Our Team

At Trailside we’re committed to long-lasting partnerships. We carefully select talented trade partners and dedicated professionals who work proudly as a cohesive team to deliver innovative and high-quality projects.

Collectively, our team has called the area “home” for hundreds of years. We are home building and real estate experts, customer service extraordinaires, development specialists, craftsmen, architects, landscape and interior designers. Perhaps most of all, we are outdoor enthusiasts and are passionate for all the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

WENDY BRAGALONE

Director of Customer Relations & Marketing

With an impressive background in marketing, sales, and project management, Wendy leads Trailside’s Marketing and Customer Relations department. Wendy established her foundation in the tech industry until discovering her true passion for real estate development and home building. Her 20 years of combined experience in business and real estate serves as the backbone for everything she does. She is passionate about helping people make their dream home a reality; whether it is building a custom home or buying a newly completed, move-in-ready home. Prior to joining Trailside, Wendy most recently held the position of VP of Marketing & Operations at BDR Homes, responsible for land acquisition, sales, and marketing across the Eastside. With an intense “can do” attitude, she’s earned the nickname of “The Fixer,” as she will do anything to help her teammates and customers. When not at work, she enjoys taking in all the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She is passionate about exploring the world, architecture, history, and singing very loudly in the car.

AMY CHRISTENSEN

Assistant Controller

Description Coming Soon!

WARREN TAYLOR

Regional Construction Manager

Warren is a lifetime resident of Washington State. Licensed as a general Contractor for 25 years, Warren has extensive experience in Residential, Multi Family & Commercial Construction. Previously a Construction Manager for Murray Franklyn, Signature Homes Division and NW Roots, Warren offers an in-depth knowledge and understanding of trades and skills for all phases of construction which allows him to communicate effectively, meet project timelines and quality standards. In Warren’s off time, he enjoys flying, windsurfing, waterskiing and most importantly, time with my family.  When Warren needs more work to do, he enjoys working on his 110 year old farmhouse in the Kittitas Valley.

BRIAN MARTENS

Project Manager

Brian has worked in the construction industry as a Project Manager since 1999. Prior to 1999 Brain held construction superintendent positions and was also a Union Carpenter. He brings a wealth of construction knowledge to the Trailside Homes team and has exceptionally high customer service standards. Brian is passionate about guiding customers through the custom home process where his keen sense of “the bottom line” and his value of clarity and integrity help to unite happy customers with their new finished home. Brian is originally from California and moved to Washington State in 1994. Brian loves the outdoors and is currently building a cabin at Snoqualmie Pass so he can take full advantage of Upper Kittitas County Winters!

STEVE LIPPERT

Project Manager

When we asked Steve to describe himself, this is what he shared: Family Guy – Outdoorsman – Maker – Culinary Guru – Home Remodeler. Steve is a “maker” and enjoys remodeling, woodworking, cabinetry, leather working and dabbling with metal and steel. Steve loves at home projects and is passionate about his beautiful wife and daughter and the life they’ve created in West Seattle. During his workdays he carefully orchestrates his new home projects and manages them from the preconstruction stage through to completion. Steve has over 15 years’ experience in project management. He’s a strategic thinker, is always focused on the customer experience, manages risks exceptionally and is driven by results.

MAKSIM LEVCHENKO

Project Manager

“Maks” is a jack of all trades and we’re excited he’s chosen to leverage his skill set in construction with the Trailside Homes team. With a background as a General Manager of Construction at BDR Homes, Superintendent at Isola Homes and Build Urban, including owning his own remodeling company, Maks inherently knows how to manage and administer a new home project from start to finish. In his off time, he loves to camp, spend time outdoors, cook with his wife and strap on his tool belt with his daughter and two sons to build family projects.

BRIAN WETZEL

Senior Construction Superintendent

Description Coming Soon!

ABEL GARCIA

Superintendent

Abel, originally from Durango, Mexico is a self proclaimed workaholic by trade, but his passion is spending time with his wife, kids and four grandkids. Abel has been in the construction industry for nearly a decade and has held positions as a superintendent, Assistant Construction Manager and Construction Manager with companies like Murray Franklin, Signature Homes Division. You will find Abel on Trailside job sites throughout the Pacific Norwest, when you see him, say “Hi”.

SEAN NORTHROP

Founder & CEO

Sean has worked in real estate development and place-making since 1993. He is passionate about the outdoor lifestyle and sharing it with others. Sean is a visionary leader – having assembled a team of like-minded individuals with skills and talents that span the spectrum of home and land development, architecture, interior and landscape design – and more. He is a creative, flexible and collaborative partner who is truly invested in delivering your dream of the perfect mountain retreat. Away from the office, you can catch up with Sean exploring with family and friends in the Cascade Mountains, the San Juan Islands, or discovering the many neighborhoods throughout Seattle.

JENNIFER EWART

Director of Special Projects

Jennifer has worked in the real estate industry since 1999 with experience in residential homes, land and timber acquisitions, as well as home building and land development. She directs a team who represent Trailside Homes including everything from land and custom homes, to new construction including move-in-ready, spec and resale homes. As a longtime resident of both Seattle and the Central Cascades, Jennifer enjoys time with her two amazing daughters and partnering with her Fiance, Sean Northrop Founder of Trailside Homes, on their family business. In Jennifer’s free time you can find her hiking, biking, running, cross-training, SUP’ing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and exploring the Cascades and Seattle with great friends.

KELLY FACCONE

Chief Financial Officer

Description Coming Soon!

PETE CARO

Director of Construction Operations

Pete offers over 20-years of success in managing high-volume and custom residential construction projects from inception through to the conclusion of the warranty period. Pete has held positions such as General Manager, VP of Construction Practices, VP of Construction and Director of Construction for companies like BDR Homes, Shea Homes, Richmond American Homes and Centex Homes. Pete has extensive experience leading teams to success and is a strong strategic partner to key executive management teams. Pete could easily be called “Coach Pete” and it would be an appropriate title as he thrives when he can nurture, guide, grow and help lead teams – including youth Baseball and Football. Pete is a family guy and you can often find him taking in a game with his kids, skiing, hiking and enjoying the awesome PNW.

JOHN FERNSTROM

Director of Land Development

The experience John brings to the Trailside Homes team is multi-faceted. With a degree in Architecture and a passion for detail, John’s calm and capable demeanor sets him apart from the rest. John’s experience in design, estimating, purchasing, project management and land development, brings peace of mind to those he partners with that the job will get done. John previously held positions as the Land Development Manager at Richmond American Homes and was the Senior Project Manager and Purchasing Director for The Burnstead Company. When John’s nose isn’t in MS Projects, his thrill seeker side shines through and you’ll likely find him snowboarding, kitesurfing, longboarding, biking or fishing – or maybe all in one day! John lives with his family and two labs in Issaquah.

ANNE CATHERINE KRUGER

Accountant

Anne Catherine (AC for short) is the Accounting & Business Manager at Trailside Homes. Her extensive accounting responsibilities include maintaining the books, payroll, tracking project costs, as well as managing all loans and capital facilities.  AC also manages our lender relationships, home closings, our offices in Seattle and Cle Elum, and keeps us all working together as a cohesive team.  The multi-talented Anne Catherine worked as a chef for 12 years, having studied Cuisine and Pastry at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Before going back to school to earn her certificate in accounting from the University of Washington. She also holds a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Marine Science from the University of North Carolina. Anne Catherine is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.

UMA

CBO (Chief Ball Officer)

If you visit our office you’ll likely meet Uma. Uma likes to come to the Trailside Homes office with her human’s, Sean and Jennifer. Sometimes she gets to run to the Pioneer Square office alongside her Dad, who likes to bike into work. Uma is full of energy and is in charge of all things fun at the office – Balls, floor clean and napping. Her favorite things are tennis balls. The more, the better! She loves to be pet and to curl up at your feet. Uma has a voice and sometimes she’ll hear you coming and make sure you know that she’s listing. Don’t worry, she may be loud, but she’s a big softy. Say “hi” to Uma the next time you visit the team!

PIPER

Director of Treat Development

Description Coming Soon!

OSA (2003-2018)

The Original Top Dog

Our sweet Osa. The Adventurer. The Explorer. The Lover of all things food related. The Garbage Hound. The Companion. The Campsite Burglar-er, Our Partner in Crime. Our Office Dog. Our Watcher. The 1st Kid and The Tolerater of Small Children & rotten little sister puppies. We created the most awesome memories over those special 15 1/2 years Osa and there isn’t a day that we don’t think of you and smile.  We will love you always & forever, Sean & Jennifer