Hailing from

Born in Miami, FL, but raised in Charlotte, NC.

Favorite things to do

Being married to his high school sweetheart (his greatest achievement to date) and being “Dada” to his two savage sons. Fly fishing and hanging with friends—when his wife allows it.

Background in the industry

Sam spent his summers working alongside his dad, Santiago, in the construction industry, where he practically grew up. Ironically, his dad spent just as much time trying to talk him out of a career in construction. Determined to explore other options, Sam went to college, where he changed majors more times than he can count. Every time he shadowed a new career, he realized it wasn’t quite what he expected. So, with just half a semester’s worth of credits left to graduate, he made the boldest (and most expensive) decision yet—he dropped out and committed to becoming a custom builder.

Over the last 10 years, he climbed the ranks from apprentice to running the majority of construction for a well-respected builder. He’s tackled everything from brand-new homes to major renovations and additions. His guilty pleasure? Nerding out over the science behind building practices (yeah, we see you, Sam). He’s also always on the hunt for new materials and cutting-edge tech that push the industry forward.

Favorite kinds of projects

Sam thrives on a good challenge—whether it’s solving unexpected obstacles, bringing a client’s wild vision to life, or tackling a build that’s completely outside the box. If it’s quirky, unique, or something he’s never done before, you can bet he’s all in.