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Meet the
MAK Team

Ken

Owner
Admin Team

Ken Kirsch has over 30 years of experience in residential remodeling.

Ken

Owner
Admin Team

Ken Kirsch has over 30 years of experience in residential remodeling. His work in the trades began while still a student at UC Davis. Ken graduated from UCD with a degree in Studio Arts and put his liberal arts education to use as a carpenter working in the Bay Area. Over the years, remodeling became as much of a passion for Ken as his artistic pursuits. Creative solutions were always part of a remodeler’s job description and a thoughtful approach to building presented another opportunity to have a positive influence on every day life.

Ken and Ellen relocated their growing family to Davis in 2001 and then started MAK Design+Build in 2003. Ken is a member of two national trade organizations, Remodeler’s Advantage and the National Association of Remodeling Industry. He is also a member of the Davis Downtown Business Association, the Davis Chamber of Commerce and a member of Cool Davis, an organization committed to implementing the City of Davis’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. He earned his certification as a green-building professional through the non-profit organization Build It Green. Ken also served on the Shrem Museum Artfriends executive board and currently serves on the board of the Pence Gallery.

For fun, he loves working on his golf game, playing ultimate Frisbee, trying out new cooking recipes and exercising his creativity with the occasional illustration, oil painting or watercolor.

Ellen

Owner and Account Manager
Admin Team

Ellen is the co-owner of MAK Design+Build Inc.

Ellen

Owner and Account Manager
Admin Team

Ellen is the co-owner of MAK Design+Build Inc. Along with Ken she is the lead on “big picture” thinking for the company, tasked with making sure that MAK remains a strong part of the Davis and Yolo County community as an employer, a resource for excellent and responsible design and construction, and an ongoing contributor via support of a number of charitable organizations. Day to day Ellen oversees the financial management of the company. She keeps the bills paid, reports filed and the licensing, insurance and tax requirements up to date.

Outside of the business Ellen is a wife, mother, and avid gardener who enjoys the challenge/process of working with nature and time.

Anthony

Director of Design
Design Team

Anthony Anderson, our Director of Design holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and is a Certified Green Building Professional.

Anthony

Director of Design
Design Team

Anthony Anderson, our Director of Design holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from UC Davis and is a Certified Green Building Professional. His emphasis on innovation and aesthetics is expertly balanced against his desire to create spaces that are unobtrusive and long-lasting. His unique blend of form and function has been the guiding principle behind MAK’s award-winning design since 2005. Anthony has been an instrumental part of making MAK the company and design staff what it is today. He is always looking to better himself as a designer and mentor the other designers to ensure that the team continues to be innovative and resourceful both in their designs and in the building methods they plan for.

A passionate and self-described food nerd, Anthony can often be found in the kitchen where his love of food and gadgets can find absurd levels of expression. He is a proud father, an incessant tinkerer, and an avid kayak fisherman.

Kellie

Senior Project Designer
Design Team

Kellie moved here from Jackson, Wyoming, and likes spending time with her two kids.

Kellie

Project Designer
Design Team

Kellie moved here from Jackson, Wyoming and likes spending time with her two kids.

Diana

Lead Designer
Design Team

Dianna graduated from UC Davis and has worked in residential remodeling in the Davis area since she was an undergraduate student.

Diana

Lead Designer
Design Team

Diana Machado, MAK’s Lead Project Designer, graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture. She has worked in residential remodeling for the Davis area since she was a student in various local internships and then accepting jobs playing a similar role for various design + build firms specializing in residential remodeling. She now joins MAK with a wealth of knowledge about Davis and Greater Sacramento homes - their quirks and the creative design solutions that are possible.

Ilse

Lead Designer
Design Team

Ilse is a Lead Project Design with MAK. Known for her incredible renderings she is able to bring a job to life in design in a way that is so beautiful and a true asset for clients while in design.

Ilse

Lead Designer
Design Team

Ilse is a Lead Project Design with MAK. Known for her incredible renderings she is able to bring a job to life in design in a way that is so beautiful and a true asset for clients while in design. Ilse holds an Architecture Associate of Science Degree and a Certificate of Achievement in Architectural Technology and Environmental Design. With 5+ years of experience working for an architectural firm prior to joining MAK, she’s working towards becoming a Licensed Architect and helping clients achieve their dream homes. She strongly believes that good design begins with a strong vision and humility. Her passion lies in bringing great design and technology together to exceed client’s needs by delivering thoughtful designs that improve the day-to-day lives of every individual. She’s also our rendering specialist and enjoys helping clients being able to envision their space by providing photorealistic images before finalizing any decisions.

If she’s not at work, she’s at home with her family working on her house remodel, playing with her two kids, studying for the Architect Registration Exams, or learning a new skill.

Maddie

Assistant Designer
Design Team

Maddie joined our design team as an Assistant Designer after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Interior design.

Maddie

Assistant Designer
Design Team

Maddie joined our design team as an Assistant Designer after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Interior Architecture. She grew up in the Greater Sacramento area and wanted to return closer to home after graduating so working for MAK was the perfect fit. Maddie was drawn to pursuing a career in residential interior design because of the creative problem-solving embedded in each project's design phase. She loves finding innovative solutions to the issues clients come to MAK with and being a part of creating a new experience for clients in their homes. Her favorite part about the team at MAK is getting to work with a fun group of people and learn from the Lead Designers as she assists with their projects. Maddie already feels like she has learned so much from the folks at MAK and is excited to grow more with the company.

Aside from work, Maddie can be found doting on her beloved cat, Tilly, with family and friends exploring new hiking trails, and baking various sweet treats!

Vivi

Operations Coordinator
Admin Team

As the Director of Operations, Vivi is in charge of making sure the entire team is working together smoothly, and aiding clients through the design-build process.

Vivi

Operations Coordinator
Admin Team

Vivi is the Operations Coordinator for MAK Design & Build - which means she's the person in charge of making sure both internally and externally MAK is a positive, productive force. She manages all things client-facing, while also providing support for the transition of a project from sales to design and then design to construction. Vivi works to ensure that prospective clients are made aware of MAK's system and processes as well as the many benefits of working with a design + build firm. She also helps to coordinate projects in their early stages, working with clients to ensure that their goals are outlined in the early project planning stages. She is a recent UC Berkeley graduate where she received a BA in Political Science and minors in both Education and Global Poverty & Practice. She has a passion for people and believes in the power of storytelling which is what she loves about seeing a project from conception to completion and her client-facing role. She has previously worked in marketing and program management for multiple non-profits, public sector organizations, as well as a public affairs forum. She brings her skills from each of those sectors to her work at MAK.

Her favorite part of working for MAK is the fact that she is now working for the company she grew up alongside - as she is Ken & Ellen's daughter! She has quite literally been with the company since the beginning and knows the voice and values of MAK in a way very few do.

Bri

Administrative Coordinator
Admin Team

As both a numbers wizard and a people person Bri is a key player to ensuring things run smoothly at MAK!

Bri

Administrative Coordinator
Admin Team

Bri is the force that keeps MAK on track - from her detailed accounting skills to meticulous record keeping, can-do attitude surrounding all office issues, to her bright bubbly personality she adds so much to the team. Bri graduated from UC Davis and joined MAK as she loved the idea of being a part of a close-knit team, and staying in Davis after graduation. When she's not working she can be found at museums, exploring around Davis, or hanging out with her beloved cat!

We don't know what we would do without Bri's sharp intellect and joyful presence in the office.

Jon

Production Manager
Production Team

Jon is MAK's Production Manager and is in charge of making sure that all projects are built with craftsmanship and care.

Jon

Production Manager
Production Team

Jon is MAK's Production Manager and is in charge of making sure that all projects are built with craftsmanship and care. Jon has extensive prior experience in the trades, including working for MAK for many years as a Project Manager before moving and working in commercial construction. Jon and his family have returned to Davis and we are thrilled to have him back as a part of our team and utilize his new skillset with large-scale production while pulling from his background with us in residential remodeling. As our estimator, Jon works with both the Design team and the Production team to work out the construction details and needs of projects that are in Design, which ensures a smooth transition to production after the design phase is completed. Jon thinks that communication and an emphasis on a detail-oriented process are two critical components to making a project a success. With his expertise, he works to ensure this happens on every MAK job. Outside of work, Jon can be found enjoying Davis and the surrounding areas with his family, from hiking to fishing to exploring Davis, Jon loves being a part of the Greater Sacramento community.

Matt

Sites Supervisor
Production Team

Matt’s career as a carpenter began in Ohio building custom residential homes.

Matt

Sites Supervisor
Production Team

Matt’s career as a carpenter began in Ohio building custom residential homes. It was then that he found he really enjoyed residential remodeling and continues to enjoy it today. “I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’m pretty good at it!” Matt is an integral member of the team, characterized by his vast carpentry knowledge and incredible work ethic. He works to support and guide all of the Project Managers to the completion of successful projects that the clients will celebrate!

When Matt is not at work he can be found enjoying time with his family or working on various projects around his own house and cabin.

Carlos

Project Manager
Production Team

Carlos graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Studio Arts, his love for creating and craftsmanship led him to carpentry.

Carlos

Lead Carpenter
Production Team

Carlos graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Studio Arts, his love for creating and craftsmanship led him to carpentry. Drawing from his artistic background, Carlos' love for working with his hands and the pride he takes in a quality final product have become assets to who he is as a lead carpenter. His creativity, humor, competence, and can-do attitude have made him an essential part of the production team. Outside of work, Carlos continues to pursue his art through photography and painting. On the weekends he can be found enjoying the outdoors, rock climbing, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Matt B.

Project Manager
Production Team

Matt is a Project Manager with MAK who has years of experience working in Design + Build settings.

Matt B.

Project Manager
Production Team

Matt moved to Davis from the Bay Area, where he also worked for a Design +Build firm. Matt enjoys working with fellow members of the production team, subcontractors, and the clients MAK serves. The team at MAK benefits from his collaborative nature and always optimistic outlook. When he's not remodeling his own house, he's spending time with his wife and two kids.

Robert

Lead Carpenter
Production Team

Remodeling has been an interest of Robert’s since the day he graduated high school in 2010. He joined MAK as an Apprentice Carpenter over 7 years ago and has risen to Lead Carpenter and a key member of the Production team.

Robert

Lead Carpenter
Production Team

Remodeling has been an interest of Robert’s since the day he graduated high school in 2010. After high school, he spent three years studying drafting and design at community college, where he became a certified drafter. While attending college, he got a job doing apartment maintenance and renovations. In 2015, MAK had an opening for a carpenter’s apprentice position and it was an opportunity that he could not pass up. Since then he has never stopped honing his skills and has since been promoted to being a Carpenter and now, a Lead Carpenter. Robert has enjoyed learning so much from all of the staff at MAK in the field of carpentry and has loved every minute of it. His eye for detail and steadfast commitment to his work benefits clients and co-workers alike. He recently celebrated his 6 year anniversary working for MAK, and continues to be a huge asset to the production team!

Robert's appreciation for processes and details has led to his new passions for cooking and art. On the weekends he can be found whipping up new and very involved recipes, or working on various art projects.

Carter

Carpenter
Production Team

Carter reached out to MAK looking for an opportunity to learn more about carpentry and become a part of a team. He has been a great addition to the team!

Carter

Carpenter
Production Team

Carter reached out to MAK looking for an opportunity to learn more about carpentry and be a part of a greater team. Since becoming an apprentice carpenter in 2020, Carter has proven himself to be inquisitive, hard-working, and so capable. Now as a carpenter Carter is always looking to learn and happy to step up in whatever ways the production crew needs him to. He is detail-oriented and diligent! Prior to working at MAK Carter worked in other trades but he enjoys carpentry the most. Outside of work, Carter likes spending time with his family and friends.

Luis

Carpenter
Production Team

Luis is an incredible carpenter and an even better teammate. You will be hard-pressed to find him without a smile on his face!

Luis

Carpenter
Production Team

Luis is an incredible carpenter and an even better teammate. You will be hard-pressed to find him without a smile on his face! He has an ability to make any job a joyful place to be all while completing complex carpentry skills with ease. As a skilled carpenter and the designated production team hype man, he rallies the crew each day, ensures that all carpentry tasks are done with excellence, and was even the driving force behind a group of MAK carpenters running their first half marathon together!

When not at work he can be found enjoying time outside with his friends and family.

Judel

Carpenter
Production Team

Judel came to MAK with over 7 years of experience and expertise in rough framing - a rare expertise that is so valuable!

Judel

Carpenter
Production Team

Judel came to MAK with over 7 years of experience and expertise in rough framing. His expertise paired with an unmatched steadiness and ability to take on any challenge has made him a production team ace. Judel started learning carpentry immediately after high school and quickly fell in love with learning how things are built and seeing projects come to life, specifically framing. Judel credits his carpentry knowledge to all of the incredible people who have trained and mentored him along the way - teaching both expert carpentry and steadfast work ethics. Judel now gets to share those values with other members of the MAK production staff and enjoys teaching new techniques to the team. Judel was drawn to MAK because of the team's clear commitment to the highest quality of craftsmanship and detail-oriented way of carrying out each project. He really likes everyone on the team and feels he has found his place here.

When not working, he spends his free time with his son, enjoying quality time as a family.