People of Our Town St Helena:
Building More Than Homes with Trainor Builders
For more than two decades, Trainor Builders has helped shape the Napa Valley landscape, constructing custom homes that reflect the beauty, character, and craftsmanship of the region. But beyond building exceptional homes, the company has demonstrated a deep commitment to building a stronger community in St. Helena.Founded in 2004 by Tom Trainor, Trainor Builders began as a small operation with just three employees. What started as a modest business based in Calistoga has grown into one of the region’s leading construction firms. Today, headquartered in St. Helena, Trainor Builders employs 55 people and has evolved from a sole proprietorship into an employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
The firm’s core focus remains custom home construction, but its impact reaches far beyond the homes it builds.
Photo: The Trainor Builders Team
Like many businesses in St. Helena, Trainor Builders faces the realities of the local housing crisis firsthand. Just four of its employees currently live in St. Helena; the remainder commute from Calistoga, Napa, American Canyon, Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisun, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Windsor, Novato, and Petaluma. For most employees, the cost of housing in St. Helena places homeownership out of reach, and finding an affordable place to rent is challenging.
Gamble Grove – New affordable homes built on unused land in St. Helena
When the opportunity arose to serve as the general contractor for Gamble Grove, Tom Trainor saw it as a chance to give back to the town he calls home. He submitted a proposal for 963 Pope Street, the first phase of Gamble Grove, and was selected as the general contractor.
“At the time, I was the sole proprietor of Trainor Builders and I wanted to give something back to the community,” Trainor recalls.
In that vein, Trainor generously donated the firm’s fee to the project, which reduced the construction costs rather significantly. When the company evolved into an ESOP, the board of directors upheld that decision, recognizing that supporting affordable housing aligns with its values.
Over time, Gamble Grove expanded to include 951 Pope Street and added five additional homes to the project. The development had to be treated like two separate projects with separate owners, budgets and billings, but Trainor Builders was undaunted and remained a steadfast partner, helping navigate the challenges that arose along the way.
Photo: Construction of Gamble Grove’s first phase at 963 Pope Street
For Trainor, the importance of affordable housing is clear.
“The vast majority of the people who work in St. Helena cannot afford to live in the town and must commute great distances every day,” he says. “A community that can provide housing for its workforce is a healthier and more balanced community.”
That belief reflects what he loves most about St. Helena itself: a small town with distinctive neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, and a strong sense of community.
“I love the fact that St. Helena is a small town filled with a very interesting mix of people,” Trainor says. “I love the neighborhoods, the downtown, and the overall sense of community.”
When asked what he would say to someone considering supporting OTSH, Trainor acknowledges that many worthy nonprofits serve the Napa Valley. Yet housing remains especially important because of its lasting impact on the community’s future.
“Supporting more affordable housing in this town,” he says, “contributes to the overall health and balance of St. Helena.”
Trainor Builders has demonstrated that building a thriving community requires more than constructing homes. It requires investing in the people who make St. Helena the special place it is today.
