Outside of Philadelphia, born and raised. In his dad’s workshop is where he spent most of his days…

Mark is the third generation of his family to be involved in the design and construction industry. Being born into a family of craftsman, there is no wonder what influenced his passion for the trade.

Upon graduation from Villanova University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Mark spent some time living in the US Virgin Islands. After accomplishing many successes within the hospitality industry, Mark couldn’t shake his daydream to become a craftsman in the construction industry and relocated to North Carolina in 1999, where he turned his dream into a reality.

Mark incorporated Schmidt Custom Builders in 2004, and from its inception, focused the company’s efforts on luxury residential custom home construction. Under his leadership, the company has completed numerous high-end projects. Mark’s unwavering emphasis on maintaining solid client relationships and delivering superior customer service has been vital to the company’s success.

After working several years alongside Wilmington's notable Interior Designer, Jo Howell, his appreciation and understanding of the importance of design within construction strengthened. In 2021, Schmidt Custom Builders partnered with Ginger Interiors by Jo Howell as a Design+Build and together they opened their first brick and mortar space in the Wrightsville beach area.

Mark is an involved leader in both industry and community organizations. He is a member of The Southern Living Custom Builder Program – a network of some of the finest custom homebuilders in the South. Mark is also a co-founder of The Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club (WBPC), LLC. WBPC was formed in 2010 with a desire to foster the local, regional and national community of stand up paddlers. From there, The Carolina Cup was born, one of the top races in the world, and has since then become an annual attraction for elite athletes across the globe.

Mark resides in Wilmington, NC with his two children, and two fur babies. He is an avid surfer, and paddler, along with his kids; and a beloved Wilmington local.

Jo is an experienced Interior Designer providing high quality residential interiors across the North Carolina tri-state area.

Jo has a strong eye for pairing the traditional and contemporary, a self-confessed textile fanatic and color enthusiast. She enjoys working in close collaboration with the client to create an environment that works perfectly in both form and function.

Jo has a degree in Interior Design from Appalachian State University. Her 19 years professional experience spans the globe; from her internship studying the British design community in London, to training directly alongside Wilmington’s architectural icon, Michael Morefield, where she was heavily influenced by his innate sense for historical preservation and custom design.

In her downtime she enjoys spending quality time with her people, including being a full-time mama to her two kids. She believes living close to nature and spending ample time outdoors isn’t just good for the soul, but also for the mind and body. It’s no secret that she has a hard time sitting still - water sports, biking, running, as well as alpine skiing in her favorite annual destination set in the Rocky Mountains of Telluride, Colorado.