Member Profile:  Ambrose W. Dittloff

In his 16 years as president of the Charlotte-based real estate and construction firm, Carocon Corporation, Ambrose has strived to create a culture of empowerment for employees. To him, the most satisfying part of serving in a leadership role is helping others step out of their comfort zones and find success in unexpected ways. When sharing words of encouragement to those starting out in his or any other field, he often shares two favorite quotes: “Bide your time, for success is near,” and “Hold fast.”

Prior to Carocon, his commercial construction work involved unusual projects in exotic locales. He and his team were once asked to convert a defunct brewery into a pharmaceutical facility in record time.

“The brewery had shut down overnight after bankruptcy,” he says, “with liquid in the tanks, bottles on the filling line and the office full of equipment. After the cleanup, structural additions were made and pharmaceutical equipment was installed. It was [like] fitting a square peg in a round hole, but it worked.” It didn’t hurt crew morale, he adds, that the project was in San Juan, Puerto Rico and that “there were plenty of bottles on the filling line that were ready for consumption.”

Ambrose has been a member of ULI for eight years and says his involvement provides him with a “non-filtered resource for understanding and engaging with all manner of real estate issues.” He appreciates being able to share professional expertise with others in the industry in a stimulating, collaborative environment.

Born in Trenton, NJ, Ambrose moved with his family to the Caribbean as a child. It was there that he attended grade school and graduated from high school before returning to the US to attend college at North Carolina State. In addition to being a lifelong Wolfpack sports fan, an avid golfer, and a cook with Michelin-star aspirations, his interests include competitive ocean sailing and fly fishing. His idea of a perfect vacation is anywhere with a beach that is more than 1,000 miles from home.

Ambrose and his spouse of 40 years have two grown daughters, a son-in-law and one grandson. His community involvement often includes helping organizations that support underserved children. When asked to name someone he most admires and why, Ambrose takes a broader view: “I most admire those who rise every day and face physical, emotional or mental challenges without hesitation – they are truly empowered by their own convictions.”