MHD Builds has a talented crew that works together tirelessly in a team effort to exceed our clients’ expectations.

Mary Denby, Owner

MHD Builds is a woman-owned residential construction company based in Alexandria, VA, founded by Mary Denby, an architect-turned-builder with close to two decades of hands-on experience in home renovations, additions, and design-build projects across Del Ray, Old Town, and surrounding neighborhoods. Mary who up in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and spent a decade in architecture practice before bringing her design sensibility to the world of construction in 2007. She founded MHD Builds in 2015. Mary has lived in Alexandria for over twenty years which is long enough to know every neighborhood’s personality, building quirks, and what it takes to renovate a home here with the care it deserves. She and her husband and two college aged kids are proud Del Ray residents, and that community connection is at the heart of everything MHD Builds does. When she’s away from work, she likes to garden, volunteer and travel extensively to visit new places and learn about new cultures.

Jessica Waldorf, Project Manager

As MHD Builds’ Project Manager, Jessica owns the full production operation managing construction schedules, coordinating field crews, tracking every moving part across active job sites, and making sure that what gets designed actually gets built on time and on budget. She brings 20 years of experience to the role, with a career that spans a family tile business, interior design, and residential construction, a combination that gives her a rare ability to see a project from every angle, from the first material selection to the final punch list. A South Florida native with a bachelor’s degree in interior design, Jessica arrived at construction through a path that was anything but conventional, and that breadth shows in the way she runs a job site. Nothing falls through the cracks. Nothing gets missed. When she’s not keeping the operation humming, Jessica is out on the trails with her husband and dog, logging miles and recharging for the week ahead.

Carla Hart, Estimator

Carla brings a wealth of experience to MHD Builds, working in the construction field previously in sales, estimating, design, selections, and on-site project management, her transition into the MHD Estimator role was seamless. With over 10 years of experience in estimating. Known for her collaborative spirit and dedication to continuous learning, Carla has a unique background that includes construction remodeling, government security with the Department of Defense, and work as a licensed private investigator with the Department of Criminal Justice. Her knack for research and critical thinking enhances her effectiveness in her current role. She excels in cost estimating, collaborating with the design team and project manager, and conducting trade walks to ensure job site readiness. Carla enjoys playing cornhole and DIY home projects and volunteering.  Carla gives her time to the Special Olympics of Virginia and Serving Our Willing Warriors, helping soldiers find their footing after Walter Reed and Fort Belvoir.

Stephanie Arbieto, Architectural Designer

Stephanie is an Alexandria native who has spent her entire career designing spaces in the community she grew up in and that local fluency shows in every project she touches. With over 10 years of architectural experience, she brings a practiced eye for how homes should feel, flow, and function across every stage of life. Stephanie is currently pursuing her architectural licensure and holds a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, reflecting her genuine passion for designing homes that adapt to the people who live in them not the other way around. When she’s not at the drawing board, you’ll find her winning at board games at a local brewery or out exploring Alexandria’s neighborhoods with her partner and two dogs.

Evan Bacino, Selections Coordinator

Raised in Old Town Alexandria, our Selections Coordinator has spent her whole life surrounded by the region’s homes, neighborhoods, and design sensibility. With a background spanning theatre, interior design, and a career in fashion and sales, she brings an unusually creative and detail-oriented eye to the selections process. Design runs in the family as her mother is an interior designer and that lifelong passion for beautiful, functional spaces is something your home will feel firsthand. When she’s not helping clients find the perfect finish, she’s at home with her husband and two toddler boys, the oldest of three sisters who clearly inherited the design gene.

Enrique Mendez, Alvaro Mendez, Dario Cruz & Cristian Mendez, Lead Carpenters

When it comes to residential construction in Alexandria, VA, experience matters and our carpentry team has it in depth. Lead carpenters Enrique Mendez, Alvaro Mendez, Dario Cruz, and Cristian Mendez bring a collective 70+ years of expertise in home additions, whole-home renovations and historic preservation across Del Ray, Old Town, and throughout Alexandria. Enrique has anchored our team since MHD Builds’ founding, bringing unmatched technical expertise and a reputation for solving the toughest field challenges. Alvaro joined in 2016 and leads with the kind of calm authority that keeps complex renovation projects moving. Dario has specialized in home additions since 2021 and recently stepped into leading his own crew, driven by a genuine passion for the craft. Cristian joined in 2019 and has steadily built his way to lead carpenter through precision, skill, and no shortage of personality. Each lead partners with a dedicated skilled carpenter, ensuring that every Alexandria home renovation we touch is executed with the care and quality our clients expect.