Employee Spotlight

Julie Glew Crouch - General Manager

Working in the design industry was always a passion of mine. To follow through on that passion, I dedicated my education to Interior Design and Business studies at East Carolina University. I have served many roles in the various Custom Home family of stores throughout the years, and currently am General Manager over Custom Home Furniture Galleries, Custom Home Staging and Designs and niche. Décor and Gifts. As a true Carolina Girl I cannot get enough of the beach, and I have converted my husband into an equally big lover of the Coast! On any given weekend you can find us somewhere near the salt water, with our two fur babies Nattie and Minnie in tow. julie@shopcustomhome.com

Jasmine Sredanovich - Store Manager

I have lived in Wilmington for over 20 years and I love it here! I started my design career in textiles and its been a natural progression to incorporate furniture. I have a passion to make a house a home for every client, whether that means starting from the ground up or adding that one showcase piece to an existing space. My time away from work is spent on the beach or with my children, likely on the soccer field:) jasmine@shopcustomhome.com

Rodney Pallang - Sales Manager

I have lived and worked in Wilmington for 26 years. I've been in the furniture industry for 32 years, over eleven years with Custom Home Furniture Galleries. My time off is spent watching and enjoying my children growing up in Wilmington. rodney@shopcustomhome.com

Mike Carlough - Operations Manager

I have been a part of the team at Custom Home Furniture Galleries since 2006. I started out as part of the warehouse team making deliveries, then managed our customer service department, and then on to operations manager. I have learned a great deal about this ever changing industry over the years and every day brings another new experience. I have lived in Wilmington since 1993 and this is my home. Most of my time is spent having fun with my wife and two children! I am also an active musician. I play many instruments, but mainly guitar. I have always enjoyed being a musical artist. I look forward to working with everyone and making some new friends in the process. mike@shopcustomhome.com

Ben Currie - Customer Service

I have been at Custom Home Furniture Galleries since 2013. After excelling in furniture repair I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity in customer service, I enjoy doing it each day. I am an avid fisherman, there is nothing I love more than my wife, and being on the water. I look forward to helping our customers, and making sure every experience with our company is a good one. service@shopcustomhome.com

Audie Wages - Assistant Warehouse Manager

Wilmington has been my home since 2005. I started at Custom Home Furniture in 2019 as a warehouse employee. I quickly learned the operations of the warehouse and advanced to my current position as Assistant Manager. I have enjoyed growing in my role and look forward to my future with the company. In my spare time I like to watch & play sports, hangout with friends & family, and play with my handsome dog, Jack. warehouse@shopcustomhome.com

John Rainey - Sleep Shop Manager

It only took me a few years after graduating from the University of Delaware in the mid 80’s that the North was not for me. Having family here in Wilmington, I was very familiar with the area after vacationing many times and knew this was the place for me. I’ve been in Wilmington now for half of my life and have been in the mattress industry for 35 years. I feel blessed that John and Kevin Gray hired me to manage the Sleep Shop in 2012. The most satisfying part of my job is when customers come back in the store and thank me for helping them select a mattress which has improved their quality of sleep. I look forward to being a part of Custom Home for many years to come. johnrainey@shopcustomhome.com

Lindsay Casteen - Sales Associate & Assistant Store Merchandiser

I have been with Custom Home Furniture Galleries since 2016, and I obtained my two year degree in interior design at Cape Fear Community College while working as a sales associate. I love to use my design skills to help any clients of mine that are in need of new furniture and to make their home look like what they have been searching for. In my spare time I like to spend time with friends, family and my handsome dog Beau. lindsay@shopcustomhome.com

Brenda Ellingson - Sales Associate

I am originally from High Point, NC. I attended High Point University and grew up around the furniture industry. I have been a design consultant with Custom Home Furniture Galleries for 12 years but have 40 plus years working in a furniture or design capacity. In my spare time I like to travel, am an avid reader and a creative cook. I also enjoy giving back to my community through volunteering. brenda@shopcustomhome.com

Jane Excell - Sales Associate

I have enjoyed being in the furniture business as a design consultant for 30 years, the last 12 with Custom Home Furniture Galleries. I have lived in Wilmington since the age of 2 and have never found any reason or desire to leave this little bit of paradise! People from all over the country are finding out about our wonderful area and moving here in droves! I truly enjoy meeting them all, as well as those who have lived here for ages, helping them put together the home of their dreams. With so many choices to make, often times a client can be overwhelmed by the entire process. I can help them figure out their most essential priorities and walk them through the entire process. During my off time I enjoy being with my family and friends, my church family, cooking, reading, working all the puzzles in the daily newspaper, and going to the beach or pool! jane@shopcustomhome.com

Isabelle Ireland - Sales Associate

My background with retail furniture sales began over 30 years ago when I obtained my bachelors degree in Interior Design from Florida International University in Miami, Fl. I designed model homes for builders, and had an extensive residential private clientele for several years which transitioned to showroom sales at DCOTA in Dania Beach, Fl (Design Center Of The Americas) . I am privileged to be a part of the sales team with Custom Home and enjoy building new relationships with customers whether the goal is to replace existing furniture, or designing a new space to create an environment of their utmost expectations. isabelle@shopcustomhome.com

Nicole Elsaesser - Sales Associate

Born and raised in the Netherlands, I moved to the USA in 1989 and lived in Connecticut for many years before moving to Wilmington in 2015. I have been in a family furniture business for over 20 years, having learned every angle of the business from design to sales and marketing. I strive to create spaces that are functional, friendly and beautiful. In my spare time, I like to travel as much as possible and spend time on the beautiful beaches in the Wilmington area with family and friends. nicole@shopcustomhome.com

Mary Ivan - Sales Associate

I graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with my Bachelors Degree in Interior Design and have been designing spaces for over 25 years. I enjoy working with clients from construction to installation of the final design. My portfolio includes commercial and residential projects as well as model merchandising. I am new to Wilmington and in my free time enjoy cooking, sports, music and the beach! maryivan@shopcustomhome.com

Joan Manor - Sales Associate

I have been in the furniture industry for over 35 years. I enjoy helping customers in the design process. It is very satisfying to see the end product come together thru our combined efforts. When I am not working I enjoy time with my family, my pets, and going to the beach. joan@shopcustomhome.com

Shirley Outlaw - Sales Associate

I have been in the furniture industry for over 20 years and have spent the last four years with Custom Home. I find it rewarding to assist clients in making a house into their home. Besides decorating, I also enjoy swimming, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. shirley@shopcustomhome.com

Sharon Stokley - Sales Associate

I have been in the furniture industry over 35 years, previously with Murrow Furniture Galleries then joining Custom Home Furniture Galleries. After graduating from the UNCG School of Design I became a professional member of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). My focus is to create a space that fits the way the client lives as well as reflecting their personal style and space. With my uncanny sense of color coordination and space planning, I am able to help my clients visualize either a single room or their entire home. In my spare time I love to work in the garden, practice yoga and spend time with my husband Dennis and our two dogs Jaden and Zoey. sharon@shopcustomhome.com

Katherine Tompkins - Sales Associate

I really enjoy meeting people and finding just the perfect, beautiful, problem solving items to enhance your home. I have over 30 years of sales and design experience in the home furnishings industry; no project is too hard. Being new to the Wilmington area I have enjoyed exploring all it has to offer. My free time is spent with my fur friend and of course the beach! katherine@shopcustomhome.com

Terry McEachern - Sales Associate

I was born and raised in Minnesota, and at the age of 27 me and my wife decided to move with our two children to Illinois for a job promotion. Then in 2008 we sold our home to move to Carolina Beach and have lived here ever since. I have been working in the furniture industry since 1987 and am still going strong! terry@shopcustomhome.com

Katie O'Neal - In-Home Designer

Originally from Troutman NC, Katie moved to Wilmington in 2015 with the intent of heading back to her hometown after graduation. Her plans slowly shifted as the years passed and she fell in love with our quaint beach town. Katie joined the Custom Home Staging and Design team right out of college; Graduating with an Applied Science Degree in Interior Design. Katie is a firm believer that if you love where you live, happiness will follow. She strives to create beautiful, livable interiors that reflect the people living in them. When she isn’t designing she can be found spending time with family and friends or snuggling up with her beagle Daisy Mae and aussie Ollie. katie@shopcustomhome.com