“It was one of the most beautiful places we had seen, we could not believe that there was no traffic.” – Doug Dremel, Greensboro, NC
After moving from city to city across the country—from the deserts of Arizona to the urban density of California—Doug Dremel wasn’t sure if a place still existed where natural beauty, affordability and career opportunity could coexist. But when he and his wife stepped off the plane in Greensboro, North Carolina, and began driving through the rolling green hills of the Carolina Core, they knew immediately: they had found home.
Doug Dremel is a seasoned aerospace professional who now works for Honda Aircraft Company in Greensboro. With more than 25 years in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors—including at industry giants like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Virgin Galactic—Doug has had his pick of cities and coasts throughout his career. But in the Carolina Core, he found something unique: a thriving professional community, a strong sense of connection and a lifestyle that made room for peace, purpose and possibility.
Originally from a small farming community in Wisconsin, Doug grew up surrounded by animals, homegrown food and simple values. His childhood was grounded in a tight-knit rural life, where his father ran a small real estate business and his mother worked as a nurse. Over the years, he moved across the country, living in places like Arizona, Oklahoma, Denver, St. Louis and most recently, Southern California. While each location brought its own adventure, none quite offered the long-term lifestyle Doug and his wife were looking for. California, in particular, proved too expensive and congested—both for their personal lives and for the medical device business they operate together.
It was during a period of reflection and research that Greensboro kept rising to the top of their relocation list. North Carolina’s natural landscapes, affordability and access to both the mountains and the coast checked all the boxes. But what truly sealed the deal was an unexpected job offer from Honda Aircraft Company.
When Honda flew Doug and his wife out for the interview, their first impression was transformative. Unlike the sprawling congestion of Southern California, Greensboro was calm, green and serene. The hospitality they received—from their stay at the O’Henry Hotel to the support from Honda—left a lasting mark. As Doug recalled, “It made me feel like I was back in Ireland… just calm, green, and spaced out.”
Since relocating, the Dremels have embraced a lifestyle that’s deeply rooted in the land and their values. They purchased 11.5 acres of property where neighbors welcomed them with genuine warmth the day their moving truck arrived. That hospitality has been consistent across the region—people are kind, curious and welcoming without being intrusive. It’s a balance Doug says he hadn’t experienced in other communities.
At Honda, Doug found a refreshing professional environment that values community, curiosity and employee growth. Unlike his experience at other larger corporations, Honda encourages cross-functional collaboration and rewards personal initiative. “You’re not siloed here,” he shared. “They see your passion and invite you to take on more.” It’s a career reset that not only reignited his excitement for aerospace but also gave him space to pursue the kind of meaningful leadership he had been craving.
Outside of work, Doug and his wife have found joy in transforming their land into a place of purpose. Their weekends are spent tending to a 10,000-square-foot garden, running on the trails Doug carved himself and exploring new ideas like starting a tea farm or creating their own local farmer’s market. While the lifestyle may seem rugged to some, Doug finds it deeply fulfilling. In a career that often focuses on long-term strategy and multi-year projects, the immediate, tangible joy of working with his hands in the soil is a refreshing contrast.
The Carolina Core, Doug says, offers the best of both worlds. You can live in a peaceful, rural setting with strong community values, and still be within reach of everything—from major metros like Charlotte and Raleigh to international airports and world-class amenities. “People don’t realize that just beyond the trees, there’s a whole city. You just have to look a little closer.”
For anyone on the fence about moving to the Carolina Core, Doug’s advice is simple: “Ask yourself what kind of life you want. If you’re looking for peace, affordability, opportunity and real community—this is the place. Once you get here, you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.”