Meet Your Builders

August 2, 2020

Earlier this year, we announced the ultimate merger with City Lights Design + Build. Not only has this turned out greatly for us, it’s also great news for you. Unlike most local design businesses, Karr Bick is a complete one stop shop. Less confusion, less fuss, and fewer cooks in the kitchen all translate to your remodel fears melting away.

Instead of hiring different teams from different places, our combined team allows for a more seamless remodel process. No more miscommunications or waiting around for your contractor to get back to you. Since Karr Bick can provide on all your projects needs, we’ll always be on the same page. Rather than just design, we specialize in the whole design and build process.

While we’ve been in collaboration with City Lights Design + Build for nearly 20 years now, we want to give you the inside scoop on the team. We feel it’s important to not only get to know your builders for their amazing work, but to also get to know them as people.

Meet Darren:

What has been your greatest accomplishment since working at Karr Bick?

Having only been with the company 2 months, I would say that my greatest accomplishment is having gotten the job.

What is your favorite sport to watch?

My favorite sport to watch would have to be pole-vault, being an ex-pole vaulter.

What do you typically eat for breakfast?

Typically, I have 2 mini cinnamon raisin bagels with chunky peanut butter, a small orange, and a glass of unsweetened vanilla almond milk.

Meet Jack:

What is the nicest thing a client has done for you?

One day, a client decided to just make me tea and had me sit outside in her garden, poolside, and we talked about jazz on my lunch break.

What is your favorite movie quote?

A quote from Raising Arizona…

Gale : All right, ya hayseeds, it’s a stick-up. Everybody freeze. Everybody down on the ground.
Feisty Hayseed: Well, which is it, young feller? You want I should freeze or get down on the ground?” Mean to say, if’n I freeze, I can’t rightly drop. And if’n I drop, I’m a-gonna be in motion. You see…
Gale : Shut up!
Feisty Hayseed: Okay then.

Who is your favorite cartoon character and why?

My favorite cartoon character is Thomas O’Malley the Alley Cat from The Aristocats. He is kind of a vagabond, but I don’t blame him, being that he is a street cat. Cats don’t typically have jobs. But he can sing and he charms another cat, ( a Turkish Angora breed, mind you) saves her family, and moves into to a mansion in Paris and adopts her three children over the course of a few days. Gotta respect that kind of gumption .

Meet Tyler:

What is your favorite part of the Karr Bick team?

Our “off on Fridays ” and the quality of our jobs.

What was the last movie you watched?

Session 9

What is your least favorite food?

Mushrooms

Meet Barry:

How long have you been a member of the Karr Bick team?

I have been an employee of Karr Bick since 2006. I was hired just a few days after Todd and Jenny formally took control of operations after purchasing the company. I was originally hired as a member of the install crew. I have since then transitioned into becoming a project manager, overseeing the installation of the kitchen and bath projects for our clients. I have been in the project manager position since January, 2020.

What is your favorite summer activity?

Anything outside, as long as it is below 95 degrees. I hate winter, so any activity outside. Whether it is yard work, camping, hiking, floating the numerous rivers in the state. Even working on the exterior of my house. I should add that most of the activities include my family.

When I dance, I look like…?

When I dance, which is very, very rare, I look like-Fred Astaire with two broken legs. Basically a complete fool.

Meet Jean:

What is your favorite part of working with Karr Bick?

Love working with all the great people at Karr Bick. They are warm, friendly and always willing to help when asked. It is a professional, but relaxed environment.

What is one thing you have on your bucket list?

I want to spend two weeks in Paris.

What is your favorite T.V channel?

Really enjoy watching movies on Netflix.

Meet Todd:

What is your favorite part of working in construction?

Not sure.. either the loads of money or the girls.. Some say its rewarding and even satisfying but for me, its the glory!!

What is your dream car?

Mercedes Sprinter. Hands down. Just an incredibly extravagant van. Thats it. Its a van, but a Benz!

What is one item you could never live without?

And I’m supposed to say my wife, or maybe my phone.. but lately a super-sweet guitar!

Meet Rich:

How long have you worked in construction?

I’ve been in construction for 38 years

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is having to do something over again

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunsets on a beach 🏖

Meet Derek:

How long have you worked in construction?

I have been in construction for 21-22 years.

What is your favorite song?

I don’t have a favorite song, but my music preferences vary from Do or Die to Korn or Sam Cooke to LED Zeppelin.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpowers be?

My superpower would be healing factor with a close second being flight.

Meet Aaron:

How did you find your way to construction?

Right out of high school I worked for a contractor as helper/apprentice. To be honest, I didn’t much care for it. I worked in manufacturing and the restaurant world for 5 years after that. I moved to Saint Louis and joined the City Lights crew, which I thought at the time was a temporary thing. Well, it ended up being a good fit and it basically became a family thing. I had great people to work with and that’s basically what brought me in to the trades.

Where has been your favorite place to visit?

Anywhere with mountains. Colorado, Northern California, Oregon and Washington state.

England was also pretty awesome.

Vanilla or chocolate?

Vanilla all day long