Our Team

Jason Gordon

I was born in Kansas and moved around the state as a kid before graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Construction Science & Management. I grew up around construction since my dad was in the acoustical ceiling business since before I was born. He was a great teacher and mentor for me and I ended up working for him in San Diego for about five years before moving to Denver to start Heartland Acoustics & Interiors in 1998. I’ve been married to my amazing wife, Christi, for almost thirty years and have two awesome kids – Courtney and Jett! I love spending time with family and hanging out at home but also find time to tinker in my garage, ride motorcycles, and explore the Rocky Mountains.

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Geoff Johnson

I was born in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and moved around a lot as my father was in the Army. I graduated High School in Virginia and immediately joined the Army myself. After four years as an Army Mechanic, I decided to go to college. I graduated from The University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Engineering Management in 2008. I love anything outdoors, especially camping and fishing in the summer and skiing/snowboarding in the winter.

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Jed Wheeler

Born and raised in beautiful Pacific Northwest. I have 3 great kids and currently live near Puget Sound in Mukilteo, Washington. I have been in Construction Management for over 20 years and in senior leadership of fast paced subcontractors for a lot of that time. My experience and attention to detail has allowed me to succeed in managing project teams and collaborating with clients and partners to help create amazing structures and beautiful environments from conception to completion.

Living in the PNW and near salt water is where I belong. I enjoy finding ways to be near it, or out in it. When the weather doesn’t allow for outdoors stuff, we are lucky to have a ton of great restaurants, wineries, and breweries in the Seattle area we like to explore.

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” (FDR-1938)

Danny Romero

I was born and raised in Denver. I love everything it has to offer but mainly the outdoor lifestyle which includes fishing and exploring our beautiful mountains. When the temperature drops, that’s when the real fun begins! Snowboarding and hockey consume my life in the winter. I live and breathe hockey and I play as often as I can. Other hobbies I have consist of watching the Broncos every Sunday with all of my friends, and also enjoying the vast music scene Denver has to offer. I have been with Heartland since 2010, starting in a field position and now working in the office. I look forward to learning the ins and outs of our company and the industry.

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Ryan Drawe

I was born and raised in Michigan and at eighteen years old I joined the U.S. Navy for a two year term. During that time I was able to travel to a number of different countries. I also served a tour in Desert Storm. The last year in the Navy I was stationed in San Diego, San Diego, where I met my wife, Norma. We have three children: one in college and two in high school. I spend a lot of time at my children’s hockey games, and basketball games. During the winter my family enjoys snowboarding. I began working in the acoustical ceiling business in 1993 and I have been with Heartland Acoustics since 1998.

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Jon Holye

I was born in Greensboro, NC and grew up in and around the Durham, NC area. I competed in swimming at McCallie High School in Chattanooga, TN and went on to swim as a varsity letter winner and graduate at UNC Chapel Hill. After meeting my wife, Laura, on a missions trip to China I began working in the construction industry at Duke University. I went on to get my MBA at NC State and worked my way up from sales and estimating to a managing partner and director at the Raleigh, NC division of Bonitz where I worked for seven years before joining Heartland Acoustics. I love to watch and participate in almost any sport and enjoy time with my wife, Laura, and our four kids.

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Jamie Klein

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Psychology. I have lived in Colorado since January 2008 and now enthusiastically call Denver my home. In 2012, I found my way to the construction industry and have worked in estimating and project management for specialty contractors ever since. In my free time, you will usually find me in the mountains. I hike, camp, cycle, and ski whenever I get a chance.

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Maggie Buckley

I was born and raised just north of Chicago and all seven siblings traveled with our parents to San Diego by way of Route 66 in “66”. After living in Chico, CA for the last 20 years, I’ve returned to SD to be closer to my dad. My past positions as Office Manager, Legal Assistant and Executive Assistant defines the support person I am today. My three children are grown and live in NY and CA and there are two who call me Grandma, although not often enough! As Office Assistant, I keep the office running smooth and I’m very happy to be a part of the San Diego team. It looks like I found my last place of employment!

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Dave Ronzio

I am enthusiastic about life and excited to step up and handle any challenge the day may bring. I’ve been in the ceiling business for 16 years and love to build new projects and help aid through the building processes from start to finish. I also studied business and construction management at Front Range Community College. I’ve been living in Northern Colorado for most of my life and now live with my beautiful fiancé, Heather, and our lovely little lady, Maddison, along with our two dogs Tank and Moxi. We absolutely love living in Colorado, love being in the mountains, and take our pups to explore Colorado’s rivers and lakes as often as possible.

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Sherry Wilson

I was born and raised in Redwood City/Woodside, California where I attended school and played team sports such as basketball and softball. I grew up riding horses and participating in competitive horse shows, which is a past time that I still enjoy today. I started my career in the construction industry in 1999 as a lead receptionist for a door and millwork company in San Jose, California. I have been working within the construction and business administration industries ever since. I took time off to raise a family after our daughter Zoey was born in 2011. In 2012 my husband, Chris, and I moved to the Denver area, buying a home in Parker. I love spending time with my family whether that be lounging on the couch after a long week, or traveling to see family members in California or New York. In the summertime you will find me at the pool, the lake, on a boat, or at a concert. In the winter you will find me inside making stew or gumbo in between sledding runs. I love to read, cook, travel, swim, spend time with friends and family, and laugh til it hurts.

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Brook Simmons

Texas born and raised, I Graduated from Texas State Technical College in 2016 with an Associates Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design. I have been around construction from a young age being my parents own a concrete plant. Many summers running errands to job sites and cleaning concrete dust off everything. I am the proud mother of 2 boys, Dakoda and Parker. We love camping, fishing and hiking. I always have a project going whether it be an art project or off the ole Honey Do List.

Damani Alexcee

I was born in Louisiana, but was raised in the great state of Texas. I was fortunate enough to attend Texas State University on a football scholarship. There I was able to graduate early and begin my Master’s degree. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family in the great outdoors, hiking, fishing, and of course floating the river.

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Jessie Goodwin

I was born in Baltimore MD and have spent most of my life either in Glen Arm or Ocean City MD. After graduating from high school and upon my return from my honeymoon I started a commercial building business with minimal cash and over the next 30 years completed 325 Million dollars of building projects and grew into one of the larger GC’s in the Baltimore area. We self-performed carpentry work on our projects. Based on some bad business decisions made before the 2008 great recession I had to close the business in 2012. Divorced I have 2 fine young men as sons. I relocated to the Denver area in 2014. I love the beach, saltwater fishing, reading, movies, dancing, karaoke, racquet sports, bike riding, the mountains and football (Go Ravens). I look forward to lending my considerable construction experience to Heartland and I am excited to experience the family culture here.

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Ivan Tsougas

I was born and raised in Carlsbad, NM. I met my astonishing wife, Bren while we were in High School so you could say we are HS sweethearts. We have 2 amazing children, Tucker and Sloane. We enjoy doing anything outdoors as a family and spending time together. I particularly love Hunting and off-roading. Being from an oilfield town meant that summers were full of work and instilled in me, a great work-ethic that I am excited to share here at Heartland Acoustics. I attended Eastern New Mexico University for 3 years and upon returning home, I began working as an OSR on the Equipment-Rental side of the oilfield for multiple years prior to making a move to the Austin metroplex and finding a passion for Interiors as an OSR for a Construction Materials Distributor. Through this job I was able to meet Jason Gordon and the rest of the crew at Heartland Acoustics in Texas. After handling their account for 2 years as a supplier, I was fortunate enough to be offered a job to work for Heartland Acoustics. I am ecstatic about the opportunity and look forward to continuing the growth here in Texas and providing top-notch customer service to any and all customers of Heartland Acoustics.

Jeff Barstad

I was born in Selma, Alabama and spent most of my childhood there. My family moved to Denver when I was 14, but my love for Alabama football remained and has only grown since. Roll Tide!!
I met my beautiful wife, Virginia, soon after high school. We worked and went to college together. We have been happily married for 16 years (23 years together in total). A couple of years after getting married, we welcomed our one and only amazing child, Bryant, into the world. Now 14, he plays competitive baseball year-round, which keeps us quite busy.
When I am not watching him play, I enjoy watching every sport imaginable, going outdoors to hike or fish, and spending time with family and friends. I am a huge movie buff, a bit of a “foodie”, and I very much enjoy travelling.
Professionally, I have spent the last 17 years managing operations in the residential and commercial remodeling industry. Much of my experience aligns well to my position at Heartland. Although new to Heartland, I am beyond excited to be a part of this elite team and look forward to contributing to the company’s success!

Dionne Koehler

Andrew DeFrancesco

I am from Wixom, MI. I moved to Colorado in 2012. I have been involved in trades my whole life. Mainly welding and carpentry. Carpentry and home renovation has always been a passion of mine. After moving to Colorado, I spent a few years building custom millwork until moving into project management. I am currently pursuing a mathematics degree with Southern New Hampshire University which takes up most of my time outside of work. When I do get some free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, taking my dog on hikes, or just relaxing around the house.

Holly Holt

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. At a young age, I went to Disneyland California and my first ride was Space Mountain; as I buckled into the ride my father whispered, “Don’t raise your hands too high you’ll mess up my ceilings.” My professional history starts with my father. He went from working in the field to starting his own acoustical company in Garden Grove, CA. This cultivated my interest in construction. After a few years of acoustical estimating, I received an opportunity to lead the Acoustical Division at a local specialty drywall company. I am now delighted to be a member of Heartland Acoustics & Interiors. On my free time, I seek out any activities involving adrenaline and training in mixed martial arts.

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Jenn Park

I am originally from Northern California and moved to Colorado in 1992. My entire career has evolved to being the backbone of a business or charitable/community organization. I love being the administrative spearhead; or “Girl Friday”; always utilizing my numerous methodical talents. I dedicate my life towards creating intentional connections and leading by example. I thrive to advocate towards radical self-awareness, possessing positive intention and paying it forward. I am enamored by my amazingly talented teen daughter, who is driven by music and is an aspiring culinary artist. Our muses in life are creating art/culture/food, live music, outdoor everything, poetry/creative writing and existentialism. My motto is: “Without the sense of urgency; desire loses its value.”

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Scott Barnett

I was born and raised in the great state of Michigan. I started my career in construction while in high school roofing and framing houses. After graduating high school, I joined the United States Navy with the intent of becoming a part of the Construction Battalion (CB). During boot camp, I was told that the CB rate was closed and decided on following the course of Machinist Mate. After 4 years in the Navy, I spent the next 22 years in the telecommunications industry. I believe that my background in telecom will mesh well with the construction world I intended to get into in the first place. Married to my wife of almost 15 years, we have two amazing 8 and 9 year old boys that are heavily into inline hockey. We spend much of our spare time camping and shuffling our boys around to their games and practices. I’m also an avid home brewer and part-time distiller for a local distillery.

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Dominic Liberato

I was born and raised in Colorado. My passion for motorcycles started at the young age of 4 years old. I started riding dirt bikes, and as I got older I moved on to Harleys. Since then I’ve added to my collection and now own five bikes. As much as I love my Harleys, my pride and joy is my 12 year old daughter, Ava. She is my best friend and greatest gift. We do everything together, including riding motorcycles, 4-wheelers, movies, and just hanging on the couch. I love getting up each day and contributing to Heartland. Not only do I enjoy my work, but I enjoy the people I get to work with every day. Each day is a new challenge to be solved.

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Kim Nance

I’m a native Denverite, and I have worked in Accounting, Human Resources and Administration my entire career. My husband and I have two daughters. One works for a non-profit soccer foundation, and our other daughter is a teacher. We spend a lot of time with family and friends. We love to visit those who are out of state as often as possible. I love being outside and do a lot of hiking and walking. In the summer I enjoy gardening.

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Brian Ganges

I was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, and moved to Texas in 2002. I have over two decades of commercial construction experience, starting out as a laborer/helper, and later becoming a Drywall and Acoustical Ceiling Foreman, and eventually becoming an Estimator/Project Manager. At Heartland, I plan to use my skillset, experience, team attitude, and desire to grow to help the Austin/San Antonio office become the standard by which subcontractors in our industry are judged. In my spare time, I am an avid reader, lifelong learner, and I enjoy mentoring/inspiring the youth and men to reach their full potential.

My wife, Sheryl, and I are blessed to have two great adult children, Brianna and Demetrius; and we currently enjoy our new freedom of being empty nesters. We enjoy traveling, cruising, trying new restaurants, making new friends, and enjoying life.

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Eddie Maher

I Moved to Berthoud, Colorado from Seattle, Washington in 1985. I started in the construction industry by helping my cousin-in-law with framing and trimming out custom homes during the housing boom in the late 90’s. As the housing market slowed, I made the switch to commercial construction. I started with Heartland Acoustics & Interiors in February of 2009. I am father to two sons and husband to my wife Samantha. My oldest son, Cody, is 15 years old and my youngest son, Eli, is 4 years old. We love to enjoy our beautiful state of Colorado through camping, fishing, motocross, four wheeling and exploring the mountains with our dog, Kiana. I have always loved audio/home theater equipment and environment so naturally I have a deep passion for our products and the acoustical industry as a whole.

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Ricky Garcia

I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I graduated from Edgewood high School in 1988, then went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Electronic Engineering. Being the son of a contractor I learned at a young age the value of hard work and try to incorporate the same values into my work ethic. I have worked in the commercial industry for over 25 years. I started with Heartland in July of 2018, and look forward to working in this growing industry.

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Val Leach

I was born at an Air force base in Tucson, Arizona but my family soon moved to San Diego. After high school, I went to college in Los Angeles for a few years and returned to San Diego where I found the Office Manager opportunity for Heartland Acoustics. I spent 8 years working for the California branch until I ventured off to another opportunity working for a General Contractor in 2016. In early 2019, my family moved to Southern Maryland on military orders (husband is active duty marines) and I was welcomed back by Heartland with the opportunity to work remote as an Accounting Assistant. I am happily married to my husband Dan and we have a blended family of three children, Jodie (14), Riley (12) and our youngest, Payton (3). In our free time, we enjoy exploring restaurants in the DC area, working on home improvement projects, maintaining our farm and raising our Thoroughbreds that we breed for the race track.

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Rusty Benoit

I was born in Pasadena California and started my career in acoustical ceilings in 1982. I have always enjoyed the challenge of installing systems beyond standard. I have worked for both specialty contractors and general contractors and have learned a lot about the commercial construction industry. My family and I moved to Colorado in 1993 and we enjoy fishing, camping, working on cars and bikes, and whatever else we can find to do together.

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Nathan Johnston

I was born in Pennsylvania, however, I have spent most of my life in Colorado .While I was attending University of Colorado, Colorado Springs for Accounting, I also worked full-time for a contractor in the government and military sector. This last year, I have helped launch two small companies one in metal fabrication and another which makes bespoke performance auto parts. I hope to bring my unique technical knowledge and experience to the Heartland accounting team. I am an avid fisherman, auto- enthusiast and hiker but love all the outdoors activities the state has to offer. My fiancée Mindy and I are getting married September of 2019 and look forward to the next steps in life.

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Patricia Linsenmann

Human Resources Manager, Colorado

I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas where I received my undergraduate from University of North Texas and my graduate degree in HR Management from Tarleton State University. As a seasoned Human Resources Professional and business partner, I have used my strong human resources background and a blend of experience in various positions within private and public sectors to affect positive change in the organizations that I have had the privilege of partnering with. In my free time, I enjoy all things dealing with music including singing, dancing, and just enjoying the vibrational tones of life. I am also a avid reader with over 300 books in my personal library!

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Scott Parish

I am a results-driven construction business executive with 25 years of broad-based construction experience who has earned a reputation for consistently meeting and exceeding corporate objectives. I am originally from St. Joseph MI with a wife and 3 children. I enjoy CrossFit, football, and spending as much time outside as possible. I dislike anything and everything Detroit. And support all the Chicago sports teams.

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Brittany Zarie

I was born in Ft. McClellan, Alabama; raised in LaMesa, California; and grew up in Aurora, Colorado! My husband and I are high school sweethearts – we love spending as much time as possible together, and travel up to Estes Park as often as we can. In my spare time, I love writing novels, baking, and reading anything I can get my hands on!

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Jarrod LaFon

Being the son of an Air Force Captain, I was born overseas in Madrid, Spain. We traveled around the United States and England before my father retired in North Carolina. I studied Business Management at NC State University and began my career in Specialty Construction in 2002. I spent a majority of my career in Multi-Craft Construction serving industrial and commercial clients across the United States and Canada. Most recently working in Mechanical Construction.

My wife and I recently moved to Colorado, as we wanted a new adventure full of hiking trails and outdoor activities. I enjoy spending my free time with my amazing wife traveling and exploring all that Colorado has to offer. I’m so excited to be a part of the Heartland Acoustics and Interiors Team and look forward to a long career with amazing people!

Micheal Swift

I am originally from Long Beach, CA and have two beautiful daughters, Lauren and Danielle. We relocated to the High Desert when they were young so we could have our own little farm of 3 horses and 5 dogs. There I worked for a general contractor for 10 years. I relocated to San Antonio from there and worked for the City of Johnson City, before moving to Denver 3 years ago. I absolutely love it here! In my spare time I love going to the lake, seeing live music, and trying out new restaurants. I am very excited for the opportunity to work for Heartland Acoustics!

Marnie Bachman

I was born and raised in North Dakota but moved to Colorado when I was 16, so I definitely feel like a native! I have been in the accounting industry for almost 20 years and have worked specifically in construction accounting for more than 10 years. I am happily married to my husband Andrew, and we have two kids, Sydney and Zac, both will be in college this year, so we will be empty nesters! I love to cook and I’m constantly making up new recipes and testing them on my family. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, golfing and reading everything I can get my hands on. We also have two amazing dogs, Charley and Willow, that keep us extremely busy!

Jason Forsyth

I was born and raised in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, spending both my summers and winters on the lakes snowmobiling, ice fishing, jet skiing, and wake boarding before moving to Colorado when I was 19. I graduated from The University of Colorado at Boulder, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and have spent much of my career in public accounting as a financial auditor specializing in the energy sector before arriving at Heartland. I love to read old books on history and have a passion for anything with two wheels, especially mountain biking. I revel in listening to the clattering of my bike as I ride through the stillness of nature exploring new trails while occasionally getting lost! Most of all, I love to eat…anything. Thai, Indian, or Mediterranean are a few of my favorites!!

Loreal Weisshaar

I was born in Santiago, Chile and adopted when I was 3 months old. I grew up on a farm in Eastern Colorado where we lived 25 miles from the nearest town. As fun as farm life was, I moved to Denver as soon as I could. I started my career in Administration at a young age and have enjoyed building on that with a focus in Accounting, HR, and Payroll. My boyfriend and I spent 3 years in the mountains but recently moved back to the metro area and are here to stay! We enjoy traveling and camping. We have a pitbull named Lacey who is a 13-year-old princess baby and a pitbull/lab mix named Kona who loves to chase bugs and play ball. In my free time, I love to hike and paddleboard. I’m passionate about nature, animals, and living life to the fullest!

Bea Judge

Originally from Texas, I was born in Corpus Christi, but grew up in Houston. In 1999, I transferred to Denver with Continental Airlines/(United Airlines now) with my wonderful husband, David and 5 children Jessica, Julian, Jennifer Juliette and Jonathon. Additionally, I enjoy being a grandmother to 4 grandchildren! I am blessed to still be working part time with the airlines, having over 35 years in the industry; and concurrently work part time in Accounting for Heartland utilizing my nearly 40 years’ experience in the accounting industry. The many years in the airline industry have allowed my family and I to travel around the world, which is our passion. I love traveling to see our family located in multiple places around the country, as well as seeing parts of the world that we haven’t seen yet, as there are so many great places to visit! We are also very involved and active within our church community. Our motto: work hard, play hard!

Amanda Chandler

I was born in a small town in Charleston South Carolina and surrounded by carpenters. They were always doing some sort of project on the weekends and I played with the cut offs of 2 x 4s as my blocks. I moved to Seattle Washington area when I was 6. In high school I worked for a small General Contractor in the summers and on my breaks doing odd jobs on site. I also was in the ACE program my senior year in high school which really molded my love of construction.

After high school I worked my way into the construction industry by learning various skill sets. Finally landing and cultivating my love of estimating which I’ve developed over the course of 10 years.

When I’m not working I’m spending time with my husband of 19 years Loren and my two dogs Willow and Clutch.

Ryan Pratt

I was born and raised in the Puget Sound area. After high school, I pursued my bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Central Washington University. I graduated in 2014, and around that time, met my wife, Brittany. We got married in April 2017 and have been together now for almost 10 years. We have two wonderful children, Georgia and Charles.

Rather than continuing my education, I decided to settle down and start growing my career, which is how I fell into the construction world. I started off in phone sales at a local commercial door company, and worked my way up through project management to the position of contract department and company operations manager. After that company moved South, I decided to stay local and broaden my experience in other fields; first as a project manager for a commercial glass company, and now as a senior estimator in commercial ceilings and acoustics with Heartland.

I’m excited to use my experience and work with my team on growing our presence in the Seattle Area and beyond!

Aris Matteis

I was born in Atlanta, GA and recently relocated to San Diego, CA with my Fiancé Lexie and my dachshund Sandy. I graduated from Georgia College with a degree in Business Management. Since graduating, I have worked in the commercial interiors industry. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and mountain biking.

Ryan Cossoff

I am a Colorado native, raised in Denver. I grew up playing soccer, making it to the Colorado team, and had plans to play in college before an ACL injury. I attended East High School and later the University of Colorado, Boulder. After graduation I moved back home and began working for Richmond Homes, later taking on the role of National Estimator. Following this I became a cost estimator at J.R. Butler estimating various glazing projects. I have also been studying audio engineering and music production for 13 years. I teach sound design and music production on YouTube and teach one on one lessons occasionally.

Brandon Moore

I grew up just outside of Atlanta. After graduating College, I moved to Las Vegas with my wife while my parents moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After spending many years working in Las Vegas, we decided to move to Denver to be closer to our family. I was fortunate enough to find a job in the commercial construction industry as a project manager and superintendent. We spend as much time as we can at home in Steamboat Springs, where we enjoyed playing in the snow, riding horses and exploring with four wheelers on our family’s ranch. We relocated to Austin when my wife received a great employment opportunity. We have since settled into the culture that Austin provides, and love the slower pace of life in a small town just south of Austin Texas.

Brody Philips

I was born and raised in the small, hardworking town of Tuscarawas, Ohio. Growing up, my family and I would tackle a wide range of residential projects ranging from carpentry, roofing, electrical, and finish trades. Eventually, In 2016 my wife and I moved to the beautiful state of Colorado and bought our first home together in Parker, CO which is where I started my career in commercial construction. When I’m not busy with work I spend my free time playing guitar, watching live music, wrenching on vehicles, and getting outside as much as possible whether that’s in the form of fishing, hiking with my dogs, or riding motorcycles.

Fernando Nanita

I was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where I attended high school and college and obtained my Civil Engineering degree. I then moved to Barcelona, Spain where I obtained my master’s degree in Structural Design. I’ve been working in construction since 2008, and it has been my passion ever since. Beyond my professional life, I love to golf and play baseball. I find inspiration in my family as they are everything to me. I believe that life is an incredible journey filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful experiences. I’m grateful for the support of my family, friends, and mentors who have shaped me into the person I am today.

Brooklyn Wheeler

I grew up in Lake Stevens, WA and have lived in the PNW my whole life. I currently live in Woodinville, WA with my boyfriend, Austin, and 2 cats , Angus and Birdie. I met Austin at Central Washington University, where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Environmental Science. Go Cats ! I have been in the construction industry since 2020, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Education. Outside of work and school, I love trying new coffee spots, going to the beach, spending weekends in Cle Elum, WA, going to Mariners games, and being with my family.

Garrett Ness

Born and raised in Gig Harbor, WA. I currently live in Tacoma, WA with my dachshund named Shorty (I didn’t pick the name). Growing up on the Puget Sound, fishing, crabbing, and boating were apart of my summer routine. Outside of work, I enjoy fly fishing, golf, and I found a passion in coaching college/high school lacrosse. I attended Central Washington University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy. I graduated in 2020. Just like many, that year was full of unexpected obstacles that delayed the pursuit of my career. I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of the Heartland family.

Loren Caldera

I was originally born in a small town in Texas called Quitman. I grew up in Richmond, Texas where I attended most of my younger education at Brisco Manner and Foster High School. I later went on to study at Houston Community College and received an associate degree in accounting. I have 5 beautiful children. I have a 13-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl, twin 9-year-old boys and a 6-year-old boy that keep me busy during my spare time. I’m excited to be getting married in November of 2024 and becoming Mrs. Loren Caldera, and when I’m not working or being a wife and mother, I enjoy traveling to Texas to visit family. Additionally, I like spending time outdoors, hiking and hunting; and indoors, furthering my education. Professionally, I started my career in software development in Houston, Texas until 2018 when I assisted in starting up an electrical contracting company. From there, I went on to become a project coordinator with an electrical services company and have continued to grow in project development roles, which has led me here. I am very excited to learn and grow in my new role as a Project Assistant at Heartland.

Dena Baldwin

I was proudly raised a Colorado native, where I found my passion for serving people through Human Resources. For over 26 years I have served in the industry, and in 2003, became the prideful proprietor of Dena Baldwin, HR Consulting. Throughout the duration of the proprietorship, I have served a multitude of small to mid-sized companies in the industries of Healthcare, Research and Disease Cessation, Legal and Estate Planning, Hospitality Services and Construction. In 2019, our family relocated to Iowa to experience living life on our family farm and to focus more intently on serving others. I am the proud mom of four girls, ages 12-25, with which I enjoy spending every available moment outdoors, where we hike, ride bikes, spend time with the animals and take relaxing rides through the rolling hills, either on the back of a horse or on the seat of my husband, Brad’s, Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Both are glorious!

Debi Koteles-Torres

I was born and raised in South Jersey moved to Texas in 2008 and Colorado in 2013. My son is still happily living in Texas. I have more than 15 years of Administrative background with 12 of those in construction (9 specifically in Acoustic Ceilings and Walls). My Husfriend Kevin and I have been together for 11 years and going strong! I am a bit of a nerd and spend most of my evenings playing a MMORPG, leading raids as a Guild Leader. I am very excited to be joining the Heartland Team and look forward to years of growth here.

Brandon Hansen

I was born and raised in Washington. I have a daughter, who is my world. Everything I do, I do it for her. We spend a lot of time outside going on new adventures, and spending time with friends and family. I joined the Local 41 Carpenters Union in 2014 and Journeyed out in 2019. In September 2019 I started my new role as a Superintendent. I enjoy working close with our field crew, helping them come up with solutions, and pushing them and myself to be the best we can be. I am excited to grow with the Heartland team and learn from them as well.

Wayne Wheless

I was born in Atlanta GA and spent the first 29 years of my life growing up there. I moved to Denver in 2000 after getting out of the hospital from renal failure and wanting a lifestyle change. I have been in some form of Warehouse Operations Management for the better part of 20-plus years across numerous fields and industries. I have also had a go at being a small business owner having owned my own shipping and mailing store in 2013 in Arizona. I have shipped everything imaginable, driven every kind of forklift, and seen just about everything in warehousing before. I am single which means in my spare time I play recreational ice hockey on Friday nights, play drums in a 70’s & 80’s Rock cover band on Saturday nights, work on my hockey skills on Sunday mornings, ride my bike, read a lot and whenever I can fit it in, I try to go on road trips, hiking, and advance my landscape photography as well.

Jose Gonzalez

I’m a native to San Diego, born and raised. I’ve been in the construction industry with an emphasis in acoustical ceilings for 38 years beginning as an Apprentice to owning and operating my own business for 14 years. I’ve worked throughout the United States, however primarily in California and that of the Pacific Northwest. I strive to do the best that I can in whatever I do. I am a firm believer of working hard, leading by example, so my 4 kids can understand, appreciate and respect strong work ethics. I love spending time with my family of 3 sons, a daughter and a grandson.

Daniel Magallon

I was born and raised in the state of Washington, grew up around residential construction work with my family and have always had an interest in fabricating and building things. I graduated high school from a small town and studied at the University of Washington for construction management. I soon after began my journey at an acoustical company for three years as a utility worker then, got a job offer working for L&W Supply in Redmond, WA where I quickly moved up to sales and was able to learn and develop my product knowledge on the framing, drywall, and acoustical side of things. I recently got married to my beautiful wife Tina, and we are expecting our second child. On my free time I enjoy going to car meets and working in the garage on a mix of cars and home projects, as well as hitting the slopes in the wintertime.