Ryan Hay

FOUNDER

I grew up in Katy, Texas where my first job sparked my passion for residential construction. I started by cleaning “for sale” and “sold” signs for a local home builder in our neighborhood. That early exposure allowed me to see how homes came together, piece by piece. I was fascinated by how framers transformed 2x4s into livable spaces and even developed the ability to identify floor plans before the concrete foundations were poured.

After graduating from college, I began my career as a construction manager with a production home builder in Houston. Building tract homes provided invaluable experience and taught me the intricacies of the homebuilding process. I fell in love with working outdoors and creating homes from scratch on empty lots.

Eventually, I transitioned into commercial construction, working on a 32-story high-rise in downtown Houston before spending six years as a project manager for a heavy highway contractor. After gaining valuable experience in all facets of construction—from residential to commercial projects and large-scale infrastructure—I realized that my true passion lay in home building.  

In the summer of 2014, I took a leap of faith and launched Oakman Building Company. Our first project was a custom home in West Austin, and we’ve been growing ever since.

Today, Oakman Building Company focuses on new construction and whole-home remodels in Central Austin, collaborating with some of the city’s top architects. I love coming to work each day to bring our clients’ visions to life alongside our talented subcontractors and suppliers. There’s no greater reward than seeing a client’s joy as they step into their completed home for the first time.