The Team Behind Every ArDan Remodel

A remodel isn’t really built by a company. It’s built by the specific people who show up at your house, answer your calls, and stand behind the finished work. Here’s who those people are.

ArDan Construction has grown from two brothers with a truck and a work ethic into a 24-person design-build team, but the standard hasn’t changed: real communication, real accountability, and craftsmanship nobody has to apologize for.

LEADERSHIP

The Brothers Who Started It All

Aaron Niemela

President

Aaron co-founded ArDan in 2007 and now spends most of his time working across every department to keep the company aligned with the standard he and Danny built it on. Outside the office, he’s usually playing roller hockey with his boys, out on a bike ride, or exploring somewhere new with his family. Breakfast of choice: eggs with spinach, peppers, and sausage.

Danny Niemela

Vice President & CFO

Danny co-founded ArDan alongside Aaron and now leads the financial and strategic side of the business, keeping ArDan’s growth deliberate instead of reckless. When he’s not working, you’ll find him exploring Arizona in his Jeep with his boys, camping with the family, or tackling a project around his own house. Breakfast of choice: a sausage and mushroom omelet with orange juice.

LEADERSHIP

The Team That Turns Your Vision Into a Plan

Steve Wuollet

 Director of Sales & Design

Thomas Loukusa

Lead Project Engineer

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Gavin Sorvala

Sales Assistant

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Eric Koho

Client Relations Specialist

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Wade Johnson

Draftsman

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PROJECT ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS

The Team That Turns Your Vision Into a Plan

Ben Grangroth

Director of Operations

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Randy Forstie

Lead Purchasing

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Leah Forstie

Purchasing

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Oliver Niemela

SHOP Assistant

FIELD & PRODUCTION

The Team On Site, In Your Home

Sebastian Jurvakainen

Superintendent 

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Serg Kabghian

Superintendent 

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Jim Ratlief

Superintendent

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Kenny Arthur

 Painting Foreman

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Simon Martin

Demo Foreman

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Oliver Niemela

SHOP Assistant

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Andrew Ruonavaara

Labor Apprentice

Noel Waaraniemi

Labor Apprentice

Bryce Jurvakainen

Labor Apprentice

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MARKETING & CLIENT EXPERIENCE

The Team Behind the Scenes

Allison Chekan

Marketing + Events Lead

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Riley Parsons

Marketing Assistant 

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Mel Zimmermann

Financial Controller

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Connie Aho

Office Manager

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Beatriz Madrigal Gonzalez

Human Resource Administrator

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Jenna Sorvala

Office Admin

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AWARDS & CERTIFICATIONS

Recognition That Reflects the Work

ArDan Construction’s team includes NARI Certified Remodeling Designers and National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) members, backed by a track record of industry recognition:

  • 2024 NARI Contractor of the Year (CotY), Residential Bathroom category
  • 2024 Phoenix Home & Garden Readers’ Choice Award, Remodel/Restoration category
  • 2025 Phoenix Home & Garden Readers’ Choice Award
  • NARI Gold Award Winner
  • BBB Accredited
  • Licensed under ROC# 319307 KB-2

Ready To Work With The Team?

Let's Talk About Your Project

Every person on this page has a role in making sure your remodel goes the way it’s supposed to. Let’s talk about how they can help with yours.

Steve Wuollet

 Director of Sales & Design

Steve leads the relationships and systems that carry your project from first conversation through final design, making sure nothing gets lost along the way. Outside of work, he’s usually spending time with his wife and kids, archery hunting, or golfing. Breakfast of choice: a post-workout smoothie.

Thomas Loukusa

Lead Project Engineer

Thomas defines the scope and budget for every project before it goes to production, so what you agreed to is exactly what gets built. He spends his free time with his wife and kids, and enjoys fishing, hunting, hockey, hiking, and golfing whenever he can fit it in.

Gavin Sorvala

Sales Assistant

Gavin keeps your project’s details organized behind the scenes, managing client meetings and coordinating with our design team so your selections and specifics stay on track. In his free time, he’s into sports of any kind and reading, and he’s hoping to get out archery hunting soon.

Erik Koho

Client Relations Specialist

Eric brings more than 23 years of remodeling experience to the ArDan team. As ArDan’s Client Relations Specialist and a Certified Remodeling Designer (CRD) through NARI, he helps homeowners navigate every step of the renovation process, making it as smooth and stress-free as possible. Outside of work, Eric enjoys pickleball, golf, traveling, visiting family, and watching sports. His go-to breakfast is a five-egg omelet with cottage cheese, fresh fruit, and, of course, coffee.

Wade Johnson

Draftsman

Wade turns design concepts into detailed architectural drawings and 3D renderings, and manages the permitting process that keeps your project moving legally and on schedule. When he’s not drafting, he’s dirt biking, four-wheeling, or tinkering on personal projects.

Ben Grangroth

Director of Operations

Ben leads the teams responsible for getting projects done with precision, coordinating production operations so your timeline holds. Outside of work, he’s bow hunting, mountain biking tough trails, or playing frisbee golf. His breakfast of choice: a Mountain Dew to get the day started.

Randy Forstie

Lead Purchasing

Randy keeps ArDan’s shop, tools, vehicles, and project logistics running smoothly- the behind-the-scenes work that keeps job sites organized. In his free time, he’s golfing, fishing, hunting, flying RC planes and drones, or doing CNC woodworking.

Leah Forstie

Purchasing

Leah serves as ArDan’s Purchaser, coordinating the ordering of both job-specific materials and shop inventory and helping maintain smooth operations behind the scenes so the production team can focus on delivering exceptional results for clients. Outside of work, Leah enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing the piano, and crocheting. She appreciates creative hobbies that allow her to relax and unwind. In the morning, Leah enjoys keeping breakfast simple with a classic combination of eggs and bacon.

Sebastian Jurvakainen

Superintendent

Sebastian is boots-on-the-ground for his projects, coordinating subcontractors and clients directly to keep every benchmark on schedule and on budget. He spends his free time hunting, exploring the outdoors, and hanging out with family.

Serg Kabghian

Superintendent

Serg oversees day-to-day work on the job site, continuing a family legacy in construction with the same hands-on attention every ArDan project gets. Outside of work, he enjoys drawing, carving, hiking, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and camping.

Jim Ratlief

Superintendent

Jim manages day-to-day job site operations as part of ArDan’s production team.

Kenny Arthur

Painting Foreman

Kenny facilitates and monitors every painting scope across ArDan’s active projects. He loves the family environment on ArDan’s team, and spends his free time camping, bowling, and playing disc golf.

Simon Martin

Demo Foreman

Simon oversees all in-house demolition work, the first step in nearly every remodel. In his free time, he’s usually fishing or hunting.

Oliver Niemela

Shop Assistant

Oliver keeps ArDan’s shop and vehicles clean, organized, and ready to go. He likes things clean and orderly on and off the clock, and spends his free time fixing engines.

Bryce Jurvakainen

Labor Apprentice

Our labor apprentices support superintendents across every active job site, learning the trade while helping keep projects moving. Andrew spends his free time swimming, four-wheeling, golfing, and snowboarding with friends.

Allison Chekan

Marketing + Events Lead

Allison plans ArDan’s community events, manages our social presence, and helps shape how we connect with clients before a project ever begins. She loves staying active and exploring new places, and never starts her day without an iced coffee.

Riley Parsons

Marketing Assistant

Riley works alongside Allison on events, field content, and social media, helping bring ArDan’s story to life. Outside of work, she loves thrifting and exploring bookstores, always with caffeine and a bagel in hand.

Mel Zimmermann

Financial Controller

Mel provides financial visibility across the company, keeping every project’s numbers clear and accurate. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and getting lost in a good book.

Connie Aho

Office Manager

Connie keeps ArDan’s office running and supports the team across every role. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, crafting, and digging into her family history.

Beatriz Madrigal Gonzalez

Human Resource Administrator

Beatriz supports payroll and administrative needs for ArDan’s growing team. She’s usually reading fantasy novels or grabbing a meal out with family and friends in her free time.

Jenna Sorvala

Office Admin

Jenna manages receipts, account reconciliation, and the day-to-day details that keep the office running. She likes to stay creative and active outside of work.