Meet Our Team

Darrell Hughes

President
Originally from south Mississippi, Darrell was inspired by a family member to be in the construction industry at an early age. After earning a degree in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University, he took on several different positions in the commercial, industrial, and highway sectors of construction gaining a great deal of experience along the way. One of those positions brought him to Birmingham in 1990 and in 1995 he launched D F Hughes Construction. His introduction of the Design Build concept to the Birmingham residential remodeling market along with his passion for doing things the right way have played a key role in developing the firm into what it is today.

Nicole Shultz

Principal Designer
Our Principal Designer, Nicole was born in the panhandle of Florida and moved to Birmingham in 2011. She grew up with her father in construction, which cultivated a love for the entire creative design process. Graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design, she soon married a Birmingham native and they planted their family in Chelsea, Alabama. After working in various companies within the design industry, she found her passion in the design|build world after collaborating with Darrell for a few years. Her love for helping people, eye for curating beautiful spaces, and drive for watching a project come together seamlessly has made her an asset to the DF Hughes team.

Johnny Lieske

Client Relations Manager
Our Client Relations Manager, Johnny was born and raised in Northern Illinois but moved to Birmingham in the fall of 2013 to finish his college baseball and academic career at UAB. He majored in Communications and upon graduating in 2015, invested nearly 7 years as a campus minister at UAB where he spent the majority of his time serving college students, homeless folks, and even going abroad twice in Africa in addition to prison ministry work in Alabama and Texas. His background in that work provides him with the desire to bring about the best experience for our clients and subcontractors and see the transformation of the projects from beginning stages to the final result.

Alexis Diercks

Design Manager
Raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Alexis has cultivated a strong sense of community and creativity that informs her work. She graduated from Troy University, where she earned a degree that established the foundation for her professional career. Her career began in lighting design, a discipline that ignited her passion for creating inviting and functional spaces. While lighting design was the initial focus of her work, she has always aspired to contribute to the broader design process by integrating various elements to enhance overall environments. With a keen eye for detail, she delivers high-quality solutions and builds strong client relationships to understand their unique visions. Currently, she leads a fulfilling personal life with her spouse and their black labrador, Rhett. Together, they seek out new inspirations that enrich both their personal and professional experiences. Her passion for design continues to drive her, and she remains committed to transforming spaces that reflect the individuality of those who inhabit them.

Tyler Zabojnik

Project Supervisor
Born and raised in Texas, Tyler's journey has been shaped by a strong commitment to excellence and teamwork. He played baseball for the Air Force Falcons, a chapter that instilled in him the values of discipline and dedication. After earning his degree in Business Management, Tyler served in the United States Air Force as a Logistics Officer for six years, further honing his leadership and organizational skills.

Now residing in Birmingham with his wife and two Goldendoodles, Tyler brings an exceptional level of attention to detail, strategic planning, and clear communication to our team. These qualities not only set him apart but also make him an invaluable asset in driving our projects forward. We are proud to have him as part of our team, ensuring every project runs smoothly and efficiently.