Howie Webb
My name is Howie Webb and I am the Founder and President of Ashland Custom Homes. I was born and raised in the small, Midwestern town of Ashland, Ohio – the namesake of the company. Ashland is located on I-71 about an hour North of Columbus or an hour Southwest of Cleveland. It was there that I enjoyed a strong traditional upbringing by my parents, who still reside in Ashland, along with my sister and her family.
During my years in Ashland, I formed a strong belief about the way we should conduct ourselves. My family, my church and my friends all helped to shape this belief. During my teen years I was selected to serve as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland. I also spent several years in the Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Upon graduating from Ashland High School I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated with a degree in Engineering in 1990. From 1990-1995, I served as a Field Artillery officer in the US Army, including three years of overseas assignments. Finally, I moved to Charlotte in 1995 to work with a Fortune 100 company in facility automation system design, consulting and project management for commercial construction. Today I enjoy living in South Charlotte with my wife, Karen, daughter, Miller and son, Eli.
These are some of the events in my life that helped to define the things I believe in and shape me into the person I am today. I hope that they help provide you with some insight into the Ashland Custom Homes philosophy, and what we mean when we say we are Building Homes with Character.
Ed Riesmeyer
My name is Ed Riesmeyer and I am the co-owner of Ashland Custom Homes. I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO until 1982, when my father’s career transferred our family to Atlanta. After completing high school there, I moved to Charlotte to attend college. My parents, three sisters and their families, still enjoy the ever-expanding Atlanta landscape.
After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Marketing, I accepted a position with a promotions company, which involved traveling for a year to over 30 college campuses promoting various products. During this time I developed an appreciation of our countries wide range of communities, cultures, and architecture.
The majority of my work experience has been with a Fortune 500 hardware and tool manufacturer in the home improvement industry. After 10 years and several moves throughout the southeast, I found my way back to the Queen City. It is here that I had the opportunity to join forces with Howie and do what I truly love — build homes.
Building has always been a strong influence in my life. My grandfather was a homebuilder, my uncle was a general contractor, and my father is the world’s handiest handy man. Now, I am building homes for people to live in, to grow in, and to raise a family in. My wife Trisha and I enjoy our four wonderful boys, who inspire us to be great parents. I hope the home that we build for you will provide you with a place to foster cherished memories.
About The Name
The Original Ashland
The name Ashland was used as the name for the country estate of Henry Clay, in Lexington, Kentucky. Clay is regarded by many historians as one of the greatest United States Senators, and was dubbed “The Great Compromiser” for his innate ability to bring opposing sides together, as demonstrated on the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. The estate was believed to have been named “Ash Land” by Clay himself for the many majestic Ash trees that were originally located on the grounds. Today, the Clay estate is registered as a National Historic Landmark, and still welcomes thousands of visitors each year. (www.henryclay.org)
Interesting Facts About Ash Trees
The two most popular varieties of ash tree found in North America are the white ash and the mountain ash. The white ash is often compared to the oak, and may grow to one hundred feet in about one hundred and twenty years. You can recognize ash trees by their leaves, which are divided into many pairs of leaflets with a single leaflet at the tip, and by the seeds with their long wings. Individual trees may live in excess of 400 years. The extremely tough timber was used to make aircraft wings during World War II, is still used today for making hockey sticks and rowing oars.
The American mountain ash is grown throughout most of North America and reaches a maximum height of thirty feet. This tree produces flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers every spring. Those blooms yield to clusters of red berries in the summertime. The fall foliage color for the mountain ash is a lovely amber-yellow.
Of all the ash trees, it is the European ash that is most famous in literature. In Norse mythology a particular European ash tree called, “Yggdrasil” supports the very universe. But just as the Norse gods are doomed to succumb eventually to their foes, the Giants, so even this tree is not invincible. A terrible serpent gnaws at its root in “Niflheim,” and the great ash someday will come crashing down — and along with it, the universe.
The Real Truth About Ashland Custom Homes
Never mind that last part about the universe crashing down! The real reason that I named this company Ashland Custom Homes is because I spent 18 years growing up in the quaint Midwestern town called Ashland, Ohio. It is a Norman Rockwell-type town where people get to know their neighbors, and where you make the kind of friends that stay with you for life.
When I think of home, I think of Ashland. And if you are considering a renovation of your current home or a new home for your family, I hope you will think of Ashland Custom Homes to see if we might be a good fit for you.
– Howie Webb, Founder and President