Meet Our Team.
Pre Construction Consultants
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Harrison Nemez
PRESIDENT
Harrison co-founded Grindstone Renovations ten years ago and has been working in the industry for over 15 years. Harrison’s skills for understanding his clients needs and desires are behind many of Grindstone’s projects. His passion is helping his clients realize their visions, creating functional and inspirational living-spaces. Harrison sees a successful renovation project as one that improves a client’s overall lifestyle.
Meeting new people and building longstanding relationships are two of the main reasons Harrison loves managing Grindstone Renovations. He appreciates the whole process: from first walking into a home and imagining its potential, all the way to seeing happy clients interact with their finished spaces.
Besides his passion for Grindstone, Harrison enjoys a good book, getting outside for some birding, cross country skiing, and most of all spending time with his girls.
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William Degagne
DIRECTOR OF SALES
William has been with Grindstone Renovations for over 10 years and has loved every minute of it.
His role on the team is to be the client’s first point of reference and to provide as much useful information as possible to make the process clear, and easy from start to finish.
Will spends his days meeting new clients, viewing homes and addressing the challenges associated with improving each client’s life through the process of transforming their home into a beautiful and functional space.
When he’s not helping clients at Grindstone, he’s busy writing music and playing guitar. Will also loves woodworking, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
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Rachel Russell
SALES CONSULTANT
Rachel has worked in the construction industry for 15+ years is an essential member of the Grindstone team as a sales consultant.
She loves working with clients and connecting with people in order to build long lasting relationships. She loves helping them define what their vision is and walking with them to turn that vision into reality while providing the highest level of customer service.
Rachel loves the people that she works with and believes that great team work is key to amazing client projects. She loves seeing the process of a renovation from start to finish.
Rachel loves travelling, reading, spin class, and snowboarding in the winter. In the summer, you can find her at the beach, or at local shows/concerts. She also loves spending time with her family/friends.
Project Managers
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Brendan Coleman
PROJECT MANAGER
Brendan is one of the co-founders of Grindstone and has worked in the construction industry for more than 15 years.
As one of Grindstone’s project managers, he works hard to carefully plan each step of the renovation to provide the smoothest experience that he can.
Working closely with the great network of professionals that Grindstone has built over the years, his goal is to ensure that each client is more than happy that they chose to work with the Grindstone team, and that they had some fun along the way!
Brendan appreciates the satisfaction of seeing the final pieces of a renovation fall perfectly into place. Knowing the high level of care, effort, critical thinking, patience and teamwork that goes into delivering a top notch renovation, it’s a great feeling when it’s all said and done.
He has always loved building things and getting his hands dirty, so having a great group of people to do it with makes it that much better!
Brendan loves everything from cooking, to travelling, to sports (including martial arts and soccer). You can find him enjoying the great outdoors while camping with his family + his dog Freddie.
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Matt Lussier
PROJECT MANAGER
Matt was working in the trades for 8 years while also completing a Bachelor of Commerce. After earning his degree he was drawn back to the trades and co-founded Grindstone Renovations. Now with over 18 years experience in the industry and a business degree, he has been instrumental in the startup and growth of Grindstone Renovations.
Matt's main role is a project manager, but he also manages the day to day operations of the business.
The key to making any Grindstone project run smoothly is organization, proper scheduling, communication and staying on budget. Matt pays attention to every detail on or off site and makes sure every client stays well informed.
Matt loves the hands-on aspect of the job: everything from tear down to the actual build. While not without its challenges, Matt sees the renovation process as a valuable experience as there is always something to learn from each and every project.
When he’s not working on projects, Matt keeps very busy with twins and a toddler. If he can pry himself away from them, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, as well as golfing and fishing.
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Kurtis Bartoshyk
PROJECT MANAGER
Kurtis has been with Grindstone Renovations for 7 years and has been working in the trades for over 12.
Kurtis works hard to keep every client informed and confident in our process and daily agenda - from the start to the end of each project.
When he’s in a clients home, he is always open and honest about every aspect of a project. Equally important, Kurtis is passionate about the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail. As foreman, meeting and exceeding our clients expectations is always the goal.
His favourite part of every project is working with the clients and the Grindstone team. Transforming houses into homes is something that stands true for everyone on the team and allows him to get to know his clients on a personal level.
As an artistic person, you can find Kurtis drawing, painting or woodworking any chance he gets. These days however, he likes to hang out with his two year old daughter as much possible.
Production
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Doug Clasper
FOREMAN
Doug has worked in the trades for 10+ years and is one of the founders of Grindstone Renovation.
Doug likes making work fun, and he’s always trying to make the job site a joyous environment to work in and bringing a positive attitude makes for a great overall experience not just for clients but everyone involved in the project.
Showing up to work with people he loves, Doug has a real enthusiasm for turning a client’s dream renovations into a reality.
When he’s not working on a project with Grindstone, Doug likes to spend his time relaxing with family and friends, woodworking and playing with his dog.
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Richard Murray Hornung
PRODUCTION
Richard has been with Grindstone since 2019.
He loves building relationships with clients and keeping things fun on the job site with his great client rapport and sharp wit.
Richard enjoys the camaraderie and support of being part of the Grindstone team.
He’s also a craft beer enthusiast and coin collector. Ask him about his rarest coin!
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Richard Simoes
PRODUCTION
Richard has been with the Grindstone team for over 3 years and has worked in similar trades for over 10 years.
With his great attention to detail, he always ensures that each project is carefully built so that we exceed our clients expectations with every home we work on.
Richard loves the fact that every day on the job site is different, which keeps things interesting – though not as interesting as the amazing people he gets to work with everyday!
His non-work related passions include video/computer games, anime, and cooking.
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Dylan
PRODUCTION
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Alicia Isfjord
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Alicia is Grindstone’s Creative Director and plays a key part on the Grindstone team. She provides support to both the office, the field teams and the designers we work with to ensure a seamless client experience.
Her favourite thing about being part of the Grindstone team is the people she gets to work with, as well as the creativity, talent and dedication she is surrounded with each day.
In her spare time Alicia enjoys travelling, visits to the spa and spending time with her hubby, daughter and dog, Hank. She also enjoys cooking, baking, a good episode of reality TV and a glass of wine with friends.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to our team.