MEET OUR TEAM
People Make the Difference
Each GB team member is an artist in his/her own right with an interesting story. We are a group of people inspired by making beautiful spaces. The GB team includes architects, designers and construction field crews, which means plans are evaluated in terms of aesthetics, logistics and cost all under one roof. Since the design team and the build team are part of the same company, each side weighs in on plans, communicates the pros and cons to clients and supports each other. The build team is involved in the design phase of every project, just as the design team continues to participate and communicate with the construction crews and clients well after the plans are finished, until the construction is complete.
Hans Berend
CEO / co-founder
Originally from Chicago, Hans Berend spent his childhood helping his dad with home renovation projects. Building was something that came naturally for him, and he felt drawn to the home building and renovation business. After graduating from Colorado College and then trying out corporate life in San Francisco, Hans made the move to Steamboat Springs, where he balanced summer construction jobs and winters as a ski instructor.
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Over the next several years, Hans worked with concrete, in a custom cabinetry shop, and as a carpenter under several building contractors in Steamboat. To balance work with play, Hans owned and operated the Steamboat Fishing Company (now called Steamboat Flyfisher). Thirty miles of private river leases, and a downtown retail space, along with his excellent guides, ensured success. In the off-seasons, Hans traveled to the Bahamas, Chile and Argentina – including three separate expeditions to Patagonia – to guide private fishing trips.
Hans and his wife, Heidi, began renovating homes as a hobby. Together they purchased a few “homes with potential,” for their own personal renovation projects – one in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and two in Moab, Utah. Through these projects Hans expanded his knowledge and skills in building design and construction.
Hans’ reputation for fine woodworking and carpentry continued to grow, however he found himself isolated and confined to a workshop, and he missed the interaction with clients he’d developed at his fishing business. Hans decided it was time to start his own building company, Alpha Construction – where he expanded his repertoire to include general contracting. Through his business, he has been able to work closely with clients and skilled tradespeople, building compelling, quality homes in Steamboat ever since.
His love of the personal side of the building business and high standards for each job, made him a perfect fit for a company which combined construction and design. With Jeff Gerber, he founded GB Design Build in 2009.
Fast forward to 2023. GB has grown to over 40 employees and taken on several of the longtime team as partners. Jeff retired, leaving Hans to run the business. Hans continues to be dedicated to an excellent home building experience for clients which includes an inspired design vision, quality craftsmanship, and collaboration.
BERT LARSON
Operations Manager / Partner
In 2008, Bert Larson arrived in Steamboat Springs with his wife of 30-years and two daughters. He has been with GB since the company started and loves the process of solving construction puzzles. On his own time, he enjoys snowboarding (or skiing?) in the winter and spending his time on the river in the summer. Combining two passions, Bert has recently taken up boat building, first crafting a canoe, and more recently a drift boat. He is also a chicken rancher.
SKIP WARNKE
PROJECT MANAGER / PARTNER
Raised in the Chicago area, Skip attended Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Construction Management. He has two young boys with his wife Kate, and he loves being a dad. He enjoys snowboarding, dirt biking, paddle boarding and his moonlighting gig as the bass player in a local band.
Adam Hartstein
Project Manager / PARTNER
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Adam moved to Steamboat to “ski for just one winter.” Thirteen years later, Adam is happily married with two young boys and finds building custom homes a great way to pass the time between powder days. He enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, biking, and rafting.
DAVID HOFFMAN
Lead Architect / Partner
David Hoffman, has been with GB Design Build since 2014 and leads the GB design team. He earned his Architecture License in 2002 in Chicago, has worked in residential architecture for 25-years, and has earned numerous awards for excellence and preservation in architecture. He was a partner in a Chicago architecture firm for nine years before moving to Steamboat Springs with his wife and two sons to enjoy the mountain lifestyle. These days you can find David alpine or backcountry skiing during the winter months, and in the summer working on the cabin he is building near Quandry Mountain.
RYAN KEEFE
PROJECT MANAGER
Ryan received his first set of tools at the age of 3 – they were plastic and he had to make the “power tool” sound effects. He was raised in Denver and attended Montana State University to study Construction Engineering Technology. Admitted coffee addict with no plans of recovering. The sorting hat put this one in Hufflepuff. He doesn’t need your approval, he’s got his own. He will serenade you in the shower but we’re not sure that’s a good thing.
NEAL SMYTH
Project Manager
Neal brings nearly a decade of experience in charming over housewives selling finish goods in the Kitchen and Bath industry. His obsessions include skiing, mountain biking, and a good fireside chat and he insists that all strenuous activities should include a beer to finish it off.
Married to wife, Cristin. Has 2 vibrant girls…Vera and Audrey and a dog, Zander. Personal achievements include never losing to his wife at Scrabble and knowing the perfect amount of dirty in a Dirty Martini.
DAVE ROCK
DESIGNER
Dave attended NDSU in Fargo, ND where he received his Masters in architecture. He is now working on his “local” status having been in Steamboat for 11 years. He loves snowboarding in the winter, mountain biking & volleyball in the summer, and spending time with the family (wife Sita, and son Nico), camping, hiking, and paddle boarding. Dave is the “quiet type” but we all know that even the Most Interesting Man in the World would prefer to enjoy that Dos Equis at home in peace instead of at a party.
Taylor Smith
DESIGNER
Taylor was born in South Carolina where he received a degree in Architecture from Clemson University. Following his passion, he found himself in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he could explore everything the outdoors had to offer. Taylor enjoys spending his free time floating down the river, looking for elk, or sitting around a campfire. He would probably request to work from his raft if the river had more consistent Wi-Fi.
KAREN LEWER
OFFICE MANAGER
Karen’s upbeat presence results in a positive experience for everyone – customers and staff alike. She comes to us from LA, where she spent her early professional years building a legendary reputation working with rock stars and movie stars alike, in the recording and post-production studios of Hollywood, and planning the best VIP Parties! When her only son came along, she moved to Steamboat Springs for the quality of life. She loves hiking with her Australian Shepard, Jasper, camping with her family, and dancing with Steamboat Dance Theater. Lucky for us, she still throws great parties!
TRACY QUINN
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Professional forger and she knows all your bank information. She wastes her time wisely. Also a google doctor in her spare time. Don’t let her fool you though – she’s not as tough as she seems… She loves soft rock in the morning.
SAMPSON
THE OFFICE LOVERBOY
The biggest smile we’ve ever seen, he rolls over for anybody!! (Belongs to Hans)
FRANKIE
CHIEF PRIMA DONNA
Loves to pose for the camera… “Does this fur make my bottom look fat?” (Belongs to Skip)
MOOSE
TEAM PLAYER
Self-starter with strong attention to detail. He is a hard-working team player who is results oriented. In other words, he will do anything for a Frisbee. (Belongs to David Hoffman).