About LMH Waterfront Construction

From Farmland to Waterfront: The Legacy Behind LMH Construction

In 1907 the Thurmer family of 16 moved to Loudon County on 355 acres of farmland and wooded area. On the property was a 3-bedroom farmhouse and a beautiful barn assembled with wooden pegs. There were other structures like a well house and a potato house, but otherwise, it was mostly grown up. The family was tobacco farmers and lived off the land.

In 1942, TVA flooded the land to make Ft. Loudoun Lake, and the family now had nearly 70 acres under water. In 1992, the last of the 14 siblings passed away. Lucy Lucille spent her last days canning tomatoes before she had a heart attack which ultimately took her life. The remaining acres of the farm were left to Lucy’s niece’s family, who were her caregivers.

The Galyon family cared for their aunt well and loved her with all their hearts’ capacity. They continued to take great care of the beautiful property, which was now lakefront property and home to cattle and gorgeous hayfields. In 2001, the Galyon family, now at retirement age, moved to the back of the property near the barn and the lake.

Bill continued to work hard, making the yard beautiful and ensuring the structures on the property were always in good standing despite that time and health were catching up with him. He used his expert woodworking and construction skills to enhance the property and add to its natural beauty. He always realized this land was a gift and used to tell his daughter, "God didn’t make any more land." You could catch Bill staring out a window, standing in the driveway, sitting a little longer on the tractor, or admiring the property from his shop. He always referred to it as "the land of milk and honey."

After his death, his daughter, Beth, and husband, Matt, focused their sorrow on creating spaces to honor him and the work he did. They constructed a monument commemorating it as The Land of Milk and Honey and welcome all to come enjoy the property and take in the beauty that Bill cultivated there.

His legacy lives on in LMH (Land of Milk and Honey) Waterfront Construction because we know your property is where your family and friends gather, where they make memories that last a lifetime, and where they can be found quietly admiring the gift you are sharing with them and the beauty that encapsulates it—just like Bill did.

Let us make your waterfront property an extension of your home, your forever home, to enjoy and live in the land your forefathers promised you. Speaking of the promised land, the father of the Thurmer family? His name was Aaron Moses!

Matt Fugate

Co Owner

With a degree in Construction Management and Land Development from Middle Tennessee State University, Matt brings over two decades of expertise in the construction industry. His diverse portfolio includes crafting custom homes, developing commercial properties, and overseeing the creation of boutique hotels and waterfront residences along Florida's coast. Prior to founding LMH Waterfront Construction, Matt served as the Senior Vice President for EMJ Construction in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he oversaw construction operations totaling $500 million annually.

Matt's profound connection to the Tennessee River fuels his passion for building dream waterfront homes. Through LMH Waterfront Construction, he channels his extensive experience and commitment to excellence into making homeowners' visions a reality. Under his leadership, LMH has swiftly gained recognition for its unwavering dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Matt serves on the board for the Blue Raider Athletic Association and is an avid advocate of his alma mater, where he met his wife, Beth.

Beyond work, you will find Matt and Beth, along with their two schnauzers, enjoying all that the Tennessee River Valley has to offer and cheering on their beloved Blue Raiders. 

Blake Allison

Co Owner

Blake, is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University where he received his degree in civil engineering. He has been working in the construction industry for over 10 years. Currently, Blake operates Epperson Allison Homes LLC, a family-owned residential development company based in Cleveland, TN who specializes in custom home building and residential development. Blake has grown EA Home’s quality reputation as well as their business, constructing hundreds of homes across southeast TN.

With his extensive experience in residential development through Epperson Allison Homes LLC, Blake has brought his customer-oriented building philosophy to LMH Waterfront Construction, ensuring a creative and personalized building experience.

Blake has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the industry, earning the prestigious 2022 Home Builders Association of Tennessee State Builder of the Year award and the Ocoee Region Builder of the Year in 2019. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Ocoee Region Builders Association from 2019 to 2021 and currently chairing the Government Affairs Committee. Additionally, Blake has been a City of Cleveland, TN Planning Commissioner since 2020.

Blake and his wife Brooke have two children, Beckett and Eliza who love the water and spend each weekend they can on the Tennessee River.