SLATE CHARLOTTE
Meet The Team Who Frees You Up To Find Your Next Big Investment
We direct construction projects for real estate investors so they can scale with ease.
Meet Brent Zande
CEO
Brent started Slate so that real estate investors could get out of the weeds and level up their business with a builder they could finally trust. Over the last 3 decades, he led more than 15,000 construction projects from concept to completion. His background is the right blend of academic and on-the-job experience that enables our team to serve our clients with excellence. From luxury homes to commercial properties, he’s seen it all – empowering us and the investor groups we work with to have freedom to focus their time on their own terms.
Fun Fact: Brent is a Michigan State Spartan who holds a degree in Construction Management and has led more than 15,000 construction projects! His interest in construction also lends to a natural love for architecture, design, and travel.
Meet Ryan Stinnett
President
Turning an investor’s vision into reality from start to finish is what drives Ryan every day. With a deep passion for construction and a commitment to excellence, he ensures that every project meets and exceeds expectations. As president, it’s not just about building—it’s about giving investors back their time to focus on growing their business.
As a licensed North Carolina General Contractor and Home Inspector, Ryan also brings a well-rounded perspective to every project. Plus, his background as a Division 1 soccer player and time serving in the Army instilled the confidence, leadership, and discipline that fuels his passion for leading and supporting the team.
Fun Fact: When not working on projects, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, Kaitlin, their two sons, Reece and Holland, and their dogs, Ayla and Netty. They love being outdoors, making memories with friends and family, and managing a few rental properties of their own. And when it comes to sports—Go Lions, Saints, and FC Barcelona!
Meet Pamela Kelly
Director of Operations
Pamela has been with Slate since day one. No two days are the same, but her depth of experience allows her to be command central for our team and clients no matter what your build brings our way. Her experience spans two decades and covers everything from developing programs and managing operations to handling bookkeeping and accounting. Bottom line: ask Pamela about what matters most and she’ll remind you that Slate only wins when you win, which makes our company special.
Fun Fact: Pamela loves spending time with her husband, hiking, traveling and enjoying time together with their two children.
Meet Tristan Lynn
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPER
Tristan works closely with real estate investors to guide key decisions before a project ever breaks ground—ensuring they’re not just building homes, but building the right product for the market, so it’s positioned to rent or sell quickly. Through conversations around product type, pricing, and overall strategy, he helps investors approach each project with clarity and a plan that supports strong returns.
As an active real estate investor with more than 15 years of experience, Tristan brings a perspective that goes beyond theory. He understands what it takes to navigate market cycles, evaluate opportunities, and make decisions that protect profitability. That experience allows him to ask the right questions early and help investors move forward with confidence.
At Slate Building Group, Tristan plays a key role in aligning investors with the right approach from the start—so projects move efficiently, perform as expected, and keep their capital working as hard as possible.
Fun Fact: Tristan is married with two kids and spends much of his time outside of work coaching his son’s baseball team, helping with his daughter’s softball team, and leading a youth group at his church. He also enjoys being outdoors and can often be found on the water or playing sports like soccer and pickleball.
Meet Laura Titus
Bookkeeper
For Laura, it’s all about integrity. Her record-keeping leads to clean books that enable our subcontractors to get paid on time, so every investor’s project stays on track. She thrives on collaboration and teamwork and loves seeing her work make a difference.
Fun Fact: She loves to travel! One of her most memorable trips was to Bora Bora for her honeymoon, where they swam with sharks in open water.
Meet Natalie Callis
Office Assistant
Meet Igor Karpovich
Permitting Pit Bull
Igor started working in the construction space inside his family’s business which ignited a passion for what he does today. His mission is to never let our real estate investors down. It takes the entire team and he’s committed to solving problems so it simplifies the investors’ work life, empowering them to focus their time expanding their business to other markets.
Fun Fact: Igor loves exploring Charlotte and spending time outdoors and cooking with his friends.
Meet Rebecca May
Project Coordinator
Rebecca works directly with our investors, subcontractors, designers, engineers and project managers to ensure each project goes off without a hitch. Having worked in the customer service industry for 10+ years, she takes the time to get to know each one of our clients and ensures our team exceeds their expectations. Rebecca is always encouraging others and we love her hunger for growth and improvement.
Fun Fact: From concerts to cuisine, Rebecca is the queen of adventure. She loves to travel with her husband, be outside with her dog and find the best-hidden spots around Charlotte.
Meet Holly Hamilton
Project Coordinator
Holly bridges planning and execution, helping transition projects from paper to reality. She ensures your next job moves seamlessly to the field and stays on track from start to finish. For Holly, she’s driven by the big picture because when our clients succeed, we win in the process too.
Fun Fact: A dedicated wife and mom to two children and two dogs, Holly loves spending time playing games and hiking outdoors (especially in the mountains).
Meet Matt Rawling
Pre-construction Manager
As Pre-Construction Manager, Matt evaluates, budgets, and prepares residential projects before construction begins. He works closely with clients to coordinate surveying, septic design, and HOA requirements while ensuring the field has accurate, up-to-date plans. His focus is simple: eliminate surprises early so projects stay predictable, profitable, and on schedule.
Before joining Slate, Matt spent 11 seasons traveling as a NASCAR pit crew athlete and was a member of Chris Buescher’s 2015 championship team, an experience that shaped his attention to detail and commitment to clear communication.
Fun Fact: With so many “Matts” in the construction industry, he earned the nickname “Wheels” — a nod to his NASCAR background. When he’s not preparing projects for a strong start, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their children, Kannon and Madison.
Meet Dave Mashal
Production Manager
Before joining the Slate team, Dave spent time both in the industrial construction space and serving as a firefighter. Now, as Production Manager, he uses his industry experience to keep projects on track and support our clients and team members. His drive to communicate quickly in fast-paced environments sets him apart and makes him a perfect part of our team here at Slate Building Group.
With a proven track record in and around Charlotte, Dave takes pride in how far the team has come and is excited about the future. His commitment to excellence and teamwork ensures that every project moves forward with precision and efficiency.
Fun Fact: Originally hailing from the Windy City, Dave now resides here in North Carolina with his family and two dogs but still cheers on his hometown teams (minus the Bears, when it comes to football, he’s fully committed to Steeler Nation). Plus, he loves teaching his kids how to build fun projects with Legos!
Meet Kevin Ramirez
Production Manager
With a background in construction, Kevin prides himself on seeing projects from a different perspective. He’s passionate about being out in the field and interacting with our clients and vendors to bring each home to life. His acute attention to detail helps us provide a greater building experience and he always puts communication at the forefront of each project.
Fun Fact: When he’s not in the office, you can find Kevin watching soccer, fishing on Lake Norman and spending time with his wife and son (who was born on his birthday!).
Meet Ryan Garvey
Production Manager
Ryan ensures each build follows a strict timeline with clear, consistent updates, allowing investors to focus on their next opportunity rather than worry about the current one. Known for his proactive problem-solving and strong communication skills, Ryan is always ready to tackle challenges and keep projects on track.
With a background in Urban Planning and Construction Management from Michigan State University, Ryan understands the big picture and the fine details of building. His experience across multiple states, from Michigan and New York to Connecticut and North Carolina, has reinforced the value of patience and teamwork.
Fun Fact: He’s also an avid golfer and loves his New York Jets, Yankees, and MSU Spartans! He also loves taking his dogs on walks.
Meet Jussely Davis
Project Manager
Born and raised in Rock Hill, SC, Jussely knows a thing or two about work ethic. He’s worked full-time since he was nineteen and loves using his construction and remodeling industry knowledge to serve our real estate investors. He understands that each build represents not just an investment but a future home, and he treats every property with the same care and dedication as its owner.
Fun Fact: Outside of work, Jussely enjoys spending time with his wife, Kendall, and their dog, Rip. He’s an avid fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, and enjoys being outdoors.
Meet Rodney Tapia
Project Manager
Rodney loves communicating with our clients and investors, ensuring they’re in the loop and excited about their projects. Though he grew up framing houses, Rodney now loves having a hand in the full construction process from start to finish. He brings an infectious energy to every project and is always one step ahead so every investor’s project stays on track.
Fun Fact: Charlotte FC has a forever fan in Rodney. He loves attending their games, going to concerts, and exploring new parts of Charlotte with his wife.
Meet Andrew Hegler
Project Manager
Andrew is a pro at ensuring every project wraps up without unnecessary interruptions. He’s mastered the art of a quick turnaround and his attention to detail is top-notch. Andrew is passionate about letting our clients know we take their expectations seriously.
Fun Fact: Andrew has a Moose (that’s actually a Great Dane!) and loves taking him to the dog park. When he’s not with his dog, you’ll find him with his friends and family, trying all of the different restaurants and breweries Charlotte has to offer.
Meet CJ Vano
Project Manager
Like many members of the Slate team, CJ hasn’t always been in the construction industry. For a season, he worked in the fitness and athletics space before transitioning fields to work with us. That experience instilled in him the importance of timely communication, which he now uses daily in his work with real estate investors and our team.
Fun Fact: CJ is a South Carolina grad and used that education to support the military and elite athletes as a strength and conditioning coach.
Meet Parker McMahon
Project Manager
Parker is the bridge between our real estate investor clients and the projects we oversee on their behalf. His dedication to the details means he’s always learning from every build and applying those findings to make the experience seamless for all involved.
Fun Fact: Parker is a UNC Charlotte grad with a degree in construction management. He also loves watching sports with family and friends—especially Chelsea FC!
Meet Abdul Tijani
Project Manager
Serving our clients requires the perfect blend of strategic planning and problem-solving, and that’s where Abdul shines. His dedication to the details means the real estate investors we work with can count on us to keep their projects on track and under budget.
Fun Fact: Abdul’s love for serving and strategy extends to his personal life too, where he enjoys being the Assistant Basketball Coach at North Meck High School. Whether coaching the team through a current build project or kids in our community, Abdul’s always planning the next play to help everyone succeed.
Meet David Lozano
Project Manager
As an Project Manager, he’s committed to making the building process seamless and efficient for investors. His proactive approach and clear communication ensure that clients always feel confident their projects are in good hands. Beyond the day-to-day details, what excites David most about his role is that each project is more than just a build. It’s a story in the making.
Fun Fact: A graduate of UNC Wilmington with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing Strategies, David is passionate about real estate investment, home remodeling, and exploring new places. When he’s not on the job, you’ll find him playing soccer, spending time with family, or diving into different cultures and cuisines.
Meet Samantha Ortiz
Project Manager
While investors focus on the big picture, Samantha ensures their blueprints become a reality—on time, under budget, and off their worry list. With a sharp eye for deadlines and a talent for keeping things running smoothly, she brings clarity and momentum to every project she touches.
Samantha thrives on turning challenges into wins. Her energy, curiosity, and desire to grow—not just personally but as part of a team—fuel her passion for problem-solving. For her, progress isn’t just about timelines or tools, it’s about building the kind of trust and long-term partnerships that define Slate Building Group.
Fun Fact: Samantha is always finding ways to stay active. Her love for movement fuels her focus and helps her bring fresh energy and perspective to every project.
Meet Tristen Payne
PROJECT MANAGER - GREENVILLE, SC
Tristen ensures each project is built with speed, quality, and clear communication from start to finish—so investors see faster returns, fewer issues, and no surprises along the way. By managing day-to-day execution in the field, he keeps builds moving efficiently, timelines intact, and projects progressing smoothly through keys in hand.
Known for doing what he says he’s going to do, Tristen brings a strong sense of accountability and follow-through to every build. His focus on communication and problem-solving helps keep investors informed, projects on track, and expectations clearly met at every stage.
Before joining Slate Building Group, Tristen spent several years working with a production builder, where he developed a deep understanding of the homebuilding process and what it takes to manage projects effectively. Combined with his background in collegiate athletics, he brings a team-first mindset and leadership approach that keeps everyone aligned and working toward delivering projects on time so investors can achieve the returns they planned.
At Slate Building Group, Tristen is committed to delivering a professional, efficient building experience—one that reflects the trust investors place in the team and helps ensure every project performs as expected.
Fun Fact: Tristen enjoys staying active outside of work—whether it’s playing golf, working out, traveling, or taking his dog to the park. He truly enjoys connecting with people and can often be found at networking events, which is key as he helps Slate Building Group expand into the Greenville, SC market.
Meet Dean Castellano
ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Dean keeps every build on schedule so investors can stay focused on their next deal and not worry about day-to-day construction tasks. By ensuring each phase of the project is set up and executed the right way, he plays a key role in keeping projects predictable, efficient, and moving forward without unnecessary disruption.
With a strong work ethic and a focus on getting it right the first time, Dean takes ownership of the details that keep timelines intact. His goal is simple: create a building experience that feels organized, clear, and dependable from start to finish.
Before joining the Slate Building Group team, Dean held a management role where he oversaw day-to-day operations, shaping his ability to stay adaptable, accountable, and solutions-focused in fast-paced environments.
Fun Fact: Dean enjoys working on cars and home projects; he’s naturally drawn to understanding how every detail works together. He has also been part of a four-year-long Dungeons and Dragons game with friends, proving he’s committed to seeing things through from start to finish.
Slate Charlotte
The Slate Building Group Difference
We approach every deal with the intent to create or enhance a long-term partnership with real estate investors. It’s not about us. We are a conduit to their success.
When You Work With Us, Our Mission Is To Have You Say We Were…
- Honest, caring and hardworking
- Professional and detail-oriented
- Enthusiastic and committed
- Knowledgeable problem solvers
- Efficient and profitable
