Bios

Our Moms Said We Were Cute?

This page is for you slightly superficial types who need to know what our company members look like before you’ll consider hiring them. Hey, we’re not knocking you! We’d do it, too.

You will see that while some of us are great at guttering and others of us are wonderful at windows; some are remarkable marketers and others are darn good drywallers. We are all very special in our own little ways. (Cute, isn’t it?)

Pat Strand, Head Chef- 14 Years

Talk at Him: pstrand@totalhomekc.com

Meat & Taters: Small Business Entrepreneur; CR License; Marvin Installation Certified; NARI Member

Life Story: Working tirelessly, day in and day out, to bring sexy back to the remodeling industry, is our fearless leader Pat Strand. Pat set out years ago to earn his lot in life as a cabana boy in South America. When that didn’t work out, he stumbled upon something he was actually good at: Home Remodeling (he’s even earned his CR License to prove it). Somehow, in the midst of all his wildly important, award winning home renovation work, he managed to land him a hot, smart, fairly normal wife who seems to really like him. Pat and Christina have recently joined the home-ownership club and are getting ready to turn those smoking hot remodeling skills inward. Of course they got a fixer-upper, did you really need to ask?

Hobby: Skydiving & biking.

Pet Peeve: “Mowing. I miss my loft.”

Guilty Pleasure: “My Vitamix. I use it everyday. Sometimes, I use it twice a day.”

Special Secret: Pat receives weekly coupons in the mail from JoAnn’s Fabrics and Hobby Lobby… and he uses them. (It’s for his knitting, next time you see him ask how his latest afghan is coming along.)

Dave Bednarczyk, Mad Genius- 3 Years

Talk at Him: daveb@totalhomekc.com

Meat and Taters: 11 years in the construction industry. Started in residential development in Wichita (when you could still make a buck building new homes). Moved back to KC and spent several years as a commercial project manager– schools, hospitals and government projects. Slayer of Minions.

Life Story: Since Dave’s re-birth on planet Earth, events have come at a tumultuous pace. Dave, a KC native, found his calling at an early age. He learned how to swing a hammer with Habitat for Humanity during summers as a youth. Throughout high school, he learned to paint houses alongside his older brother. Then, during college, Dave found a new love– beer. Between pints, he was able to squeeze in a degree of Business Administration from The University of Kansas. While a Jayhawk at heart, he still enjoys soliciting business from his MU friends. Since Dave has resettled in KC, his taste for beer still thrives, however he’s become somewhat of a wine enthusiast. Luckily, The March of Dimes has an event called Wine Fest in KC each year and Dave has been able to satiate his thirst for wine for the past 4 years (volunteer plug!). Most recently Dave has been storming the gates of remodeling with Pat (look up) and been enjoying every minute of it!

Hobby: Photography, art, playing music (triple threat!)

Pet Peeve: Know it all’s.

Guilty Pleasure: A really great Cabernet from my favorite local wine shop.

Special Secret: He really does ID for “R” rated movies.

Jake Matthew, Residential Renaissance Man- 1 1/2 Years

Talk at Him: jmatthew@totalhomekc.com

Meat and Taters: Marvin Specialist, Sales Consultant, Project Manager, Customer Service Fanatic

Life Story: Jake’s pet peeve list was so long, he never got around to writing his bio. So everyone needs to email him daily until he turns it in. It’s like a contest to see who can be the most annoying… The prize? You get to learn about the mystery man in the pink inflatable rowboat. For now we’ll say, he’s single, he likes sports and beer and is the best window guy this side of the Mississippi.

 
Hobby: Golf, BBQ, cooking, tailgating

Pet Peeve:
-The term “pet peeve” – it annoys me to say or hear
-Misuse of your, you’re; there, their and they’re
-Lady Gaga
-Red lights
-Laziness
-Excuses
-People who drive their vehicle (especially bicycles and mopeds) extremely slow in front
of me. If your vehicle is unable to achieve and maintain the speed limit, please do not
operate it on the same road as me. Thank you.
-The name “Sporting Kansas City” – Seriously guys, of all the possibilities in the
universe, this is the name we end up with??
-“Reality” TV shows
-Being limited to a list of only 10 pet peeves

Nicky Cook, Goddess of Organization- 1/4 Year

Talk at Her: ncook@totalhomekc.com

Meat and Taters: Administrative Extraordinaire, Web Designer, Bookkeeper, Marketing Genius, Dog-Sitter, She does everything the guys don’t feel like doing

Life Story: Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, Nicky’s life was pretty boring. She did a little local theater in the Kansas City area, went to school in Tucson, AZ, got married, had a daughter, started and, almost single-handedly, ran an online magazine, but nothing really interesting happened until she moved back to KC and started working for Total Home. Now her life is both interesting and irreversibly corrupted. Between the over abundance of beer and general raucous behavior at work, she tries to live a quiet life at home with her husband Jason and little girl Lilly. She likes long walks on the beach and talking on the phone for hours and hours. Especially to chatty girlfriends. And in her spare time she hunts trolls and practices scuba diving in the closest ocean she can find: the local water tower. In general, she is happy to keep the guys in line and enjoy a free taco or two from time to time.

Hobby: “Not working.”

Pet Peeve: “When Dave steals my pet peeve.”

Guilty Pleasure: “Scorchingly hot showers in the winter. I never want to get out, my gas bill is horrendous. And very good chocolate.”

Special Secret: “I don’t feel comfortable sharing that with the general public.”

Petr Simcak, The Okno Man- 5 Years

Meat & Taters: Marvin Window Certified Installer

Life Story: Introducing, Mr. Popularity: Petr was born in the Czech Republic. We are forever grateful that he somehow landed in our neck of the woods. Petr has a wife, a daughter and 2 dogs. Petr’s personality and skill have awarded him “fan-favorite” status with our clients.

Hobby: In addition to traveling, playing sports and relaxing, Petr likes to keep his eye out for really great bumper stickers. His favorite to date: “It’s not how you pick your nose but where you put the booger.” That’s right, we claim him.

Pet Peeve: Petr is too nice to have any pet peeves. But here’s something you should know: Petr doesn’t like pie. I know, right? You know the guy’s gotta be extremely good at his craft for us to allow such an individual into our clan.

Special Skill: Perfect English.

Special Secret: Petr wishes he could be his dog. Don’t we all?