Our journey began ages ago:
when the first cultures built underground tombs for their beloved leaders and learned to craft a vault, to the creature comforts of home established by the Dutch merchant class, and onward to the stunning skyscrapers built by immigrant craftsmen poised on the edge of modernity. Our story is just one of many: we are the folks that persevere in the belief that technical knowledge and craft in the service of good design can make something meaningful and profound. Blue Sound Construction was founded on that faith and perseverance in 2006.
Ben, Company Principal - Operations
Above all else, Ben is a people person. He values his clients, colleagues, friends, and particularly his family—all five of them (four children & wife, Courtenay). His career in construction began as a union apprentice over 20 years ago, but he considers himself a life-long learner of the trades. He began Blue Sound Construction in 2006, continuing his family's 60 year legacy of building in the Seattle area, and currently serves as Operations Manager as well as Sales & Estimating. We think his grandfather would be especially proud of Ben's gift for establishing rapport among the building community via the Master Builder's Remodeler's Council and the informal roundtables he's set up with other respected outfits; Grandpa Ben once did the same. See our Ben's resume to find out more.
Courtenay, Co-Director: Business Development & Marketing
Courtenay is a phantom presence on every job; her strategic planning has been instrumental in many of our operational processes, and behind the scenes she trains and oversees our core project management systems. Our clients love her without ever knowing it. Currently she spearheads our marketing and business development, while pushing forward on regional trades education/workforce development initiatives. She was the 2023 Chair for the Workforce Development Task Force with the Building Industry Association of WA, and co-chair for the Technical Advisory Committee at the Seattle College’s Wood Technology Center. In 2020, she partnered with Seattle Colleges to launch the Residential Construction “earn and learn” (apprenticeship) evening course with the Wood Tech Center to help new workers transition and quickly adapt to the industry, addressing our acute skills gap in housing. With her spare time, she dabbles in geometry to better understand simple, ego-less beauty.
Jonny, Project Manager
Jonny has been managing residential remodel projects for over 10 years in the Pacific Northwest and gained hands-on experience as a carpenter and site lead before making the move into management. Jonny is dedicated to exceeding client expectations with a focus on quality of work, balancing the schedule and budget and loves the challenge of problem solving and value engineering. Before embarking on his building career Jonny followed his passion for football (soccer) and traveled all over the US as a professional soccer coach, developing youth soccer players. Jonny grew up in Newcastle, UK and has a Civil Engineering Degree from The University of Aston, UK. He emigrated to the US in 1999 and now lives with his wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs. When not spending time with family he likes to golf and travel.
Stephanie, Project Manager
Equipped with a degree in Interior Design, Stephanie’s diverse career in the visual arts has seen her coordinating Nordstrom’s display windows across the country, partnering with her husband’s architectural firm to provide interior design, and for over 6 years, wearing many hats supporting a busy luxury interior design firm with everything from procurement to project management. Her eye for detail, calm but disciplined spirit, and rich background in the building arts are a tremendous asset to Blue Sound clients and personnel. In her spare time, Stephanie is a mother to two teenagers, which is a tour de force for humankind.
Ali, Bookkeeper
With 25 years of experience in accounting, and the last 11 years in construction, Ali jokes that she is the stereotypical "bean counter.” She geniuinely finds a thrill in resolving intricate financial puzzles!
She finds it satisfying to come up with new solutions to old problems and adopt more efficient processes which help the whole team.
In her spare time, Ali volunteers a significant amount of her time alongside her husband, including remodel construction of houses of worship, missionary housing and translation-work offices.
She loves the Pacific Northwest and spends every summer bike riding and camping with friends and family.
She has two children and four grandchildren, with whom she loves spending as much time as possible!
.
Our Vaunted Carpenters, of Which There are Many!
We are proud that much of the work we do is in-house, thanks to our fleet of skilled remodel carpenters who frame, hang doors, set windows & cabinets, run finish work, do dump runs, push brooms, and deliver the final polish.
With our 20+ years in the trades (and some of these employees have been here that long!), we know the deep value of these skills, and the importance of passing them on. Quarterly we conduct “Super Craft” training sessions, our build process involves many phase based walkthrough’s and checklists as well as the careful supervision of a Senior Field Manager. Each project is staffed by a Lead Carpenter, supported by Senior Carpenters and Apprentices, and managed by a Project Manager.
We celebrate our dedicated crew!