headshot of student

Dalton Hempel ’25

Dalton is an Agricultural Economics major from Victoria, Texas, who spent his time in AGEC 424-425 building his project, Hempel Custom Homes (HCH).

    While Dalton’s academic background is rooted in agriculture, his entrepreneurial ambitions lie in residential construction. After gaining valuable insight through a summer internship with a custom home builder along the Gulf Coast, Dalton developed a deep respect for the complexity, precision, and impact of creating someone’s dream home. That experience became the seed for HCH, a business that blends Dalton’s attention to detail, strong work ethic, and desire to serve families across South Texas.

    Hempel Custom Homes

    Hempel Custom Homes is a construction service company focused on building high-quality, custom-designed homes tailored to clients' visions. With headquarters based in Victoria, Texas, HCH serves surrounding counties like Goliad, Dewitt, Lavaca, Jackson, and Wharton—strategically positioned at the "Crossroads" of Texas, just two hours from Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

    In his AGEC 425 project, Dalton envisioned subcontracting 75–85% of construction labor, while he coordinates timelines, manages budgets, oversees materials and contracts, and builds long-term relationships with homeowners. What set HCH apart was Dalton’s strategy for growth through vertical integration—bringing key services under the company umbrella to reduce costs and improve efficiency—and his dedication to creating a team of trusted professionals who embody the same high standards of quality and service.

    Influences and Aspirations

    For Dalton, building custom homes is more than just a business—it’s a calling. He believes deeply in the responsibility of a builder to deliver excellence, especially on what is often the most significant purchase in a person’s life. He chose this project not just because of market viability, but because he’s passionate about helping others turn their visions into lasting reality—while simultaneously building a dream of his own.

    As the Spring 2025 semester unfolded, Dalton saw HCH as a high-potential business with low startup costs and the ability to generate substantial returns; but Dalton was not naive about the challenges. He continued to refine his plan and seek insight, asking how to better equip his future team to stand out in a competitive market and deliver unmatched service.

    In his own words, Dalton’s dream is “to build others’ dream homes while simultaneously building my own.” With that passion, drive, and strategic mindset, there's no doubt that Hempel Custom Homes is a blueprint for success—and Dalton Hempel is one emerging Aggie entrepreneur to keep your eye on.

    Earning a scholarship from Prosperity Bank

    Dalton graduated in May 2025 with a B.Sc., in Agricultural Economics, with a rural entrepreneurship option, and a minor in Agrifood Sales. Because of his work in the Dianne & M. Edward Rister '74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Progam, he earned a scholarship with Prosperity Bank during the 2025 Texas Farm Credit Entrepreneurial Dreams Symposium.

    Congratulations, Dalton! Dare to Soar!

    Above photo: Dalton Hempel '25 (center) receives a plaque designating him an AGEC 425 "Survivor", standing with Texas Farm Credit team members (left to right): John O'Brien '98, Sarah Frankin '11, Lori Graham '02, and Mark Miller '87, President/CEO.