Spark Spotlight - Construction Company Owner & CEO McKenzie Dillingham

Photo Credit: Kathrine Brooks Photography

McKenzie Dillingham has spent almost 15 years in the luxury custom home industry in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. McKenzie is a native of Weaverville, NC and has a degree in Construction Management from Western Carolina University. After graduating college, she moved back to Asheville, beginning her career as a Project Manager for one of the area's best luxury home builders. Her time as a Project Manager helped to hone her eye for detail and grow her passion for the artistic process of residential construction. In 2020 she made the move to open M.G. Dillingham, LLC, a firm that specializes in luxury home renovations and commercial interior upfits. She currently is the Board Chair for Haywood Street Community Development, a nonprofit organization in Asheville that builds deeply affordable housing. She also sits on the Board of Advisors for the Kimmel School of Construction Management at Western Carolina, where she assists in a drive to recruit minorities into the program and offer a residential construction perspective.

​When not at work, McKenzie spends her time at home in Weaverville with her wife (a veterinarian) and son, Rhodes. McKenzie built their home in 2014 and enjoys spending time on home projects and gardening. When warm weather permits, you will find McKenzie on the French Broad river in a kayak or trout fishing with her dad. As an Appalachian native, she loves all four seasons and spending time outdoors. 

1. How did you get into construction?

As a teenager I was very passionate about art, thinking that I would attend college and receive an art degree of some type. However, after taking a drafting course in High School, I realized that residential architecture was most appealing to me. After spending a few years exploring this path I realized I didn’t want to be behind a computer, since hand-drawn architectural designs were slowly fading out as technology progressed. Therefore, I looked into college programs that would mesh my creativity and love for the outdoors. I found Western Carolina University’s BS in Construction Management, nestled in the mountain valley of Cullowhee, NC. As my career began with a custom luxury home builder, I felt perfectly at home – I was able to find creativity in each client’s dreams, building a new home, in a new place each time. I was able to spend time outdoors, with hands-on management and working alongside the area’s best designers and architects.

2. What aspect of your job do you most enjoy? 

The uniqueness of each project. As a residential builder, I implement the dreams of clients from all over the country. No two projects are the same and I am able to work alongside some of the most talented interior designers and architects in our area. Yet, as a local to Asheville, NC I also thoroughly enjoy creating relationships with vendors and tradespeople that keep our local economy afloat. The broad spectrum of creativity and connections that I make on each project is irreplaceable.

3. What type/style/design of construction do you specialize in? 

My background is in luxury residential new construction, but as I have moved forward in my own firm, I now primarily do luxury renovations and some commercial interior upfits.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

While I do love the relationships that I create and the finished product of each home – I am most proud of the non-profit work I do. My experience within the industry has afforded me opportunities to sit on boards that give back in amazing ways to our local community. Last year M.G. Dillingham opened a scholarship fund at our Alma Mater – Western Carolina University, giving one student per year a full tuition scholarship. Ongoing, I have been a volunteer, board member and most recently have Chaired the Board of Directors for Haywood Street Community Development. HSCD is providing deeply affordable housing in perpetuity for residents of Asheville, with a 45 unit housing community that will always keep 50% of the housing for voucher holders and the remaining units for residents making 80% AMI or less. This project gives back in a way that Asheville needs, supplying housing for those who continue to make our local economy successful, from dishwashers, to drywallers and even teachers.

5. What would be your advice to other women thinking of going into construction?

While it may be difficult to get started, it is worth the challenge. It is well known that women in this industry have a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills, and a passion for their work – it will pay off in the end to get involved in any aspect of the construction industry.