The Man Behind the Build: My Story  

It Started with a Girl and a Block.

Before I was a business owner or a master carpenter, I was just a kid in Norfolk. I grew up one block away from a girl named Tracy. I was seven, she was six, and we were childhood playmates. We acted like brother and sister back then, but life has a funny way of circling back.

We reconnected as teenagers in an arcade, and by 12 years old, we were each other's "firsts"—first kiss, first love, and the only person we ever really wanted to be with. In 1994, at age 17, we went "all in." We’ve been together ever since.

Forged in the Fire

Tracy and I have lived ten lifetimes in the last 30 years. We’ve had the "big houses" and the nice cars, and we’ve been homeless and broke. We’ve navigated the trauma of loss, the grit of recovery, a near-death car accident, and legal troubles.

But through every valley, we found something stronger: God. My relationship with the Holy Spirit and the Pentecostal Church changed me from the inside out. It turned me from a guy who just worked with his hands into a man who leads with his heart. Today, as an ordained minister, I don’t just build structures; I try to help people build their lives through spiritual warfare and counseling.

The "Master" in the Work

Professionally, I’ve spent over 25 years perfecting the craft of construction. I started in the shipyards and worked my way up to being one of only four master trim carpenters selected to finish a $41.75 million estate on the Eastern Shore. Whether it’s the high-end commercial work at The Rotunda or building a home from the ground up, I’m a "details" guy. If a circuit board is broken, I fix it. If a car engine is knocking, I tear it down. If a business needs a plan, I write it.

The Surprise Joy

We raised two great kids, Keith and Amber, who are grown and living their own lives now. We thought we were entering a quiet chapter. Then, in our mid-forties, God gave us Oakley.

Our "surprise love child" changed everything. Raising a toddler (who happens to be an incredible, autistic first-grader) while living in my childhood home on Lesnar Avenue to care for my widowed mother—that’s my real life. It’s busy, it’s loud, and it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of.

Why I Built This Site

I’m a songwriter, a drummer, a chemist, a carpenter, and a digital creator. I created NealVa.com because I wanted one place where all these worlds could live together.

I’m the guy who can build your house, repair your piano, produce your music video, and then pray with you when things get heavy. I believe in doing everything with excellence because that’s the only way I know how to live.

Thanks for stopping by and getting to know the man behind the businesses. Let’s build something together.