Orren Pickell

President and Chief Executive Officer

Orren’s name has become synonymous with outstanding design and quality construction from thirty-five years of innovative methods and demanding attention to detail. Throughout his career, Orren’s philosophy has remained unchanged…provide customers with the highest level of service in all areas and work diligently to offer the greatest value for every project. Orren has assembled a dedicated, experienced team of professionals who share his enthusiasm for this industry and Orren Pickell Designers & Builders has been honored with more awards for design creativity and construction excellence than any builder in the Midwest. Not content to simply design and build fabulous homes for his clients, Orren saw the need to offer additional services, and soon the OP Trim Division, OP Maintenance Group, CabinetWerks Design Studio and the OP Remodeling Group came into existence to provide his customers with all manner of support and services for their homes. Today, Orren’s company enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a premiere custom homebuilder, with satisfied customers and magnificent projects throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Orren studied construction engineering at Bradley University where he met his wife, Tina. Orren and Tina have three children and live in Mettawa, Illinois.

Casey Reyes

Director of Process and Technology

Casey is our “go to guy” for all IT issues within the company, but his talents have been best utilized in the development and maintenance of our award-winning client and subcontractor websites, where every detail of a project is accessible at any time. Every Pickell associate and client has benefited from Casey’s technological expertise and he strives each day to enhance the company’s vital operating systems. From the simplest changes to fully integrated upgrades, Casey single-handedly ensures that our team has the most current technology at our fingertips. Casey is dedicated to providing the most interactive, informative and enjoyable customer experience and his efforts are evidenced in our clients’ ability to view photos, specifications and financial information through their secure project websites. A vital member of the Pickell Team since 1998, Casey has also been involved at various times in our sales, estimating, purchasing and remodeling divisions, with his creativity, enthusiasm and insight contributing valuable ideas and process improvements wherever he is needed. Casey is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, and previously worked as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric. He currently resides with his wife and four children in Woodstock, IL.

Jim Wood

Purchasing Manager

Jim made his initial impact with our company as the head of the Orren Pickell Rough Carpentry Division, where his skill and leadership literally set the framework for some of our most magnificent homes. Jim’s additional talents in mathematics and his unrivaled ability to evaluate an existing structure have led to his current position as Purchasing Manager. Jim’s agreeable personality and keen awareness of material and labor costs make him a tough but fair negotiator on behalf of our clients. Jim often accompanies our sales associates, where his carpentry background allows him to effectively assess conditions and his pricing experience offers on the spot cost ranges for renovation and maintenance projects of any size. When you choose Orren Pickell Designers & Builders, you can be certain that Jim Wood will work tirelessly to secure the most favorable pricing for your project.

Kevin Batz

Wisconsin Regional Manager

Kevin is our chief Superintendent and he is also the single most outgoing and take-charge person in the Orren Pickell construction department. Kevin’s personal commitment to every client is evident from the first time you meet him, and his knowledge and experience will be a distinct advantage for your project. Kevin resides in Wisconsin and we consider him our construction expert for that region. His familiarity with the area and relationships with local subcontractors places Kevin in a unique position to ensure that every aspect of your project is expertly completed to the last detail. Kevin is equally proficient in his efforts regardless of where his customers reside, and he is an incredibly valuable resource for everyone in the company. Kevin is singularly focused on delivering every Pickell project on time, within budget and with an attention to the smallest details that other, less experienced superintendents may overlook. He has created a long list of delighted customers and magnificent projects in his 20 years with Orren Pickell Designers & Builders and he is always ready and eager for the next opportunity to help make a family’s dream home become reality.

Kurt Savageau

Trim Carpentry Superintendent

Kurt joined Orren Pickell Designers & Builders in 1992 as part of the company’s highly regarded construction team. Orren quickly recognized Kurt’s exceptional woodworking abilities and now this skilled craftsman finds himself our Trim Division Superintendent, responsible for the incredible detail work that sets Orren Pickell Designers & Builders apart from other builders. Kurt and his talented team ensure that every cabinet and door is perfectly set and that each length of trim and molding is seamlessly aligned. These critical elements truly make each home unique and exceptional, and Kurt is known for his scrutiny of every room before he considers his work complete. Kurt’s knowledge of materials and their most appropriate applications often help undecided clients select the ideal look and feel for their home.

Lisa Pickell

Chief Operating Officer

Lisa joined Orren Pickell Designers & Builders in September of 2004 as Division Manager of our Remodeling Group after graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a business degree in marketing and a minor in art and architectural history. Her previous experience with a high-end design-build firm in Ohio provided new ideas and unique insights, and she is committed to continuing the tradition of excellence throughout the company. Lisa’s involvement in many local trade organizations including the Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago and the National Association of Homebuilders culminated in her achieving the Remodeler of the Year honor, bestowed by the HBAGC in 2009. Lisa’s natural leadership skills, client-focused approach and her encompassing knowledge of the company’s processes led Orren to appoint her as Chief Operating Officer in 2010. Lisa currently oversees every aspect of the daily operations with a focus on managing the Purchasing Department to ensure the timeliness, consistency and validity of every bid. Under Lisa’s direction, Orren Pickell Designers & Builders has expanded our reputation for offering outstanding design, value, quality and craftsmanship in all that we do.

Tina Pickell

Special Projects and Director of the Pickell Family Foundation

Tina Pickell has been at Orren’s side, helping manage, organize and motivate his team from the very beginning. Over the years, Tina has stepped into many roles from accounting to land management and human resources. One of Tina’s most rewarding positions has been as the head of the Pickell Family Foundation, which supports many local charitable and community organizations including ChildServ, St. Martin de Porres’ Hire4Ed program and Omni Youth Services. Tina is diligent in her efforts to maintain complete and accurate records for every project and she is considered our in-house consultant for contract interpretation and negotiation. Tina’s sound judgement and analytical thinking have made her a valuable member of the Pickell Team and she is committed to protecting the interests of our company and our clients.

Jenn Koeune

Maintenance Division Manager

Jenn brings years of experience as the Maintenance Division and Trim Division assistant to this position, and she has made a flawless transition. Jenn is one of our most client-focused associates and she remains intimately involved with our homeowners as a welcome caretaker of their properties. Jenn is responsible for coordinating everything from annual home maintenance programs to seasonal furniture storage and everything in between. Jenn’s responsiveness and diligent attention to her customers’ needs has earned her a well-deserved reputation for efficiently and effectively resolving any issue that arises, and she has gained a loyal client base. Jenn volunteers as a math tutor in her spare time, and she assists in managing the local Hire4Ed interns that our company supports each year.

Jeffrey Eichhorn

Project Manager, Associate Principal

Jeff has been with the Orren Pickell Design Group for almost 10 years, and he has taken the lead in the design of some of the most magnificent homes we have created. Jeff has developed a keen eye for details, and he expertly provides solutions to remedy the most challenging design aspects. Jeff was recently instrumental in designing a home that offers a special needs child full, safe and unimpeded access to the entire home. Jeff is extremely dedicated to his customers, offering assistance in selecting appropriate materials and components to enhance the home’s appeal and functionality.

Tom Hackett

Sales Consultant

Tom has been assisting our customers with all of their new home and remodeling needs for over 5 years, and he becomes so involved in each project that many of his clients consider him a valued friend. Tom combines knowledge, experience and a true sense of commitment to ensure that each customer’s specific needs and concerns are satisfied. Tom has a unique ability to uncover what his clients require and communicate with the design and construction teams to ensure that every detail is incorporated into their plans. Tom’s awareness of neighborhoods, amenities and demographics also make him a valuable resource when searching for a family’s ideal location. Tom’s enthusiasm, along with his proven success and dedication are your assurance of an outstanding collaboration from beginning to end.

Susan Hamilton

Sales Consultant

Susan has over 10 years of professional sales and marketing experience in the luxury custom home industry and we are fortunate that most of those years have been spent with Orren Pickell Designers & Builders. Susan is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Illinois, and her intimate knowledge of local neighborhoods has benefited many of her clients as they begin their new home construction adventure. Susan feels a personal responsibility to each of her customers and she takes great care to ensure their full understanding of each phase in our process as their projects progress. Susan’s confidence and industry knowledge instill loyalty and trust with every interaction, and she recalls even the subtlest nuances of every project that she has seen through completion. Recognized for excellent customer service and organizational skills, Susan is a valuable resource and dedicated partner for your new home and renovation needs.

Thomas Kearin

Sales Consultant

Thomas has been involved in the construction industry for 40+ years having studied with his father and grandfather, both Master Carpenters. He received his Journeyman Carpenter’s Degree from Washburne Trade School and worked a variety of residential and commercial projects from historic restoration to production building to glass skyscrapers. In 1986 he launched a successful startup on the North Shore winning numerous local & national awards for design, construction, and photography and went on to be named one of the top 50 remodeling contractors in the United States by Remodeling Magazine. Since that time, Thomas has earned a Certified Remodelers Degree from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), sat on the board of directors of NARI of Greater Chicagoland as well as the board of directors at the Montessori School of Lake Forest. He is a former member of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers and the Housing Inspection Foundation. Having sold his company in 1999 he and his family took a well-earned sabbatical beside a mountain lake. When they returned two years later, they settled into a 100-year-old Lake Forest home waiting for their skillful revitalization. Thomas has a widely known proven record of accomplishment in the high-end residential construction market and as President, VP & COO has helped other companies and individuals by building solid relationships with clients, coworkers, and industry trade partners.