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.

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mark-alexander

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.

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Brett Klitzke

HUMAN RESOURCES

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 I 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.

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Tim Durrer

FIELD CREW

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.

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Ryan Luedtke

DRAFTSMAN/DESIGN MANAGER

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.

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Stephanie Klein

LEAD INTERIOR DESIGNER

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!

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Nate Oxley

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Nate has been in several roles in the remodeling industry and will be serving as our Project Manager, until I’ve had 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.

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Michael Jasinski

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER

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.

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Alyssa Hensen

DRAFTING ASSISTANT

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.

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Pete Boeke

FIELD CREW

Pete is new to the team in 2024. He grew up in northern Illinois and moved to Wisconsin 10 years ago. He has worked in the field for over 20 years and is excited to be a part of the team. Pete enjoys being outdoors, the Badgers, and spending time with his family.

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Paul Davenport

LEAD DESIGN/SALES

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.

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Bobby Fries

FIELD CREW

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!

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Brian Stone

FIELD CREW

Brian has been in construction for 35 years as a rough framer, and recently has been learning the ins and outs of the trim carpentry side as well as carpentry as a whole. Always learning! Born in Stoughton, Wisconsin and raised in Evansville, Wisconsin, he moved down to San Antonio, Texas 25 years ago. He just couldn’t deal with the frigid Wisconsin weather! He moved back recently to help take care of his mother. Brian likes to take his motorcycle out as much as possible and do little projects for his friends and family when he can.

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Pam Alexander

OFFICE ASSISTANT

“I am the Creator of the Owner of Actuate Improvement” she likes to say! Pam also has two other sons and 9 grandchildren. She did daycare for 12 years while her boys were growing up and worked at Stoughton Trailers in the office for 20 years. Retired, went back to Stoughton part-time for 2 years. She got bored at home after retiring again, so she came to work for Actuate Improvement part-time and she LOVES it, and all the people associated with it. It’s like a second home!

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Bert Salazar

Lead Design/Sales

Bert has been with Actuate Improvement since 2023 and brings in landscaping sales and construction experience. A transplant from California, Bert has a degree in Economics from California State University – San Marcos. Before getting into construction sales, Bert spent over 10 years in the restaurant industry managing and learning how important great leadership is to any organization. His favorite part of being in the home renovation industry is seeing the before and after photos and knowing it made a huge impact on people’s everyday lives. Outside of work, Bert loves spending time with family and the outdoors. If the weather is anywhere decent, you can find him hiking somewhere, playing sports at your local park, or at a music festival with his fiancé.

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Jared Johnson

Project Manager

Jared has been working in residential construction for over 20 years with projects ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodels to large-scale additions and historical renovations. He really enjoys the challenges that remodeling and construction brings to him every day. Jared is dedicated to delivering the highest quality product along with the customer service each of our clients deserves. While not at work, Jared enjoys all outdoor activities, especially with his wife, 4 kids, and his dog. When not outside, Jared also lives writing and playing music.

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Dustin Costa

Field Crew

Dustin recently joined the Actuate Improvement team. He hails from the small town of Healdsburg in northern California, the land of wine. Although his job experience has been expansive and rather varied, he had worked in construction and carpentry for four years before joining the Actuate team. A bit of a wanderer, Dustin and his partner Kara, after spending time in California and Colorado, settled down in Wisconsin to be near family and to look for a place to call home. He enjoys playing music, hiking, biking, handing with their dog Birdy, and is an aspiring comedian looking for open mics.

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Mandy Rochel

Receptionist/Front Desk

Mandy joined the Actuate team in 2024 and sits at the front desk doing receptionist and admin work, or basically whatever Brett or I ask her to do. She went to UW Madison for Supply Chain and Operations Management and has three years of management experience. This last year she published a poetry book and drank a record amount of chocolate milk, both of which are proud accomplishments for her. In her free time, she enjoys powerlifting, paddle boarding, painting, poetry, and p-hiking (the p is silent, she just wants all of her hobbies to start with a p). She is originally from Minnesota where her family makes maple syrup and spends their summers at a cabin up north. She has two cats, Asparagus and Baked Beans, and hopes to get a dog soon.

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Alex Dustin

Field Crew

Alexander Dustin grew up in the small town of Juneau. He spend the last 10 years in the food industry and realized he needed a change, which is what brought him here to Actuate. His parents put an addition on the back of their house several years ago which they did as a family, and it is where he realized the satisfaction and pride of building something with his hands as well as seeing the finished product. It made him realize that this might be something he would enjoy as a profession. He spend 4 years in the Wisconsin National Guard and has a tremendous love of sports, especially football, GO PACK GO! He usually spends his free time in the summer Disc Golfing or camping. He bears the cold Wisconsin winters usually playing some video games trying to keep warm!

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Taylor Francis

Field Crew

Taylor has been in the remodeling industry since 2012, primarily as a self-employed contractor performing all aspects of home renovations. His favorite part is seeing the completed product and the positive feedback from clients. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, exercising, and shooting darts. He came to Actuate because of the community feeling and values that the company stands by.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Details

    From countertop materials and cabinet styles, to drawer-pulls and paint colors, Actuate Improvement will guide you through the selection process.

  • 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.

Ready to plan?

CONTACT US AND LET’S START THE CONVERSATION

Clients

ABOUT US

  • Working with Mark is refreshing. He is thorough and always ready to take care of us. Every time we had a question, no matter how small or unimportant, he responded quickly. He never left us waiting and was always making sure the project moved along as quickly as possible. When a question required more follow up, Mark let us know when he'd have an answer and he called us back at that time or before. Mark's inspection of the existing structure as he put together his quote was thorough and precise. He explained every detail of the work that would have to happen and taking the time to make sure we understood what he would do and why it had to be done that way. When asked about alternatives, he considered our concerns and adjusted his plan where he could. I've worked with few people as diligent and responsive as Mark.

    Burt P.
  • Due to an extreme life change, I needed to remodel my home quickly. Actuate helped me do this. What made me happiest is that I truly felt like I was working with family….Yes, I would recommend  this company to family and friends, in fact I already have. The entire process was made easier and I felt like they truly cared about me and my unique situation.

    Mary H.
  • I would not hesitate to use your company again… It was a pleasure to work with someone who knows all aspects of the industry…Returning phone calls in a timely manner is one of my pet peeves, but your company did not let me down.

    Geralyn S.
  • From planning through execution the job was performed without fault and done to a top notch professional degree… [Mark's] attention to detail and ability to tackle any part of the project with professionalism was nothing short of amazing. We are thrilled with the outcome.

    Paul S.
  • You took care of the smallest details and made every adjustment to our liking.

    Ruth W.
  • You have been helpful before, during and after the remodeling project.  Thank you for that.  I’m so glad you are putting new life into a house that holds many memories for our family.

    P.M.
  • You guys did a great job and we love our basement and deck! Thanks and great job!

    Courtney C.
  • Enjoyed the men who did the work. Very workman-like, efficient, pleasant, and careful of surrounding areas.

    Mary W.
  • Dear Mark, Thank you so much for taking on my project and spearheading it to completion! I've many complements on it and I especially am so proud of it!  

    Laurel S.
  • Thank you so much for doing such a fantastic job on our remodel. You just can't put a price on Marty being able to go on the porch by himself now, and providing safe bathrooms for him. You are all pleasures to work with!

    Jen M.