The Story Behind the Homes

For Gavin Brown, building homes in Western North Carolina is personal. He grew up in Waynesville, earned his degree in Construction Management from Appalachian State University, and after several years away, returned home to build a career and raise his family in the mountains he has always called home.

Before returning to Western North Carolina, Gavin spent several years in Bolivia, South America, helping build children’s homes serving abandoned and orphaned children, becoming fluent in Spanish along the way. When he returned home, he joined Thompson Properties, where he spent seven years working alongside John and Nancy Thompson and developing his experience in custom residential construction. That relationship ultimately became the foundation for Thompson & Brown Custom Builders.

In 2019, with John and Nancy’s encouragement and support, Gavin founded the company with a vision for building exceptional custom homes while keeping the experience personal, collaborative and grounded in strong relationships. Today, Thompson & Brown is owned and led by Gavin, who remains personally involved in every home the company builds. As the company has grown, the commitment to a personal, relationship driven building experience has remained at the heart of Thompson & Brown.