Featured Team Member: Meet Steve!
At Heartland Builders, we’re thankful every day for our talented, hardworking, and amazing team members who come together to build houses that become homes. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Steve, who handles estimating and project management!
What’s your relationship with Heartland Builders? What do you love most about working here?
The part I like the most about working for Heartland Builders is the way everyone is treated the same, whether they’ve been here 9 years or 9 months. Everyone’s opinion matters. When more employees work at a company, sometimes groups occur. Here at Heartland, everyone seems to like and respect each other.
What do you wish other people knew about Heartland Builders?
I think the difference that I see is that we care a lot about our clients. We want them to have the best experience they can while building with us. We do the extras behind the walls to make sure the house is built efficiently.
What inspires you and your work?
Through every position I have had while working with Heartland, the part that inspires me is when you turn the house over to the owners and they are really excited. We make sure the house is built and finished like it is our very own.
Where did you grow up? Tell us about your family!
I grew up in Grand Rapids. While I was a kid, I tried playing a lot of different sports and went on to play college basketball. I also grew up working at my family’s hardware/lumber yard. My brother and I worked almost every portion of the company before becoming partners. I have been in the lumber business for over 35 years.
My family has a very Dutch history. Both my parents were born in the Netherlands and came over at different times. My mom came over with her complete family when she was a teenager, and my dad came over with just his brother when he was around 20. I have one older brother and one younger sister. My wife Tricia and I have been married for 26 years and have two sons. Cody will be 25 and currently lives in Boise, Idaho; Nick is 20 and attends Davenport University.
How do you spend your free time? What do you do to relax?
I spend my free time with my family, doing things together. We like to hang out at my brother & sister in-law’s cottage and do a lot of fishing and boating. It is nice that my wife’s family and my family all live in Grand Rapids, so we can see everyone often.
What would someone be surprised to know about you?
That my freshman year in high school, I was one of the shortest kids on my basketball team.
Tell us about someone you admire.
The person that I admire the most is my father. Having the guts to come to a new country when you are at such a young age, with just your brother, is crazy.