Ben, Carpenter
Ben takes on each project with an open mind and a positive attitude. With nearly 20 years of experience at VDF, Ben has become a gifted craftsman and project manager who has earned the trust and respect of coworkers and clients. Those who have been lucky enough to work closely with Ben have learned that their renovation project is in good hands when he is involved.
Brandon, Handyperson
Just go for it. That’s Brandon’s mindset as he tackles the wide variety of handyperson tasks that are presented to him. Originally from a family of carpenters, Brandon joined the VDF team with a background in small construction projects. Recently, he’s enjoyed restoring an old house, building custom furniture and exploring the endless possibilities that salvaged materials can provide. Brandon’s belief in reuse and repair make him a creative and effective handyperson.
Colby, Partner
Colby first met VDF when he was eight years old, when they remodeled part of his parents' house in Oak Park. Colby kept an eye on VDF, especially after graduating from OPRF and co-founding his own construction company. Colby received his BFA and MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He joined VDF in 2007 and enjoys the unique and creative challenges that restoration work provides. He became partner in 2016.
Dave, Partner
Dave initially came to VDF as a carpenter after a somewhat indirect career path in construction-related fields. His background, combined with his creative approach to carpentry, contributed to his success as a VDF employee. Ultimately, Dave’s problem solving skills and his innovative mindset culminated in a leadership role as a partner in the company and he’s been looking ahead ever since.
Deb, Designer
Deb joined the Prairie Plus design team in 2010. She has over 20 years of design/build industry experience in the Chicago area. A graduate of Harrington College of Design, she came to the field after working in finance. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Loyola University of Chicago. Deb’s prowess in material selection has earned her the trust of some of VDFs most discerning clients.
Doug, Co-Founder and President
Doug is a founding partner and president of Von Dreele – Freerksen Construction Co. He has been involved in the restoration of vintage homes for over fifty years beginning by helping his father with the family’s c.1900 Victorian. After contributing to and managing dozens of restoration projects, among them 20 structures by Frank Lloyd Wright, Doug approaches each project with beginner’s excitement. He delights in “reading” the house to find its lost elements and to understand its architectural vocabulary. His knowledge and forthrightness have won him a number of preservation awards, a seat on the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission and the Easement Committee of Landmarks Illinois.
Greg, Carpenter
Greg is an Oak Park native. His upbringing contributed to his understanding of the language of old houses and historic carpentry techniques. Greg is creative, reliable and he is an expert problem solver. Two decades in the business means he knows the tools and techniques that are required to repair and maintain an old house- this knowledge has made him a leader and a key VDF team member.
Kim, Bookkeeper
If you asked Kim for a piece of advice about maintaining a vintage home, she would tell you to hire a professional ― that’s exactly what she did several years ago when she called VDF to work on her historic Oak Park home. As the relationship developed, Kim realized her Computer Science degree and her background in IT, database design and administration could be put to good use in VDFs office. Kim joined the team and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not in the office, Kim prioritizes her family and volunteering for local charities and non-profits.
Liet, Carpenter/Project Manager
Decades of carpentry experience have given Liet an eagle eye. Among his strengths are precision and attention to detail, which is evident in the quality of craftsmanship that he consistently delivers. If Liet had to impart one piece of carpentry wisdom it would be: check your measurements, and make everything plumb and level. This mindset, combined with a positive attitude, make Liet an asset to any project he works on.
Matt B, Carpenter
Matt came to VDF with years of experience in the home improvement industry, including the renovation of his own historic house. He’s witnessed, first-hand, how construction styles change over time and, with this background, he brings valuable insight to the projects where he’s involved. Recently, Matt was part of a team that built a modern coach house- the experience gave him a better understanding of modern techniques that can be blended into historic projects. Knowledge, combined with Matt’s positive attitude and friendly demeanor have contributed to his success as a VDF team member.
Matt S, General Manager
Matt brings over ten years of project management experience to the VDF/HomeCure team and he enjoys working with clients and coworkers who are passionate about maintaining historic buildings. He believes that the maintenance of quality, historic buildings is sustainable and an essential part of maintaining a community’s identity. Matt is a graduate of the historic preservation program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and he is a long-time supporter of the preservation advocacy work of Landmarks Illinois.
Monique, Office Administrator
As a seasoned homeowner, Monique recognizes the need for a good residential maintenance and renovation company. This knowledge, and a background in office administration, led Monique to join the VDF team as a leader in the office. Monique manages the day-to-day office operations including scheduling, file management, workplace culture and just making sure clients, colleagues and collaborators have what they need to be successful. Outside of work, Monique has completed several renovation projects with her family and she enjoys perusing historic tree-lined streets for interesting architecture.
Nate, Carpenter
Nate is no stranger to challenging projects. Several years in the trade, including the renovation of a vintage Airstream and meticulous carpentry in a Frank Lloyd-Wright house, have allowed him to hone his carpentry skills. Nate has observed that older houses tend to have more unique and customized design elements, often created by skilled artisans of a previous generation- Nate noted that he appreciates a good mortise and tenon joint. This appreciation of workmanship and respect of materials make him a wonderful addition to the VDF team.
Pavlo, Carpenter
Pavlo brings optimism and an open mind to his projects. He’s passionate about architecture and, since joining VDF, has become more aware of the significant historic residential architecture in the Chicagoland area. Pavlo understands the importance of having the right team engaged for a renovation or maintenance project and he commented that a historic home can be “devasted with ease” when in the wrong hands. His appreciation of historic architecture and his willingness to collaborate with colleagues have made Pavlo an excellent resource for VDFs projects.
Scott S., Partner
Scott Stack has worked with VDF since 1990 as a carpenter and lead fabricator in our mill shop. Scott became partner in 2005, bringing his interest in color, space planning and architectural detailing to our projects. He attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, then moved to New York for several years before settling in Oak Park.
Scott W., Carpenter
Scott credits his passion for old houses to growing up in an 1870s era house and helping out his dad with renovation projects. This background provided Scott with a good understanding and appreciation for framing and joinery- he believes that when carpentry basics are done correctly, a wood structure can last for centuries. Scott values the team atmosphere at VDF, and his coworkers have come to rely on his enthusiasm and willingness to help out in challenging circumstances.
Shelley, Designer
Shelley was brought up in the design industry- she admits that her interest in design comes from her experience at a family-run cabinet company. With a degree from Harrington College of Design, she brings 12+ years of experience to Prairie Plus. Her knowledge of design materials, color and space planning can transform a space into something beautiful and functional.
Tieg, Carpenter
Throughout his time at VDF, Tieg has gained a greater appreciation for the level of craftsmanship that went into the construction of older homes. Recently, he worked on a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence- the experience provided Tieg with hands-on experience dealing with historically significant architecture. Ultimately, Tieg brings a positive energy and an eagerness to contribute to VDFs unique scope of projects.
Tom O., Carpenter/Project Manager
After initially pursing a career in art, Tom decided to continue in his family tradition and became a third generation carpenter. With excellent craftsmanship and effective project management, Tom has completed countless successful projects. He has been a valued member of VDF since 1998.
Tom W., Partner
Tom has been in the building maintenance business for decades. He is a master carpenter, and an experienced estimator for VDF and HomeCure. Tom brings a wealth of knowledge to the business, and has earned the respect and trust of a loyal customer base who have come to rely on his expertise and straight-forward approach to project management and execution.
Waldek, Expert Handyman
Waldek has been one of HomeCure’s leading handymen for about 25 years. There’s very little that Waldek can’t do and he’s an expert at fixing things. Waldek is continuously presented with projects that require quick problem solving and creative solutions, and he can usually find a way to just make it work. He has years of experience working on doors, windows, stairs and carpentry (among other tasks) in vintage homes. His experience and his can-do attitude have made Waldek a favorite among new and long-time customers.