Much of Hunter Ward’s work happens behind the scenes. As Vice President of homebuilder Ward Enterprises, he partners with his father, Larry, coordinating the details and decisions that bring a custom home from concept to completion.
That steady leadership recently earned Ward the 2025 Builder of the Year honor from the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM).
“Personally, this is one of the highest honors I have ever received,” he says. “It means a tremendous amount to me to be recognized by my peers as making a difference in an industry that I care so much about.”
Raised in the Industry
Construction has been part of Ward’s life for as long as he can remember. His father, Larry, worked in the industry, and Ward spent much of his childhood tagging along to projects.
“From the time I was a small boy, I have always been on or around the job site in some way, shape, or form,” says Ward.
Still, his path was not entirely linear. After graduating from UNC Charlotte with degrees in criminal justice and sociology, Ward later earned a meteorology degree from Mississippi State University. For several years after college, he sold carpet at Carpet One, learning how homeowners think about space, budget, and finish selections.
In 2017, he joined Ward Enterprises full-time after his father launched the company. The work was hands-on from the start. “In the early days of Ward Enterprises, I did a lot of job site cleaning, hole digging, and manual labor,” Ward says.
Gradually, he stepped into design work, project management, and eventually earned his own contractor’s license in 2022.
Today, Ward Enterprises focuses primarily on new residential construction and select commercial projects across Western North Carolina. The company typically builds custom homes starting around 2,000 square feet and serves clients throughout Madison, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Transylvania, Jackson and McDowell counties, with occasional projects beyond the region depending on scale. With a team of 13 employees, Ward says the company builds approximately $7 to $10 million in homes each year.
As the company has grown, Ward says its culture has remained rooted in the same values that shaped its early days.
“Communication is a big part of the success of Ward Enterprises,” Ward says. “We pride ourselves on having a very open dialogue with our clients and partners.”
Built on Community
While the Builder of the Year award carries his name, Ward is quick to credit the professional community around him, particularly BABRM.
“BABRM provides an incredible platform for builders to be recognized for their hard work,” Ward says. “It is also a place where new connections can be made.”
Over the years, those connections have mattered. From trade partners to fellow builders, Ward says the association has helped him strengthen relationships in ways that would have been difficult to do alone.
“I can’t count the number of times that I have found someone through the organization that has helped grow our business,” he says. “Each member has a wonderful attitude of helping one another, and there is an amazing network of industry-driven people at your disposal to help with basically anything that you may encounter in the building industry.”
Join a Network of Industry Leaders
The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is powered by members who are committed to supporting Western North Carolina’s building industry. Join BABRM to connect with fellow professionals, expand your network, and take an active role in shaping the future of building in our region.
