Our Work Force

• Larry Okerstrom, President, General manager
• Jerry Okerstrom, Designer, job coordinator, estimator
• Reed Okerstrom, Designer, job coordinator, estimator
• Rob Warneke, Designer, job coordinator, estimator
• Thalia Person, Receptionist and organizational manager
• David Schuett: Project Supervisor
• Randy Bluhm: Foreman, chief tile setter & finished carpenter
• Craig Strandlund: Foreman & finished carpenter
• Tom Sarbacker, Foreman
• Jon Schuett: Foreman
• Ryan Okerstrom: Foreman
• Keith Okerstrom: Journeyman
• Jon Bluhm, Apprentice

Name: Ryan Okerstrom
Position: Foreman

I’ve been on the job now since 1996, and am just starting out as a foreman, with a crew of my own.

My favorite part of any job, really, is framing and siding. With framing, you can hammer away and be outdoors. With siding, too, you can see real progress being made every day.

As a journeyman, you don’t take stress home with you. You drop the belt at the end of the day, and that’s that. Assuming foreman duties, though, I find that the more I run jobs the more stress comes with the territory. But I love it out in the field, whatever kind of work I’m doing. I’m not looking to replace my father (Reed Okerstrom) in the office any time soon!

We had a big job in Stillwater recently where our woodworking had to match existing house detail pretty closely. Maybe this is not as much fun as banging away at framing, but it really gives a sense of a job well done when it comes out right.

The best part of the year for outdoor working is spring and fall, when the temperature is just right. Winter can be painful, sure, and summer can be too hot. Sometimes in winter we have to heat the ground to dig in, but that’s just part of the game.

My hobbies include long walks in the woods, reading, sitting by the fire, and the company of a sensitive woman. That is, unless you’re talking sports, 'cause athletics are my real passion — whether snowboarding, wakeboarding, snowmobiling, football, or hockey.