Our Story
ABOUT ACTUATE IMPROVEMENT
Our Company
OUR PROCESS, VISION AND EXECUTION
Like all of our services, we perform interior remodeling in Design + Build fashion. We take the time to understand your goals for this interior space, how you’ll use it, and your personal style. From there, we’ll create an interior design illustration to show the vision for the project. After your approval, a project team is assigned, and our friendly and expert craftsman build the vision as planned.
Mark Alexander
OWNER
My name is Mark Alexander. I am the owner of Actuate Improvement. I was born and raised in Stoughton, WI. I have always had a passion for design and construction.
My career in the construction industry started in 1999, building decks, sheds, and other small projects in our small community. Once I graduated high school, I joined a very good company as a framing carpenter, building residential homes and small commercial buildings. That company started to grow, and in 2002, I started running crews on houses and commercial projects as a foreman. I loved the challenge of learning the industry and helping our company grow. I worked with that company until 2006. My desire to learn different aspects of the building industry took me to work with design and consulting for a remodeling company from 2007 – 2013.
Actuate Improvement was a dream in the waiting. Although I have learned from and worked with many very well-known and reputable leaders in the industry, I have always wanted to create my own contracting business to help others with designs and home changes/modifications.
Our goal and mission with Actuate Improvement is to provide a great service and quality finishes.
Brett Klitzke
STAFF
Brett started working for Actuate Improvement in September of 2020 as a carpenter. It was quickly apparent that he had no carpentry skills to keep him as a carpenter full-time. He previously worked for both the State of Wisconsin and UW-Madison in Human Resources, so Mark decided that he would be better suited, in the office, as his Human Resources professional. Brett also wears many other hats in the office such as Customer Service Representative, Marketing Director, the maker of Coffee in the morning, Mark Alexander’s Life Coach, Fill-in Carpenter as needed and other duties as assigned.
Brett continues to instill the goal and mission of Actuate Improvement by providing great customer service and quality finishes.
Design, Create, Actuate.
Nicole Corrales
STAFF
Nicole is one of Actuate Improvement’s newest additions. With a background in Architecture, and a great space vision, she provides our customers with a high quality design service. Nicole is a natural helper, and she goes above and beyond to make sure our client’s needs are met. When she is not at work, she loves taking yoga classes and spending quality time with her can, Donatella. Real Estate investment and owning her first residential property are Nicole’s priority goals.
Tim Durrer
STAFF
Tim has been in the Home construction business for over 20 years. Building new homes as well as extensive remodeling. What he likes most about working in this industry is seeing the happy faces of customers when a project comes to an end. We love Tim’s attention to detail and his ability to fix what cannot be fixed in difficult installation situations. Tim’s favorite things to do are cooking, gardening, fishing and just hanging out with great friends and his Boys.His new year resolutions are using less Cheese and Butter when cooking. But he is not sure just yet on how to do that.
Ryan Luedtke
STAFF
Ryan is the Chief Operating Officer and Draftsmen for Actuate Improvement. He is responsible for the pre production organization of remodeling projects, design and procurement of building plans. Ryan seeks to utilize his knowledge of the remodeling industry, building material products and proficient CAD skills to help customers achieve their needs and wants on every project. Understanding the needs and wants of our customers makes Ryan such a valued asset here at Actuate. Ryan relies on his Bachelor of Arts from Ripon College, his creative mindset and easy going personality to help customers achieve their dreams.
Stephanie Klein
STAFF
Stephanie joined the Actuate Improvement team in November 2019, as the head Interior Designer with 20 years of experience. She graduated with her degree in Interior Design in 2001. She is passionate about design and loves to help her clients achieve their dream home. With attention to detail, Stephanie incorporates the clients ideas and uses her creativity to build a space that is beyond their expectations.Stephanie loves to spend time with her husband, 3 children, friends & family. She is active with camping, swimming and playing sports. She also loves entertaining, cooking, baking and crafting projects with her children. She is involved in her community and volunteers in her children’s schools and sport programs. Stephanie is a pleasure to work with and looks forward to working with you on your next project!
Nate Oxley
Nate Oxley
STAFF
Nate has been in several roles in the remodeling industry and will be serving as our Project Manager, until Mark has enough of him. His easy go lucky attitude makes it easy for everyone to get along with him and you will always see a smile on his face. Nate has many outside interests including, furniture building, beer brewing, hoola hoops, instructing a spin class at his local VFW, and snowshoeing.
Andrea Huston
STAFF
Andrea started working with Actuate Improvement in April 2023. She has been working in the remodeling/building industry for 6 years and has become fluent in all aspects of design, specializing in plumbing, tile, and cabinetry. She enjoys helping clients see the potential of their space without it seeming overwhelming. When she is not working, Andrea enjoys taking her dog Oscar for long walks, trips to the dog park, and hanging out with family and friends. Some of her hobbies include crafting, baking, hunting, and fishing.
Michael Jasinski
Michael Jasinski
STAFF
Michael grew up in a family that was three generations of Carpenters. He worked for his dad as a helper in the summers where he learned that he loved building things. In 1992 he joined the Carpenters union in Chicago land and spent 20 years serving as a master carpenter. Michael has trained many apprentices from year one through year four. In 2010 he started his own construction company that did new as well as remodel construction. In 2012 he moved to Wisconsin and in 2014 he took a break from working in the field. He is now back in his element doing what he does and loving it.
Alyssa Hensen
STAFF
Alyssa joined Actuate Improvement in September 2021 as the Office Administrator/Design Assistant. She graduated in 2016 from UW La Crosse and again in 2018 from Madison College with a degree in Interior Design. She currently has 3 years of design experience in commercial and residential projects and is looking to move full time into residential. She enjoys the outdoors in her free time through camping with her family, hiking with her dogs, gardening poorly and going to the beach on the Wisconsin river.
Steve Strutt
STAFF
Steve joined the Actuate Improvement team in August, 2021. He was raised in Ridgeway, WI. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with his bachelors degree in Wildlife Ecology, he moved out to Washington. There he spent his free time hiking and camping in the mountains with his fiancé and pup. While in Washington, he changed career paths and started working in residential construction. His favorite part of the job is seeing the transitions of old dated spaces into new beautiful ones. After 5 years of living in Washington he was called back to WI to become the 6th generation on his family farm.
Reed French
STAFF
Reed grew up in a small farming town called Lamont, Iowa. He discovered his love for building at a very young age. Around 12 years old, he would work weekends and summers with his dad, learning concrete and carpentry. Upon graduating high school in 1997, he joined the United States Marine Corps as an Artillery Cannon Crewman. He held many bullets, most of which were leading anywhere from 3 to 650 Marines. The Marines were his home for just over 17 years and he retired in July 2014. While in the Marines he was always doing some type of carpentry project and eventually got into finer woodworking. Once he moved back to the Midwest, he decided to pursue his second career as a carpenter. He’s worked for many different companies as a carpenter in the Madison area. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, marksmanship, woodworking and turning.
Mark DeGroot
STAFF
Mark worked in various trades for the last 8 years, but decided carpentry was what he enjoyed doing the most, particularly finish carpentry. He finds it very rewarding to be a part of the final product that showcases craftsmanship. Aside from carpentry, Mark is a father of one and enjoys golfing, shooting, fishing, going to Brewers games, and doing pretty much anything outdoors.
Paul Davenport
STAFF
Paul has been with Actuate Improvement since March 2023 and brings 8 years of sales and project management experience in the remodeling industry to the team. Prior to him entering into the Madison remodeling industry, Paul managed restaurants and brought his customer service passion and focus to our sales team. Paul loves his role in sales and project development because it allows him to talk remodeling all day long and take his clients through the exciting process of conception to a final finished project, all without putting his fragile, middle-aged body on the line. He truly loves helping our clients actuate their dream projects and says that there is nothing more rewarding than clients who are thrilled with their end product. Outside of work Paul loves spending time with his three daughters, his wife Jenna, and their Bernese Mountain Dog Frankie. Whenever he can carve out time from the family, you will likely find him on the water fishing or out for a long hike with Frankie.
Bobby Fries
STAFF
Bobby joined Actuate Improvement in April of 2023 after working 11 years at a local hospital here in Madison while overseeing the education of 93 technicians. However, it was time to get out from behind a desk and a department with no windows! Growing up, Bobby always took interest in what his grandfather was working on in his woodworking shop, which is partially what drew him to join the carpentry team. When Bobby is not at work, he likes to spend time with his dog and two cats or doing countless other things such as fishing, golfing, snowboarding, riding his motorcycle, watching F1 racing, or just simply hanging out with family and friends! As he learns his new skill set in carpentry, Bobby looks forward to meeting all Actuate customers and delivering a smile within his work!
Brian Stone
STAFF
Biography for Brian coming soon!
Design + Create + Actuate
Our way of doing business is unique. We believe communication, accountability, and customer service are must-haves. If you want a home contracting company that cares about your project as much as you do, then give us a call to find out if we’re a good fit for your next project.
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Conversation
Let’s get together. Let’s talk about your goals, budget and timeline. Let us show you how Actuate can not only meet, but exceed your expectations.
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Design
We believe that form and function should exist side by side to create beautiful and practical spaces. Our design team will work closely with you to bring your vision to life.
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Proposal
We provide our clients with a detailed scope of work and custom project renderings to give you a clear understanding of what to expect.
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Details
From countertop materials and cabinet styles, to drawer-pulls and paint colors, Actuate Improvement will guide you through the selection process.
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Build
Our production team provides the experience, reliability, and customer service to insure that your project runs smoothly and the results stand the test of time.
