Hickory recognizes 2024 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners
In conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 18-24), the City of Hickory is proud to announce the 2024 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners: Dustin Davis with DDI of Hickory General Contractors; Caring Cremations; Catawba Valley Engineering & Testing; Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley; JK Landscaping & Grading, Inc.; Bumgarner Oil Company; Home Rule LLC; and Samurai Institute LLC.
Presented by the City’s Business Development Committee (BDC), the Business. Well Crafted. Awards annually honor businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs that support and affirm the City of Hickory's vision for economic vitality.
Congratulations to the following 2024 Business. Well Crafted. Awards winners:
Individual (Entrepreneur of the Year)
Dustin Davis, DDI of Hickory General Contractors
Dustin Davis is the CEO and president of DDI of Hickory General Contractors, a licensed commercial and residential builder headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina. DDI of Hickory was the vision and dream of Dustin Davis since his teenage years. Davis has a rich heritage of contractors and developers that dates back before the founding of Hickory itself.
The business was formed in 2006 and initially began building spec starter homes. During the recession, Davis was privileged to begin working at one of the most prestigious commercial builders in Western North Carolina. He worked his way from an entry level position to managing the pre-construction division of a quarter billion dollar commercial builder and developer. His extensive knowledge in the commercial industry helped to make DDI of Hickory General Contractors a residential success. His commitment to quality and integrity are displayed in both his professional contributions and community involvement.
Business or Organization (10 or fewer employees)
Caring Cremations
Founded in 2021, Caring Cremations is a compassionate service provider dedicated to supporting grieving families through the complexities of loss. Its mission is to offer comfort, trust, and assurance during one of life's most challenging moments by providing a full range of services similar to traditional funeral homes, but with a modern, personalized approach. This allows families to create meaningful memorials that truly reflect the unique lives of their loved ones. Additionally, Caring Cremations prioritizes affordability, ensuring that every family has access to dignified and respectful services. Since opening three years ago, Caring Cremations has served nearly 500 families, demonstrating significant growth in its capacity to provide compassionate care. The company’s service to pet families has increased from serving 200 pet families per year to over 1,500 annually across their companies, reflecting their commitment to meeting local needs.
Beyond its core services, Caring Cremations actively engages with the local community through various activities and organizations. In addition to participating in events such as Bark in the Park, the Annual Christmas Parade, Oktoberfest, and the Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and festival, Caring Cremations offers a grief support group for pet families that have experienced loss. These initiatives not only enhance community spirit, but also promote local engagement and economic growth. Through their services and community involvement, Caring Cremations strives to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Hickory, aligning closely with the City's vision for economic development.
Business or Organization (11 to 50 employees)
Catawba Valley Engineering & Testing
Founded in 2012 with four people, Catawba Valley Engineering & Testing (CVET) is a growing multidisciplinary firm with offices in Hickory and Shelby, North Carolina. CVET offers professional geotechnical engineering services, environmental services, construction materials testing, and special inspection services to developers, architects, contractors, municipalities, and property owners.
Having now grown to 30 employees and doubled its gross profit over the last few years, CVET prides itself in providing clients the personal service and value of a small firm with the same expertise and experience of larger firms. CVET has worked on many notable local projects, including the construction of the Hickory Trail, Hickory Aviation Museum, expansion of the Hickory Metro Convention Center, Home 2 Suites Hickory, renovation of the Hickory Foundation YMCA, upgrades to L.P. Frans Stadium, Lenoir-Rhyne University and Appalachian State University facilities, the Trivium Corporate Center and Microsoft datacenter buildings, along with various housing developments such as the urban BellaAge Adult Community, Preston Ridge, and Huffman Estates.
Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley (Habitat Catawba Valley) has been the primary provider of affordably built homes in the Hickory area. Habitat Catawba Valley operates several businesses including mortgage lending, home construction, home repairs, homebuyer education, a retail store, and a housing referral source for the community. The mission is to help people build a solid foundation by building or improving a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners build their homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With help from Habitat, they achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build a better life for themselves and their families, thus creating a stronger community.
Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is a nationally recognized affiliate for building energy efficient, affordable, and sustainable homes. Habitat Catawba Valley has expanded building capacity by shifting to more skilled construction labor, reducing the time it takes to build a home. This hybrid construction model uses volunteers to perform some of the labor with subcontractors complete more labor intensive and professional trade work. Focused on neighborhood revitalization, which reestablishes homeownership in low income communities, Habitat Catawba Valley’s current work building The Cottages at Ridgeview reclaimed nine vacant and abandoned home sites. When completed, The Cottages will provide 15 new affordable homes representing a $4 million investment in Ridgeview and the City of Hickory and an immeasurable investment in the lives of homebuyers.
JK Landscaping & Grading, Inc.
Established in 1986, JK Landscaping & Grading, Inc. (JKLG) specializes in residential and commercial site work, including land clearing, basement excavation, fine grading, brush cutting, shoreline work, storm drainage, parking lot renovation, demolition, and importing dirt, stone, large rocks, and all types of landscape materials.
JKLG is a licensed general contractor in both highway and public utility water lines and sewer lines, and a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) approved PO Prime Contractor and Subcontractor. The company utilizes GPS automation and machine control equipment to maximize efficiency. JKLG President Jeff Kerley is also very active in the Hickory community, having served on the Catawba County and Hickory Regional Planning Boards, assisted with Habitat for Humanity and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, and maintained memberships with The Chamber of Catawba County and Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley, Inc.
Business or Organization (51 or more employees)
Bumgarner Oil Company
Family owned and operated for seven decades, Bumgarner Oil Company is a residential and commercial fuel provider committed to fueling the community with integrity, hard work, and a relentless drive for improvement. Bumgarner Oil Company, Inc. was established in 1954 by brothers Glenn and C.W. (Tommy) Bumgarner and has grown over the years into a four bulk plant operation with 14 company-owned convenience stores. Having its own in-house hauling company, B&B Transport, ensures that the fueling needs of Bumgarner Oil customers are taken care of 24/7. Noticing a need for propane delivery, the company launched its propane division, Bumgarner Propane, in 2021.
Bumgarner Oil aims for excellence across all divisions by delivering top-tier service and fostering positive relationships with neighbors and employees. The company employs a total of approximately 240 people, with about 90 of those being full-time and the rest are part-time. As a third-generation Hickory business, Bumgarner Oil is very involved in the community and supports a variety of local initiatives and ministries that align with company values.
Woman-owned Business
Home Rule LLC
Christy McGlothlin is the founder and CEO of Home Rule LLC, a dedicated provider of private duty nursing and home care aide services that is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals and families across North Carolina. Based in downtown Hickory, Home Rule strives to deliver compassionate, personalized care that prioritizes the well-being, comfort, and dignity of its clients. Home Rule believes in fostering a supportive environment for both clients and caregivers, ensuring that every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered.
Over the past two to three years, Home Rule has experienced significant growth by expanding its Private Duty Nursing (PDN) services to additional regions and counties across North Carolina. While the business has always offered PDN, it now also provides aide and companion services, infusion services, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) to meet the evolving needs of clients. This expansion has driven the need for a larger team—not only increasing clinical staff, but also growing office staff to support these new services. As a result, Home Rule’s workforce now totals 93 dedicated employees. By broadening its offerings and geographic reach, Home Rule is well-positioned to contribute to the City of Hickory’s vision for economic development and sustainable growth.
Veteran-owned Business
Samurai Institute LLC
Military veteran and Hickory native Pete Nappier started the Samurai Institute in 2022 with the goal of creating a martial arts cognitive development center for children. With age-specific programs for one-year-olds up to adults, the Samurai Institute specializes in the defensive art of Aikido with emphasis on their award-winning bully-busters curriculum. Through the platform of martial arts at the Samurai Institute, kids can develop great learning habits and build their confidence.
The term "samurai" comes from the Japanese word saburau, meaning "to serve." The Samurai Institute intends to serve the community in every way possible through the discipline of martial arts and the science of cognitive learning. The Institute continues to see increases in student enrollment and strives to engage students with the community through volunteering.
“The Business Development Committee is proud to honor these eight award winners for their support of the City’s vision for economic vitality as well as their commitment to give back to their community,” said Doug Auer, chair of the BDC.
The 2024 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners will be recognized during the Hickory City Council meeting on Dec. 3 and will be featured in a series of videos shared over the next few months.
For more information about the Business Development Committee and its Business. Well Crafted. Awards, please contact City of Hickory Business and Community Development Manager Dave Leonetti at 828-261-2227 or dleonetti@hickorync.gov.
