Meet
OUR RENOVATION EXPERTS
BOWA was founded in 1988, by two college friends just a few years after their graduation. Since then the duo has built a world-class team of design build remodeling experts. The team includes trained design professionals, the area’s leading green building expert, the former chapter president of NARI, VPs of Production with 35+ years of experience, Project Supervisors who have been with BOWA for more than 30 years, and nearly 100 employees committed to delivering heroic customer service every day. Let our renovation experts help you!
Filter by: ALL OUR EXECUTIVES PROJECT LEADERS DESIGN TEAM PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
JOSH BAKER
FOUNDER, CO-CHAIRMAN, OWNER
DAVID BRANDT
PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, OWNER
LINDSEY BRITTEN
DESIGN TEAM MANAGER
TIMOTHY A. BURCH, JR., CR
VICE PRESIDENT, MIDDLEBURG OFFICE, OWNER
COLLEEN DOOLING
CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
MARK FIES
PROJECT LEADER
ALEX GISSELBECK
PRODUCTION MANAGER
NICK GROSSMANN
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
JIM HARRIS
PRESIDENT, CDB REMODELING DIVISION, OWNER
DOUG HORGAN
VICE PRESIDENT, BEST PRACTICES, OWNER
Tiernan Hannes
PROJECT LEADER
KRISTIN IKENSON
PROJECT LEADER
STEVE KIRSTEIN
MD & DC CUSTOM PROJECTS DIVISION, PRINCIPAL, OWNER
Jennifer Keogh
PROJECT LEADER
JIM LITTLE
COO, CLASSIC DESIGN BUILD, OWNER
Rob Lucas
PROJECT LEADER
CHARLIE MEARKLE
PRODUCTION MANAGER
PAUL MONTENEGRO
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
JOHN MURRAY
VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION, OWNER
Cris Maina
PRESIDENT, CUSTOM REMODELING DIVISION
Mark Ross
VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION, OWNER
COLIN SONNENDAY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CDB PRODUCTION
CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM
STEVE SCHOLL, CR, CKBR, UDCP
PROJECT LEADER, OWNER
JEFF WEEKS
PROJECT LEADER
LARRY WEINBERG
CEO, FOUNDER, CO-CHAIRMAN, OWNER
Arjay West
PROJECT LEADER
In 1988, Josh founded BOWA along with his college friend, Larry Weinberg. As young entrepreneurs, they identified the metropolitan Washington remodeling market as growing and in need of a truly professional, full-service remodeling company. For over 35 years, Josh has focused on the growth of the company with revenue increasing from $250,000 to $40 million. He guides strategic management of the company, revenue generation and continual coaching of team members. Recognized nationally as an expert in the industry, Josh is quoted regularly in publications, including The Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens and Remodeling, and is an invited speaker at local and national industry meetings. A Great Falls native, Josh still enjoys living there with his wife, Jill. Together, they train service dogs for veterans, with many of the dogs making regular visits to our McLean office.
Learn more about Josh!
David has been with BOWA since 1989, and an owner since 2001. With more than 30 years of experience in financial and administrative operations and systems., David has held several different positions within the company, including Director of Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Currently, David serves as both President and Chief Financial Officer, and is responsible for helping to smooth the way for the company’s teams to achieve their goals, and directs the day-to-day functions of the accounting and administrative departments, with a particular emphasis on BOWA’s financial operations. Over the years, David has successfully implemented a state-of-the-art job cost accounting and financial reporting system, has overseen the implementation of a Sarbanes Oxley compliant internal-control system, and has managed an in-depth risk and insurance audit, which resulted in optimizing the company’s insurance coverage. David is a Certified Public Accountant, with a B.S. in finance and a Post Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate from George Mason University’s School of Business. David also worked at Arthur Andersen in its Process Solutions and Business Consulting Group, with a primary focus on software implementation, optimization and business consulting for a variety of middle-market and Fortune 500 clients. He also worked as a financial analyst with Prudential Bache Securities. David lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and two daughters.
Shortly after moving with her family across the country from Southern California in September 2021, Lindsey began her journey with BOWA. She brings a fresh perspective, new skillsets and her bubbly personality to the design team. After a decade of serving in the United States Marine Corps as an Intelligence Analyst, Lindsey decided it was time to make the pivot in her career and pursue her dreams of becoming an Interior Designer. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from The Design Institute of San Diego. While earning her degree, Lindsey had her own Interior Design business where she gained an indispensable amount of in-the-field knowledge in tandem with her studies, leading her to be the designer she is today. She truly believes in the power of design and how beautiful, functional spaces can transform people’s lives. Lindsey is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), a Military Spouse and the mother of two beautiful girls and their dog, Huckleberry. In her spare time, you can find her paddle boarding, hiking, or yelling on the sidelines at one of her kids’ athletic games.
Tim joined BOWA in early 2012 as a Vice President focused on guiding our Loudoun and Fauquier County clients through every step of the remodeling experience, and joined BOWA’s Ownership Group in 2018. He has worked in the design/ build construction industry for over 30 years, and is well versed in all facets of residential construction. He is a third-generation builder, certified remodeler, industry instructor, and nationally recognized speaker on the remodeling design /build process. Tim has a BFA in design from James Madison University, as well as post-graduate studies in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Business Management. Prior to joining BOWA, Tim was the President and Chairman of the Board of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Metro DC Chapter and won the chapter’s Capital Contractor of the Year award many times. During his tenure, Tim was featured in The Washington Post and other newspapers and magazines, and was an industry expert for the FOX Television Network. One of the highlights of his career was being the Lead Project Manager of Construction for the Emmy Award-winning construction reality television show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, which aired on ABC Television. He describes his experience on the show as “a once in a lifetime opportunity” and takes great joy in having been able to help so many deserving families. Tim is a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association, and also sits on the Board of Building Appeals for Fauquier County, VA. A Northern Virginia native, Tim, his wife and three children reside in Fauquier County in an 1800’s farmhouse that they remodeled.
Learn more about Tim!
As Director of Operations for Customer Service, Colleen spearheads customer service operations, and is a main point of contact for both internal and external communications for the department. With an unmatched level of passion and organizational skills, Colleen has proven to be a valuable asset to the entire BOWA team over the last 16 years. As a Maryland native who grew up in Gaithersburg and graduated from the University of Maryland with her English degree, Colleen currently resides in North Potomac alongside her husband and two children. Colleen recently became a student member of the Construction Financial Management Association, and she is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in accounting. When she is not busy with work or advancing her education, Colleen loves to run, cook, and spend time with her family.
Mark Fies joined the BOWA team as a project leader, bringing with him an extensive background in residential remodeling. Previously, Mark successfully ran his own design build company, which he sold after 15 years.
Mark is no stranger to running a business. Before entering the design build industry, he managed the operations of six multimillion-dollar facilities for two Fortune 500 companies, five of which were new store openings in emerging markets. He has over 25 years in retail management, including process implementation and improvement, employee management, finance, and direct customer relations.
Additionally, Mark proudly served on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board and past President for the metropolitan area’s chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. Mark shares NARI’s focus on professional conduct, continuing education and training, and fair and ethical treatment within the industry. As an authority in the remodeling industry, Mark had received special invitations to participate in Harvard’s Remodeling Futures Program, part of their Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Originally from northeast Pennsylvania, Mark has extensively traveled the East Coast, and he now resides in Reston, Virginia. He is an avid golfer and volunteers his time coaching golf to our area’s Special Olympics athletes.
Learn more about Mark!
Alexander Gisselbeck joined BOWA in 2022 as a Custom Production Manager. Along with his bright and friendly personality, Alexander brings great value to the BOWA team with his ability to follow through with tasks and in turn, build great trust among both his coworkers and clients. Alexander was born and raised in the DMV area, and after he earned his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, he moved to McLean to officially launch his career in the industry. Prior to joining BOWA, Alexander worked in new construction and received two “The Pro Awards” for building in Maryland; “Best Project Manager/Superintendent 1-5 Units Townhomes 2015” and “Best Production Manager 6-20 Units Townhomes 2017”. When he is not working, Alexander enjoys going to the gym, spending time with his wife and friends, and studying various topics in business and technology.
Coming soon…
Jim joined BOWA in 2013 as a project leader, and brought with him over 25 years of business and remodeling experience. A member of BOWA’s Ownership Group since 2019, Jim now serves as a coach and mentor to the Project Leader team, while also actively serving clients primarily in the McLean area. He enjoys collaborating with clients to learn more about their challenges and goals, and takes great pride in delivering optimal design solutions and remarkable client experiences. He is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Before joining BOWA, Jim was a managing partner in a Virginia design build remodeling firm, which he joined after founding and successfully running his own renovation business for several years. Prior to that, Jim was a senior technology sales and business development professional with companies such as VeriSign and Network Associates, where he focused on developing C-level relationships and strategic partnerships impacting increased growth and revenue. Jim attributes his success in these roles to his consultative approach to selling and commitment to always delivering solutions that exceed expectations. Jim is a natural decision maker, problem solver and team builder, which has served him well throughout his career. Jim lives in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife and two sons. He is active in coaching youth sports and enjoys playing golf and other outdoor activities in his spare time.
Learn more about Jim!
All our projects in construction and beyond benefit from the expertise of BOWA’s Vice President, Best Practices Doug Horgan. With BOWA since 1989, Doug is a nationally recognized remodeling speaker and author and a consummate learner. He views every trouble-shooting instance as an opportunity to improve upon our already high construction standards. Doug is a LEED Accredited Professional with the Homes specialty and a Building Performance Institute certified Building Analyst.
Tiernan Hannes first joined BOWA in 2017 as a high school Labor Intern. After graduating from Washington and Lee University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, Tiernan rejoined BOWA as a Project Manager. While working with and learning from BOWA’s team of experts, Tiernan quickly displayed his dedication and skill, and was promoted as a Project Leader in 2024. Tiernan’s passion for carpentry and residential remodeling originated from his work crafting cedar canvas canoes in Canada and has allowed him to grow within the company at all levels from the bottom up. Tiernan was excited to join the BOWA team to learn from and work with experts in the industry in addition to having the opportunity to tackle and solve complex problems. He’s proud to have completed numerous projects since starting full time in 2021. Tiernan also finds fulfillment in community involvement, such as volunteering with Rugbytots. As a DC metro area native, Tiernan enjoys hot yoga, running, traveling and playing chess.
As a project leader dedicated to guiding BOWA’s condominium remodeling clients through every phase of the renovation process, Kristin is a problem solver who thrives on challenging projects. She brings over 25 years of experience in the luxury lifestyle industry, with a special expertise in residential real estate, home décor and high-end finishes. A native Washingtonian, she grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and received her BA degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Kristin is a people person with a passion for building lifetime relationships with her clients. She is active in the community as a parent and volunteer at Whitman High School, and with organizations such as Becky’s Fund, LLS Man & Woman of the Year, Girls on the Run, Make-A-Wish, and Smile Train. Kristin enjoys cooking and is an avid runner. She recently finished her first marathon, running past some of BOWA’s active project sites while raising funds for The Smile Train. She lives in Bethesda with her three children – Sam, Hayden and Abby – and their adored yellow lab, Gus.
Learn more about Kristin!
One of the principals at BOWA and a member of the BOWA team since 1994, Steve has over 30 years of experience in nearly all phases of residential construction. As the Custom Team Leader for the Maryland and Washington, D.C. portions of the business, Steve is intimately involved with all aspects of his projects, and takes particular satisfaction in his daily interaction with his clients. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from Arizona State University and an MBA from American University. Prior to joining BOWA, Steve was a Vice President at his family’s company, Richmarr Construction. During his time there, his responsibilities included the construction of hundreds of single-family, townhome and multi-family residences, as well as high-rise apartment buildings and other commercial structures. Although Steve has served on numerous boards and community organizations, he is particularly pleased to currently serve on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Area Autism Speaks organization. Raised in Bethesda, Steve now lives there with his wife, three children, two dogs and cat.
Learn more about Steve!
Jennifer Keogh joined BOWA in 2023 as a Project Leader, bringing with her 11 years of residential design build experience, 5 of which she spent running her own firm. Jennifer’s passion for the industry emerged in her early childhood as her father is also a builder. Throughout her career, she has designed and built a number of custom homes and large additions. She takes great pride in her work and has thoroughly enjoyed developing lasting relationships with her clients. Jennifer has in-depth design skills, particularly when it comes to CAD and 3D renderings, and enjoys helping her clients visualize their future projects. She currently resides in Fairfax alongside her husband, four children and two dogs. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys doing projects around the house, reading, kickboxing, playing pickle ball, and cheering on the Vols, Huskies, and her kids’ lacrosse games. During the warmer months, you can catch Jennifer on Lake Anna kayaking, paddle boarding, or jet skiing.
Jim joined BOWA in 1988 and has been an owner of the company since 1999. After graduating college, Jim came on board and quickly rose through the ranks. His previous positions with BOWA included Project Manager, Production Manager and Vice President of Production. In 2001, Jim was promoted to Chief Knowledge Officer, a position that encompasses human resources, information technology and the training and development of BOWA’s employees. In his current role, Jim also plays an active role in company-wide strategic planning and defining BOWA’s future. Jim is a graduate of the University of Virginia and continues his education by keeping current in construction management and technology. In his spare time, Jim enjoys sailing, playing soccer, coaching youth sports and playing guitar. Jim lives in Arlington with his wife and two children.
Rob Lucas rejoined BOWA in 2023 as a Project Leader after taking a hiatus into commercial construction for 10 years, most recently with Amazon. In his first role with BOWA, Rob was Senior Customer Service Manager, where he enjoyed building trusting relationships with his clients. He quickly gets to the “why” when it comes to his clients’ reasons for renovating their homes, and he sources his 8 years of residential remodeling experience to help achieve creative solutions that surpass expectations. Rob was recently appointed as a judge for PRO New England’s Remodeler of the Year, a competition based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty as assessed by an impartial panel of industry experts. Rob grew up in Bethesda, MD, attended Gonzaga College High School, and made his way back to the area after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. Rob has 18 total years of experience in construction, both commercial and residential, and he takes great pride in being able to spend time in homes he once built for his clients (and now friends). Rob currently resides in Round Hill, VA with his wife and two sons. Outside of work he enjoys coaching youth sports, skiing, fishing, cooking, and rooting for all the local sports teams.
Charlie is a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew up on his family’s dairy farm. After attending Pennsylvania State University, Charlie relocated to Northern Virginia to begin his career in the construction industry building equestrian centers. In 2005, Charlie joined the BOWA team with a focus on carpentry and project builds. Now, as Production Manager, Charlie enjoys providing clients with superior customer service and, in turn, beautiful homes. Charlie’s dedicated focus on exceptional outcomes for homeowners is reflected in all he does. When he is not working, Charlie enjoys spending time golfing, fishing with his two boys, and being outdoors.
Paul joined BOWA in 2014 as a Laborer and has since worked his way up to becoming a Customer Service Manager. Originally from Costa Rica, Paul studied Business Administration while in school in Maryland before relocating to Fairfax, Virginia in 2010. With over 15 years of customer service experience under his belt, Paul brings important qualities to the company, including his extensive sales knowledge that he acquired prior to joining BOWA. Outside of work, Paul is currently expanding his business management knowledge at NOVA, and in his free time, he enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.
A company owner since 2007, John has more 20 years of experience in the construction industry. A Washington, D.C. area native, John graduated from The Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, John spent five years working with Habitat for Humanity International. Although he lived in Georgia at the time, he was able to work on building homes across the country, as well as in Europe and Asia. After moving back to the area in 1999, John joined BOWA as a Project Manager and shortly thereafter became a Production Manager. Now as production vice president, John oversees all of BOWA’s projects in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and portions of McLean. He currently resides in Washington, D.C.
Cris joined BOWA in September 2023, and brings with him 20 years in construction and real estate development experience. After receiving a degree in Business from the University of Maryland, Cris spent more than 15 years working in construction for a large home builder and developer. There, he managed large teams, as Director, responsible for the construction of several hundred homes per year, of all types. During that time, he also returned to school and obtained a law degree from American University in Washington, DC. He spent the last several years before joining BOWA working in development, which included the completion of several mid-rise multifamily projects. Cris is a native of Montgomery County, MD, and after living for many years in Washington, DC, now resides in Kensington, MD with his wife and three young children, where he enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and spending time with his kids. Cris is also a native Spanish speaker.
Mark, an owner since 2003, came to BOWA in early 1998 after relocating to the Washington area from upstate New York. Prior to joining BOWA, Mark was the owner of a successful home building and remodeling company for 22 years. Originally hired by BOWA as a Production Manager, Mark was promoted to Vice President of Production in 2001.
BOWA’s Customer Service Team is committed to delivering remarkable client experiences long after a project is complete. The team is available 24/7 to assist with emergency situations, warranty, and small projects for our existing clients.
Learn more about our Client Aftercare!
Steve joined BOWA in 2015 as a Project Leader focused on guiding clients in the finer communities of Northern Virginia, and became a company owner in 2022. He brings to BOWA the benefit of his vast remodeling experience always seeking a blend where return on investment meets return on enjoyment. He’s an enthusiastic partner who loves the strategic planning involved in complex projects and demanding timelines. Steve enjoys creating master plans for clients that address both the immediate and long-term goals of their homes and the families who live in them. Steve’s also been successful working closely with Realtors and their buyer clients to advise on the feasibility and budgets associated with assumed renovations after the home’s been purchased. Steve is a Certified Remodeler, Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler, and Universal Design Certified Professional through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). His strong commitment to continuing education in our industry benefits both clients and colleagues alike. In his spare time, Steve loves spending time in nature, whether hiking in the woods, biking on the W&OD trail, or on a local golf course with friends and clients. Having lived in Northern Virginia with his family since 1989 he knows very well the needs of the families in our community. Steve is a native of Massachusetts and while he loves Virginia, he always makes time to return to his beloved Cape Cod.
Learn more about Steve!
Jeff joined BOWA in 2022 as a Project Leader focused on guiding and assisting homeowners in Loudoun and Fauquier counties by tapping into his more than 25 years of experience in the residential remodeling industry. He has a profound understanding of the complete lifecycle of a project from his various roles as a carpenter, project manager, estimator, and salesperson, as well as from running his own remodeling company. While each role has contributed to Jeff’s expertise, he believes that his time as a hands-on carpenter provides the most invaluable insight while guiding clients through every step of the remodeling process. As an interesting twist, Jeff took a career detour for several years and served as a conductor and engineer for Norfolk Southern and Amtrak before ultimately returning to remodeling. Jeff prefers the outdoors but, when he’s not hiking, hunting, or fishing, he’s cheering on the Washington Nationals and Capitals.
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For Larry Weinberg, running his own business was always a dream and passion. He graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia in 1985, and shortly thereafter earned his CPA certificate. He went on to work for Arthur Andersen in its small-business division but left the corporate world less than a year later to found BOWA Builders with his college friend, Josh Baker, in 1988. Starting with little capital, Larry worked in almost every aspect of the company, both out in the field and in the office. In the early years, he developed the remodeling-production systems, as well as the administrative and financial systems used in the office. Today, Larry’s duties as CEO include spearheading strategic management, evaluating new opportunities, and directing the company vision. An avid entrepreneur Larry joined the Washington, D.C. Young Entrepreneur’s Organization (YEO) in the 1990’s and later became a member of the board. Then in 2000, he graduated from the Birthing of Giants Program, jointly sponsored by YEO, Inc. magazine and the MIT Enterprise Forum. He continued pursuing his love of business by joining the Washington Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) where he quickly became the Chairman of the Washington Metro Chapter.
Having grown up in Richmond, Larry lives in McLean with his wife, Kim, and children, Alexa and Dillon. Larry’s personal interests include sailing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and triathlons. Larry’s latest adventure involved visiting 26 countries on 5 continents with his family. The experience brought the family closer together while learning from other cultures, completing community service projects on multiple continents, and seeing some of the world’s most interesting sites.
Arjay West joined BOWA in 2023 as a Project Leader, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in every facet of the remodeling industry. Prior to joining BOWA, Arjay founded and ran a home building and remodeling company for 25 years. Throughout his career, Arjay has taken on a multitude of projects, ranging from historical restoration to zero-energy homes. Arjay is a leader in green building, and his team has won numerous Finest for Family Living and Monument Awards. Arjay is Northern Virginia Native and a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Economics. Currently, Arjay lives in Arlington alongside his wife and two daughters. He is an avid golfer and grill master, and has spent many years coaching his youngest daughter in travel softball.