Meet the Team

Meet the Team

Meet Our Hard-Working and Dedicated Team

Meet Our Hard-Working and Dedicated Team

Photo of William Brown

William Brown, President & Owner

Objective:
To give every client our very best—from the first handshake to the final walkthrough. We’re here to bring each vision to life through truly custom, high-quality homes—uniquely tailored to the family who will live there, built to stand the test of time, and designed to be treasured for generations.

Experience and Role:
William’s journey in construction began as a teenager, working summer jobs in northern Michigan and learning the trade with his own two hands. After high school, he spent years refining his skills under seasoned local contractors before launching W.B. Builders, Inc. in 1998 with little more than a pickup truck, a crew of a few, and a relentless drive to build something better.

He spent those early years on every job site–swinging hammers, solving problems, and setting the tone for the kind of work that speaks for itself. Decades later, his role has grown, but his presence hasn’t faded. As President and Owner, William remains deeply involved, personally overseeing each project with a steady hand and an eye for detail that hasn’t wavered in over 40 years.

His leadership isn’t loud–but it’s felt everywhere. He sets the pace for the team, fosters a company culture rooted in pride, trust, and excellence, and holds fast to a simple philosophy: listen well, build honestly, and treat every home as if it were his own. He’s built a reputation for craftsmanship, fairness, and follow-through—and somehow, even with dozens of moving parts, he still shows up on-site, answers the call, and makes time when it matters.

Favorite Part of My Job:
I love working with the natural beauty we’re surrounded by—designing and building in a way that respects the landscape, frames the views, and fits the way people really live up north. Being part of that kind of transformation never gets old.

Bucket List “To Do”:
Moose hunting in Alaska–the wild and no cell service. Build a legacy cabin with my grandkids, completely off the grid.

At Home:
A true northern Michigander at heart, William finds peace in the woods, on the water, or gathered around a fire with family. Whether he’s fishing at sunrise, chasing big game out west, or fixing something in the shop, he’s never far from tradition—or from those he loves most.

Hobbies:
Woodworking, tinkering around the shop, and spending time outdoors with my family. I’ve always got a project going—even when I say I’m “taking a break.”

Photo of Blair Brown

Blair Brown, Vice President

Objective:
To ensure every client has a rewarding experience building their dream home—and to create a work environment our entire team can be proud of.

Experience and Role:
Blair began his career at 16, working in a lumber yard and learning the business from the ground up. Over the next three decades, he built a reputation for excellence in contractor sales and leadership—eventually becoming a top sales performer at Builders FirstSource, the largest building materials supplier in Michigan and the nation. Thirty-plus years later, he still loves the construction environment–bringing that same energy, insight, and dedication to every project and team he leads.

As Vice President, Blair oversees business operations and team strategy with a strong focus on relationships—building lasting partnerships with contractors, suppliers, and staff. He’s deeply involved in day-to-day decision-making, ensuring projects run efficiently and clients are supported every step of the way. Whether he’s working through budgets, navigating logistics, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, Blair’s hands-on leadership and steady presence are felt across the company.

Favorite Part of My Job:
Turning blueprints into reality, seeing our clients’ dreams take shape, and building lasting relationships with both clients and teammates along the way.

Bucket List “To Do”:
Take off in an RV with my wife and our dogs to explore the U.S.!

Hobbies:
I love being outdoors as much as possible—whether I’m on the tractor, out hunting, or just spending time with my wife and our beloved dogs.

Photo of Michele

Michele Howard, Director, Finance and Office Operations

Objective:
My goal is to enable our team and clients to succeed through clear communication, dependable systems, and financial accuracy. I work to keep things organized so the team stays aligned, the details don’t slip, projects stay on track–and our clients always feel like they’re in good hands.

Experience and Role:
Michele holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in Finance and has over 20 years of experience across the financial sector, business management, non-profits, and construction accounting. Over the course of her career, she has honed her skills in budgeting, financial strategy, and office operations, building a strong track record of streamlining workflows, boosting efficiency, and keeping financials on point.

She’s a consummate professional–clear, dependable, and deeply respected. Committed to fostering a collaborative, solutions-focused environment, she improves operational performance through diligent accounting, dependable systems, and hands-on office management. Her calm, steady leadership behind the scenes supports both the team’s day-to-day focus and the long-term financial health of the company.

Favorite Part of My Job:
What I love most is being part of a team that’s aligned and committed to doing things right. I enjoy bringing different perspectives together to solve problems, keep things moving, and make sure every project stays on track. There’s also real satisfaction in the numbers–making sure everything adds up, down to the last detail. When everything clicks–people, process, precision–that’s the best part of the job.

Hobbies:
Outside of work, I’m passionate about spending quality time with my family and my dogs. I also enjoy camping, being in nature, and tending to my plants and yard. These activities bring balance, creativity, and mindfulness that I carry into my work.

Bucket List “To Do”:
I’d love to visit all 50 states and explore all 63 U.S. National Parks. I’m eager to experience the diverse landscapes and natural beauty each one has to offer.

Photo of Drew Conway

Drew Conway, Senior Crew Leader

Objective:
To maintain great relationships with customers and lead every W.B. project with commitment and consistency —delivering quality work that’s on time, on budget, and built to last.

Experience and Role:
With 25 years in the trades, Drew has worked every part of the build—framing, trim, siding, roofing, tile—hands-on, start to finish. He brings a strong sense of responsibility to each job site, with a focus on doing quality work that holds up over time. Drew sets the tone for quality and pace, guiding crews through each phase of construction while keeping standards high and timelines tight. He works closely with project managers to coordinate daily goals, solve problems on the fly, and make sure the work gets done right the first time.

Whether he’s leading a crew or pushing through tight deadlines, Drew brings the drive and experience it takes to keep things moving and done right. His presence brings a steady sense of surety to the team, backed by years of hard-earned skill and pride in the craft.

Favorite Part of My Job:
I enjoy working alongside a great group of teammates and getting to know the homeowners we build for. There’s nothing like taking a concept and turning it into a finished product.

Hobbies:
Spending time with my family is top priority. I also enjoy camping, hiking, skiing, kayaking—pretty much anything that gets me outside and moving.

Bucket List “To Do”:
Travel around New Zealand and take in the landscape along the way.

Photo of Jason

Jason Scheffler, Senior Project Manager

Objective:
To bring our clients’ visions to life and produce a unique, high-quality, one-of-a-kind home, built to stand the test of time and be enjoyed by many generations.

Experience and Role:
With over 35 years in the construction industry, Jason’s foundation is built on hands-on experience–starting in the field with concrete work and framing before pursuing his B.S. in Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University. From there, he honed his expertise as an estimator and materials purchaser, gaining a rare 360-degree understanding of how exceptional homes come together.

Today, as Senior Project Manager, Jason leads the execution of high-end residential builds from planning to closeout. He works closely with clients, architects, and trade partners to ensure every detail aligns with the project vision–balancing schedule, budget, and quality with precision. His leadership keeps communication strong, challenges addressed early, and teams working together toward one goal: delivering an exceptional finished home without compromise.
Over the past two decades, Jason has managed some of the firm’s most complex, one-of-a-kind projects with the skill and confidence of a master builder. Clients trust not just his professionalism, but the calm, intuitive way he keeps everything on track.

Favorite Part of My Job:
The most satisfying part of my job is seeing the smiling, excited faces of our clients when they first walk into their completed homes. It’s a proud moment–for them and for us. I work with an outstanding crew here at WB Builders, and our subcontractors are top-notch. We work hard, we laugh a lot, and at the end of the day, we take pride in what we’ve created–and what it means to the people who live in it.

Hobbies:
Lately I’ve been focused on remodeling and adding onto my own family home. When I get the chance to be outdoors, I love chasing whitetails in the fall, fly-fishing for trout and steelhead, ice fishing, and hunting morel mushrooms.

Bucket List “To Do”:
A few years back, I came very close to harvesting a fantastic bull moose on a remote Alaskan hunt—but it didn’t quite pan out. That’s a trip I definitely plan to take again. Another dream of mine is to draw a Michigan bull elk tag and harvest one with archery gear.

Photo of Shyla

Shyla Hellebuyck, Field Services & Asset Manager

Objective:
To provide support wherever I can and make sure things go well for our homeowners. To keep things moving—behind the scenes, on the job sites, and everywhere in between—so our projects stay organized, our crews and clients stay supported, and every detail lands where it belongs.

Experience and Role:
With over 25 years in construction and services, Shyla brings hands-on expertise and calm coordination to just about every corner of our operations. She’s managed countless residential projects from the ground up and now plays a key role in making sure each one runs smoothly from the office to the field.

Whether she’s coordinating timelines, posting permits, ordering fixtures, maintaining safety compliance, or updating project calendars, Shyla is the one keeping things on track and moving forward. She works directly with project managers, subcontractors, suppliers, and homeowners to keep schedules clear, deliveries on time, and job sites organized and safe. Her scope also extends to marketing, property care, and equipment maintenance–adding depth to the day-to-day and strength to our long-term systems.

Through it all, her aim remains simple and steady: to aid and organize for both clients and the team so that every step of the build feels supported, aligned, and handled with care.

Favorite Part of My Job:
I love visiting job sites–seeing the progress take shape, checking in with the crew, and dropping off a treat or two when I can. There’s real satisfaction in bringing a little order to the chaos, keeping things moving, and knowing that the support I provide behind the scenes helps the whole team succeed.

Hobbies:
If it’s outdoors, I’m all in. Whether it’s getting my boots dirty on a trail, soaking up sunshine, or just breathing in some fresh air, I find joy in the simple things.

Bucket List “To Do”:
Travel to places I’ve never seen–and finally catch the northern lights dancing in full.

Photo of Kirk

Kirk Falco, Project Manager

Objective:
My objective is simple: deliver a job that’s done right. That means solid quality, on time, and within budget. I stay ahead of the details, keep communication clear, and make sure things move smoothly from start to finish. I take a lot of pride in that.

Experience and Role:
With over 20 years in the construction industry, Kirk brings deep, hands-on experience across roles including foreman, project engineer, and project manager. He pairs field knowledge with strong office coordination–managing budgets, schedules, and communication with precision from pre-construction through closeout ensuring clients stay connected and confident throughout the job.

As Project Manager, Kirk leads projects from start to finish–handling logistics, keeping teams aligned, and ensuring every step moves forward with care and precision. His approach is steady and practical, grounded in experience and focused on delivering quality results. He holds a Michigan Builder’s License (since 2006) and works comfortably with tools like AutoCAD, Timberline, WinEST, Prolog, Primavera, and CMiC–keeping both the technical side and team communication running smoothly.

Favorite Part of My Job:
I enjoy being involved from the start–when plans are taking shape and selections are being made–and seeing it all come together in the end.

Hobbies:
Most of my hobbies take me outdoors. One of my favorite things is playing catch with my daughter–it’s simple, fun, and the best kind of quality time.

Bucket List “To Do”:
I’d like to visit all 50 states at least once. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and I’m looking forward to seeing what each one has to offer.

Photo of Paul Whisker

Paul Whisker, Lead Interior Master Carpenter

Objective:
To build one-of-a-kind homes for people who love them.

Experience and Role:
Paul’s path in construction began before he knew it was a career. With over 30 years of experience, he’s spent decades building strength and structure from the ground up. Today, he’s known for crafting truly one-of-a-kind interiors–ceiling details, cabinetry, and custom woodwork shaped with precision, creativity, and a feel for design that elevates every space. His work is defined by clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and a tactile quality that speaks to the care behind each cut. When clients want their vision brought to life with master-level skill and integrity, Paul is the one they trust.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with a specialization in Software Engineering from Colorado Technical University, where his coursework included a strong emphasis on project management. This foundation complements his field experience–blending technical fluency with the organizational mindset needed to lead teams and manage complex builds. Driven by a steady pursuit of deeper skill and a desire to elevate his craft at every stage, he later studied construction trades through the Boyne City building program and earned a Michigan Builder’s License.

His approach is measured, meticulous, and built to last. His work isn’t just well-built–it’s well considered. Whatever clients imagine, Paul has the rare ability to interpret and shape it–turning vision into form, and ideas into something tangible, enduring, and beautifully made.

Favorite Part of My Job:
Turning clients’ ideas into something they love–catching the details that matter and building something that feels like it came straight from their imagination… only sturdier.

Hobbies:
Mostly, I build things. I like keeping my hands busy. When I’m not in the shop, I’m probably out hiking, fishing, kayaking, or traveling with my girls.

Bucket List “To Do”:
Build my hilltop home.