Recently, Mike Guinan and Scott Brown, the principals who lead Pine Mountain Builders, shared a little about their firm and philosophy of home building that they bring to Blalock Lakes. Mike and Scott both have been involved in many aspects of the construction business for over two decades with experience ranging from commercial to residential, from condominiums to single family homes.

Mike and Scott are both honor graduates from college programs in Building Construction: Mike from Southern Tech in Marietta, and Scott from the University of Florida. Scott also received a Masters in Real Estate Development from M.I.T. "Even more importantly, we both have work experience from field positions like carpenter or laborer, through field superintendent and project management," says Mike.

Both Mike and Scott worked with Lane Company's construction division, leaving in 1996 to start their own firm - Fortress Construction. After working with Cousins Properties Incorporated for a number of years building complex clubhouses and amenities in their developments, Scott and Mike's firm, Fortress Construction, became managing partner in Pine Mountain Builders - a joint venture building company with a subsidiary of Cousins. "Honesty, integrity and a hard work ethic are core values we share with Cousins, which is why we think we work so well together," says Scott.

Mike agrees. "From the beginning, we have always believed in teamwork and the value of every employee on the team. We recognize that nothing good happens without exceptional and motivated people throughout our organization." Everyone on the Pine Mountain Builders team brings a wealth of valuable experience from residential construction, woodworking, commercial building, management, administration, and development.

"Our diverse backgrounds and wide ranges of experience provide Pine Mountain Builders with great creativity and powerful problemsolving abilities during the design and construction processes," says Scott. Mike adds, "And that helps us provide our customers with a superior value in every home we build."

Pine Mountain Builders holds the prestigious Certified Professional Home Builder designation from the Atlanta Home Builders Association, as well as the Earthcraft certification from the Southface Energy Institute, which designates them as a Green Builder. "Being Green really means that we build a home with quality materials and proper techniques to provide a 30-50% energy savings - that produces a durable and healthy home environment without damaging the environment." says Mike. Scott adds, "We have really taken to this building ethic and its sustainable practices. It's right in line with the quality and value ethic that we have always believed in."