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MEET THE TEAM
You’re not just hiring a company. You’re deciding who gets a key to your home.
Here’s who you’ll actually work with, in the order you’ll meet them.
We are different
One company. One roof.
Everyone you meet on this page works for us, and only us. We work under one roof in Ann Arbor, so a question gets answered down the hall, not passed between companies.
Chad Weiler
Project Consultant
Meet Chad
Chad's remodeling story began at a very early age. At 12 years old, he drew conceptual plans for an extensive kitchen remodel for his family home and worked in his father's wood shop, among other creative pursuits. His path would lead him to an architecture degree from Lawrence Technological University. Shortly after graduation, he married his wife Abby. Chad joined the Forward team in 2014, and is passionate about helping homeowners love the home they live in. Chad and Abby welcomed their first daughter in 2019, and their second daughter in 2021. In Chad's free time he enjoys spending time with his family, and playing hockey and golf.
Catherine Fillmore
Project Consultant
Meet Catherine
Catherine brings to the Forward team years of experience in project coordination. She is passionate about home renovation and helps our homeowners actualize their ideal home. When not at her dream job, she makes pottery as a member of the Ann Arbor Potters Guild and spends time with her family and Border Collie, Figgy.
Sam Wensman
Project Consultant
Meet Sam
A University of Michigan graduate and former coach, Sam brings a passion for creativity, collaboration, and helping others reach their goals. He loves connecting with homeowners and guiding them toward spaces that truly enhance and support their lives. Outside of work, Sam enjoys busy weekends filled with family and friends, hands-on projects around the house and garden, and chasing his two kids around with his lovely wife.
STEP 1 OF 5 · WHO YOU’LL MEET FIRST
It starts with a conversation.
A Project Consultant sits down with you to understand what you want to solve. Sometimes it ends with a plan, and sometimes with clear next steps for when the timing is right. Either way, you leave knowing more about your home than when you arrived.
Your design comes from a team, not one person.
This is where your home takes shape and ideas spark. Your designer leads, and our whole design team weighs in, so the best idea wins.
STEP 2 OF 5
Miranda Frye
Design Manager
Meet Miranda
Miranda is a pro when it comes to providing our clients with creative designs and project guidance throughout the process. She graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado in Interior Design and has years of experience in home renovation. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with her family in her free time.
Ashley Carsten
Senior Project Designer
Meet Ashley
With over ten years of experience at Forward Design Build Remodel, Ashley is a skilled and passionate Architectural Designer known for her ability to blend creativity with functionality. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, she has honed her expertise in designing innovative and thoughtful spaces that meet the unique needs of her clients. Ashley enjoys the entire design process, from conceptualizing initial ideas to collaborating with clients on selecting materials and finishes that bring the vision to life. Outside of work, she dedicates all her time to her one-year-old son, cherishing every moment with her growing family.
Carly Withers
Senior Project Designer
Meet Carly
Carly has an architecture degree from the University of Michigan, a master's degree in interior design from Pratt Institute, and has years of experience in residential design. Carly brings enthusiasm and passion for design to every step of the process, from functional space planning to sourcing cabinet hardware, to finding the perfect counter stool. After work she lovingly returns to the toddler & infant battlefield, but, when she has free time, Carly likes to read, swim, puzzle, and have game nights with friends.
Ashley Sattelberg
Project Designer
Meet Ashley
Ashley graduated from Central Michigan University in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in interior design. She combines analytical skills and artistic talents to create functional and aesthetically pleasing homes. She has a keen eye for detail and an ability to integrate individual elements into a cohesive whole. Her work reflects her commitment to exceeding client expectations and to fostering long-term relationships. In her free time Ashley likes to spend time outdoors with family whether it’s golfing, camping, boating or snowmobiling.
Marino Salomone
Project Designer
Meet Marino
Marino has an academic background in architecture and the natural sciences. His work is shaped by curiosity, travel, and a hands-on approach to design. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with family.
Heather Trickett
Project Designer
Meet Heather
Heather brings years of design experience and a talent for creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful. She loves the creative process, from solving design challenges to seeing ideas come to life, and especially enjoys helping clients create homes they love. Outside of work, Heather enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Lady.
Mahlah Armstead
Interior Designer
Meet Mahlah
Mahlah has always had a passion for art and architecture, which allowed her to pursue a career in design as a perfect balance of the two. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. Some hobbies she enjoys are painting and fitness, where she enjoys exercising outdoors in nature. In her free time you can find her spending time with friends, family and her baby boy.
Maya Mathew
Design Support
Meet Maya
Maya gained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from Heidelberg, Germany. She worked as a licensed architect for 5 years in Germany, focusing on remodels, new custom homes, as well as commercial architecture. Maya moved to the United States in 2019 and joined the Forward Team in 2022. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, photography, cozy game nights and quality time with her family.
Sarah Hamze
Design Support
Meet Sarah
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Eastern Michigan University and brings a thoughtful, intentional perspective to her work. She is drawn to authentic, sustainable design and creating spaces that feel personal and grounded. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and spending time in nature.
Jayme Salutes
Cabinet Specialist / Design Support
Meet Jayme
Jayme has a passion for creating spaces that balance beauty and function. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Eastern Michigan University, and especially appreciates timeless, thoughtful design and has a love for mid-century modern style. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and reading.
One person owns your project, your schedule, and your questions.
Your project manager runs the schedule, coordinates every trade, and makes sure the work meets our standard. You never have to chase anyone or referee between two companies.
STEP 3 OF 5
Andrew Satchwell
Production Manager
Meet Andrew
Andrew started working in the construction industry at 14 for a family-owned masonry company. Later, his career led him to be a House Leader at Habitat for Humanity. Andrew has worn many hats at Forward including Carpenter, Lead Carpenter, and Project Manager. Outside of work he loves watching sports and spending time with family.
Tim Frincke
Project Manager
Meet Tim
Tim grew up in Ann Arbor and studied at Washtenaw Community College. He has more than 15 years of experience in residential finish carpentry, remodeling, and building work. He had his own business for 6 years before he came to Forward in the fall of 2013. He enjoys woodworking, playing sports, and spending time with his wife and two children.
Ben Ranta
Project Manager
Meet Ben
Ben's love of carpentry goes all the way back to when he was 10 and built a two-story tree fort from old lumber and nails that his grandpa gave him. In addition to being a licensed builder, Ben is also Passive House Builder Certified through Phius. When not on the job site, Ben loves spending time at his cabin in the Upper Peninsula with his family.
John Hoder
Project Manager
Meet John
John is a carpenter with a background in art and music. By nature he is very detail-oriented and always looking for new solutions to problems. John takes a great deal of satisfaction in collaborating with creative people to realize a common vision. In his free time John records and produces music, plays tennis and spends as much time as possible outdoors.
Dirk Johnson
Project Manager
Meet Dirk
Dirk grew up in rural Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong passion for building and problem-solving. After a 15-year career leading IT for a nationwide general contractor, he moved to Michigan in 2016, earned his Residential Builder’s License, and started his own construction company specializing in home renovations. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, museums, reading, and technology.
Mike Shinney
Site Supervisor
Meet Mike
Mike has been in the trades since 2017. He started in the mill as a shop hand in Arizona after a number of years working in kitchens, serving and bartending. Eventually he made his way to Denver, Colorado where he worked for a framing company and a custom wood/metal work shop. He returned to Michigan in the fall of 2019 and has worked solely in residential remodels since. Outside of work Mike enjoys camping, backpacking and rock climbing with his wife and two dogs!
Greg Franzen
Site Supervisor
Meet Greg
A site supervisor on Forward job sites across the Ann Arbor area.
Our people work in your home, by our standards.
Our people follow high standards, proven systems, and quality control checks, and they work side by side with our specialty trade partners in your home. That’s a big part of the care we give.
STEP 4 OF 5
Jeff Bishop
Lead Carpenter
Meet Jeff
Jeff joined the Forward team in the fall of 2016. He has more than 20 years of experience with remodeling and tile work. He enjoys spending his free time in the outdoors.
Wally Schmid
Lead Carpenter
Meet Wally
Wally joined the Forward team in the summer of 2021! He is a Local 687 journeyman with 24 years of experience in residential and commercial carpentry. He enjoys music, fishing, and spending time with family.
Jon Frincke
Lead Carpenter
Meet Jon
Jon has been with Forward for many years and continuously grows his skills as a craftsman. In his free time he enjoys gardening and cooking with ingredients from the garden. He does woodworking in his shop whenever he gets the chance. He also enjoys maple syrup making in his backyard and deep woods camping with his partner Lesley.
Jared Hill
Lead Carpenter
Meet Jared
Jared joined the Forward team in 2022 with 9 years of remodeling experience. He has worked in almost all aspects of remodeling in his professional career. Jared loves working with his hands, a love that started in college while studying sculpture. He enjoys looking up new tools and watching videos to further enhance his construction knowledge. Jared and his fiancée Erika renovated their first home together and are now fixing up their second home. Outside of work he enjoys being outdoors, and spending time with Erika and their 3 dogs.
Jonah Stanevich
Lead Carpenter
Meet Jonah
Jonah graduated from Community High School in June of 2020. He was in the Ann Arbor Student Building Industry program for two years, where he learned the basics of nearly everything that goes into making a house, with emphasis on framing. He has an interest in almost anything having to do with physical creation from machining and woodworking, to drawing and carving. He has a special interest in leather working. One day Jonah hopes to have the time, means, and space to master at least a few of these hobbies.
Justin Stackling
Lead Painter
Meet Justin
Justin brings years of diverse painting experience to the Forward team, with projects ranging from homes and commercial buildings to automotive work. Known for his calm, focused approach, precision, and work ethic, he takes pride in delivering high-quality results with careful attention to detail. Outside of work, Justin enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, and spending time outdoors with his family.
Colton Arnett
Carpenter / Painter
Meet Colton
Colton’s experience in the field started at 14 years old, where he worked with his father who owned a painting company. For the first ten years of his career, Colton worked three jobs that included painting, roofing and installing hardwood floors. He then earned his Class B Commercial Drivers License, and drove professionally for a few years. For the past three years, Colton worked exclusively on kitchens and bathrooms prior to joining our team at Forward. Outside of work, Colton enjoys spending time with his two sons. He also enjoys going to the gym and playing basketball every Sunday in a men's league.
Mikey McGuffin
Carpenter
Meet Mikey
Starting as a rough framer at 18, Mikey built a diverse career in construction, including work as a union laborer on road projects and natural gas pipelines, and as an experienced tile setter. Now growing his skills at Forward, he brings hands-on expertise and a passion for quality. Outside of work, he enjoys riding Harley-Davidsons and spending time with his wife and their two children.
Drew Johnson
Carpenter
Meet Drew
Drew is a skilled construction specialist with six years of hands-on experience in remodeling and historic restoration. After high school, he spent five years with the same contractor, building custom decks and completing interior renovations. He later worked as a carpenter in downtown Detroit, helping restore a historic building into modern apartments. Drew enjoys collaborating with clients and tradespeople to create beautiful, functional spaces. Outside of work, he loves to be outdoors and enjoys time with his fiancée and daughter.
Makayla Collins
Apprentice
Meet Makayla
Makayla joined Forward Design Build Remodel in the summer of 2023. Prior to working at Forward, Makayla attended the Michigan Career and Technical Institute Trade School for construction. Outside of work, Makayla enjoys painting and winter activities.
Jeff Kendall
Laborer
Meet Jeff
Jeff brings a creative perspective and a passion for craftsmanship to the construction industry. Currently studying at Washtenaw Community College, he has a background in team management and customer service, with a strong appreciation for teamwork and problem-solving. He enjoys collaborating with others and paying attention to the details that make each project unique. Outside of work, he enjoys creating art, cooking, and appreciating historic architecture, particularly the beauty, ingenuity, and craftsmanship that allow historic structures to stand the test of time.
When the build wraps up, you’ll see a familiar face.
Move-in isn’t the end. Your Project Consultant walks through the finished home with you, a familiar voice takes your first call, and our crew handles the work under our three-year warranty.
STEP 5 OF 5
Brian Schmidt
Project Closeout Manager
Meet Brian
Brian is an artist and a carpenter. He's probably best known for his concrete countertops and unique furniture pieces in wood, concrete, and metal. Brian brings many years of experience and an artist's touch to the Forward Design Build team!
Jimmy Huffman
Warranty Manager
Meet Jimmy
Jimmy joined the Forward team in 2023 with over 20 years of experience in residential construction. He received his builder's license in 2020 and is currently working towards a Master of Science degree in Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University. Before working in residential construction, Jimmy served in the Michigan Army National Guard for 9 years as a Military Police Officer.
And behind your project team, there’s a team to support them.
Monica runs the company day to day. Brian and Kelsey order, receive, and get your selections to the site when the crew needs them. James and Lynnette are behind your invoices and payments.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Jef Forward
Owner / Creative Director
Meet Jef
Jef brings a passion for the design and construction industry, and above all, helping our clients love their homes in the process! In his spare time, Jef enjoys spending time with the family, reading and tinkering with objects and technology.
Monica Hough-Forward
Operations Manager
Meet Monica
Monica brings a direct no-nonsense approach to her work, yet always makes it fun! She attended EMU in 1992 and received her builder's license in 2015. When she gets home from work, she loves spending time with her family or going on a long run.
Lynnette Brice
Business Manager
Meet Lynnette
Lynnette handles our books and client statements. When she’s not at work or watching hockey, she enjoys gardening or traveling, though she doesn’t get to go as often as she’d like.
Ryan Beaber
Estimator
Meet Ryan
Ryan graduated from Penn State in Architecture in 2014 and started working here a year later in April as a carpenter. He enjoys building houses more than designing them! While he’s not building houses, he enjoys running and doing yoga.
Andi Harvey
Marketing Manager
Meet Andi
With a foundation in fine arts and over 20 years of experience in graphic and UX/UI design, Andi brings depth and authenticity to brand strategy and visual storytelling. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two doodle-mixed dogs.
Susie Cutting
Office Manager
Meet Susie
Susie joined the Forward team at the beginning of 2017. Before she became a full-time stay-at-home mom to raise her son, she worked as an office manager for MLive.com. Now that her son is older, she's excited to be part of a team again. While not at work, she loves being with her son and spending time with friends and family.
Brian Konicek
Purchasing / Receiving
Meet Brian
Brian’s professional background is primarily in managing teams and supply chain in the Grocery/Produce industry. He is excited for the career shift, and is happy to be a part of our great team at Forward. In his free time Brian enjoys writing and recording music from his home studio, playing pickup basketball, exploring Ann Arbor neighborhoods on walks with his wife and trying to brew the perfect cup of black coffee.
Cameron Burris
Visual Producer / Marketing Assistant
Meet Cameron
Cameron came to Forward through carpentry. He trained in the Ann Arbor Student Building Industry program, competed in SkillsUSA carpentry competitions, and found his love for building while constructing stages for his high school theatre, where he also performed on the stages he built. Today he brings that builder's eye to the camera, producing the photos and video that show how Forward projects come together, from the first day of demo to the final walkthrough. Outside of work, Cam plays music and spends time with friends.
James Rowe
Bookkeeper
Meet James
James graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2015 with an associate degree in Applied Science in Accounting. Outside of work he enjoys most outdoor activities, especially camping and hiking (preferably out west, such as Colorado or Wyoming). James also enjoys spending time on woodworking projects.
Kelsey Nuoffer
Project Runner
Meet Kelsey
Keeps materials and paperwork moving between the office and our job sites.
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