Locations
Gardner Builders
Chief Executive Officer
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Bert W's Bio
At the age of 11, I worked with my father building pallets; I was very proud of my work and excited each day knowing the pallets I built were being used to ship fireplaces all over the world. My love for building things grew even more when I started working in commercial construction in 2006. I’ve had the opportunity to build spaces in a variety of market sectors, which has helped me understand the construction process from several perspectives. Each project brings new challenges, and each challenge allows me to hone and develop skills. At Gardner Builders, I have a great passion, energy and desire to perform at the highest level in the industry. I’m extremely excited about our future as we continue to push ourselves professionally and personally.
Bob G's Bio
I enjoy so many things about the construction industry, but I especially enjoy uncovering, understanding, and eliminating the sources of concern for our clients. I started Gardner Builders with a single mission – to create a construction business that defies industry norms by focusing on relationships. To this day, connection and hospitality remain my priorities.
Having worked in both the field (as a laborer, carpenter, superintendent, and machinist) and the office gives me a unique perspective and an attention to detail in all areas of a project.
Dave H's Bio
I take pride in doing every part of my job well, but my passion lies in the numbers. From early budgeting to final costs, if the numbers don’t make sense, I don’t sleep much. If an early budget is off, the project and finish expectations may be compromised; if final costs are off, the construction experience becomes a negative one. I want to get the numbers right because I value trust and excellence.
My colleagues often refer to me as the perfect utility infielder – put me anywhere on the field, and nothing gets by me. I think I’m more a jack-of-all-trades; after 20 years in the construction business working as a carpenter, superintendent, and project manager, I have direct experience with every trade on the project. I love the variety and challenge that each project offers and am always looking forward to the next one.
Operations
Barry S's Bio
Delivering an outstanding finished product is impossible without an effective and well-managed team; teamwork is everything. Building amazing teams is what I do. It’s been a focus of mine in the 16+ years of my construction career to bring the right people together for the smoothest process, including quality construction, superior craftsmanship, accurate job costing, and meeting deadlines. I treat each job as if the client’s time and money were my own.
Curtis M's Bio
I spent my teenage years working summers side-by-side with my father, a residential contractor. He shared his skills as a carpenter and knowledge of the trades with me. I went on to receive an associate degree in CAD drafting and design and worked as a CAD manager for an architecture firm working closely with architects and designers. This experience taught me the value of crafting successful working relationships with contractors, and I became well versed in managing RFIs, submittals and value engineering.
Since focusing on commercial construction, I’ve worked primarily in the central business district serving high-expectation clients and Class A building needs requiring aggressive schedules and budgets. I love the challenges.
Every project I run is approached as a team effort. Pre-planning my jobs gives my team an edge and allows all trades to run efficiently. I utilize communication tools to keep everyone up to date and give a first-hand look into the job’s day-to-day activities. Sharing milestones with everyone on the team makes my job rewarding and exciting.
Josh K's Bio
I earned my degree in Construction Management from MSUM in Moorhead in 2014. Since then, I’ve worked as a superintendent and assistant project manager for a few different companies, eventually leading me to Gardner Builders in 2021. My favorite part of my work is the resolution of a project. Seeing how the cumulative hours of everyone’s collaboration and hard work come together for the finished product– It’s a very rewarding experience and the spaces we build are sort of a monument to that effort that benefits the community. I’m a creative person, always up for a challenge, and look forward to learning from others along the way.
Outside of the office. I can be found spending time with my wonderful wife, our baby girl, and our 2 dogs– Phish and Gyda. Moving to Duluth has been exciting as we learn about the city and all it has to offer.
Kyle F's Bio
I joined the GB US team in 2020, coming from experience as a Project Admin at another construction company. Hearing about the positive culture and environment at Gardner, I knew I wanted to be apart of a team that is hospitality-focused. As a previous nursing assistant, I believe that taking care of people has a crucial impact on the overall success of a project. I want to break the stigma of construction and show that empathy and gentleness are prominent factors in our industry. With my degree in Organizational Leadership, I strive for excellence in all areas and I pride myself on detail-orientated work that is productive and rewarding.
Outside of the office, I enjoy running, playing pick up basketball, and traveling– South Africa has been my favorite trip so far.
Nick R's Bio
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NDSU, I found my calling in the construction industry. I was offered the unique opportunity to learn and develop my skills in construction management as an on-site golf course construction superintendent before transitioning to Project Engineer specializing in Tenant Improvement work. I now head up the Gardner U.S. team, managing projects around the country. I enjoy responding quickly to the needs that arise from each project and the creative problem solving that is required of a national GC team.
I have a special interest in technology and innovation in the workplace and utilizing the market to target, build and maintain client relationships.
I believe that servant leadership and teamwork is the backbone to successful current and future construction projects. I am passionate about creative problem solving and energized to be working alongside the Gardner Builders team.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
Jessica S's Bio
Having moved from South Africa to Minneapolis, it was important for me to find a place of work that embodied a sense of the community and values I had left behind. After learning about Gardner Builders from a friend who worked here, I knew it was a place I wanted to be. I enjoy working with colleagues who care about delivering exceptional service, who are in the trenches working alongside you when challenges arise, and who go out of their way to make everyone on any given team feel empowered and valued. At work, I handle the marketing needs of the company, implementing fresh ideas and assisting field and office staff in providing that extra, tangible touch of hospitality for our clients. I am passionate about functional design and the process that makes vision tangible, and believe that Gardner Builders is a company that excels in delivering the highest levels of craftsmanship possible.