Meet Our Team
The Right People Make All the Difference
Success in home remodeling relies on having the right team. Our priority is to surround ourselves with passionate professionals who share our commitment to excellence.
Our team’s expertise and strong relationships ensure exceptional craftsmanship and a seamless experience for our clients. We work closely with you to understand your vision and make your dream home a reality.
Below, you’ll find the passionate individuals of our Team. Each brings unique talents and fosters relationships built on trust and respect. We’re confident they will not only remodel your home with excellence, but also provide the peace of mind you deserve.
Jared Thayer
President
About Jared
As the President and Co-Founder of Thayer Design Build, Jared wears multiple hats, including those of CEO, sales, project planning, and marketing. His ultimate goal is to build a great and lasting company.
Jared is passionate about his work and finds satisfaction in delivering successful projects that bring joy to clients and beautify their spaces. He is driven to build excellence into every aspect of the company and leverages his creative abilities to drive positive change.
A native of Corvallis, Oregon, Jared is a proud graduate of West Albany High School and holds a degree in English. He is a member of the Remodelers Advantage Roundtable and is Lead-Based Paint certified.
When not working, Jared enjoys reading, attending conferences, staying active, and spending time with his family. He is married to Cheliss and has three sons, Solomon, Amon, and Coba. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors at the Corvallis Montessori School.
Did You Know? Jared’s ideal vacations are those that allow him to explore ancient cultures that include ruins and rich history.
Cheliss Thayer
CFO
About Cheliss
Cheliss is a Co-Founder of Thayer Design Build, where she manages the finances and Human Resources. She ensures the financial stability and well-being of both the company and its employees.
Cheliss loves the flexibility of her work at Thayer Design Build, which allows her to strike a good balance between her professional and personal life. She is constantly learning and growing as the company evolves.
With a Master’s degree in creative writing, Cheliss is also First Aid and CPR certified, and a member of the Remodelers Advantage Roundtable.
When she’s not working, Cheliss indulges in her creative passions, including knitting, writing, photography, and cooking. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, snowboarding, hiking, and backpacking. Cheliss is married to Jared and the mother of three young boys.
Fun Fact: Cheliss has been teaching at Downtown Dance in Corvallis since 2010, where she shares her passion for creativity and self-expression with others.
Sean Kringle
Production Manager
About Sean
As the Production Manager for Thayer Design Build, Sean oversees the production team, manages processes, schedules projects, and ensures quality control. He is the crucial link between the design and build phases, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Sean is grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow with Thayer Design Build as the company continues to expand. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management Economics and is First Aid and CPR certified.
In his leisure time, Sean is an avid reader and enjoys spending time at the beach or on hiking trails. He is also an indoor soccer enthusiast.
Sammy Nguyen
Project Coordinator
About Sammy
Sammy Nguyen serves as a Project Coordinator for Thayer Design Build. With her experience and skills, she provides support throughout the design and build process, ensuring seamless project management. From maintaining document organization to coordinating schedules, tracking finances, and providing assistance in various tasks, Sammy plays a crucial role in ensuring projects are executed smoothly.
Sammy’s favorite thing about working at Thayer Design Build is the company culture. “The team, subcontractors, and clients are all dedicated to creating something amazing and are constantly striving for improvement. Our company values kindness, respect, and generosity, and this is evident in the way we work and interact with each other,” she says.
A 2023 graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design and a minor in Business, Sammy is well-equipped to handle the demands of her role. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her cat, dog, family, and friends.
Fun Fact: Sammy has a passion for true crime stories and played competitive volleyball for 7 years, even though she tore both her ACLs.
Natalie Pozzesi
Project Designer
About Natalie
Natalie Pozzesi is a Project Designer with Thayer Design Build. With her expertise in design, Natalie helps clients bring their renovation visions to life by assisting with the selection of finishes, materials, and overall design. She works closely with the build team to ensure that each design is both aesthetically pleasing and within budget, making the design process as seamless as possible for clients.
The best thing about working at Thayer Design Build according to Natalie? “The team is highly collaborative. The design team frequently consults with the build team on design functionality and finding solutions to any unexpected issues that may arise on a job site.”
Natalie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design form Oregon State University and is a certified Aging in Place Specialist. Her education and certifications make her a valuable asset to the Thayer Design Build team and clients.
In her personal time, Natalie enjoys spending time outdoors and engaging in activities such as hiking, kayaking, and camping. She also loves to read, cook for friends and family, and is a proud “mom” to two large dogs.
Jenny McDonald
Project Designer
About Jenny
Jenny McDonald is an accomplished project Designer at Thayer Design Build. Her passion lies in designing spaces that not only meet her clients’ functional needs, but also reflect their unique style and personality. With a keen eye for detail, Jenny works tirelessly to ensure each project she works on is a success.
At Thayer Design Build, Jenny takes pride in her ability to work closely with her clients to understand their needs and preferences. She then brings her expertise to the table, conducting research on materials and space planning to create a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Throughout the design process, Jenny stays in close communication with her clients and the build team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
What Jenny loves most about working at Thayer Design Build is the small-company atmosphere. The team is close-knit and everyone is invested in each other’s success, making for a supportive and collaborative work environment.
Jenny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design with a minor in Building Design and Construction. She is certified in both Revit and Aging in Place design and is a member of several industry organizations including IIDA, NKBA, and ASID.
In her free time, Jenny enjoys watching movies, reading, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. She is married with four boys ranging from teenagers to toddlers.
Fun Fact: Jenny is an avid traveler and has a unique tradition of collecting a Christmas ornament from each destination she visits. Each year, as she decorates her tree, she shares stories with her children about her adventures and the special memories they hold.
Jeff Cedarleaf
Project Manager
About Jeff
As a Project Manager for Thayer Design Build, Jeff is responsible for coordinating between designers, the production manager, and subcontractors to ensure smooth project execution. He is the primary point of contact with clients, providing updates and answering questions throughout the project lifecycle. With a high level of attention to detail, Jeff also performs carpentry-related tasks with precision.
Working at Thayer Design Build allows Jeff to combine his passion for quality work with a company that is generous and gives back to the community. He is well-trained in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold abatement, and has completed numerous other safety training courses. With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.
Did you know? Jeff is big into Christmas and decorates his home with a large Christmas light display most years!!
Brent Zenisky
Project Manager
About Brent
Brent serves in the role of Project Manager at Thayer Design Build to effectively communicate with both clients and subcontractors in order to produce an excellent remodeling experience. He plays a critical role in shaping the company’s image through his exceptional communication skills and personalized approach to customer service.
What Brent loves most about his job is the supportive and collaborative work environment at Thayer Design Build. He feels that working together as a team helps them achieve the best results.
Brent holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, is certified in Computer Aided Design and Drafting, and holds an OSHA 30 Hour certification. He is also trained in First Aid and CPR.
When he’s not on the job, you’ll find Brent indulging in his love for the great outdoors – fishing, floating down rivers, and enjoying nature. He is a proud family man and loves spending time with his loved ones.
Did you know? Brent is also an accomplished cook who loves preparing meals with ingredients he’s caught or gathered himself.
David Ballard
Carpenter
About David
David Ballard is a skilled carpenter at Thayer Design Build, where he is responsible for delivering quality workmanship and exceptional service on each and every home remodeling project. David works closely with the project managers to ensure that clients are satisfied and happy with the final result.
For David, the best thing about working at Thayer Design Build is the company culture and the team. He appreciates the owners’ commitment to building a legacy company, and he enjoys working with the friendly and talented team.
David has a well-rounded background. He gained hands-on experience as a Journeyman Carpenter and received numerous certifications and training, including forklift operations, first aid, low pressure (vacuum) systems, overhead crane operation, and CPR. He is also First Aid/CPR certified.
In his free time, David loves spending time with his wife, three grown children, and five grandchildren. He is an avid gardener, cyclist, chess player, reader, camper, hiker, poker player, and gun club member.
Fun Fact: David and his wife designed and built their own magnificent home together, proving that they are a team that can take on any challenge and come out successful.
Caroline Lombardi
Junior Designer
About Caroline
Caroline Lombardi works as a Junior Designer at Thayer Design Build and is responsible for the planning and design of home remodeling projects. She helps to ensure that each project is planned and executed properly and the clients needs are met, if not exceeded, during the design process.
Caroline says that the best thing about working at Thayer Design Build is the people she works for and with. She loves being able to turn a client’s dreams into reality while working alongside a passionate team that is dedicated and devoted to their craft.
With a Bachelor of Architecture degree and minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, Caroline is passionate about pursuing a career in Architecture and Design. She values perseverance, thoroughness, achievement and teamwork which all help to ensure that each project is finished to the best and highest standard.
When Caroline is not working she enjoys golfing with her significant other, Alex, spending time with their dog, Kevin, and exploring all that Oregon has to offer, from its many delicious breweries to its beautiful and diverse landscape.
Rory McDaniel
Apprentice Carpenter
About Rory
As a Carpenter at Thayer Design Build, Rory McDaniel is vital to the success of each project. With a background in restoration and building maintenance, he tackles a variety of tasks, including carpentry, site clean up, and site protection.
Rory, an Olympic College alumnus, values the company’s emphasis on quality and excellence. Outside work, he enjoys board games, exercising, playing the guitar, and reading to his son. A Corvallis resident, Rory embodies Thayer Design Build’s local commitment.
Take the first step towards creating your dream home
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team and let’s bring your vision to life.