Our Crew
Want to know a bit more about our crew? We’ve asked them to answer a few questions about who they are because people are very important to us. Read more about our core values, or read our crew bios below.
 Ken Connolly – Owner / General ManagerKen grew up in BC and now lives in Nanaimo with his three kids (Little Red, Big Red, and Big One with Brown Hair) and wonderful wife Wendy. Ken started in construction when he was a teenager and his love of making beautiful things kept him in it. When Ken is designing his dream home, he leans towards a West Coast/organic style mixed with true Craftsman (ie. Green and Greene). In his free time Ken goes sailing and skiing. He also reads romance novels while drinking herbal tea and other fru-fru drinks. He is also known for referencing old TV shows that no one has ever heard of and he takes pleasure in being taller than everyone else who works for him.
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 Jason Schmidt – Owner / Project ManagerJason is a from a family farm in small town Saskatchewan. Really.He’s never been able to escape job sites, since as a boy he worked with his dad doing renovations in the family business. While attending university he discovered a passion for what he thought was a side job – and has been in construction ever since. He has a wonderful (and very patient) wife, Adrienne and two kids (Nathaniel and Hannah) with a third on the way. Jason loves helping people build what they’ve imagined and really enjoys the constant problem solving – everyday is a new challenge or detail that is waiting to be sorted out. Jason loves homes with intricate interior and exterior wood trims, true quality Arts & Crafts era style. When Jason isn’t working he spends his time gardening, coaching and playing basketball, running and most importantly doing things with his kids.
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 Burke Stoller – Site Manager / Journeyman CarpenterBurke grew up in the alternately frigid cold and blazing heat of southern Alberta in the small city of Medicine Hat. He discovered project management through his father who is an architectural project manager, which led to his enjoyment of the creative, hands on, outdoors work he enjoys now. He lives in Nanaimo with his wife (and best friend) who he enjoys spending his free time with. Burke is passionate about building a sustainable future and loves “working for an employer who will never ask you to compromise your integrity as a trades person by doing less than what is best”. His free time is spent mountain biking, backpacking, snowboarding, reading, and working on his home. His favorite style of building is contemporary-modern design with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. He loves combining sleek, modern finishes in creative and functional ways and would love to spend the rest of his days building modern, highly efficient zero energy homes.
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 Steve Rempel – Apprentice CarpenterSteve grew up in Abbotsford BC and moved to Nanaimo in 1991. Steve got into carpentry because as he puts it, “My father is a carpenter, my grandfather is a carpenter, so that makes me a carpenter.” He lives in Nanaimo with his beautiful wife Lisa. In his spare time he likes to fish, play volleyball, hockey, guitar hero and do almost any physical activity. Though Steve wouldn’t say no to watching movies, playing card games or sleeping.
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 Andrew Kenning – Apprentice CarpenterAndrew grew up in Nanaimo and has lived there his whole life. He likes carpentry because he gets to work outdoors, and its a good mix of physical/mental work that suits him. Andrew’s favorite style of building features timbers, vaulted ceilings, lots of wood, and is very open and bright. And above all Andrew loves building beautiful sustainable homes. In his spare time Andrew like playing soccer, sailing, most sports, swimming and boating. When he isn’t being active outside he also likes to visit his family out of town when he can.
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 Ryan Shew – Apprentice CarpenterRyan grew up in Nanaimo where he went to school for carpentry. Ryan would tell you that his favorite style of building is West Coast and that he loves large timbers. One of the things that Ryan loves about working with Pheasant Hill is being able to see the finished projects and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. In his spare time Ryan likes to go surfing, mountain biking and rock climbing.
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