Custom Homes alongside her husband Peter and leads the Interior Design department for the organization. Born into a family of English builders—and representing a third generation—Louise is steeped in thoroughly personalized service, exquisite details, and quality craftsmanship. Louise met Peter while working in her family’s London-based business and after they married and immigrated to Charlotte, her deep experience of the building industry merged with his to create Kingswood.

Louise’s interior commissions reflect an ease, innate skill and sensibility that seem inevitable, but are the result of clear and rigorous organization. She is admired for her diverse clientele, one-of-a-kind designs, and ability to work alongside first-class trades and artisans. When not in the design studio or guiding the day-to-day operations of Kingswood, Louise is involved in the greater Charlotte community, supporting organizations such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Heartest Yard, and Inspire the Fire. Louise and Peter have three grown children.

Rob Hutzler

Managing Partner | Kiawah Island

Managing Partner Rob Hutzler leads the Kingswood Homes office in Kiawah Island. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Rob has focused on custom residential home building in the Carolinas for over two decades. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Insurance from Appalachian State University and is a licensed contractor in South Carolina. Prior to joining Kingswood, Rob was a Purchasing and Estimating Manager and a Project Manager for local construction companies. He says, “I have a knack for business as well as a passion for fixing things so have found my work in custom home building suits me very well. In addition to doing what I love, I am further inspired by Kingswood’s philanthropy—from donations to charity events to building homes for disabled veterans—which only fuels my desire to be involved to make life better for everyone.”

Rob enjoys the challenges of the industry, building relationships, and making dreams come true for Kingswood’s clients. He shares the process with his children, showing them photos along the way so that they have an appreciation for the hard work that goes into each home, how many skilled people it takes, and how everyone works together to make it happen. One day he’d like to take this a step further and introduce home building to kids still in school so that they might consider pursuing a career in construction one day too. When not on the job, Rob spends time with his wife, three children, and two dogs. He is an avid supporter of youth sports teams and has enjoyed volunteering as a coach.

Kirsten Gibson

Director of Creative Projects | Charlotte

Originally from London, England, Kirsten Gibson attended The University of Alabama where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She also holds a minor in Interior Design from Queens University of Charlotte and is a licensed General Contractor in the state of North Carolina. Born and raised in the construction industry, her eye for detail and comprehension of the construction process was honed by the family’s business and deepened by her studies and experience.

In her roles as Design Consultant and Project Coordinator, Kirsten relishes the creative practice on many levels. As such, she manages design choices indicative of Kingwood’s beautiful homes as well as creating the marketing and advertising materials for the organization. When not at the office, she spends time with her husband, Bijah, their three young boys, and their black lab, Charlie. Kirsten also enjoys, painting, riding her Peloton bike, and volunteering for Florence Crittenton Services.
Kirsten received the 2018 and 2021 Shining Star Award from the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte.

Tammy Miller

Accounting Manager | Charlotte

Tammy Miller has been a part of the Kingswood Custom Homes family since 2012. She is a graduate of King’s College — in her hometown of Charlotte — with a degree in Accounting. With over 29 years of accounting experience, Tammy manages both the accounting and human resources for both the Charlotte and Kiawah offices. During her free time, Tammy enjoys cooking, watching football and basketball, and proudly attends her sons’ high school and college basketball games. Tammy Bracey received the 2021 Shining Star Award from the Lake Norman Home Builders Association.

Wade Carlton

Estimating and Purchasing Manager | Charlotte

Wade Carlton joins the Kingswood team as an Estimating and Purchasing Manager. A North Carolina Native, Wade was born and raised in Hickory, NC and attended Appalachian State. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, he attended Auburn University where he received his Masters degree in Building Science, and was awarded Graduate Student of the Year. After graduation, Wade spent a year on a Christian mission team, volunteering and serving others in remote villages in 11 countries. While completing a variety humanitarian work, including teen mentoring, orphanage assistance, agricultural training, community development, and home building, he met his wife, Chrissy. After their continued mission work, they returned to Charlotte, NC in 2013, where Wade returned to the construction industry. Wade’s enjoys the process of watching homes come to life, and thoroughly enjoys building relationship with clients along the way. In his spare time, Wade enjoys traveling with his wife, and two children. He also enjoys fishing  and spending time outdoors. 

Kenny Krestan

Estimator | Charlotte

Estimator, Kenny Krestan is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management. During his time at Clemson he gained experience in the construction industry by interning with Kingswood, gaining his Procare certification, and building a home with Habitat for Humanity. After graduation, he worked in commercial construction before re-entering the residential side.  Kenny’s favorite part about the custom home building process is being able to take someone’s dream and turn it into a reality. During his free time, he enjoys working out and playing sports.

George Fisher

Estimating Manager | Kiawah Island

George Fisher is a graduate of Clemson University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science & Management with a minor in Business Administration. While in college, George interned at Full Steam Ahead and with Kingswood, gaining experience working in carpentry, estimating, and project management. After graduation in 2015, George joined Kingswood and currently holds his Associate Constructor Certification and is a licensed General Contractor in the state of South Carolina. George enjoys doing anything outdoors and in his spare time hunts, fishes, and works in his yard.

Shawn Hotson

Director of Construction | Kiawah Island

Shawn Hotson is a graduate of the University of South Carolina – Aiken and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Shawn brings her high level of organization to the Kiawah office as she leads and helps navigate the selections process for each home. She enjoys the collaboration, creativity, and ingenuity it takes to ensure each client’s vision is approached and achieved uniquely. Shawn loves that no two jobs are ever the same and helps her clients, and each job stay on track. She is an avid sports participant and fan and played volleyball at USC-Aiken on the Elite 8 team. In her free time, Shawn likes to travel, be by the water and outdoors, and spend time with friends.

Scott McMillan

Senior Project Manager | Charlotte

Scott McMillan joined Kingswood Custom Homes as a Senior Project Manager. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Scott moved to Charlotte, North Carolina after college. A graduate of Alfred State SUNY College of Technology, Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction and began his career immediately after completing his degree as a framer for luxury homes. Scott subsequently quickly rose through the ranks with his clear understanding of what it takes to craft the fine bones of a home. As such, he brings to Kingswood over fifteen years of construction experience. Scott is active with his church and is an avid outdoorsman. He also enjoys being the Scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout troop and loves spending time with his family.

Chuck Riordan

Senior Project Manager | Charlotte

Originally from Evans Mill in upstate New York, Senior Project Manager, Chuck Riordan moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in the 1990s. Chuck started his career in the construction industry as a carpenter and has over 24 years of building experience in the Charlotte market. Before sharpening his trade as a custom builder, Chuck served in the Marines. During his free time, Chuck enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, mountain biking, white water rafting, and hunting. Chuck received the 2022 Construction Manager of the Year Award from the Charlotte Home Builders Association.

Jason Hughes

Senior Project Manager | Charlotte

Project Manager Jason Hughes joined the Kingswood team in 2009. Jason holds an Associates Degree in construction from Delhi State College and a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Technical Education from Oswego State College. Happily transplanted from his home state of New York, Jason is a licensed General Contractor in North Carolina. Inspired by client relationships and working collectively, Jason is proud to uphold Kingswood’s standards to bring beautiful, lasting quality to every home. His experience and dedication led to being acknowledged as the 2017 Builder Superintendent of the Year by the Charlotte Home Builder Association. In Jason’s free time, he spends time with his wife, son, and daughter, and enjoys making improvements to their home.

Paul Newman

Project Manager | Kiawah Island

Prior to settling in Kiawah Island and joining Kingswood Homes as a Project Manager, Paul Newman worked as a Project Manager for the Kingswood Charlotte office. Paul has lived in England, Canada, and California where he had experience working on custom homes and large-scale remodels. He loves the entire multi-faceted process and collaborating with the whole team to tailor it to a client’s requirements and imagination. The opportunity to manage and create beautiful, functional homes inspires Paul daily. He reflects, “Meeting our clients and getting to know their families motivates me. At Kingswood, we are skilled innovators, environmentally conscious, and have exceptional tradespeople and technology at our fingertips, all of which—plus the variety of our work—makes what I do incredibly exciting and fulfilling.” Paul is a certified General Contractor in the state of North Carolina and holds his Green Built certification from the Green Built Alliance. Paul also completed a BTech in Engineering from Basildon College, Essex. Paul enjoys playing golf in his free time and cooking for his wife and two boys. 

Corey Lamonaca

Project Manager | Kiawah

Project Manager, Corey Lamonaca has had a passion for construction since a young age. He recalls building balsa wood models in his Grandfather’s garage, and later taking on an apprenticeship in high school for a custom home builder. That apprenticeship took him through the many phases of custom home building developing his meticulous eye for detail. When asked what Corey most enjoys about the custom home building process, he responded, “The team environment and opportunity to work with the most talented of trades and highest quality materials to precisely piece together someone’s dream home is what I enjoy most.” Outside of work he enjoys spending time on the water with his wife Alison and two sons.

Corey Lowe

Assistant Project Manager | Charlotte

Assistant Project Manager, Corey Lowe, has always been interested in the construction industry. A native Charlottean, Corey started in the electrical field in his early 20’s, learning the trade and obtaining his electrical license. Eventually, he moved into the woodworking industry, working with a custom cabinet maker, where he learned how to work with different wood species. His favorite aspect of cabinetry and woodworking is how timeless natural wood is. His ability to work with the dimensions of each cabinet and the creativity of the design, has translated well into building custom homes. In his free time, Corey likes to fish, camp, boat, and enjoy time on the lake with his family.

Tyler Morris

Assistant Project Manager | Kiawah Island

Charleston Native, Tyler Morris joins Kingswood Homes as an Assistant Project Manager. He attended Winthrop University where he obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. After studying at Winthrop, he returned back to the lowcountry where he was able to turn his passion for building into a career. His favorite part about building homes is turning a client’s dream and vision into a reality. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family boating, camping, and coaching t-ball for his son’s team.