It was 1960 when a local developer approached John Yarbrough about starting his own surveying company. Little did John know or expect what was to follow. It was that day when one of Charlotte’s more prominent engineering and surveying firms was born. It was that day the roots of Yarbrough-Williams & Houle, Inc. were planted…
..as a result of hard work and dedication, the company began to grow. A list of clientele that included several of the area’s most recognized developers and builders grew as well. A project list spanning almost 50 years includes many well-known neighborhoods that comprise the very fabric of the Charlotte area. Neighborhoods such as: Foxcroft, Raintree, Montibello, Skybrook, Longview and The Palisades. Other projects were Charlotte Motor Speedway, The Latta Arcade and The Charlotte Coliseum.
Mr. Williams joined the firm in 1969 contributing to the growth of the land planning and engineering departments. He became involved in the growth of the Charlotte’s development process that is in place today. His public service included the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Zoning Ordinance Re-write Committee in the late 1970’s, the Mecklenburg County Drainage Commission in the 1980’s, the North Carolina Housing Cost Task Force, and served as President of the Charlotte Home Builder’s Association in 1998.
Joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Houle helped the company grow to another level. Keeping the company tradition, he served the public and the industry well. Mr. Houle’s service to the community was recognized by his peers with the presentation of HBAC’s most Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He served on the first Building Development Commission, CMUD Developer Liaison Committee and many other stakeholder groups.
The company was a sole proprietorship until incorporation in 1984 as John R. Yarbrough & Associates, Inc. The name would then change to Yarbrough-Williams & Associates, Inc. prior to the current name adopted on the company’s 40th anniversary.
Since those first roots were established in 1960, YWH has continued to grow. Charlotte’s metropolitan region has grown and we have engineered and surveyed over 2,000 miles of new streets, water and sewer lines and over 100,000 new homes. YWH has made Charlotte home for nearly a quarter-million people! Home to YWH is our own building at 730 Windsor Oak Ct. conveniently located between South Blvd. and I-77 near the central location of I-77 and I-485. A warm welcome awaits you at Yarbrough-Williams & Houle, Inc.
JOHN YARBROUGH
John Ransom Yarbrough was born in Cherokee, NC on July 13, 1933. John was a land surveyor for 40 years in the Charlotte area. He was the founder of Yarbrough Williams & Houle Land Surveying & Engineering.
SAM WILLIAMS
Sam Williams began working for John Yarbrough in 1969 even before Sam graduated from high school. He learned how to cut brush, find corners, and read the instruments on a field crew. He graduated from Central Piedmont Community College with an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering and received surveying licenses in both North and South Carolina.
John Yarbrough recognized Sam’s aptitude for business and designing subdivisions and offered Sam a partnership and later sold the business to Sam. The business grew rapidly over the years. In the 1990’s Sam designed and built the office building on Windsor Oak Ct. Sam was also a licensed building contractor.
At one point in the 90’s, a huge map hung in the conference room at the office highlighting all the subdivisions and office parks designed by Yarbrough, Williams and it was over two-thirds of Mecklenburg County. Also, about that time, Sam saw the need for offering Civil Engineering services to their clients. He decided at the age of 45 to continue his education and received a Civil Engineering degree, becoming licensed in both North and South Carolina.
Sam was active on many government boards in Charlotte, but the one he enjoyed most was the Homebuilders’ Association. He became President in 1998 and was the only President of Homebuilders’ who could say that his father was also a Homebuilders’ President (in 1971).
MARC HOULE
Our friend, father of two wonderful sons, Zac and Tyler, and President of Yarbrough-Williams & Houle, Inc, passed away on July 29,2018 of natural causes in his home located in Charlotte, NC. Born in New Hampshire, he was the beloved son of the late Harold H. and Jaqueline G. Houle. Marc was raised with his three siblings in his favorite state of Virginia where he graduated from Wilson Memorial High School (Class of ‘80). Marc was a proud graduate of Virginia Tech (Class of ‘84) where he earned his Civil Engineering Degree and played club Rugby for the University. After college he came to Charlotte, NC where he resided for over three decades.
While employed with his first position at the City of Charlotte, he achieved his MBA from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Soon after, Marc entered the private sector where he received his Professional Engineering License along with his Professional Land Survey License. Through the years of dedication and hard work, he became the owner of Yarbrough-Williams & Houle, Inc. He took great pride in participating in a business based on family type relationships with a true dedication to his friends and employees. He had a strong focus on Client relationships and project successes that continue to this day. Marc pursued and accomplished several black belts in various disciplines and enjoyed scuba diving, Harleys, fly fishing, was a gun enthusiast and an avid sports fan.
His most generous nature was also shown in his multiple philanthropic endeavors which remained a priority throughout his life. Gone and not forgotten and to say Marc has been missed by many is a serious understatement. His illuminating “live life to the fullest” spirit will live on in all of us whenever we encounter his true love; the color, Yellow…and hear his favorite two words…"GO BEARS!!"