Overcoming Obstacles to Excel at Every Objective

JB has pushed himself throughout his life not only to overcome formidable obstacles but to excel at every objective. He was born profoundly deaf but with near genius intelligence. After Navy and Air Force recruiters rejected him for fighter pilot consideration during the draft because of his hearing, he went on to design a special headset that enabled him to become an FAA-certified pilot, award-winning flight instructor, and sought-after aviation safety speaker. Later, he would battle back from cancer more determined than ever to improve the remodeling experience for Twin Cities Metro homeowners.

JB Tackles Complex, Award-Winning Interior Remodeling Projects with Confidence

After designing and building sophisticated, 42-layer circuit boards in his earlier career, JB now draws on his early architecture studies to tackle complex, award-winning interior remodeling projects with confidence. In fact, he gives each new client a blank report card and pursues each step of the design and construction process to earn straight A’s on every project.

A Superb Lip Reader Who Gives You His Complete Attention

JB is a superb lip reader who will give you his complete attention, so pardon him if he stares during meetings. He speaks with “an accent” because he has never been able to hear his own voice. His office phone is fitted with a special amplifier that enables him to hear lower voice when callers speak slowly, but his cell phone is mostly for email and texts. Actually, JB probably understands clients better than most hearing people can because he is as proficient at reading body language as lips. He’s equally perceptive at identifying creative design and construction solutions.

Exceptional Craftsmanship at an Attractive Value

JB is committed to building trusted, long-term relationships and enhancing families’ lives with each project. His trade partners, clients, and colleagues form his unofficial fan club and support network. Fellow contractors routinely seek him out for business counsel. By directing clients to trusted suppliers and design partners for product selections rather than assuming the overhead, APEX is able to provide exceptional craftsmanship at an attractive value.

The first thing you need to understand about Matt is that he is way smarter than his phone.

“I haven’t adopted the ‘you need to carry a computer in your pocket’ mindset. I like technology but I don’t want to feel like I always have to be connected,” he explains, gesturing with his trusty flip phone. In truth, Matt much prefers actual phone calls to resolve pressing matters. He answers emails at the end of each day rather than between stops. This keeps him focused on his primary duties – planning and managing APEX remodeling projects.

Planning and Managing APEX Remodeling Projects

In the beginning, Matt and JB did much of the remodeling work themselves. Now, he mostly manages veteran trade partners and keeps homeowners happy. His duties include ordering materials, scheduling team members, communicating with clients and overseeing quality control on multiple APEX jobsites each day.

Construction Work with Habitat for Humanity

Matt got involved in construction working on Habitat for Humanity projects while he was getting a degree in Finance at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He soon discovered that he preferred to work with his hands and have a tangible impact on families’ quality of life. Later, through AmeriCorps, he managed his own Habitat construction projects.

With Habitat, Matt hired licensed tradesmen for plumbing, electrical and HVAC but relied on civic-minded volunteers for nearly everything else. “The biggest challenge was planning work for 50 volunteers and having 10 show up, or the other way around,” he recalls. “APEX projects are much more predictable. We’ve worked with some of our trade partners for a decade. JB has built a great team,” he says.

Matt Begins Working for APEX

Matt met JB after he became a partner in another construction company where he worked. He recalled that JB was the only partner who actually came out to the job sites and would lend a hand. When JB formed APEX, he brought Matt along to run his jobs. With their complementary strengths and shared values, they’ve been together ever since. Like JB, Matt has a penchant for treating everyone with respect and doing the right thing, even when it hurts. “We don’t talk about our shared Christian values, we just do it,” he remarks. “I’m blessed to be with JB and APEX.”

Life Outside of Work

In his free time, Matt has enjoyed participating in overseas mission trips. He volunteered in A Work of Love (AWOL), a men’s construction ministry that partners with a missionary in Mexico, medical mission trips to Cambodia, and the Habitat for Humanity Millennium Build in New Zealand. He currently supports Food for His Children (FFHC) in Tanzania and here in the states.



When he’s not transforming Twin Cities homes, remodeling his lake home, or volunteering, Matt enjoys fishing, camping, biking, and walks with his wife, Bria. Don’t get him started on their four cats.