the frontiers design + build team
Our clients appreciate our high level of service, professionalism and our friendly team. That's because we only hire great people, and train them to be great builders.
AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS
An empowered + professional team:
our story and mission
Your experience working with Frontiers is essential to us, so we have built a team of empowered and passionate leaders with a culture of craftsmanship to guide you.
You’ll experience a courteous, professional, and respectful group of committed individuals from our internal Frontiers team members across to our professional trade partners. You’ll see and feel the culture of craftsmanship in your new home for many years to come.
Culture of Craftmanship
Build to last
Focus on Relationships
Meet our team
Owner | Sales Manager
Certifications:
- Landscape Architect, OALA
- Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
- Adaptiv Home Renovation Course, Canadian Home Builder’s Association
- OHBA Futures Faster Certified Mentor
A proud University of Guelph grad, Doug is the founding partner at Frontiers – which began back in 2008, the day he graduated. With a focus on business development, sales management, & community engagement, he is the first point of contact for new clients looking for design/build services. His financial savvy, paired with his ‘farm boy’ work ethic has been integral to Frontiers’ continued growth and evolution. Doug is currently on the Board of Directors at the Guelph District Home Builders Association (GDHBA), as well as a Renovators Council member at the OHBA (Ontario). When Doug isn’t working, he enjoys adding to his bourbon collection, playing baseball, and building things around the house with his two young children.
Owner | Pre-Construction Manager
Certifications:
- Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
- Net-Zero Trained Builder
James manages the ‘Pre-Construction Team’ at Frontiers, whose focus is conceptual design, budget planning, detailed design, and permit administration. He prides himself on being a perfectionist and is responsible for constantly raising the bar on our culture of craftsmanship. If there is a better way to do it, James is going to find it. In his limited downtime, James is an active CrossFit athlete and enjoys tinkering in his wood shop and hiking with his family.
Owner | Operations Manager
Certifications:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
With a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph, Adam has the design background to pair with his extensive construction experience. Growing up on a farm has given Adam the work ethic and grit to tackle many of the dirty jobs that come along with our industry. He is our fleet/equipment manager, and is also our problem solver. If someone has an issue, it’s Adam that usually gets the call. In his down time, Adam enjoys watching Gordon Ramsay on YouTube and replicating his dishes, and also has a mild addiction to trivia.
Owner | Construction Manager
Certifications:
- In-progress: Professional Project Management (PMP)
As Construction Manager, Eric focuses on the proficient execution of large, complex
projects. He plays a critical role in design development, with constructability and
cost being key drivers of many decisions. With 20 years of experience as a carpenter, general contractor, and
construction manager in Guelph and the surrounding area, Eric specializes in
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). He facilitates collaboration and management among all stakeholders, trade contractors, vendors, and governing bodies. His commitment to quality,
honesty, transparency, and community has led to numerous successful projects.
Administrative Director
Certifications:
- Certified Home Inspector
- Tarion Customer Service Standard
- Housing Competency Building Codes
- Bachelor of Psychology and Family & Child Studies
Stacy moved to Guelph in 1990 from Blenheim where she worked on farms, worked as a sports field crew member, and was a general labourer working with her dad in his bricklaying business. She completed her degree at the University of Guelph and went on to get various diplomas and certifications in the homebuilding industry, as well as to become a certified home inspector. She started her own business in 2006 to help with customer care and administration for local businesses, which led to her
focus on residential construction; specifically with builders and related companies.
Stacy spends her spare time teaching workshops at local schools to support youth learning a trade and still makes time to listen to her oldest daughter sing at events, watch her youngest daughter play rugby, golf with her husband, and to write, cook, read, and hike.
Project Coordinator & Landscape Designer
Certifications:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Kelly has a diverse background in landscape construction and design. Her time spent working for commercial and institutional design studios, coupled with years as landscape contractor, make her a well rounded designer with tons of practical experience. Her passion for design drives her to seek new ideas and new solutions, lending to her ever evolving design style. When she isn’t working, she spends as much time as she can at the cottage with her family.
Project Coordinator
Certifications:
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
Born and raised in Toronto, Luke made the move to Guelph in the Summer of 2021 with his Wife and have welcomed two children, Owen and Kira, into their lives. Construction runs in the family for Luke, whose Opa, Dad, and Uncle were all General Contractors. Luke loves being a generational construction guy! He helped his Dad during high school which is where he found a passion for building with his hands. After college, he had a chance to jump into custom home renovations and has never looked back. Luke enjoys disc golf, bird watching, craft beer, most sports, and fantasy football. He loves trying new things and meeting new people.
Project Coordinator
Certifications:
- Bachelor of Applied Technology – Conestoga College
- In-progress: Professional Project Management (PMP)
Jack grew up in Guelph and is excited to be back working locally on custom residential projects, which has always been his dream! He got his start in construction at a young age and later spent three years in Toronto as part of the project management team on a 70-storey high-rise, where he gained experience working on a complex, fast-paced project.
He returned home to work on more hands-on, creative builds and enjoys being on site, working with the team, and keeping projects moving day to day.
Outside of work, Jack enjoys golf, fishing, hanging out with family and friends, and is a die hard Blue Jays fan!
Lead Carpenter
Certifications:
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
‘Patterson’ holds a degree in Economics from Brock University. He eventually pursued a career in Carpentry, and found his way to Frontiers. Patt excels at finished carpentry, and often tackles detailed/precision work on our home remodelling projects. He is driven, and is always looking to tackle the next challenge. When Patt is not camping or spending time with his cat peanut, he enjoys watching a good baseball game. He has also been known to wear white jeans to work, which speaks to his high level of confidence…not everyone can pull that off.
Lead Landscaper
Mac has extensive landscape construction experience and has a passion for hardscapes. Mac’s role is to support the Landscape Project Managers in the execution of their daily duties. When Mac is not working, he claims that he is simply ‘waiting’ for the next work day to begin! In the off season, Mac enjoys ice fishing and eating meatball subs.
Site Manager
Certifications:
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
- Red Seal Carpenter
Simon Pauls is a carpenter with 15 years experience on a variety of projects from small scale residential to larger commercial projects. He is a Red Seal journey-person and a certified Passive House Tradesperson. Off-hours he is passionate about music, camping, running and exploring the backcountry with his wife Kim and their daughter Judy.
Site Manager
Certifications:
- Red Seal Carpenter
Born and raised in Guelph, Cohen has a large number of friends and peers in the trade community around us. His career started with our partner Eric Small at the age of 16 and since then has proudly worked on countless numbers of projects. After living in Elmira for a few years with his family, Cohen expanded his career by learning the hard-working ways of a Mennonite. Now returning to Guelph, he’s excited to work with familiar faces. Outside of a work, you can find Cohen at a dirt bike track or relaxing in the yard, watching the chickens play alongside his girlfriend Heidi and their Bernese Mountain dog, Wesley.
Site Manager
Having grown up on a farm in Ireland, Brian has enjoyed tinkering with tools and making things with his hands since an early age. After completing his post secondary education in agriculture, Brian decided to make a change and travel to Canada in 2015. He became a property director at a summer camp, where he got the opportunity to further explore his building and fixing skills. Brian officially became a permanent resident in 2019 and soon after found Frontiers. Throughout his time with Frontiers, Brian has honed his carpentry skills, discovered an aptitude for site management, and enjoyed solving the unexpected challenges that come with building and renovation projects. Brian enjoys the outdoors, live music, making dad jokes, and spending time with friends and family in his newfound home of Guelph, Ontario.
Carpenter
Certifications:
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
Mr. Dependable has missed very few days in the many years he has been part of Frontiers. Jesse has both a Marketing degree from Sheridan, and a Building Renovation Technology degree from Mohawk. Frontiers recruited Jesse right out of school, and he has developed quickly into one of our lead foreman. Jesse enjoys motorcycles, hiking with his dogs, camping and the outdoors. He also suffers from ‘nice guy syndrome’ – we are constantly asking him to stop being so easy going. It makes the rest of us look bad.
Carpenter
Liam is a graduate of Conestoga College from the Renovation Technician Program and is one of four carpenters on the interiors crew. As the newest member to the team, Liam enjoys developing a wide range of new skills. On his down time, he can be found spending time with his new pup snoop, playing some pick up hockey, or showing the other frontiers guys how it’s done on the golf course.
Carpenter
Oliver has a 20+ year career in construction. Has a passion for energy efficient and sustainable building. In his free time, Oliver enjoys spending time outdoors, camping and hiking. At home gardening and producing his own food with his wife Andrea.
Landscaper
Blake went to Georgetown District High School and is now exploring a career in the trades. He likes spending his time at the dirtbike track, fishing, or fixing old trucks and tractors. His favourite part about work is running heavy equipment and seeing the finished product come to life.
Landscaper
Adam grew up in Guelph and went on to study Sociology at the University of Guelph. Throughout the years, he has worked a wide variety of hands-on jobs, including painting, home renovations, playground construction, and operating a rock truck at a clay quarry.
He loves spending time outdoors, especially at the cottage, and enjoys cooking and staying active. On the job site, Adam is known for keeping things light and bringing a positive energy to the crew. He enjoys working with the boys and believes that good work and good laughs go hand in hand.
why frontiers design
+ build?
- 30+ Years of Experience
- Award-Winning Projects
- Quality Craftmanship and Innovation
- Passive House Canada Member
- Guelph District Home Builders Association (GDBHA) Member
- Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) Member
- Landsape Ontario (LO) Member
our expertise and qualifications:
- Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
- Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT)
- Deck Stars Certified Contractor
- Construction Instruction: Advanced Building Training
- Net Zero Trained Builder
our focus on continuing education:
- International Builders Show
- Mandatory Continued ED by Professional Associations
- Staff Book Club
- Staff Quarterly Education Day
- Supplier Specific Training
- Continued Building Science and High Performance Construction Training
we have built an award winning team of empowered and passionate leaders, and we are almost always hiring.
If you are looking for an opportunity to join a growing, talented team, we are almost always hiring! We work on incredible projects for even better clients.
