Forgewell Building Group

David Simon has been an influential player in the homebuilding industry since 1982. In 2023, he led the merger between Veridian Homes, Dave Jones, Auburn Ridge, and Marshall Towne Building Supply, creating Forgewell Building Group. As Chairman of Forgewell Building Group, David is responsible for strategic planning and management of a collection of award-winning businesses.

Under his ownership and leadership, David has successfully turned Veridian Homes into an award-winning industry leader. Veridian Homes has been recognized for its best practices with three National Housing Quality (NHQ) Gold Awards. Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine, US Energy Value Builder of the Year, NHQ Gold Award and a NHQ Silver Award, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

David has had the honor of serving on the NAHB Research Center’s National Housing Quality Advisory Council. In 2017, he was inducted into the National Housing Quality Award Hall of Fame. In June 2003, David was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Wisconsin award for construction, real estate, and hospitality.

Karen Simon Dreyer is the Accounts Payable and Payroll Manager at Veridian Homes. She is responsible for managing the financial processing of transactions within the company. This includes managing weekly accounts payable runs, ensuring timely payment of invoices, and overseeing the payroll process.

Karen is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and has been an integral part of Veridian Homes since 1985, making her one of the company’s earliest employees. Throughout her 38-year tenure, she has taken on various roles and responsibilities, gaining extensive knowledge and expertise in homebuilding. Her commitment to continuous improvement has driven her to focus on refining and optimizing different processes within the company.

Karen enjoys spending quality time with family and has a passion for traveling.

Nick Allen is Controller at Dave Jones and oversees the finance and IT functions of the company. In his role, he is responsible for financial reporting and compliance, as well as FP&A and achievement of technology initiatives. He works closely with segment leaders throughout the company to manage financial performance and ultimately achieve financial objectives.

Nick has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy. He began his career in public accounting, spending five years providing clients with audit & attest services. He joined Dave Jones in 2017.

In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors.

Tyler Bahr is the Operations Manager at Marshall Towne Millwork LLC and has been with the team since fall of 2022. With a strong background in fast-paced manufacturing and production environments, Tyler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his current position. He strives to optimize operations and drive efficiencies within the company. Tyler is also dedicated to building strong relationships with both team members and customers. His commitment to maintaining a strong customer focus ensures that Marshall Towne Millwork meets and exceeds customer expectations.

Outside of work, Tyler enjoys spending time outdoors and cherishing moments with family and friends. His passion for nature and personal connections balances his professional life, making him a well-rounded and dedicated individual.

Boone Cates is the Director of Construction at Associated Housewrights, where he plays a crucial role in coordinating the production schedule and assisting with the training of Project Managers and Carpenters. His responsibilities extend to financial oversight of projects and contributing to strategic planning efforts to ensure objectives are met. Boone is a strong advocate for a team-oriented approach, with a focus on maintaining high standards of quality and exceptional customer service.

With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Boone has worn many hats in the industry. He holds a Construction Management degree from Colorado State University.

Beyond his professional life, Boone enjoys spending time outdoors, playing rec sports, and being with his friends and family.

April Dichraff is the Chief Integration Officer (CIO) of Forgewell Building Group. In this multifaceted role, April drives the organization’s strategic initiatives. She is entrusted with implementing integrated shared services, leading the analysis and execution of merger and acquisition opportunities, and providing leadership to the senior leaders of human resources and information technology for Dave Jones, Marshall Towne Millwork and Veridian Homes. April previously served as the Vice President of Operations – Madison at Veridian Homes, and its sister company, Marshall Towne Millwork, for the last 19 years. She joined Forgewell Building Group in 2024.

With over 25 years of operational expertise, April plays a pivotal role in translating strategic business plans into actionable operational plans, ensuring the seamless execution of the company’s overall objectives. Additionally, April has served as an examiner for the National Housing Quality Award. She is committed to sharing industry best practices that yield tangible business results as well as championing and implementing quality initiatives.

Outside of work, April enjoys engaging in outdoor activities and spending time with her family and dog.

Ryan Hanna is the Executive Vice President of Construction at Dave Jones where he has been an integral part of the company since 2004. In this role, Ryan oversees aspects of business development, supplier relations, as well as sales and expense forecasting. He also provides leadership to the new construction teams located in Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio markets, as well as the Quality Assurance team.

With over 18 years of experience in the construction industry, Ryan is committed to excellence in all that he does. He has a deep understanding of the trades and is dedicated to delivering high-quality work that exceeds customer expectations.

In his personal life, Ryan is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys camping, hunting and spending time at his family cabin.

John Maasch is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Veridian Homes. With his extensive experience and expertise, he plays a vital role in the company’s success by integrating sales and marketing strategies, ensuring alignment with the overall business plan, and leading efforts to achieve sales and marketing targets.

In his role, John is responsible for developing and executing effective sales and marketing programs. He works closely with his team to conceptualize strategies that enhance the company’s brand presence, attract customers, and drive sales growth. He joined Veridian Homes in 2001.

John is an active member of his community, where he volunteers at his local fire department. Additionally, he is an avid golfer, and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and their large family.

Heather Schommer is the President of Dave Jones and provides overall leadership to the Executive and Leadership teams of the company. She is focused on driving strategic initiatives and ensuring that the company achieves its financial and operational goals.

Prior to joining Dave Jones in 2019, she spent much of her career in financial and consultative roles, working with management teams across various industries to streamline operations and drive focus on the most impactful areas of a business. In her current role, these skills are critical to effectively leading the company and aligning the organization across all segments and regions.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys being on the water and spending time at their family cabin in Northern Wisconsin.

Mitchell Waterworth is the Human Resources Manager at Marshall Towne Millwork, overseeing all aspects of the HR field. In this role, he is responsible for talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance with employment laws. Mitchell works closely with team leaders throughout the company to ensure a positive work environment and achieve organizational objectives.

Mitchell graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in Human Resources Management. He began his career in HR and brought valuable expertise and dedication to Marshall Towne Millwork when he joined the company in 2019.

In his free time, Mitchell enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.