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.
Reed French
STAFF
I grew up in a small farming town called Lamont Iowa, and discovered my love for building at a very young age. Around 12 years old, I would work weekends and summers with my dad learning concrete and carpentry.
Upon graduating high school in 1997, I joined the United States Marine Corps as an Artillery Cannon Crewman. I held many bullets. Most of which was leading anywhere from 3 to 650 Marines. The Marines was my home for just over 17 years. I medically retired in July 2014. While in the Marines I was always doing some type of carpentry project and eventually got into finer wood working.
Once I moved back to the Midwest, I decided to pursue my second career as a carpenter. I’ve worked for many different companies as a carpenter in the Madison area.
My hobbies include fishing, hunting, marksmanship, wood working and turning.
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.
Patrick Preston
STAFF
Patrick has spent almost his entire professional career in the construction/remodeling fields including electrical/communications field work, kitchen & bath, and building material sales.. His joining the Actuate team in 2020 had an immediate impact on the company resulting in him being awarded the coveted “Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence” award. When Patick is not working to provide great service to Actuate clients or completing his T.P.S. reports on time he enjoys gourmet cooking, spending time with his family, and being in the great outdoors observing nature’s wonders.
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.
Ray Mucia
STAFF
Life has a great way of working out! In the process of finishing my degree in education, I landed employment at Actuate Improvement as a carpenter and quickly realized how much carpentry intrigued my interest as well as the amount of knowledge I have acquired in the short period of time. This company has opened the doors for new opportunities for myself and I’m enjoying the journey so far.
Michael Jasinski
Michael Jasinski
STAFF
I grew up in a family that was three generations of Carpenters. I worked for my dad as a helper in the summers. That is where I learned that I loved building things. In 1992 I joined the Carpenters union in Chicago land and spent 20 years serving as a master carpenter. I have trained many apprentices from year one through year four. In 2010 I started my own construction company that did new as well as remodel construction. In 2012 I moved to Wisconsin and in 2014 I took a break from working in the field. I am now back in my element doing what I do and Loving it.
Ron Senft
STAFF
I’m enjoying being a dad, husband and hobby farmer. I’ve wanted to be a carpenter for as long as I can remember. After the Marine Corps I graduated Madison College with a degree in Business Management to help me understand the business side of things. After sitting in the classroom all day I decided that the hands on aspect of the field was much more appealing than the business side. In 2019 I graduated from the construction and remodeling degree program, which set me up with the skill set to finally become a carpenter. My dream had finally come true! Actuate Improvement has been an awesome company to work for, with great co-workers and a boss that treats his staff with the utmost respect and honesty. I couldn’t ask for anything better!
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.
Jade Lewis
STAFF
Jade joined the Actuate Improvement team as a Sales and Design Representative in April of 2021. She has a degree in Interior Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With more than 13 years of residential design experience in addition to a previous sales career, Jade loves helping clients create homes that are both beautiful and functional. She enjoys coming up with solutions for challenging and unique spaces. Outside of work, Jade enjoys spending time with her daughter doing art, cooking and coaching sports. She stays active with hiking, paddleboarding, biking, skateboarding, snowboarding, and any other activity that keeps her outdoors.
Jessica Ryan
STAFF
Jessica joined the Actuate Improvement team as a Sales & Design Representative in the Fall of 2021. She strives to design unique interiors that will have a positive impact on her clients’ lives. With more than fifteen years of experience, in many different aspects of the design industry, she possesses a desire to create and design spaces that exceed her clients’ expectations. Jessica seemed to really love going to school and earned four college degrees. Of which include, an associate’s degree in interior design & marketing, a bachelor’s degree in business management and finally, an MBA. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, dog (Max), family and friends!
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.
