About
Meet your design build renovation experts
Our Story
In 2012, a group of like-minded individuals left their 9-to-5s to build something special—and never looked back.
After years of refinement, innovation, growth and determination, we’re proud to be recognized as one of the leading renovation companies in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
We credit our success to our commitment to a true client-centric focus. While many companies can build a home, it’s our collaborative process that sets us apart.
Experience the Grindstone difference for yourself. Let’s make some magic together!
Your Vision, Our Expertise
On top of quality custom renovations, here’s what you can expect when you choose Grindstone:
Inclusive experience
Open communication
We believe it’s the foundation of everything we do. We prioritize open communication with our clients and trade partners, always seeking ways to improve and evolve to become even better at our work.
Collaborative approach
Transparency
Our Team
Harrison Nemez
President and Development Director
Right from young, Harrison has been fascinated with construction—a path from which he’s never strayed! One of our founding members, he’s been with Grindstone Renovations since day one, giving him a 360° view of all areas of the company. His self-proclaimed superpower? Problem-solving!
As president and development director, he’s at the helm of the design and pre-construction process. He’s passionate about building genuine connections and takes pride in creating lasting relationships. From the initial meeting to the project manager handover, he loves collaborating with clients, designers, trade partners, engineers and everyone else who has a hand in making a project come to life.
When he’s not working, you’ll find him—no surprise—renovating and landscaping around his home. He’s also a fan of cycling, cross country skiing, and staying active with his wife and two daughters. And don’t be shocked if you spot him rocking cowboy gear at a concert!
Matt Lussier
Chief Operating Officer and Production Manager
As our COO, he handles the operations and financing side of the business, drawing on his past experience as a project manager. He collaborates closely with our production and finance teams to ensure Grindstone runs efficiently. In addition to operations, he works closely with Harrison on business strategy and provides support with marketing and project development.
When time allows, you’ll often find him out on the golf course, casting a line in a lake or taking a quick spin on his motorcycle. His family and three children also keep him busy (and always on his toes!).
Brendan Coleman
Senior Project Manager
A founding member of Grindstone, Brendan was motivated by a desire to get more out of his work in the trades. He believed in the power of collaboration—that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts—a philosophy shared by our team.
With years of experience in the service industry, sales and factory work, he pursued an education in the electrical field and served as an apprentice. His passion for learning also led him to study kinesiology. So, what fuels his work in renovations? It’s the challenge of bridging the gap between scope and outcome—and the joy of turning a client’s vision into reality.
Outside of work, Brendan is an avid cook, kayaker and camper, with a deep appreciation for fitness, art and music. Fun fact: He’s ambidextrous, making him as versatile as his skill set!
William Degagne
Chief Project Developer
A core member of our team for over a decade, William is dedicated to delivering a great experience for all of our new, existing and potential clients.
Past roles saw him wearing many hats, from sales to quality assurance and intense labour in the oil fields. In his current position as chief project developer at Grindstone, he leads project planning from start to finish, collaborating with homeowners, designers, engineers, suppliers and others. What makes him tick: recognizing a home’s potential, then walking through the transformed space at the project’s completion.
When he’s not working, you can often find him spending time outdoors—whether at a cabin, lake, park or beach—or playing games, riding his motorcycle or strumming his guitar.
Rachel Russell
Project Developer
Specializing in pre-construction planning for Grindstone, she manages tasks like initial consultations, design meetings, estimating and project coordination. Rachel has a natural gift for connecting with people on a personal level. (Don’t be surprised if you leave our office with a new friend!)
In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, including her four daughters and partner. Friends would describe her as a beach lover, avid reader, gym enthusiast and music aficionado (and maybe a big shopper).
Alicia Isfjord
Designer
After years as a hairstylist, Alicia craved a new challenge. While she loved the creativity of her work, she felt drawn to a career that used her skills differently. Growing up surrounded by home renovations, she developed a keen design eye and a deep appreciation for materials and finishes, making the transition to home renovation design a natural fit.
Her role at Grindstone extends far beyond her exceptional design talents. She also helps our team with project coordination in the planning phases, while supporting the development team. She’s also behind a good portion of the fun you see on our social media. (Give us a follow to see her ideas in action!)
She enjoys spending time with her loved ones, reality TV, spa days, golfing, board game nights and dabbling in new cocktail recipes. She’s also slightly (OK, very) addicted to Disney, having visited Disney World eight times and Disneyland three times in the last 12 years.
Kurtis Bartoshyk
Superintendent
Today, he carries the significant responsibility of overseeing all onsite work. While his skills have expanded over the years, he credits his approach to the foundational lessons he learned while framing: paying attention, learning quickly and understanding how a home is built from the ground up.
As a naturally creative person, he spends much of his time drawing, painting or working on woodworking projects, and he also loves spending time outdoors. And no, you’re not seeing double: he has an identical twin brother!
Richard Hornung
Foreman
Richard joined the Grindstone team in 2019 after he changed careers to follow in the footsteps of his late father.
As our foreman, he oversees our day-to-day job site operations—and is known for keeping things fun on the site with his great client rapport and sharp wit. He prides himself on his ability to think outside the box and pick up new skills.
He’s also an avid mountain biker and coin collector. Ask him about his rarest coin, or, if you’ve got a minute, about his remarkable ability to fit his entire body through a 12” by 12” square (it’s true—we’ve seen it with our own eyes).
Dylan McInnes
Renovation Specialist
A newer member of the Grindstone team, Dylan brings nearly a decade of experience in the trades to his role as our renovation specialist.
Passionate about working with his hands, he finds immense satisfaction in the daily reward of building something real and lasting. He takes pride in helping clients transform their homes into dream spaces.
Outside of work, Dylan enjoys sports and cooking. He lives by one powerful piece of advice that has shaped his journey: “Every interaction is an opportunity.”
Janelle
Office Manager
