Meet Harrell Design + Build Project Manager Gary Gray

From cutting-edge software products to high-tech brands, to Bay Area homes, Harrell Design + Build Project Manager, Gary Gray, has been designing and building great things his entire life.

Born in Virginia, Gary had a passion early on for architecture and construction. He grew up watching “This Old House” and working side-by-side with his father on a myriad of home improvement projects. “Thanks to my dad, I was able to experience first-hand the “ins and outs” of home improvement. He taught me to take pride in our home and the importance of maintaining it well,” recalls Gary. These core values are ones which Gary has carried with him throughout his life and career, values that perfectly align with his exceptional customer service, attention to detail, integrity, and a deeply rooted respect for helping homeowners achieve their vision.

Building on his interest in mechanical drawing and architectural design during his high school years, Gary moved south to Florida where he obtained his degree in Advertising Design.

Flipping homes had always sounded intriguing to Gary, and in 2008, he ventured into the business and partnered with a friend trained in the trades, to begin rehabbing Bay Area residences. His very first project was quite successful and for the next eight years, Gary worked more and more on his own, gaining valuable experience as he remodeled multiple homes, including a tear down of a Mid Century Modern home to build a 3,000+ square foot contemporary masterpiece in Palo Alto, CA. “This project was ambitious but offered the opportunity for me to explore me further develop my Design + Build skills. With this project, I did it all, creating the architectural drawings, interior design, and project management,” Gary states. “This was a unique opportunity to design and construct a large-scale project from beginning to end, and see my visions turn into reality. The end result was extraordinary…a stunning contemporary home that was simply amazing.”

Seeking new opportunities to leverage all he’d learned, Gary was recruited by Home Depot Exteriors to take on the role of Installation Service Manager for the Silicon Valley managing over $3 million in home improvement projects across a 9-store territory from San Mateo to south San Jose. Following Home Depot, Gary moved to a Kitchen and Bath Design + Build firm initially as a Project Manager before being asked to lead the production team as Field Operations Supervisor. And then, his path crossed with the leadership of Harrell Design + Build, which resulted in him joining the project management team. At Harrell, Gary most enjoys being a client’s trusted advisor during construction, guiding them through the build process and leading their project efficiently through the various phases of construction.

Gary is certified in OSHA safety, is EPA Lead certified, and is currently working on additional certifications through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). He brings to Harrell not only a wealth of experience, but a collaborative, team-oriented mindset. “Harrell Design + Build is much more than your typical contractor,” states Gary. “As a Design + Build firm, we listen to our clients wants and needs, and design to their sensibilities. Each of our Employee-Owners takes enormous pride in what we do, making us that reliable Design + Build partner our clients can trust.”

Gary takes time to give back to his community, having been appointed by his City Counsel to serve as a Commissioner on their Public Works and Transportation Committee. A coffee lover (bold brews only, please), avid gardener, golfer, and DIY’er, Gary has traveled extensively but one of his favorite places is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico which he says is “a slice of paradise where you can escape the daily grind and rejuvenate your spirit.” Gary’s favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quote is one that he strives to live by daily; “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”