2 weeks Ago By By Wade Littleton Tribune Staff Writer
The Dandridge community got a little bigger Thursday afternoon as T. Phillip Carlyle and his partner Matt McQueen cut the ribbon on their joint business venture located on State Route 92 between Exit 417 of Interstate 40 and Jefferson County High School. The location will not only serve as the headquarters of Carlyle Capital, but of the T.
Phillip Carlyle Foundation, Crafted Milestone. The ribbon-cutting was sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President/CEO Shelia Wiggins welcomed the businesses to Jefferson County.
“On behalf of the chamber, board of directors, staff, members, our community, we want to welcome Phillip and his family and Matt and his family to Jefferson County,” Wiggins said. “We are so honored and proud that you all chose Dandridge, Tennessee and Jefferson County to be one of your homes. We’re just thrilled.
Whatever we can do, we are here for you.” Matt McQueen is co-owner of Crafted Milestone and is partner of Phillip Carlyle. McQueen is a native of Shady Valley, a community in Johnson County, Tennessee.
“Today is living proof of Proverbs 16:3,” McQueen said. “’Commit your works to The Lord and your plans will be established.’” McQueen and his wife Amanda have lived in Jefferson County for the last four years.
They have two sons, Mason, age 10 and Hudson, age 6. Crafted Milestone, LLC was created from McQueen’s love of land, land development and its process from start to finish. They strongly believe in doing things right the first time.
Crafted Milestone primarily focuses on developing waterfront communities within the Southeastern states, such as Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The company is now focusing on construction and sales of luxury speculative homes. The first of these spec homes are underway in Jefferson County.
McQueen shares ownership with T. Phillip Carlyle, whom he considers a lifelong friend. “From kindergarten to college, I remember my mother saying, ‘Choose your friends wisely,’” McQueen said.
“Choosing to use his consistent advice has left me with a very small, but extremely important group of close friends who I can count on in a key time of need. Most of those friends are standing here today. “I picked one who loves The Lord and his family first.
One who has my back, no matter how the chips fall. One who doesn’t take no for an answer when we need a yes. I picked one who has goals even larger than mine.
He has so much drive, focus, determination, attention to detail that he makes me better at what we do by just being around him,” McQueen said. Carlyle said that the new location marks more than an additional office address. “This is a new building that is home to several different companies,” Carlyle said.
“We have MAC Materials, the T. Phillip Carlyle Foundation and Carlyle Capital that are located here. While we continue to lead the way in residential development, we wanted this space to bring people together to see our attention to detail in all aspects of construction and development.
” The new office will lead the Carlyle team and McQueen team in property acquisitions and design, permitting, planning, and training. As Carlyle settles into its new building, they plan to carry forth excellent leadership by working hard to support the community as many as worked to support Carlyle along the way. “I’m often asked by so many people how I do what I do,” Carlyle said.
“There are two ways, one is God. I’ve been blessed, He’s been good to me and to all of us. The other is support.
There have been many people who supported us along the way in so many different aspects. We have engineers, architects, designers with excellent vision and calculation. When you’re in the field and have problems, they’re a phone call away.
” He also credited city and county leaders, as well as attorneys, bankers and realtors, who have also supported his efforts. Carlyle expressed appreciation to his office team for their efforts. Carlyle praised his father for his work ethic.
He said that his father sold his first home the day Phillip was born. “He’d work in a factory at night, construction during the day while being my best friend and a single dad,” he said. “He aways pushed me hard and never gave me much slack.
He taught me how to be an amazing dad, how to work hard and never expect any more out of your team than what you’re willing to do yourself.” Carlyle praised the four “beautiful women” in his life, his wife Terri and his three daughters. He said that they’re four of the most patient people that he had ever met.
“They’re the main thing that I’m most excited about every day,” he said. “You girls are the four people that I want to make proud.” Carlyle said that he loves to be part of and to give back to the community.
“We want to support in times of need, we want to support our friends, family and colleagues and any one that needs it, just as many people have supported us,” Carlyle said. “We also want to support fellow business members and partnerships with advice, guidance and experience as we have learned from so many others. “We’re not just opening a building, we’re opening the door to new opportunities, friendships, relationships and partnerships,” he said.
“We hope to have a powerful, positive impact on so many that we can return our support to.” Arrowhead Church Pastor Ben Shoun led a prayer, followed by the ribbon-cutting and refreshments..
