Company Story
The Hagood family’s roots run deep in South Carolina. Johnson Hagood built his first home in Barnwell, South Carolina, under the moss-covered oaks and towering pines of the low country. Today, Jim Kenny follows in his great- grandfather’s footsteps as a small local builder of custom homes. Jim and his wife Troy Kenny started designing custom crafted homes over 25 years ago in Wilmington, North Carolina. Over the years, the name Hagood Homes became synonymous with not only beauty and style, but also modern amenities and value. Each of their dedicated employees shares their passion for professionalism, integrity and quality.
Meet Our Team
Jim Kenny, President
Jim Kenny, co-founder of Hagood Homes, has been building homes in the Carolinas since 1988. Jim is drawn to the satisfaction of accomplishing something meaningful every day. From digging a footing to support a foundation to doing the final touch-up cleaning to welcome a family home, Jim enjoys the entire homebuilding process. Since 1996, Jim and co-founder Troy Kenny have been at the helm of Hagood Homes. Together, they’ve completed more than 1,500 homes. Jim has served as president of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association and a member of the North Carolina Building Code Council. In 2019, Jim and Troy were inducted into the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association Hall of Fame in Wilmington, N.C. Jim takes seriously the responsibility of building homes where family memories are created and cherished. However, his biggest joy may come from participating in the building of Troy’s one-of-a-kind creations. Jim and Troy have four adult children and one new grandson. When not working, you will find Jim on the water with Troy in their boat, cooking on his Big Green Egg, or walking their spoiled dogs.
Troy Kenny, Designer and Co-Founder
Troy Kenny, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Hagood Homes, has been integrally involved in homebuilding since 1990. Troy’s love of the industry is evidenced by the fact that she majored in interior design and became a licensed real estate agent in college. While other kids her age were doing what college kids do, Troy took the steps necessary to start a homebuilding company that would bring her creations to existence. Her real passion is designing homes, something she has been doing since she was a child. Troy has designed all 1,500 of the homes that Hagood Homes has built. When asked why she and her husband, Jim Kenny, have lived in so many homes, 14 in 26 years of marriage, she says, “It’s like a painter being able to live in his or her paintings. I want to live in, experience, and learn from my designs." Troy's passion for great design is all-encompassing. While she may forget a homebuyer’s name, she’ll never forget their home, which is the ultimate compliment from Troy. Troy is widely appreciated in the homebuilding industry. She regularly designs homes for individuals on the Intracoastal Waterway and barrier islands in the Carolinas. In 2019, Troy was inducted into the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association Hall of Fame in Wilmington, N.C. Troy and Jim have four adult children and one new grandson. When Troy is not working, you will find her doodling homes, looking at architectural magazines, exercising, riding and napping on a boat with her husband, or walking their spoiled dogs.
Oswaldo Balza, Construction Manager
Oswaldo Balza was born in Venezuela and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1997. He graduated from University of South Carolina in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. An entrepreneur, Oswaldo has owned a stucco, painting and dry wall company in Hilton Head and a coffee company in Ecuador. After moving back to the United States, he returned to the construction industry and joined the Hagood Homes team. Oswaldo is married, has three children, and is an active community volunteer.