Alex Wellford

Current Role: Project Manager

Alex has been in the construction business as long as he can remember and RKA was lucky to bring him on board in 2013. He brings a wealth of construction experience to RKA. Find out more about Alex here.

What is your background? How did you get into home building and why?

I was born and raised in Memphis, where I attended MUS and then went to Rhodes College. I have always been surrounded by construction, with parents that renovated our home multiple times.  I enjoyed watching the process and learning about the details. I started working for Chris Clark when he owned his own construction company (he is now an RKA partner) during the summer in high school and college, first as a laborer, then as a carpenter and later a finish carpenter for custom work.  I also worked on the very first Starry Nights exhibit with Chris. It was particularly memorable dismantling the exhibit with a group of Shelby County inmates. I worked on numerous fun and intricate Children’s Museum exhibits (Bolting the climbing structure to the ceiling, the Games exhibit, Your House My House, The Dentist’s Office). Between working for Chris and starting my own construction company, I worked at EgglestonWorks Loudspeaker Co. as project manager, overseeing the production of high end speakers.  I ran my own construction company for about 10 years doing custom work. One of my favorite projects that my company did was the Hunt and Polo Wine room.

What is the best part of your job?

I am a very detail oriented person. I enjoy paying attention to the details and making sure everything is done correctly. The best part of my job is seeing a completed project and a happy client at the end of the job. Be it a big or small job, this is the best part.

Hardest?

The most challenging aspect of this business is scheduling. The process for custom work is specialized, and one issue with the schedule can impact the whole process.  Keeping subcontractors on schedule, and things running smoothly is what I spend a considerable amount of my day doing.

Favorite house style? Build new or renovate old?

I am a bit of an Anglophile.  I love English style homes, American Colonial, as well as French. It’s a hard choice, but for me, I love to renovate an old house, making it personal for the family.

Dream job if you weren’t building house?

World Traveler. Something outdoors . . . a photographer or a ski instructor/bum, an explorer.

Best way to spend a Saturday?

Doing something outdoors, preferably water/snow skiing, playing tennis, going to band practice, relaxing at the lake, and spending time with family and friends.

Family? Hobbies?

My wife, Shea, and I have been married for 24 years. We have seven Godchildren, a wonderful niece and nephew, and two Jack Russels, Millie, who will turn 16 this year, and Baxter, who is 12. Shea and I love to travel. I sing, play bass, and I’m learning the drums. I play tennis and water and snow ski whenever I can. I started beekeeping with a friend from MUS about 4 years ago. We keep three hives. And I love to go see live music.

If you could only listen to 5 bands/artists for the rest of your life, who would they be?

The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Miles Davis, and The Who. That’s not 5, but I tried.