Josh Sundstrom - President

WillowRidge president Josh Sundstrom has a true passion for his work.  Carpentry runs deep in the family roots, tracing back to his great-great grandfather “Pa” Stark, who was a Swedish shipbuilder and timberframer.  Josh has been working in the trades for the majority of his life, gaining a broad exposure to a variety of occupations, from metal working and boat building, to timberframing and almost everything in between.  He has also been profoundly interested in design from a young age, and has continuously pursued a deeper understanding of what makes buildings and spaces enhance our lives.

Underlying Josh’s devotion to building, is a strong faith and a special love and appreciation for his family. There’s nowhere he’d rather be than ‘Maple Hill Farm’, spending time with his three kids, and passing on his respect and admiration for the natural world.

Josh is honored to be at the helm of a team that is devoted to living out the mission of WillowRidge Construction.

Robyn Novak - Admin & Human Resources Director

Robyn is a lifelong Alaskan; she was born in Fairbanks and moved to Anchorage shortly after she was born. Robyn’s detail-oriented personality and organizational skills led her to a successful career in the medical field. We are grateful that she was open to a new challenge and aligned with WillowRidge Construction to become a vital part of our team as Operations Manager. Robyn, her husband, and three kids enjoy playing hockey on their outdoor rink and competing in the Golden Nugget Triathlon.

Willie Dalton - Communications Director

Willie was born in Anchorage and except for a short time living in Juneau and college in New York, has proudly called Anchorage home for his whole life. His experience in photography and construction started at a young age when the finish carpenter at his family’s remote cabin took him on as an impromptu mentee. From there his creative pursuits led him to build a creative agency and went on to spend 10 years as an artist and consultant in Anchorage. After many years of photographing WillowRidge’s work, he went on to join the team as full time staff.
Outside of work, Willie is a man of faith and serves at his church, enjoys spending time with his wife and child, crafting furniture in his small workshop, and playing jazz drums whenever possible.

Marisa Tikka - Events Coordinator

Marisa was born and raised in Chicago, IL. As a youth, she excelled in track and field and was offered a position on the St. Norbert College track and field team. She competed nationally in college and received a bachelor’s degree in Communication. After graduating, her future husband convinced her to relocate with him back to Alaska. Marisa has been interested in design since she was young, and has been working in the construction industry for the past eleven years. She is passionate about creating a great experience for her clients through clear communication and customer service. In her free time Marisa, her husband, and their two kids enjoy traveling, skiing, running, fishing, and playing hockey.

Lindsey Laube - Architectural Designer & Administrator

Lindsey was born and raised in Alaska. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and her Master of Architecture from San Francisco Academy of Art University. Lindsey has been designing spaces for the past eight years, and her passion for process-driven design brings a deeper level of sophistication to our team. She loves traveling, cooking, and Nordic skiing in her free time.

Robert Foxley - Architectural Designer

Born in Palmer, Alaska, Robert Foxley's architectural journey began in high school when he collaborated with a local firm. This experience led him to Montana State University, where he earned an Architecture degree. For 16 years, he thrived in Montana, gaining LEED green certification.In 2019, Robert returned to Palmer, driven by a passion to elevate Alaskan design. Joining WillowRidge,he brings expertise and innovation. Beyond his work, Robert's community impact is profound. Former president of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce, he's actively involved in the Alaska Farmland Trust andRotary program.

When Robert is not working, he finds joy beyond blueprints. He enjoys curling, spending time outdoors with his dog Rainier, and being with his family and friends.

Kevin Jensen - Architectural Designer

Kevin’s journey towards architecture began when he was young, using oatmeal boxes to construct houses and buildings of all sorts. His interest later evolved after being exposed to AutoCAD through his brother's high school project - modeling James Bonds’ Aston Martin Vanquish. A good deal of Kevin’s childhood in Alaska was spent outdoors; ski racing, playing soccer, hiking, and cycling.

College at UAA pulled Kevin towards psychology before being introduced to the Architectural Engineering and Technology program. He promptly switched majors and found a mentor who helped him map out a path to becoming an architect: an Associate’s and then a Bachelor's degree before heading to California for grad school. An internship opportunity at Architects Local in San Diego during school led to his first job in commercial and multi-family architecture. A move to Seattle allowed him to transition into custom residential work, which Kevin has found incredibly fulfilling.

Kevin is one of six kids. His parents and three of his siblings still call Alaska home. His own family has started to grow: Kevin and his wife welcomed their son Quinn to the world in 2023.

Tori Hickel - Interior Design Team Lead

Tori was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Northeastern University in Boston, while playing NCAA Division I hockey. Living in Boston for 4 years, she became enamored with the historical architecture, buildings, and culture of the city. After University, Tori lived in Sweden for three years as a professional athlete. While there, she explored her passion for building and design, observing the structures and the ways of Scandinavian minimalist living. Travels to China, Norway, Germany, Finland, France, and Canada further sparked her desire to bring those inspirations to her vision for structure and design. Tori is passionate about how to incorporate the cultures and designs of the many countries she has visited, to the homes, businesses, and lifestyles of Alaska.

Tori enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, golf, photography, and anything outdoors; she loves to bring a natural, functional, and easy style to her designs and projects.

Kyleen Rohde - Interior Designer

Kyleen discovered her creativity at a young age, exercising her interior design skills by endlessly rearranging her room. She was an active child, pursuing soccer and track while also practicing painting, sculpture, and photography. While attending college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in her home state of California, she met her fianceé. Her business degree confirmed for her that the creativity of design, and not business, is her foundational passion. Shifting gears from business, she and her fianceé made their way up the highway to Alaska, where they settled in Eagle River, near family. She spent time working in the commercial interior design and architecture industries before arriving at WillowRidge. Kyleen brings a breadth of knowledge and energy from the commercial sector and experience in project management to her role as a designer at WillowRidge. She’s passionate about creating sophisticated designs tailored to the client’s lifestyle and habits to blend form and function. 

Her passions are dynamic: she spent a year managing a winery on Waiheke, a lush tropical island near Aukland, New Zealand, and loves deep-sea fishing, hiking, and camping. An ardent traveler, you can find her and her husband with their dog Keeta, outdoors or going someplace new whenever they get the chance. 

London Smith - Designer

London Smith is an Interior Designer at WillowRidge, whose passion for design was sparked by growing up around residential construction. Observing the transformation of homes from the studs to the final touches shaped her love for creating beautiful and functional spaces. Before joining WillowRidge, London worked in childcare, where she enjoyed the dynamic and fun interactions with the kids she cared for.

Outside of work, London enjoys fishing, camping, and going on adventures with her friends and family. She also loves experimenting with new recipes and cooking delicious meals.

Lori Baus - Accounting Controller

Born in Anchorage, Lori spent her childhood in Nikiski, and has called Alaska home for the vast majority of her life. She attended UAA and received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Accounting. She has used her degree both professionally and personally: volunteering as the Treasurer at her kid’s school. Lori and her family love to camp and adventure in the summer and cross country ski when the snow flies.

Trent Knutson - Logistics Manager

Where would we be without a guy like Trent?  He is always on the go, cataloging the endless stream of requests for deliveries, tools, and labor needs on the job sites, prioritizing them for efficiency, and coordinating crews and equipment to meet the varying demands.  Trent has a gift for encouraging, a keen awareness for detail, and strong work ethic forged on the prairies of Montana.  He has worked in a number of construction related industries, as well as running a very successful business for many years. Beyond his role on the management team at WillowRidge Trent is an avid hunter and outdoorsman with an equipment inventory and antlers that rival the local Outfitters!

Tristan Hampson - Senior Project Manager

Tristan was born and raised in the UK.  His passion for extreme sports, mainly skiing and skydiving, led him to a career training special forces troops in HALO jumping technique.  After being head-hunted by a skydiver training organization in California, he eventually migrated to Alaska and started his career in construction and project management.  He likes the challenge management brings and the satisfaction of solving complex problems in collaboration with a team.  He still loves extreme sports and spends his free time in the mountains, often with his wife, Ashley.

Nathan Cousineau - Project Manager

Nathan Cousineau was born in Eagle River, AK, and moved to various places before returning to Eagle River in high school, where he has remained ever since. His early exposure to construction came from working with his father's residential framing company during school breaks. This foundation led him to a career in commercial construction and further education at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he earned an AAS in Architectural and Engineering Technology and a BS in Construction Management.

Nathan’s educational path included two years in Tacoma, Washington, right after high school, followed by a hiatus during which he returned to Alaska, started a family, and resumed his studies in his late twenties. This period was marked by evening classes and managing a small business. Since starting his management career in 2015, Nathan has navigated federally-funded contracting, competitive bidding, and various aspects of construction for commercial, government, medical, and educational clients.

Nathan enjoys fishing and adventures with his children. In his spare time, he loves being outdoors, working on projects, and salvaging industrial antiques. With a passion for history and a desire to travel more frequently, Nathan continuously seeks new experiences and knowledge.

Robert Moats - Project Manager

Robert grew up in the “Iron Range” in Northern Minnesota before moving to Alaska in 2001. With over 18 years of experience in commercial construction development and property management, Robert brings planning, logistics, and hands on building expertise to the WillowRidge team. He enjoys the process of taking raw materials and creating something of value, as well as the challenge of translating a vision into reality.

Robert and his wife have two kids and recently welcomed a third. In addition to spending time with his family, some of the hobbies Robert enjoys are hunting, fishing, hiking, golfing, and tennis.

Ted Wright - Project Engineer

Ted's childhood home in Indiana was under various states of remodeling for many months, and the trades' impact on his home impressed and intrigued him. He also volunteered at a local interactive history museum and was exposed to carpentry through the museum’s wood shop. Ted's been a ranch hand, along with his time serving in the military. His station brought him to Anchorage, where he met his wife, Bekah. They have a Belgian Malinois mix named Freya, who loves to join them on the trails around Anchorage.

Aaron Sandlin - Project Engineer

Aaron Sandlin was born in Bangkok, Thailand, where he spent the first 16 years of his life before moving to South Carolina with his family. He went on to attend Clemson University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He met his wife, Anna, at the college's Air Force ROTC program.

He moved to Alaska in the summer of 2021 and has been actively involved in construction ever since. He is passionate about construction project systems and processes and strives to improve efficiency and quality in every project he works on.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending time outdoors camping, hiking, and exploring all that Alaska has to offer. He is actively involved in his church community and, most importantly, loves spending time with his family. He and Anna have a daughter, Hazel, who is almost two years old and are excited to welcome their second child soon.

Josh Moser - Production Manager

Josh was raised in Interior Alaska and has been working hard since he was a little guy.  He has learned the benefits of hard work, and the intricacies of the trades from his father and many others over the years.  His genuine skill, proficiency, and constantly positive outlook on life make him an invaluable part of the WillowRidge team. 

Tait Johnson - Superintendent

Tait is a lifelong Alaskan. He started working construction when he was 17 and has been building up his skills and craft ever since. Tait has spent several years in the commercial building industry, as well as managing construction projects in remote Alaskan villages. He has always enjoyed the sense of accomplishment he gets from a hard day’s work, and is driven by the quality and pride that comes from doing something well.

Tait is passionate about his faith, family, and friends. Outside of work he enjoys hunting fishing, snow machining, hiking, and just about anything the great outdoors has to offer.

Jacob VanDonkelaar - Superintendent

Jacob VanDonkelaar has been immersed in the world of construction from an early age. Growing up, he worked alongside his father, who owned a cabinet shop, where he gained early exposure to the trade by helping with tasks like installing door hardware. In high school, Jacob began working part-time at Daniel Builders, gradually learning the ropes by sweeping floors, digging trenches, and assisting in framing projects. Despite initially viewing it as just a job to get through high school, his passion for construction grew during his college years, where he continued working full-time to fund his education.

After graduating, Jacob decided to pursue a career in residential construction. He honed his skills as a lead carpenter before transitioning into project management, focusing on bidding and process management for remodeling projects. Jacob's love for craftsmanship stems from his belief that a home can be so much more than just a place to live—it can be a work of art that balances beauty and function.

When he's not at work, Jacob enjoys mixology, hunting, football, and reading. He looks forward to one day taking his future kids hunting and sharing his passion for the outdoors with them.

Rob McGee - Cabinet Shop Foreman

Originally from Northeast Texas, Rob relocated to Alaska in 2001. Rob brings a great deal of experience to the WillowRidge team, including running his own construction business for over 15 years. Over the years, he has developed his craft as a skilled custom cabinet maker. He enjoys working for WillowRidge clients that are looking for highly finished designs and appreciate the quality of his work. Rob is married and has one daughter. In his spare time, Rob trains in Jiu-Jitsu and enjoys playing music as a classically trained percussionist.

Josh Best - Master Craftsman

Josh is a studious carpenter with a quest for quality.  His background includes design and management but he prefers to stay hands-on, producing fine finish work.  He is married and enjoys Alaska’s winters for snowboarding while hiking and gardening in the warmer months.

Torlf Johnson - Exterior Finishes Team Lead

Torlf was born and raised in South Central Alaska. He worked in the construction trades through High School and studied Mechanical Engineering in college. Torlf has spent the past several years working in the commercial construction industry and dabbling in fine carpentry and custom leatherwork in his shop at home. He's a true Alaskan who is passionate about spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and recreating in our great state.

Torlf's bright smile and great attitude make him a pleasure to be around; his experience and disposition make him a great addition to WillowRidge's job sites.

Alex Hernandez - Master Painter & Paint Team Lead

Alex was originally from Mexico City before relocating to Anchorage, Alaska. He developed his skill as a painter working alongside his brother. Alex brings his talent for precision painting and sheet rock finishing to work every day, and his mastery of these trades make him an essential part of achieving a beautiful, finished product. He has a daughter and a son, with whom he enjoys camping, fishing, and being outdoors.

Greg Kasachev - Framing Team Lead

Greg has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the construction industry. Born in Woodburn, Oregon, Greg moved to Alaska with his family as a child to work in the commercial fishing industry. As a teenager, he began framing with his family and has been working in the field ever since. Today, Greg is a key member of the WillowRidge team, bringing his expertise and attention to detail to every project he works on. As a Framing Team Lead, he is responsible for overseeing the framing process from start to finish, ensuring that each project is completed to the highest standards. When he’s not on the job, Greg enjoys gardening, hiking, and fishing. He is also an active member of his church and enjoys volunteering his time. Most of all, Greg loves spending time with his wife and three kids. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for his work, Greg is a valued member of the WillowRidge team and an asset to the construction industry as a whole.

Ivan Kasachev - Journeyman Carpenter

Ivan was born in Woodburn, Oregon, and moved to Alaska when he was four years old. Ivan brings a great deal of knowledge to the WillowRidge team, with over 18 years of experience in the industry.  He started out working with his dad from a young age, learning alongside his brothers. When Ivan’s not building things, he commercial fishes with his brother and loves being on the open water. He also has a passion for gardening and has made it his mission to grow vegetables not commonly grown in Alaska. Last year he was able to grow several different kinds of peppers, in addition to many other things. Ivan and his wife have three boys, two cats, and seven chickens.

Jon Brunson - Journeyman Carpenter & Interior Finishes Team Lead

Jon was born and raised in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. His parents met in Alaska and instilled their affinity for the state in him. After a few years of college, he decided to take a semester off to try earning money framing houses and quickly became enamored with the process. Finish carpentry soon captured his attention completely and led him to join the WillowRidge team. Jon is close with his sister and her husband, and enjoys hunting and fishing despite having a ‘unique ability’ to always catch the smallest fish out of everyone on the fishing trip.

Justin Steele - Trim/Finishes Team Lead

Justin grew up in Anchorage and was encouraged by his father to try out some carpentry classes while in high school. One class led to another, and soon Justin learned that his love for craftsmanship was something he wanted to pursue. The joys and complexities of high-end finish work are Justin’s favorite part of the job. In his free time, he and his wife are out mountain biking, bike touring, backcountry snowboarding, or out with his sled dog team.

Mark Miller - Journeyman Carpenter & Tile Specialist

Mark is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in Anchorage. At the age of 12 he started working with his father learning how to set tile on custom homes. His dad taught him the importance of doing high-end, quality work, and Mark has carried that passion for excellence throughout the different construction jobs he has held. He loves the problem solving that comes with custom work and is always eager to expand his knowledge of custom building. 

Mark and his wife have one daughter and two sons. Some of the activities Mark enjoys outside of work are hunting, hiking, camping, and riding snow machines and ATVs.

Trent Fritzel - Journeyman Carpenter

Trent was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He was inspired to work with his hands and venture into construction by watching his father’s career in the trades and in business ownership. At WillowRidge, Trent works as an Journeyman Carpenter, always continuing to grow and develop his skill as a craftsman. His hard work keeps the job sites flowing smoothly. He enjoys the positive, can-do attitude that emanates from his co-workers.

When not at work, Trent spends his time hiking, running, fishing, and playing in the great outdoors that Alaska has to offer.

Ridge Wright - Journeyman Carpenter & Framing Team Lead

Ridge’s father worked in construction and took great pride in allowing his son to work alongside him. Born in Utah, Ridge moved to Alaska shortly after and has called it home ever since. His passion for building started to coalesce in high school when he learned Auto CAD. He takes pride in his work and believes strongly in continuous improvement in his craft: for the betterment of himself, the project, and those around him. 

Ridge and his four kids love to spend time outside camping, fishing, and hiking.

Jacob Hulst - Apprentice Carpenter

Born in Anchorage, Jacob soon moved with his family to Southwest Michigan for his formative years. One semester of college confirmed that it wasn’t for him, and he returned to Anchorage and worked in the roofing industry before getting connected with WillowRidge. Jacob is an ardent man of faith and a devoted baseball player as well as coach at Grace Christian School. He is passionate about mentoring through sports, being outside, playing music at his church and spending time with his 4 younger siblings.

Jacob Sundstrom - Welding Fabrication/Blacksmithing

Jacob was born in Alaska and has been hanging out on job-sites since before he could walk.  He's been involved in a lot of different projects over the years, but his primary interest is metalworking - welding, blacksmithing, and fabrication.  Jake spent some time working on a farm in New Zealand and he's hoping to return there someday to explore the incredible landscapes.  He loves the outdoors and has had some great adventures hunting, fishing, and exploring in Alaska's wilderness. 

Jason Anteau - Carpenter

Jason's passion for craftsmanship and service began in his Boy Scout days, where an active troop and a service-oriented Scoutmaster nurtured his love for community projects and the outdoors. One of his most memorable jobs was a summer as a lifeguard and merit badge counselor at Camp Gorsuch, which was both rewarding and fun. Jason takes pride in creating things he can be proud of. He enjoys the challenge of bringing ideas to life and seeing the results of his hard work.

Family is central to his life. He enjoys camping trips and bi-weekly family dinners. He and his girlfriend, who met while mountain biking, have been inseparable for over a year and a half. Outside of work, Jason's hobbies include mountain biking, backcountry skiing, camping, hiking, fishing, snow machining, and powerlifting, dedicating two hours, six days a week to lifting. Looking ahead, he hopes to earn his pilot's license, a goal that reflects his love for exploration and self-improvement. Jason’s dedication to his craft, family, and personal growth makes him a valued member of the WillowRidge team.

Marlene Nelson - Carpenter

Born in Kotzebue and raised in Aniak, Alaska, she grew up inspired by her father, a carpenter who built from the ground up. A graduate of Aniak High School, Marlene also holds a Business and Office Tech certificate from AVTECH in Seward. She has held unique roles, including supervising nonprofit projects in Anchorage.

Marlene began her finish work career at Builders Choice Modular, mastering tasks like cabinetry, countertops, and commercial kitchen installations under the mentorship of Virginia Worrell. Outside of work, Marlene enjoys beachcombing, rock hounding, berry picking, camping, rod-and-reel fishing, and spending time with family and friends by the fire. Passionate about woodworking, Marlene takes pride in continuing her father’s legacy and is excited to grow her craft at WillowRidge.

Lazer Kasachev - Apprentice Carpenter

A reader, snowboarder, and now framer thanks to his Dad and Uncle, Lazer has grown up helping out and learning on job sites most Saturdays from a young age. He attends school in Wasilla, where he was born, and is on track to graduate high school ahead of schedule.

A middle child, Lazer has two sisters, one of whom now calls Oregon home. He is close with his family and is grateful for their shared experience of spending summers fishing together in Prince William Sound. Lazer is excited to be a part of the WillowRidge team and increase his skills on the job.

Max Nannestad - Apprentice Carpenter

Max Nannestad's journey into construction began with hands-on experience building a cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska. Raised in Anchorage, he developed a love for the outdoors that greatly influenced his career path.

Starting young, Max worked at his parent’s restaurant, the Southside Bistro, before discovering his passion for outdoor work. This led him to golf course maintenance and then into construction, where he gained valuable experience as a laborer and operator. A unique role with Alaska Remote Imaging as a field tech assistant provided further expertise with specialized technology in remote areas of Alaska.

Family is central to Max's life. His parents, who moved to Alaska in the 1980s, instilled in him the importance of family, and he treasures the time spent with them. Outside of work, Max enjoys camping, hiking, and backpacking, always embracing Alaska’s natural beauty.

Jose Hernandez-Contreras - Paint Team

Jose is the patriarch of a three-generation paint team here at WillowRidge. He grew up in Mexico and ran a successful business of his own before immigrating to the US and calling Alaska home.

Jose’s craftsmanship is marked by methodical work and attention to detail. His experience is pivotal in maintaining the high standards of WillowRidge’s projects. He takes pride in mentoring the next generations of his family, passing down a strong work ethic.

Alexavier Hernandez - Paint Team

WillowRidge is Alexavier's first job, marking his entry into the construction industry. He was born and raised in Alaska and comes from a family with four siblings.

Alexavier values craftsmanship in his work and enjoys the challenge of meeting diverse expectations, as each client has unique preferences. Outside of work, he likes spending time with friends, playing video games and card games, and going four-wheeling during the summer.

Eager to grow in his role, Alexavier hopes to deepen his knowledge of the construction field and separately, aspires to learn a third language.

Silas VanDonkelaar - Apprentice Carpenter

Silas recently joined WillowRidge Construction as an Apprentice Carpenter. Originally from Greenville, SC, Silas grew up surrounded by craftsmanship, working closely with his father in a cabinet shop for the past two years. Under his father’s guidance as the shop manager, he gained hands-on experience in cabinet building and installation, developing a strong foundation in woodworking.

As the youngest of six siblings, Silas values hard work and family. His brother, Jacob, is also part of the WillowRidge Team, continuing their family's tradition of skilled trades. Outside of work, Silas enjoys playing disc golf, practicing jiu-jitsu, hunting and hiking.