Meet the Team

Mike DiFabion grew up in Upstate New York and eventually became Vice President of the largest swimming pool manufacturer in the nation at age 26, directly responsible for 30 branch managers and over 300 salespeople. He guided the Company from 9 million in annual revenue to over 52 million in just 11 years. After his swimming pool career, Mike decided to take his expertise to the residential remodeling industry. He joined one of the most recognized regional leaders in the industry and guided that firm to over 500% growth in a 10 year period, while ultimately relocating to Charlotte, NC in 1997. Convinced that you cannot mass produce residential remodeling and maintain high quality, Mike started DiFabion Remodeling, Inc. in 2000 with the goal of becoming the best local mid-sized remodeling firm in the Charlotte market. By providing superior customer service, combined with controlled growth, The Company now boasts a reputation beyond reproach. Mike enjoys golf, playing cards and traveling with his family. He is an animal lover and is known to always have a special project in the works at home.

Michael was born and raised in the Midwest and came down to Charlotte in 1998. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2003 with a BSBA in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, he joined his father at DiFabion Remodeling to launch the Design/Build division of the business. After intensive training on a new architectural software program, DiFabion Remodeling soon had the capabilities of generating full sets of architectural plans, as well as detailed kitchen and bathroom designs. During this time, Michael also learned firsthand all the functions of a professional remodeling firm from the ground up, including demolition, rough and finish carpentry, tile, ordering, estimating, scheduling, and project management. Michael is currently the General Manager and Marketing Manager, working closely in all aspects of the business. Over the years, Michael has earned many important certifications in the remodeling industry, including Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Green Professional (CGP), Lead Paint Safety Renovation and Repair (LRRP), and Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP). Michael has also been very active in the community through the Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) and the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and was recently named a 40 Under 40 recipient of Professional Remodeler Magazine and the Charlotte Business Journal. When he’s not remodeling other people’s homes, Michael is an avid sports fan and music lover, and he and his wife Heather have their hands full raising their young daughter. He also enjoys spending time with his friends and family, brewing beer, traveling, and cooking. Michael is also an avid sports fan and music lover.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Scott moved down to the Charlotte area as a young boy and grew up in Union Co. Scott joined the team after his time at East Carolina University, growing with the company as a laborer, carpenter’s apprentice, and production assistant.  After becoming a NARI Certified Project Manager, Scott was ultimately promoted to Production Manager in 2022 and now leads a distinguished team of Project Managers and skilled Craftsmen, executing each DR project to the highest of standards.  Scott was a high school athlete and continues his passion for all things sports, sometimes referred to as the “Rain Man” of sports statistics.  He and his wife Emily have two young daughters and enjoy spending their precious free time with friends and family. 

Susan is originally from southern California. She has fond memories of growing up in her family’s business- Interior Design and Custom Drapery Manufacturing. After receiving a degree in Business Administration, she managed a commercial construction firm for several years. After raising her two children with husband Gary, Susan returned to the workforce in 2010 by joining DiFabion Remodeling. Her position quickly evolved from office assistant to office manager. She enjoys the challenges of the position and strives to match her ambitions and high standards with those of the company. Susan loves spending time with her family, which includes cheering (and cringing) while watching her husband play hockey, laughing uncontrollably at her daughter’s crazy sense of humor, and being in awe of her son’s amazing cooking skills, while HE teaches HER how to cook!

Originally from Lancaster, SC, Ashlyn moved to Cornelius, NC in hopes to further her career after graduation. Ashlyn attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with honors and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

As the Design Manager of an award-winning design team, Ashlyn oversees the entire design pipeline and ensures that all design deliverables meet or exceed our client’s expectations to the highest standards of DiFabion Remodeling.  In her time away from DR, she and her husband Ryan are having fun with friends around town or relaxing at home with their dog and cat. 

Not new to professional remodeling industry, Mike served as Executive Director for NARI of Greater Charlotte from 2011 – 2020, including three years on the national board of directors,leading the team that made NARI Charlotte the most decorated chapter in the country.

Even though he was born in Michigan, most of his life has been in North Carolina, primarily in the Charlotte region. Mike has been married for 36 years, and has six children, ages 20 – 34 (and two dogs).He and his family love the outdoors,camping/hiking,live music and sporting events.They are collectively on a quest to visit every National Park in the U.S., and Mike is simultaneously on a mission to visit all 30 major league baseball ballparks (He is currently at 29 out of 30).

DJ Lapanne comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in the remodeling industry and a fascinating life journey leading him and his family to Charlotte.  DJ was born and raised in small town Maryland before he joined the NAVY.  While honorably serving his country, DJ would take college courses and work part-time in the construction industry, eventually honing his project management skills in residential, commercial, AND hospitality.  He and his wife ultimately opened their own residential remodeling firm, while raising 5 children!  By 2023, two of their sons graduated high school and set off for the Marines and Air Force, leaving the last of the five to join DJ and his wife Jessica for a new opportunity in North Carolina.  This led DJ to DiFabion Remodeling, where his unique life experiences will no doubt bring fun and excitement to the DR client experience for many years and many projects down the road!

Hannah moved to North Carolina from Philadelphia, PA, and graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. She has over three years of experience in Interior Design with a focus on Kitchen and Bathroom Design. With attention to detail and focus on designs that will last a lifetime, Hannah enjoys creating spaces that merge creativity and functionality.

Hannah moved to Charlotte with the hopes of furthering her career in the remodeling world. When she is not drafting floor plans and helping clients turn their visions into reality, she can be found exploring the city of Charlotte and all it has to offer with her friends and family. She and her husband Jason love trying the best new restaurants, going to all the different events in the city, and spending time at home with their little corgi’s. 

Having bounced around growing up, Meg has been living in Charlotte for the last few years. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and has a passion for residential 3D modeling and renderings. In high school, Meg stumbled upon design by mistake – She requested a culinary arts class and ended up in a Drafting and 3D modeling class. She enjoyed 3D visualization so much, she expanded her search and continues her pursuit of maximizing technology in residential design! In her free time, Meg enjoys crafting, baking, and playing board games with her husband Gage.

Michael was born in Fairbanks, Alaska but grew up in South Charlotte.  Involved in the trades at an early age, he worked his way up from a general laborer to several management positions, before ultimately serving our country in the USMC for 6 years.  As a Project Manager, Michael uses a thoughtful, calm demeanor to successfully guide each project from start to finish.  In his free time, Michael and his amazing wife take the kids on outdoor adventures, camping and beach trips, and capturing family sporting events as an amateur photographer. 

As a born Charlottean, Chris has had many opportunities to get involved in construction. Watching the surrounding area grow through the years jump-started his fascination with the remodeling world. Having been in construction for 25 years, he still loves his work and watching a project evolve from start to finish. As one of our Project Managers, Chris’s sole focus is improving the client experience through constant communication and a coming up with creative solutions for complex problems. When he’s not working, he comes home to a loving wife and four beautiful children. Chris also enjoys fishing, hiking, or anything outdoors.

Doug was born and raised in Monroe, NC and has been working as a carpenter since the age of 16. Doug is the longest tenured employee of DiFabion Remodeling, dating back to 2001, bringing his total experience in the construction industry to over 20 years. As a lead carpenter, Doug’s specialties include structural framing and carpentry, cabinetry installation, and intricate finish trim carpentry. Most important of all, Doug is a creative problem-solver when faced with specific issues relating to residential remodeling. When Doug isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and working on cars at home.

Joe is originally from Honesdale, PA and has been in Charlotte for 22 years. As one of the original members of the DR family (along with his father Carl), Joe has been honing his skills as a carpenter, specializing in rough and finish carpentry and cabinetry installation. Joe is a proud father of two boys and a beautiful little girl. In his free time, Joe enjoys watching movies with the kids and (obnoxiously) rooting for his beloved Steelers, Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks.

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, James moved around and eventually settled in North Carolina. Since the age of 12, James has been hard at work learning a number of trades, ranging from fire restoration to painting to plumbing and of course, carpentry. From the time he was 20, James has fueled his passion for carpentry by running framing crews, installing cabinetry and trim, and troubleshooting everyday remodeling problems as a member of “The Uh-Oh Squad”!  James has a son and daughter who are very dear to him and currently enjoys life with his girlfriend in West Charlotte. In his free time, James loves boating, fishing, grilling, working on cars, and sippin’ on drinks while listening to live music.

Jim is originally from Unionville, NC and started working at an early age in the construction industry.  Over the years, he has expanded his repertoire through rough carpentry and framing, siding and boxing, and intricate finish trim on all kinds of remodeling projects.  When he’s not swinging a hammer, Jim enjoys the outdoors as an avid hunter in the foothills and trout fishing in the mountains of Western NC.