About Us : Management Team
Owner / Business Manager - Loren Schirber
Owner Loren Schirber attended the University of North Dakota where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and received a Certificate of Entrepreneurship. While in school, Loren was involved in organizations, leadership activities, and worked part-time at a local financial institution in the marketing department. While in the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of North Dakota, Loren had the opportunity to compete in several national business plan competitions. Loren and a partner completed a business plan, entered, and placed in three large national competitions. They competed against other students from some of the top educational institutions in North America and presented their plan to bankers, VC's, entrepreneurs, and investors.
After graduating from UND, Loren accepted a position with CROSSMARK Sales and Marketing, an organization that competed in the space between consumer-packaged goods companies and mass merchandisers. Loren was promoted after catching the attention of a top manager and moved to Plano, TX to work at the company's corporate headquarters as a consultant, an analyst, and as a member of the business development team. After two years in the corporate world, Loren decided to return to Minneapolis to attend graduate school and be closer to his future wife, Jill Wilhelmi, family, and friends.
Loren attended the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, and received his MBA in 2005. Loren received the Illbruck Fellowship which made attending the full-time program possible. Loren's studies focused on Venture Growth, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing but he also broadened his focus and took classes that could be of specific benefit to Castle.
Lead Interior Designer - Katie Jaydan, ASID
Katie holds a BS in Interior Design. She has 3 years of commercial property management, construction and renovation experience and has worked in the residential remodeling field for 5 years. She also possesses an NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Certificate and is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.
With Castle, Katie has become a member of the NARI Green Remodeling Task Group, designed the first GreenStar Pilot Program Certified Remodel in Minnesota, and was voted as one of the top eco-friendly Interior Designers by Innovative Home Magazine.
Interior Designer - Karie Place
Karie Place is an active member of many trade organizations, including NARI, ASID and on the Programs Committee for NKBA. Karie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2004, with a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design. Two weeks after graduation Karie was employed at a small design firm in the St. Croix Valley for a year. She then moved on to work in the Kitchen and Bath Design Department of a building supply company for 3-1/2 years. There she gained experience melding the two worlds of design and construction together, working directly with homeowners and contractors. Karie is currently working on getting her CKD (certified kitchen designer) certification.
With versatility and complete project management - from concept to completion, Karie will be a great resource for any design project or remodel. Experienced in interior and kitchen/bath design - Karie will apply her discerning attention to your homes balance and harmony whether it's a remodel project or new construction. Whatever your design needs, Karie will make the most out of what you have - from showcasing a cherished memento to reusing materials to enhance your home. In addition, Karie is committed to incorporating green building standards seamlessly into each project, whenever possible.
Karie goes beyond the expected balance and color combination services of so many other builders. She will infuse her professional experience with her heart-felt instinct to develop your house into a home. A house that will provide a welcome warmth to all who enter into the home.
Project Manager - Bill Braniff
Bill brings to Castle over 15 years of experience in the construction industry as a framing carpenter, lead remodeling carpenter, and in various roles of construction management. His previous experience as a high school English teacher proves invaluable on a daily basis, both in project management and in communication with clients and trade partners. Bill enjoys keeping up with his two young children, hiking and camping when there is time, and a variety of woodworking projects.
Office Manager - Jennifer Tonsager
Jennifer holds a BA from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She has 14 years of office management experience. Eleven of those years were spent in the construction industry.
Brandon Kohler - Estimator
Brandon Kohler is the newest to the team, and with a growing company, he has come aboard to assist in estimating. Brandon graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology in June of 2007 with an A.A.S. Degree in Architectural Drafting and Estimating. He has previous experience in residential roofing and siding estimating, mechanical estimating, and experience from working in the field for a building and remodeling company. He has strong work ethic, loves to learn, and is a great team player. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys hunting, fishing, and volunteering at church with his wife.
