Core Purpose
Dedicated to designing and building better places to live.
EDSON GALLAUDET
President
Born and raised outside Detroit, MI, Ed graduated from the University of Colorado. Ed moved to Seattle in 1993 with his wife, Julie. Before Build Urban he gained relevant experience in mortgage banking, construction financing, commercial and retail development, land acquisition, and infill development. He began building with a small Tacoma remodel then moved from new single family homes to larger homes, townhouses, row homes, and apartment buildings.
Ed loves to see a project go from raw land to completed structure. His excitement for work comes from all the human interactions that happen throughout building homes and our company. Building people a better place to live brings him a great sense of accomplishment.
Outside of development, Ed enjoys spending time with Julie and their four kids – skiing, golf, hunting, cooking, travelling. Time with family and friends can’t be beat.
Hidden talent – bus driver – get the right people on the bus and make sure it’s continually heading in the right direction.
edson@buildurban.com
JEFF WEGENER
VP of Design
Jeff was born and raised in Seattle. He attended the University of Arizona where he received his Masters Degree in Urban Design. Over the last 16 years he has combined his City Planning and architecture skills to manage design and entitlements on a range of residential projects ranging from 800+ unit neighborhoods to single family homes. In addition to design work, Jeff has experience in writing residential design guidelines for local jurisdictions and private developments.
The challenge of urban infill keeps Jeff inspired. Understanding the opprotunities and constrainsts associated with a site, alligning projects with client goals, providing cost effective site development strategies and delivering quality lasting design are his primary goals.
Outside of design and development, Jeff enjoys fishing, golf, playing ice hockey and urban hiking.
Hidden talent – Can play a round of golf in under 2.5 hours.
jeff@buildurban.com
MARTINA JAMBRICHOVA
VP of Finance and Operation
Martina was born in Slovakia in a small village at the base of the Low Tatras mountain range. She moved to Seattle in 1999 with the intention to stay for one year. She fell in love with the people and mountains of the Pacific Northwest and came to the realization that she had no intention of leaving.
Martina brings a breadth of knowledge to her position at Build Urban. With a B.A. in marketing and a Master’s in finance under her belt she is currently earning a certificate in commercial real estate from the UW. Working for a company that cares about sustainability and learning about the challenges of growing a business along the way is what keeps Martina involved.
Martina enjoys time in the wilderness hiking, climbing and skiing. She also volunteers during the winter months as a ski patroller at Hyak, Summit at Snoqualmie Pass.
Hidden Talent – She can knit!
martina@buildurban.com
ALYSE ZIMMER
Designer
Alyse grew up surrounded by construction documents – her father is a project superintendent. The apple did not fall far from the tree as Alyse attended school at Washington State University where she received her BA and MA in Interior Design. Previous to working at Build Urban she gained experience in commercial design working for NAC Architecture in Spokane.
Beginning with a project footprint, Alyse loves the challenge and puzzle of interior layout. Her excitement for work comes from her love of all things design – interiors, architecture, graphics, and art. She finds that being a native of Seattle helps push her design conscience. She is grateful to be able to leave her own aesthetic mark on the city she was raised in and continues to enjoy each day with this company.
Outside of design, Alyse enjoys spending time with her family and friends, painting, and seeking out live music. She loves living in Seattle and enjoys going for jogs around Greenlake, exploring different neighborhoods, and spending time on her parent’s boat.
Hidden talent – She’s an ambidextrous pool shark.
alyse@buildurban.com
BRITTNEY KALLAS
Designer
Brittney was born in Homestead, Florida. As the daughter of a military man she didn’t stay in her birthplace long and grew up in places all over the world including England, Holland, and Germany. After her family settled in Olympia she enrolled at the Art Institute of Seattle, graduating in 2011 with a B.F.A in Interior Design. She began her design career at Thomasville of Bellevue and then moved to Kitchen and bath design before she made her way to Build Urban. Brittney loves all aspects of her work; whether modeling, working in Auto CAD or exploring Pinterest and Houzz for current design trends.
Hidden Talent: She has spent more than half her life competing in Gymnastics and can still do a backflip.
Brittney@buildurban.com
THOMAS HYATT
Superintendent
Thomas was born in Southwest Alaska and raised in towns all across the the state. He moved to Seattle during high school and then attended Western Washington University. Over the last 15 years he has built over a thousand units in the Puget Sound region, specializing in multifamily condos and townhome projects.
Diversity of projects is what keeps Thomas excited about construction. From renovation and conversion of a historic landmark structure to Built Green townhome projects to contemporary custom homes, all types of construction interest him. Site development is his favorite phase of construction, as he loves being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Outside of construction, Thomas enjoys spending time hiking, biking, and climbing. He also volunteers in the summer teaching speech and storytelling to kids at the Colville Tribes Reservation and occasionally volunteers as a speech coach for the Northwest Forensic Conference.
Hidden talent- trivia nut. Accumulated plenty little usable factoids from years of New York Times crossword puzzles.
JOHN IWANCZUK
Project Superintendent
A Seattle native and 30 year Construction Gypsy, John graduated from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters construction studies pilot program in 1982. He has also held apprenticeships in the electrical and plumbing fields. John has worked in all aspects of single and multifamily home building from foundations to finishes in projects ranging from 200 to 22,000 square feet. John is currently pursuing continuing education in Built Green, along with sustainable and alternative building methods.
John is married to Michelle, whom he describes as “an incredibly patient woman.” They have traveled extensively, and enjoy exploring their many varied interests – The latest of which is small scale sustainable farming to support the “localvore” movement, and horsemanship.
Hidden talent: One time he played 2 “ghost tracks” for a very famous musical group, but can’t reveal who they are because he signed a non-disclosure agreement.
MAX LEVCHENKO
Project Superintendent
Originally from Ukraine, Max moved to America when he was nine years old. Growing up he watched his father build high rises and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps. As a child he loved constructing something whether it was from sand, dirt or wooden blocks. He started his formal education in building during high school and in college where he gained hands-on experience in building a house from the ground up his first year. During the rest of the program he studied finish carpentry, estimating, building codes, and blue print reading and graduated with certificates in all aspects of construction.
While still in college he went to work for a construction company and turned his passion into a career. Over the last ten years Max has gained experience in building many different projects whether new construction or remodels. He challenges himself by learning new methods of construction as the industry evolves. Max loves to see a project come together from start to finish and takes a lot of pride and passion in his work.
During his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and family. Together they enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping, and fishing.
Hidden Talent – He knows how to make Poppy Seed Strudel and enjoys working on cars.
ROBERT MCBRIDE
Purchasing Manager
In his 3 plus decades in the construction business, Robert has worn many hats and worked in many places. From building hotels and low income housing in San Francisco, framing luxury homes in L.A. and Chicago, to managing multi-million dollar single and multi-family projects in Seattle, Robert has developed a skill set that has afforded him longevity in a volatile and sometimes unforgiving industry.
A graduate of UC Berkeley, Robert has lived in Seattle with his wife and daughter since 1994. He spends his free time reading, cooking and watching the Mariners struggle year after year to maintain a fan base. His love of Seattle is evident in the appreciation he has of the views from our office – the Aurora Bridge and shores of Lake Union.
Hidden Talent: A true man of the PNW, he makes furniture!
Robert@buildurban.com
TRACI NELSON
Bookkeeper
A lifelong Seattleite, Traci graduated from University of Washington. With experience in mortgage banking and real estate closing, she brings her passion for construction accounting to the Build Urban team. With over 20 years of experience working in the construction industry she has become skilled at building a financial picture for a wide spectrum of project types.
Traci and her husband of 22 years, Bob, enjoy spending their time exploring the region for new restaurants and she considers herself quite the foodie. Although this mother of two has been in Seattle her entire life, she greatly enjoys traveling with her family and fell in love with Ireland during her last excursion.
Hidden talent: She’s a container gardening pro!
Accounting@buildurban.com