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.
Hans Berend
Principal of Construction
Literal man of steel. Ethnicity: Kryptonian. His smile can light up a room. He has literally explored this as an alternative fuel source.
Hans Berend spent his childhood in Chicago helping his dad with home renovation projects. Building was something that came naturally for Hans and he felt himself drawn to the home building and renovation business. Following in his father’s footsteps as an adult, Hans initially balanced Colorado’s drastic seasonal weather with 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 ensured success along with his excellent guides. 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 building construction.
All the while, 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. After building much of the furniture for the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church downtown sanctuary, 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, the two men have developed a business that focuses on high performance construction, sustainable design and creative use of environment and materials. Each project they work on is held to the highest standards to ensure their client’s astonishment.
Jeff Gerber
Principal of Architecture
Chief idea officer. If you like his designs, then he did them. If you don’t, it doesn’t really matter. He is the Walrus.
By the fourth grade, Jeff knew what he wanted to be. His memorable report detailed his dream of a future in architecture. From then on, Jeff pursued his passion of creating inspired living spaces.
In 1989, following several internships at well-respected Washington D.C. architectural firms, Jeff received his architectural degree at the University of Virginia.
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Acceptance into an international study program in Vicenza Italy gave Jeff an appreciation for classical architecture and design and an understanding of the urban fabric created by past civilizations.
After returning to the to the US Jeff was hired by the largest architectural firm in the country. Here Jeff gained hands-on experience honing his architectural skills and creating construction documents. As part of his education he was introduced to powerful computer modeling tools.
From Gensler and Associates, Jeff relocated to Boulder, Colorado in 1993 to leverage his experience as a Project Architect. With an MBA from the University of Colorado with concentrations in entrepreneurship and finance, Jeff created his first Design Build company. Clients sought him out, blessing Jeff with dozens of custom, client-inspired projects with carefully and cleanly detailed living spaces and natural materials expressed in a fresh, unique way.
In 2002, Jeff and his wife were seduced by the Yampa Valley and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado intent on new adventures and the adoption of three children from Kazakhstan: Eli, Ivy and Maudie. With a new family taking precedence in Jeff’s life, he focused solely on the Design aspect of architecture working at a local Steamboat architecture firm. During his time there, he designed, drew and administered many innovative and architecturally sophisticated residences. His use of natural materials set him apart from other architects in Steamboat. During the next six years, four of Jeff’s designs would include vegetative roofs, four would encompass at least one source of renewable energy, and one was designed and engineered to be “net zero.”
Longing for the inspiring collaborations and efficiencies of his Design Build company in Boulder, Jeff sought out a partner with whom he could create. In 2009, Jeff and Hans co-created Gerber Berend Design Build. Hans Berend brought talent, collaborative building and an amazing talent for motivating craftsmen to provide an exemplary level of service and quality to the table. The two men’s skills complemented one another. Their partnership sealed the perfect combination of design creativity, highly skilled craftsmen and exceptional value.
Our Team
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.
BERT LARSON
OPERATIONS MANAGER / PARTNER
Formerly the king of the jungle who is not follicly challenged (he shaves it on purpose). Self-admitted hairy dog lover who likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.
SKIP WARNKE
PROJECT MANAGER / PARTNER
Raised in the Chicago land area, he attended Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Construction Management. He has 2 young boys with his lovely wife Kate. Skip moonlights in every famous local band. But, he clearly still has his day job. Probably missed his calling as a backup dancer for Britney Spears. Realized the Beatles got it wrong. Love is not all you need.
Adam Hartstein
Project Manager / PARTNER
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Adam moved to Steamboat to “ski for just one winter.” 13 years later, Adam is happily married and finds building custom homes a great way to pass the time between powder days. He is a recovering ice cream addict and former child model for Gap Kids (honest truth). He is now gainfully employed and is able to start a fire with a match. He actually put the lime in the coconut and is a self-proclaimed stunt double for King Kong.
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.
DAVID HOFFMAN
ARCHITECT / PARTNER
After 25 years working in Residential Architecture and having a successful firm of his own, David finally gets to bring his experience to the Design Build process. He moved his family to Steamboat Springs for a better quality of life.
It will be was a cold (also sad, for David) day in hell when his sons beat him down the mountain. He’s an aspiring desperado who has been out riding fences.
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.
BETH LIGGITT
Payroll / Benefits Manager
Beth is a Colorado native with a broad background including human resources, sales, marketing, graphic design, and metal smithing! Despite having 5 kids AND spending many years in Utah, she is NOT a sister wife. As an avid jewelry maker when not in the office, she enjoys hammering things – precious metals, precious hearts, pretty much anything precious.
Paige boucher
MARKETING
Paige grew up on the front range of Colorado and discovered Steamboat on a family ski trip in her teens. She knew then, she had found her place. Steamboat finally became her home in 1996. She married here, raised her daughter here, and plans to stay. Paige cut her marketing teeth in the Outdoor Industry but having experienced several GB renovation projects, and owning Jeff Gerber’s first old town remodel, she knows the process, lives in the product, and loves being part of the team.
TONTO
THE OFFICE SEXY BOY
Sweet as can be, and hailing from Oklahoma – Tonto only responds to “GIT” – “Off” means nothing to him. (Belongs to Beth)
SAMPSON
THE OFFICE LOVERBOY
The biggest smile we’ve ever seen, he rolls over for anybody!! (Belongs to Hans)
GINO
RESIDENT TOUGH GUY
This little sausage monster only behaves if bribed with sausage treats, but we love him anyway! (Belongs to Jeff)
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).