Gray Venables of Marnie Custom Homes, Awarded 2026 Project Manager of the Year by the Homebuilders Association of Delaware
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026
Gray Venables Awarded 2026 Project Manager of the Year by the Homebuilders Association of Delaware
About the Award
The Regal Awards, presented annually by the Home Builders Association of Delaware, honor the highest-performing professionals in the state’s home building industry. The Project Manager of the Year award recognizes an individual who consistently delivers exceptional results across complex builds, demonstrates outstanding client communication, and elevates standards for the entire industry. In 2026, Marnie Custom Homes swept every major ‘Of the Year’ category — earning 16 awards total, the most in company history.
The Honoree
Gray Venables, Senior Project Manager at Marnie Custom Homes, was named Project Manager of the Year at the 2026 Regal Awards. Gray, a Delaware native, brings deep roots to the work as his family owned a large commercial construction company in the Delmarva region, and he once served as a Bethany Beach lifeguard before building a career in the communities he loves. Since joining Marnie Custom Homes, Gray has managed some of the company’s most ambitious and complex builds, consistently delivering on budget, on schedule, and to the highest design standard.
Gray’s leadership style is defined by calm confidence, collaborative problem-solving, and an unwavering focus on the client experience. His work earned him Pro Builder’s ’40 Under 40′ Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the national home building industry. In his role, Gray supports the Director of Construction by overseeing schedules, quality control, and subcontractor coordination across multiple simultaneous builds. He is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of project managers at MCH. Clients frequently describe his communication, transparency, and ability to turn a complex build into a smooth, enjoyable experience.
“Gray may be the most professional, organized, patient and understanding person I’ve met in 25 years of construction management. Throughout our build, he kept one thing at the forefront, that we were building a dream home for multiple generations of our family, and he delivered it in just over eight months.” — Steve & Christine Cataldo, North Bethany Beach Homeowners
Looking Ahead
Gray Venables continues to raise the bar at Marnie Custom Homes as a Senior Project Manager overseeing some of the firm’s most demanding coastal builds. His recognition as Project Manager of the Year reflects not only his personal excellence but the culture of craftsmanship and dedication that defines Marnie Custom Homes.
“Gray sets the standard for what a project manager should be. He is calm under pressure, meticulous in execution, and completely devoted to the families who trust us with their dream homes. We are so lucky to have him.” – Marnie Oursler, President & Owner, Marnie Custom Homes
About Marnie Custom Homes
Based in Bethany Beach, DE, Marnie Custom Homes specializes in building custom beach homes using sustainable and locally sourced materials. The team at Marnie Custom Homes builds an average of 12-15 custom homes per year, with 37 oceanfront home and 150 built to date. President Marnie Oursler became the first female to receive the National Association of Home Builder’s Custom Home Builder of the Year Award—the highest distinction in the industry. Each one of Marnie Custom Homes showcases innovative use of materials, impeccable craftsmanship, brilliant design sense, and unparalleled work ethic. The brand continues to revolutionize the industry with a fresh approach to established building practices and processes. More info at www.marniehomes.com or follow along on Instagram @marnieoursler.