Who We Are
Alvakanda Construction Company
Our Name, Our Story, Alvakanda.
If you've ever wondered where the name "Alvakanda" comes from — it's us. It's a blend of our family names, Alvarado and Onekanda, woven together just like our lives. We wanted a name that reflected who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for. A Honduran immigrant and a Congolese-American woman from Charlotte, building a construction company together that's not something you see every day, and we think that's exactly the point.
We founded Alvakanda Construction in 2016 and spent those early years laying the groundwork learning the business, building our reputation, and growing our network one relationship at a time. By 2021, we had obtained our commercial general contractor license in North Carolina, formalizing what we had always known: this was more than a business, it was our mission. Most recently, we've been upgraded to an Unlimited General Contractor classification one of the highest designations a GC can hold in this state and we are just getting started.
We are a family-operated, minority-owned, and women-led business, and we wear all of those labels with pride. Our WBE, MWBE, and SBA certifications aren't just credentials they represent who we are and the communities we are committed to serving.
We built Alvakanda because we believe that people who look like us, who come from where we come from, absolutely belong in this industry. We are here to do great work, grow our company, and make room for others who are walking the same road we once walked.
We are grateful for every client, every trade partner, and every opportunity that has brought us to where we are today. And we look forward to every project, every partnership, and every milestone still to come.
— Selvin & Julie Alvarado, Founders of Alvakanda Construction Company, LLC
Meet the Team Behind Alvakanda Construction Company
Selvin & Julie Alvarado
Founders, Partners & Family
Alvakanda Construction wasn't built in a boardroom. It was built on early mornings/late nights, hard work, a shared vision, and the belief that two people from very different corners of the world could come together, build something from nothing, and make it last. That's exactly what we've done.
We are Selvin and Julie Alvarado husband and wife, business partners, parents, and the proud founders of Alvakanda Construction Company, LLC. Our story is one of culture, grit, community, and construction. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
Selvin Alvarado
Site Manager & Co-Owner
Selvin comes from La Entrada, Copán — a small city nestled in the western highlands of Honduras. Construction wasn't just a career for him back home; it was a way of life. He developed his foundation in the trades early, building skills and experience through hands-on work in Honduras before making one of the biggest decisions of his life coming to the United States in 2013 with hopes, determination, and a work ethic that simply doesn't quit.
From the moment he arrived, Selvin went straight to work. He threw himself into the trades carpentry, framing, and commercial construction working his way across multiple states and projects, building his craft alongside some of the most demanding job sites in the country. Over the course of more than 20 years in the industry, he has accumulated a depth of construction knowledge that is genuinely hard to find. He knows what it takes to get work done right, on time, and with pride.
Today, Selvin serves as our Site Manager and co-owner, and he is the backbone of our field operations. He manages material logistics, keeps job sites organized and running efficiently, and coordinates directly with our trade partners to make sure every project moves the way it should. He is also deeply connected within the Hispanic construction community, consistently bringing new relationships, opportunities, and trusted partnerships to the table. His network, his work ethic, and his standards are felt on every single project we take on.
Selvin is a first-generation American success story one that was written through sacrifice, consistency, and an unshakeable belief that hard work pays off. We are proud to have built this company side by side.
Julie Onekanda Alvarado
Managing Member & License Holder
I'm a Charlotte girl, born and raised. Before I ever set foot on a construction site, I spent 11 years working as a nursing aide at CMC — now known as Atrium Health. That season of my life shaped me in ways I couldn't have anticipated. Working in healthcare teaches you patience, empathy, and how to show up for people when it matters most. Those skills didn't leave me when I transitioned into the business world they followed me, and honestly, they've been some of my greatest assets as an entrepreneur.
My path into construction was intentional. I saw an opportunity to build something meaningful, and I went after it. Over the past seven years, I have grown into this industry with the same commitment I brought to everything else fully and without reservation. I am the license holder for Alvakanda Construction, holding an Unlimited General Contractor classification in the state of North Carolina a milestone I am incredibly proud of. I serve as the Managing Member of our company, overseeing business development, client relationships, and project management on select projects.
My role is the bridge between what we do in the field and the clients and partners we serve. I get out in the community, I build relationships, I represent our company, and I make sure every person we work with feels heard, respected, and well taken care of. I am a people person through and through and in this industry, that matters more than most people realize.
I am also a mother of three, which means I understand what it means to show up every day and give it everything you have. Running a business and raising a family is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
My heritage is deeply rooted in African culture my father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and that Congolese lineage is a source of great pride for me.
