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We Believe in Our People

As I introduce you to the members of my team, I do so with a heart filled with pride over what this group accomplishes for our community. I really believe there is no finer a team in the Twin Cities new home marketplace. I have received literally thousands of compliments about the craftsmanship, empathy, passion, enthusiasm, and professionalism with which they conduct themselves every day. Like me, they realize that every single new home we build will become a dream come true for the new owner. We take pride and great satisfaction helping dreams come true.

Leadership Team

Dean Hanson

Title: President
Education: B.S. Math/Physics, University of Minnesota
Bio: Dean started this all with his dad, Ken, building and remodeling homes in Anoka back in 1979. Today, with over thirty years of experience, Dean has fashioned Hanson Builders into a company of excellence. Dean knows people want more than a gorgeous home; they want a homebuilding company with a solid reputation for excellent quality and integrity. They want a company that has stood the test of time and has never changed their name to evade responsibility. At HBI they stand behind their homes because they take pride in what they build. Dean enjoys traveling, serving with Homes of Hope and Children\'s Hope Chest and spending time with his five kids, daughter in-law, son in-law, and three grandchildren.
Phone: (763) 421-5435 x 110
Favorite Quote: Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows we know and holds us responsible to act.
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Steve Kothman

Title: General Manager
Education: B.A. Finance, Augsburg College
Bio: Steve has been with HBI since 1981 and has his fingerprints on all parts of our construction and warranty processes. His careful, thorough attention to the details helps our homes to be built with the highest standards. His expertise and integrity is a tremendous asset to our clients as questions come up in the building process. Steve loves to hunt. He lives in Andover with his wife Lori and two very active sons.
Phone: (763) 286-2509
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Don Skelly

Title: Director of Sales
Education: B.A. Business Administration, St. Thomas University
Bio: Now in his second decade with Hanson Builders, Don joined HBI from the auto industry to help organize processes. His sense of humor, optimism, and focused effort on sales and marketing are great additions to Hanson Builders. Don keeps the energy high at the office, supports our sales staff, and meets regularly with custom-design clients. Past-times include reading, anything computer-iPad-iPhone, and church involvement. Home is in the city - St. Paul - empty-nesters.
Phone: (763) 286-2563
Favorite Quote: Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.
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Mark Englund

Title: Vice President of Design
Education: B.A. North Park College
Bio: Mark is our in-house home designer. He is constantly designing better and even more exciting new designs. Mark will work with you to customize whatever you desire in a new home. Nationally recognized in home design, Mark provides a broad perspective to the Hanson Builders Design team. In his career he has rubbed shoulders with names like Susanka, Lander, Cudd, Bloodgood and more. He is friendly and enthusiastic about his work. Mark loves team sports including football, hockey, and baseball, is active in his church, and enjoys spending time with his family.
Favorite Quote: Shutout! Especially with the twins.
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Chris Anderson

Title: Controller
Education: B.S. Finance, University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
Bio: After some time in Corporate America, Chris started with Hanson Builders as a consultant on land development projects. Chris has now added financial analysis and capital procurement to his role, and oversees all the finance and accounting functions at Hanson Builders. Chris has a passion for fitness and competes in triathlons where ever he can find them.
Phone: (602) 515-8101
Favorite Quote: Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat. -F. Scott Fitzgerald
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Merchandising

Catherine Hanson

Title: Interior Designer / Owner
Education: B.A. Education, University of Minnesota
Bio: Although not involved in the day to day running of HBI, Catherine often provides a female perspective to the design and function of our homes. As a member of the design team, she gives input on what women might want in a new home. Catherine is also involved in the merchandising of our award winning models and does the selecting and shopping for all the furnishings. When not working she enjoys time with friends, family and her three grandkids.
Phone: (763) 421-5435 x 126
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Nancy Brown

Title: Interior Designer
Education: A.A.S. Interior Design
Bio: Nancy is our very talented in-house certified interior designer. She meets with every custom homebuyer helping them select from the latest design options to make their home reflect their tastes. Nancy spends hours looking at design trends and new products for the interior of our homes. She is an expert is color coordination and can help you find just the right shade of any color. As a mom of three young children, her free time is pretty much spoken for.
Phone: (763) 421-5435 x 134
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Ashley Hansen

Title: Sales & Merchandising Assistant
Education: B.S. Interior Design and Minor in Art, N.D.S.U.
Bio: Ashley joins us in 2011 with a background in a variety of interior design services, including client selections. She will support our Sales Team and our Interior Design Team. Friendly, positive, thorough are three obvious character traits and we will know more as she knits herself in to many of our processes.
Phone: (651) 755-5160
Favorite Quote: 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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Sales & Marketing

Jim Moe

Title: Sales Consultant
Education: B.A. Marketing, Concordia University of St. Paul
Bio: Jim is with our Coldwell Banker Burnet group. He joined our team as a satisfied customer. He & wife Lisa built their home with Hanson Builders back in the 90s. Jim brings a multitude of talents to our team - including some in-depth knowledge of new construction. Jim enjoys hunting, fishing, and being with his family.
Phone: (612) 810-6570
Favorite Quote: I can do that.
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Lesa Rand

Title: Sales Consultant / Broker
Bio: Lesa grew up in Wisconsin, spent 20 years in California selling real estate and now is happy to be back raising her family in the Midwest. Professionalism, sense of humor, and friendliness helps Lesa win customers confidence quickly. An animal lover, Lesas focus is with her husband Rusty and their three kids - Travis, Brandon, & Chloe.
Phone: (763) 350-7354
Favorite Quote: Well done is better than well said.
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Joe Collins

Title: Sales Consultant
Education: B.A. Management, B.A. Communication, St. Johns University
Bio: Joe sells our Blaine communities in The Lakes: Northwest Shores, Aspen Woods, and The Cottages at Aspen Woods. He also sells resale properties and works with many real estate investors. Hard working, reliable, friendly, thorough. Joe works like crazy for his clients and has broad knowledge on process, legal issues, property management, and new technologies. Joe is raising a family in Blaine and has a great community spirit volunteering his time to many causes.
Phone: (612) 414-6983
Favorite Quote: Just Do It - Nike
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Office & Support

Lori Kothman

Title: H.R. Administration
Education: Associates of Arts, Accounting
Bio: Lori manages our Human Resource functions, Payroll, and 401(K) and Profit Sharing Programs. She is married to Steve, our general manger. This past summer HBI became a family affair when both of their high school sons worked part time out on the job sites for HBI.
Phone: (763) 421-5435 x 101
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Claudia Keiffer

Title: Bookkeeper / Closer
Education: Mortgage Broker License
Bio: Claudia has experience in many facets of our business, including insurance, broker license, paying our mountain of monthly invoices and of course bookkeeping. With her husband Rick, they enjoy walking the dog, and enjoying nature.
Phone: 763-421-5435 x 112
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Liz Larsen

Title: Administrator
Bio: Liz is the pleasant voice you hear when calling HBI. She has a wide background in the business environment and is multi-dimensional, allowing her to use these talents in running the office. Liz has a real heart for youth and has been involved in many programs focused on helping todays young people and investing in their future. Liz has three children and lives in Ham Lake with her husband Dan.
Phone: 763-421-5435
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Linda Holmberg

Title: Web Administrator
Education: B.A. Education, B.S. Information Technology, Business
Bio: Linda is our web-master and is responsible for our gorgeous web site and the maintenance. Linda is involved with the sound technology at her church, and enjoys athletics - when her three daughters are not demanding her attention.
Phone: 763-421-5435 x 114
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Job Superintendents

Torrey Kjelstad

Title: Superintendent / Scheduler
Bio: Torrey works hard at securing the best subcontractors and products for our homes. Torrey is also in charge of scheduling you home to completion. With 100% accuracy, HBI has never been late on completing a home. Not ever!! He works with sub-contractors and does all scheduling of the building process. He works hard to give you the best value on every HBI home. Torrey has a great sense of humor and is the office prankster.
Phone: (763) 238-9282
Favorite Quote: A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs..it is jolted by every pebble on the road.
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JD Hanson

Title: Head Job Superintendent
Education: Builders License
Bio: JD is Deans oldest son. He was always a natural when it came to building things. He worked with both his dad and grandpa (Ken) from the time he was old enough to carry a hammer. Even though he is a relatively young man, JD possesses over 16 years of actual building experience. As our head job superintendent JD keeps a close eye on every job being built by HBI. Every subcontractor knows JD very well and he is held in high regard by each one. In his spare time he is snowmobiling, hunting, or lifting his Jeep a little higher. JD lives in Blaine with his lovely wife.
Phone: (763) 286-1810
Favorite Quote: Look at life through the windshield, not the rear view mirror
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Mike Carbone

Title: Job Superintendent
Bio: Mike came to HBI with many years of custom home building experience. His knowledge and careful attention to the building process shows in every home he supervises. Mike has a great personality - pleasant, friendly, thorough, and tough when needed. Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. In the fall you can find him in the north woods hunting with JD.
Phone: 763-286-6404
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Ryan Hansen

Title: Job Superintendent
Bio: Ryan is a very accomplished carpenter. His skills and construction experience is just another reason HBI is the best Builder in the Twin Cities. Like his father, David Hansen, there is not much he cannot fix. He also has his father’s sense of humor and great work ethic. Ryan lives in Blaine with his wife.
Phone: (763) 286-2615
Field Staff

David Hansen

Title: Warranty / Service Manager
Bio: David's broad background is a tremendous asset in his position as our Service Manager. He can diagnose just about anything, and often repair it on the spot. A steady personality and a dry sense of humor make him a favorite with other team members and customers alike. David makes his home in Lindstrom and enjoys an active outdoor family life.
Phone: 763-421-5435 x 119
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Ian Opay

Title: Landscape Manager / Heavy Equipment Operator
Bio: Ian is our “outdoor” guy who tackles a wide variety of projects. His skill in a Bobcat is unmatched. If there were national Bobcat competitions we know our guy would kick butt. If you are ever out to the job site and Ian is there building a bolder wall or putting on a final grade – stop and watch a real pro at work. Ian enjoys time with his wonderful wife and four children.
Phone: 763-286-3175

Luke Hanson

Title: Construction Help
Education: Florida Gulf Coast University, Finance
Bio: Luke started out doing a variety of tasks including sweeping out houses under construction, landscaping, and is now learning some carpentry. Customers immediately like his politeness, sense of humor, and work ethic. He is working towards finishing his Finance degree and certification in a Real Estate.
Phone: 763-421-5435
Design & Drafting

Brian Engebretson

Title: Draftsman
Education: Northwest Technical Institute
Bio: Brian brings nearly 20 years of drafting experience to the Hanson Builders team. With an eye for detail, Brian will ensure that every one of our plans reflect our buyers wishes. Away from the office, Brian enjoys trips up north to his cabin with his wife Heather.