Walt Dunn and Gordon Bridgers started Coastal Building Solutions 25 years ago when they were “poor carpenters,” as Walt describes them. “We were both born and raised in Pitt County, so we wanted to establish our company in our hometown,” Walt says. The team at Coastal Building Solutions has more than 100 years of combined experience and works on a variety of projects including restaurants, shopping malls, medical facilities, office buildings, hotels and lodging, institutional buildings, industrial structures, and sports facilities and arenas.

Whether the project is large or small, Coastal Building Solutions has a reputation for excellence. “We like to say when you choose our team, you are not just getting a contractor, you are getting a partner committed to helping you achieve your goals,” Walt says.

Some recent projects include the bridge at Brook Valley Golf Course in Greenville, which is a popular spot for weddings and receptions. They also rebuilt the marina at Fairfield Harbour on the Neuse River in New Bern.

The team at Coastal Building Solutions rebuilt the bridge at the Brook Valley Golf Course in Greenville. 

“We do a lot of work for the school systems and the county governments in our area,” Walt says. The company recently finished building the entire complex for the Farmville Central High School’s softball team in Farmville, NC.

As active members of their community, Walt and Gordon were quick to jump in recently to help Operation Sunshine, a Pitt County nonprofit that provides afterschool and summer programs for young girls. “I was at the Greenville TowneBank office when Katrina Rheinfrank approached me and asked if we would be willing to patch a leaking roof at Operation Sunshine,” Walt says. Gordon and Walt went over to the facility, took a look at the roof, and quickly realized the project required more than a patching job. “We did about $7,000 worth of repairs to hold them over, but we both knew Operation Sunshine needed a new roof,” Walt says.

Veronica Stokes serves as executive director of Operation Sunshine. “Veronica gives so much of herself. She retired from teaching school and now gives all her time to Operation Sunshine,” Walt says. “We are so thankful this organization exists to help young girls and that they have someone so wonderful running it. Gordon and I had a heartfelt moment and decided we would give Operation Sunshine a new roof.” 

In the end, three groups stepped up to help Coastal Building secure funding and materials for the roof replacement: ABC Supply Company, Coastal Building’s major roofing supplier, led by managing partner Chad Bolt; Pitt County Schools, in coordination with Beth Ulffers, director of outreach and public relations; and TowneBank, with the support of Glenn Marsh and Greg Steele.

“We are from Greenville. We were born here; we work and live here. These are our neighbors so that’s what we do. If everybody would help a little bit, what a great world it would be,” Walt says. “We are looking to get the new roof installed by the end of February and I can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of the girls at Operation Sunshine.”

Coastal Building Solutions joined the TowneBank family about a year ago. “We decided that we needed a better financial institution than the one we were using so one afternoon we just walked into TowneBank as average vagrants off the street,” Walt laughs. “TowneBank set up our commercial accounts, loaned us money to buy trucks and equipment, and we are now working with Towne Insurance, too.”

“Coastal Building Solutions has been such a great addition to the Towne family,” says Katrina. “Walt and Gordon are always so easy to talk to, whether it’s about their current local projects or the positive changes they’re making in the Greenville community. When we needed help with Operation Sunshine, I barely got the words out before Walt said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll help.’ Their support and willingness to step up make them a true standout.”

For more information, visit BuildingSolved.com.