At HighCraft Builders, clients are more than just clients. They’re like family. So naturally we work hard to make each one happy. Sometimes it’s a juggling act, but you would never know because each member of the HighCraft team refuses to drop the ball – for clients or for each other. Check out our profiles and get to know HighCraft Builders a little better.
Bryan Soth, CGP, CAPS
Co-founder, Owner and Mission Control
Bryan’s quiet strength and intellectual depth is respected and appreciated by staff, clients and industry peers alike. We’re pretty sure the phrase “still waters run deep” was coined for Bryan. As a co-founder of HighCraft Builders, he’s a steady rock in a self-made pool of deep, cool calm. When Bryan talks, people listen. He makes every word count. A simple, yet powerful, insight from Bryan often provides the perfect solution. Bryan’s even keel is complemented by his even-handed approach to all business dealings. Bryan’s word is his bond, and it’s backed by an authenticity and commitment to excellence that serves HighCraft clients well.
“Everyone at HighCraft wants to make the client happy. We truly care. So we go above and beyond to make sure each client has the best experience possible.” – Bryan
LIKES: Systematic approaches, dark chocolate, structure, being on time, and a perfect crema on espresso.
DISLIKES: Frosting, people who drive slow in the fast lane, listening to someone eating chips, and making the same mistake twice.
More than meets the eye:
Bryan studied in France and later in Italy, where he acquired several languages and a discriminating taste for good tiramisu. He also earned his master’s degree in Business Administration. When he’s not fly fishing or playing guitar, he enjoys spending free time with his wife and two beautiful daughters.
Dwight Sailer, CGP
Co-founder, Owner and Big Thinker
To say Dwight is a people person is an understatement. He’s an incredible problem solver, morale booster, budget defender, big-picture dreamer, and overall make-it-right guy. But Dwight’s not all talk. He’s been a serious entrepreneur since high school, and he’s enjoyed working in the remodeling business for more than 20 years. Dwight knows this industry like the back of his hand, so he knows what it takes to do the job right. As a co-founder of HighCraft Builders, Dwight’s heart and soul is in this company because his life’s work is to make people happy.
“At HighCraft it’s ALL about the client. We’re in the business of taking care of people, establishing trust and building relationships. I’ve met so many amazing people through HighCraft. It feels good to help them go from liking their home, to loving their home.” – Dwight
LIKES: Family road trips, California wine, old cowboy trail songs, and being himself around clients and staff.
DISLIKES: Convenience stores, Calvin and Hobbes stickers on truck cabs, and being in a room while someone’s vacuuming.
More than meets the eye:
Dwight loves heading down the highway, either pulling a horse trailer for his daughter or enjoying a cross-country road trip with the entire family. He’s just as comfortable in a 4H livestock barn as he is spending time in the ocean on a surfboard.
Scott Fetters
Production Manager and Master of No Surprises
If Scott seems a little quiet it’s because he’s a terrific listener, which makes him one of the best production managers in the trades today. Scott oversees every HighCraft construction effort, and his project managers’ job sites are always clean, productive and panic free. Scott’s steady hand and carefully orchestrated schedules effectively manage expectations, giving homeowners total peace of mind. In fact, the longer you know Scotty the more you want to adopt him. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
“Everyone at HighCraft is like family.” – Scott
LIKES: The Broncos, family time, and the end of a project when everything comes together.
DISLIKES: Silverware, seafood, and chaotic job sites.
More than meets the eye:
Scott’s an avid outdoorsman and skilled archer who can hit a bull’s eye from 70 yards.
Gordon Winner
Project Manager and Get it Done Guru
Homeowners love Gordon, and what’s not to love? He’s meticulous about getting it right for the client. Gordon tempers his laser-beam perfectionism with a naturally relaxed manner, letting homeowners know they’re in good, balanced hands. With Gordon it’s like western wolverine meets eastern philosopher as he tenaciously goes after a problem – large or small – then gently explains the solution to a homeowner with the patience of a sensei.
“HighCraft is committed to making the remodeling experience a positive growth process for clients and staff.” – Gordon
LIKES: Family, nature, simplicity, working with his hands, working with people, teaching, and solving problems.
DISLIKES: Lima beans, clutter, meat, and being late.
More than meets the eye:
Gordo is our resident guitar playing vegetarian snowboarding music composing kinesiologist who also enjoys the outdoors just a wee bit. The Appalachian Trail? He knocked it out in less than five months. And Gordon’s a very proud papa to boot.
Kira Koldeway, Allied Member ASID, Affiliate IIDA
Design Manager and Marketing Maven
Whether she’s coordinating interior finish selections, organizing a food drive, or managing HighCraft’s team of architectural and interior designers, Kira brings order and grace to anything she touches. Her warm, encouraging smile tells clients and co-workers that she’s carefully listening. Her understanding and effective communication keeps everything on track. Kira’s calming effect is instant and universal because she genuinely cares about people, and her natural sense of style conveys exceptional taste and confidence.
“I love my job because of the people I’m surrounded by. I’m encouraged to share ideas and take the reins, which makes each project exciting and creative.” – Kira
LIKES: Having everything in its place, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, and collaborating with clients on design.
DISLIKES: Footprints on carpet, cluttered spaces, and people who take potshots at Greeley.
More than meets the eye:
Kira’s not afraid to get dirty. Most weekends you’ll find her tackling a home improvement project or spending time with her husband and their baby boy on the family dairy farm.
Steve Werning
Project Manager and Rescue Hero
Steve is all attitude, and we mean that in a good way. His glass half-full approach to every repair and maintenance project is backed with the biggest and best skill set in the business. He’s the jack of all trades and master of every single one. Steve’s broad smile puts clients immediately at ease, and his commitment to quality is second to none.
“HighCraft pushes for the highest quality possible and we stand behind it with the best warranty in the business.” – Steve
LIKES: Raising his daughters, Mexican food, finishing projects on schedule, golfing, and happy homeowners.
DISLIKES: Excessive bumper stickers, a messy job site, and parmesan cheese.
More than meets the eye:
Steve was born and raised in Windsor and raced professional motocross for five years. Thought you recognized #323? Yeah, that was him.
Cheri Freestone
Interior Designer and Eternal Optimist
Cheri is a style aficionado with a true knack for design. Her creativity, passion for selecting interior finishes, and ability to relate to clients is apparent from your very first meeting. She believes in the value of hard work and honesty, and feels that life is all about the experiences you create.
“I love taking a space that a client isn’t thrilled about and transforming it into their favorite spot in the house. It’s fun working with a team of people who share this same passion.”– Cheri
LIKES: Farmers markets, the changing of the seasons, laughing, and spending quality time with family and friends.
DISLIKES: Unfriendly people, an unorganized workspace, and extremely cold temperatures.
More than meets the eye:
Cheri is a fifth-generation Fort Collins native. She spent the last seventeen years perfecting the family tile business along with her husband, and carefully balancing life as a mother to three very spirited children ages fifteen, thirteen and five.
Andrew Joseph
Project Coordinator and Good Cheer Purveyor
Andrew is one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet. His enormous smile is contagious and his friendly greetings are genuine and uplifting. Andrew’s a Colorado native who spent all but the first year of his life in Fort Collins. He cut his teeth in the family construction business, and was practically born with a measuring tape in one hand and a framing square in the other. What you see is definitely what you get with Andrew. If he tells you he’s going to do something, you can trust that he’ll do it and likely exceed your expectations in the process.
“I love meeting new people and building relationships with them, so I feel very lucky to have a job that allows me to do that every day. Everyone that we work with at HighCraft including fellow employees, subcontractors, and our clients quickly become members of the family.” – Andrew
LIKES: Woodworking, classic cars, the Broncos, anything with chicken in it, bicycle riding, and spending time on the patio watching the sun go down with his best friend; his wife.
DISLIKES: Pizza sauce, the noise a train makes as it roars past, painting, and Kias.
More than meets the eye:
When Andrew was little, he was not an ordinary lemonade stand entrepreneur like his peers. He was a serious businessman. By the time he was 12 years old, Andrew owned his own construction site cleaning service and was in charge of three employees, had a fleet of three dump trucks and had a client roster that included nine local construction companies.
Russ Barrett
Project Manager, Warranty Manager and Team Utility Player
We call Russ our utility player because no matter what he’s tasked with, he jumps in with both feet and comes armed with a comprehensive knowledge of multiple trades. His constant desire to get the job done quickly and efficiently makes him the perfect person to handle job close-outs and the occasional warranty call.
“I love the way that everyone at HighCraft works as a team to offer support and learn from one another. If you fall short in one area, there is always someone there to help you learn the ropes and improve your skill set.” – Russ
LIKES: Supporting local business, the eclectic Fort Collins community, 4-wheeling, and camping with his wife.
DISLIKES: Chewing with your mouth open, uncontrollable tempers and a dirty job site.
More than meets the eye:
Russ is a lover of the outdoors and all things sports. When he was young, his baseball team was one game away from playing in the Little League World Championship in Tokyo.
D Walker
Project Manager and Proponent of Perfection
D may be our newest project manager, but he’s been part of the HighCraft family for over 10 years. Upon first meeting D, you might find yourself forming an instant bond that lasts long after your project is complete. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy who is known for always offering an honest opinion. D’s un-sugarcoated thoughts may be frank, but they’re also real and refreshing, and his attention to detail is nothing short of remarkable.
“HighCraft is dedicated to each and every customer and they will not cease until the job is right. That’s what I love about them.” – D
LIKES: History, the outdoors, bands like Boston and Kansas (it’s More Than a Feeling for D), and the San Diego Chargers.
DISLIKES: Rap music, spicy food, and being called by his name, DeForest.
More than meets the eye:
Whether he’s surfing, running 10k races, or conquering another 14,000-foot peak, D is always on the move and pushing his limits.
Mandy Mullen
Pre-Construction Coordinator and Detail Regulator
Mandy is the master of organization. Give her a tangled-up mess of overwhelming details and she’ll explain it in a way that makes perfect sense. She crosses every “t” and dots every “i” offering exceptional accountability, processes and systems to help projects run smoothly and on budget. Mandy’s top priorities are to give 110% and to make sure that the client is thoroughly taken care of every step of the way.
“When an entire team of professionals has a singular goal, you know you’re part of something special. For me, it’s about helping the pieces of a project come together to give homeowners a renewed pride in their home. I feel lucky to be part of the HighCraft family.”
LIKES: Running, hiking, biking, snowboarding–all things Colorado, cooking family recipes, traveling with her husband, and CSU football games.
DISLIKES: Chewing noises, heavy metal music, driving at night, and chipped fingernail polish.
More than meets the eye:
Mandy is a small-town girl from Northeast Colorado who likes to test her mental and physical stamina by training and running half marathons., She and her husband recently welcomed their first baby.
Jeremy Kibler
Pre-Construction Coordinator and Contract Number Cruncher
Jeremy may be all smiles, but don’t let his happy, easy-going demeanor fool you. He has his finger on the pulse of each contract because he’s driven to make every project succeed. Jeremy helps set and manage expectations for both tradesmen and homeowners. He conducts the initial site review, determines scope of work for the project, and makes sure every bid is as complete as possible so there are no surprises.
“Family. That’s the one word I would use to describe HighCraft Builders. Everyone takes care of each other. We treat our clients like family, too – throughout the entire process.” – Jeremy
LIKES: Hanging out with his wife and two dogs on their farm, college football and basketball (especially The Ohio State Buckeyes), hiking, running, and harnessing his competitive nature to find the best solutions for clients.
DISLIKES: An empty microwave with an uncleared partial cooking time, rude drivers, and sitting still for too long.
More than meets the eye:
Jeremy likes spending time at tractor pulls and tinkering on his classic Allis-Chalmers tractor. His wife thinks he can fix just about anything, and he proves it on a regular basis.
Ginny Teel
Accountant and Queen Bean Counter
Ginny worked as a controller at a Fortune 500 company and she’s owned her own small businesses, so her seasoned accounting skills are both strong and agile. She puts her vast experience to work for each client, helping projects run smoothly and on budget. Ginny has an eagle eye on expenses at all times, keeping the client’s best interest in mind and ensuring total accountability.
“I’m amazed at the incredible dedication of the owners and every employee at HighCraft. It astounds me how much everyone cares about the client and meeting their needs.” – Ginny
LIKES: Annual road trips with her sister, the Broncos, gardening, her Norwegian Elkhound Annie, red wine and dark chocolate, tidy ledgers, and keeping your word.
DISLIKES: Closed-minded people, unread emails, eating liver, and poor communication.
More than meets the eye:
If you think accountants are boring, think again. Ginny has rubbed elbows with celebrities and she has a taste for adventure. When she lived in California, Ginny often walked her dogs on the beach with brothers Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez, and she was once serenaded by Prince in an elevator. Ginny has been scuba diving and she ran a marathon. Next up on her bucket list: trekking Nepal and floating the Amazon River.
Adrienne Van Eron, Allied Member ASID
Interior Designer and Savvy Sketch Artist
Adrienne likes to get to know clients before diving into any project. She listens for their motivation behind the remodel. She gets a sense of their style. The result is a design that effectively visualizes the clients’ dream and allows their personalities to shine through. As an interior designer, Adrienne is great at drafting floor plans and making finish selections. But her hidden super power is the amazing ability to sketch the clients’ ideas and render perspective drawings in the middle of a meeting, which often results in a resounding, “Yes, that’s exactly what I want!”
“HighCraft genuinely cares about every client and every employee. No matter the size of the project , each receives a holistic design approach, the highest level of craftsmanship and a great deal of care.” – Adrienne
LIKES: Anything outdoors, all things ART, cheese, group efforts, New Belgium beer, and above all a good laugh.
DISLIKES: Dirty dishes in the sink, impatient people, clutter, and excessive lawn ornaments.
More than meets the eye:
When she’s not mentoring kids and painting works of art, Adrienne loves to ski and play outside. In fact, when she was an interior design student at Montana State,you could find her hitting the slopes or running trails between class.
Jeff Gaines
Architectural Designer 
and Mr. Dependable
Jeff is a hard-working perfectionist who isn’t satisfied until every client is happy. He won’t stop until he gets it right. Jeff produces the important construction drawings, permit drawings and early phase 3-D renderings before interior selections are made. He drafts the architectural “bones” for each remodel, and his construction experience and insight strengthens his designs.
“I appreciate the variety of expertise on the HighCraft team, and everyone is dedicated to making clients happy. Even though the company is extremely well organized, streamlined and responsive, HighCraft is constantly working to improve the process and customer experience.” – Jeff
LIKES: The Rocky Mountains, playing hockey, a good bowl of green chili, and building things with his hands.
DISLIKES: Big egos, drivers who speed up to get to a red light, and sarcastically chastising yourself aloud in the third person (smooth move, Jeff!).
More than meets the eye:
After earning his master’s degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley, Jeff worked for an architecture firm in Tokyo for three years. He loved exploring the city, gardens and temples with his wife, and he got to know the “bowl of spaghetti” subway system like nobody’s business.
Sam DiPilato
Interior Designer and Ultimate Task Master
Sam is known for lending a helping hand whenever and wherever it’s needed. She supports the design team and she’s a whiz kid at computer drafting. Sam produces many of the tile drawings and 3-D detail renderings that allow clients to visualize their project at every phase. Her ability to quickly draft how a space will look with different options informs homeowners and inspires confident decisions.
“I am so lucky to be here! I love everybody at HighCraft and I’m constantly learning from the entire team. It makes me a better interior designer.” – Sam
LIKES: Art, animals, enjoying food with friends on an Old Town patio, and having everything in its place.
DISLIKES: Repetitive statements, repetitive statements, bad service at restaurants, and messy spaces.
More than meets the eye:
Before becoming a standout interior design student, Sam grew up in Minnesota on the Mississippi River. She loves anything related to water and got her boating license when she was 13 years old. On summer weekends, you might find her jet skiing or boating on Horsetooth, and you can bet Sam will be in the driver’s seat.
