Battlefield Home Services Remodeling Team
A remodeling project involves more than the work happening inside your home. It also depends on the people planning the project, coordinating the schedule, solving field conditions, communicating changes, and completing each phase correctly.
At Battlefield Home Services, our team includes company owners, project leadership, consultants, a foreman, and field technicians who work together on kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovation projects throughout Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.
Get to know the people behind the work, what they are responsible for, and where you may interact with them during your renovation.
RODNEY FENTRESS
FOUNDER/CO-OWNER | BATTLEFIELD HOME SERVICES
As the founder and co-owner of Battlefield Home Services, Rodney brings more than 30 years of leadership, operations, sales, and business experience to the company.
Before joining BHS, he served in the United States Marine Corps and spent most of his career in law enforcement, retiring as a Police Sergeant with the City of Norfolk. He later moved into real estate, becoming a licensed real estate broker, investor, and owner of Keyrenter of Hampton Roads, a residential property management company he founded in 2018.
His background in law enforcement, real estate, property management, and business ownership has given him extensive experience working with property owners, evaluating homes, managing teams, solving problems, and understanding what homeowners and investors expect from contractors and service providers.
At Battlefield Home Services, his role is focused primarily on ownership and executive leadership. He is responsible for business strategy, growth, financial performance, organizational development, staffing, internal processes, and major company decisions. He is not involved in the day-to-day estimating, project scoping, scheduling, or management of remodeling projects. Instead, he focuses on building the company, strengthening its internal systems, and developing the team needed to support its long-term operations.
He believes homeowners should receive more than a quality renovation. They should also receive clear communication, professionalism, accountability, and confidence in the company they are hiring. He places particular importance on integrity and does not believe the customer experience should be compromised for speed or short-term profit.
Hampton Roads has been home for most of his adult life, and his professional career has remained closely tied to the region through law enforcement, real estate, property management, investing, and home services.
Outside of work, he is committed to fitness and enjoys scuba diving, traveling, and spending time with his wife and family.
His role at Battlefield Home Services is primarily executive, so he is not routinely onsite during active remodeling projects. He remains closely involved in the overall direction, performance, and growth of the company.
MATTHEW SMITHSON
CO-OWNER | BATTLEFIELD HOME SERVICES
As a co-owner of Battlefield Home Services, Matt brings a background in military service, real estate, business consulting, sales, marketing, and business operations to the company.
After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, where he served as a Corpsman and Paramedic, Matt began working in real estate as a title and settlement agent. In 2012, he launched a business consulting practice and later started a residential real estate brokerage with his wife.
His experience across real estate, consulting, sales, marketing, and cost management has given him a practical understanding of business operations, customer relationships, financial decision-making, and the systems needed to support a growing company. A long-standing friendship with the company’s founder, combined with that experience, led Matt to join Battlefield Home Services as a co-owner in 2024.
At BHS, Matt’s role is focused primarily on the business side of the company. He contributes to strategy, growth, marketing, financial performance, cost management, and major business decisions while supporting the systems and processes that allow the field and project teams to operate effectively.
He believes homeowners should have a clear understanding of the company they are hiring and what they can expect throughout the remodeling process. His approach emphasizes professionalism, accountability, clear communication, and responsible business practices.
Matt’s role at Battlefield Home Services is primarily ownership and executive leadership, so he is not routinely involved in the day-to-day construction process. He remains closely involved in the overall direction, performance, and growth of the company.
The people behind your remodeling project
Different members of our team are involved at different stages of a renovation.
Some work with homeowners during the initial assessment and project planning. Others coordinate schedules, manage work in progress, supervise the jobsite, or perform the hands-on construction.
The goal is to keep responsibility clear from the first conversation through project completion.
KORTNI AUSTIN
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kortni serves as Director of Operations and Human Resources Manager at Battlefield Home Services, where she oversees renovation projects and helps coordinate the systems, people, and processes that keep work moving from planning through completion.
She brings more than a decade of executive leadership and operations experience. Before joining BHS, Kortni served as an Executive Director, managing teams, budgets, schedules, operations, and community partnerships. Her background also includes managing operations for a multi-state waste management corporation and working in a senior project management role at a regional demolition firm.
At Battlefield Home Services, Kortni helps guide projects through each stage by coordinating estimates, contracts, selections, materials, scheduling, client communication, billing, and project documentation. Her strengths include organization, scope management, financial oversight, communication, and process improvement.
She believes a successful remodeling project starts with a clearly defined scope, realistic expectations, and consistent communication. Her role is focused on keeping projects organized, making sure responsibilities are clear, and helping the team address issues before they create unnecessary delays or confusion.
GEORGE BUNCH
SENIOR PROJECT CONSULTANT
George holds the most senior leadership role at Battlefield Home Services, reporting directly to ownership and overseeing strategy, operations, and company growth. He brings more than 20 years of construction and operational leadership experience to the role and holds a Virginia Class A RBC Contractor’s License.
Before joining Battlefield Home Services, George began his career in strategic finance as a financial analyst after graduating from James Madison University. He later transitioned into construction, where he gained extensive hands-on experience managing large-scale residential renovations and additions under the guidance of a veteran contractor.
George went on to establish and operate his own contracting business, further developing his experience in project oversight, business operations, customer relationships, and construction management.
At Battlefield Home Services, he combines his financial background, construction knowledge, and leadership experience to help guide company strategy, strengthen operations, and support the continued development of the team and business.
JACK PATTON
FOREMAN
Jack is a second-generation carpenter and custom cabinetmaker with a background rooted in hands-on woodworking from an early age. Over the years, he has developed strong technical skill in custom cabinetry and finish carpentry, with particular attention to accuracy, fit, and detail.
His experience gives him a practical understanding of how materials, measurements, and installation details come together in a finished space.
At Battlefield Home Services, Jack applies that experience to renovation projects that require careful craftsmanship and precise execution. His approach is centered on preparation, consistency, and making sure each detail is completed correctly before moving on to the next stage of work.
ROD DOWDY
LEAD INSTALLER
Rod brings more than 35 years of construction experience to the field team.
A native of western Virginia, Rod has worked across a wide range of residential construction and remodeling projects, giving him broad hands-on experience with the day-to-day demands of active job sites. He is particularly skilled in professional drywall finishing and texturing.
At Battlefield Home Services, Rod helps keep projects moving according to schedule while maintaining attention to quality and workmanship. He works closely with the rest of the field team to make sure each phase is ready for the next.
Rod’s approach is grounded in experience, consistency, and completing the work correctly so the finished project meets both company standards and homeowner expectations.
WES MANNING
JUNIOR INSTALLER
Wes serves as a Junior Installer at Battlefield Home Services, bringing a growing technical foundation in plumbing, electrical systems, and general construction.
He is a quick learner with a strong interest in understanding how different building systems work together. That curiosity allows him to pick up new methods, tools, and techniques quickly and apply them effectively in the field.
At Battlefield Home Services, Wes supports the installation team across a variety of remodeling tasks while continuing to expand his skills and experience. He approaches the trade with focus, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from more experienced team members.
Wes is committed to building a long-term career in construction and continuing to develop his technical knowledge as he takes on more responsibility in the field.
The team behind the scenes
Not every member of the Battlefield Home Services team works from a jobsite.
Some roles are handled virtually and focus on the systems, communication, scheduling, marketing, and administrative work that support projects before, during, and after construction.
These team members work closely with the owners, project staff, and field crew to keep the business organized and make sure homeowners receive consistent information throughout their experience with Battlefield Home Services.
MAE DAPITAN
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mae is working closely with the Director of Operations to support client projects from initial planning through completion.
Her role covers several parts of the company’s day-to-day operations, including project databases, scheduling, fleet coordination, financial administration, and client communication. She helps keep project information organized and makes sure important updates, documents, and next steps are tracked as work moves through each stage.
Mae also supports coordination between the office, project leadership, and field team, helping maintain clear communication across active projects. Her work is centered on organization, follow-through, and keeping internal processes aligned so the team has the information needed to move projects forward efficiently.
Working primarily in an operations-focused role, Mae helps support both the customer experience and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep Battlefield Home Services running smoothly.
HOPE BUNAG
MARKETING MANAGER
Hope oversees the company’s digital marketing, advertising, social media, and online presence.
She began her career with BHS as a Customer Service Representative, giving her firsthand experience with the questions, concerns, and expectations homeowners have when they first contact the company. Over time, she transitioned into marketing and took on responsibility for how Battlefield Home Services presents its services and communicates with prospective customers across digital channels.
At BHS, Hope manages the company’s website, search engine optimization, local search presence, paid advertising campaigns, social media, content development, lead tracking, and marketing analytics. She works closely with ownership, operations, and project leadership to make sure the information homeowners see online accurately reflects the services BHS provides and the way the company operates.
Hope is also involved in developing internal AI tools and workflows that support marketing, operations, and customer communication. Her focus is on using these systems practically, improving efficiency while keeping information accurate and the customer experience consistent.
Working primarily in a virtual role, Hope collaborates with the BHS team behind the scenes to support lead generation, brand consistency, customer communication, and the company’s continued growth.
How our team works together
A homeowner may work with several BHS team members over the course of a renovation.
Initial consultation and assessment
The Senior Project Consultant meets with the homeowner to review the space, discuss the requested work, and gather information needed to define the project.
Project preparation
Once a project moves forward, the Project Manager and company leadership coordinate the scope, schedule, materials, and field requirements.
Active construction
The Foreman and Field Technicians complete and coordinate the day-to-day work onsite. The Project Manager remains involved with scheduling, communication, project changes, and other issues that need coordination beyond the jobsite.
Project completion
The team reviews remaining work, completes applicable punch-list items, and coordinates the final stages of the project with the homeowner.
Remodeling services our team works on
Battlefield Home Services works on residential renovation projects in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.
Our primary services include:
Projects may include layout changes, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, flooring, lighting, plumbing and electrical coordination, drywall, islands, and other construction required for a complete kitchen renovation.
Bathroom projects may include shower conversions, waterproofing, tile, vanities, flooring, fixtures, glass, plumbing changes, electrical work, and related renovation work.
For projects involving several rooms or larger changes to the home, our team coordinates work across multiple areas under one renovation scope.
Meet with Our Team About Your Remodeling Project
If you are planning a kitchen, bathroom, or whole-home renovation in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or Norfolk, the first step is a Free Onsite Assessment.
We will review the space, discuss the work you are considering, and determine the next steps based on the project.
Battlefield Home Services. Done right the first time.
GET STARTED
Request Your Free Onsite Assessment
Tell us about your project. A team member will reach out to confirm it and schedule your assessment.
Prefer to Talk?
Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat & Sun: Closed
Rating
⭐ 4.9 across 60+ Google reviews