Icon Team

Where do we start with Charlie? Well, to kick it off, as a young-in’ Charlie started, built and sold a company, which was unrelated to real estate. Pretty random right? As a family man, Charlie realized he LOVED the opportunity to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life and decided to start Icon to create spaces for families they would call home. But most importantly is that his 3 kids inspire him to live a fully alive life. FACT: If you can’t get a hold of him (which is more rare than hens’ teeth), he’s most likely hitting a barkie on the links!

This funny, curly haired gal is a natural when it comes to inspiring creativity! When she isn’t killin’ it in the remodeling realm, you can find Jenny at your local art shows with her kids. Jenny has an art background so typically, colors and patterns come easily to her BUT she had no construction experience when she started with the company 10+ years ago. It was a leap of faith and we’re sure glad she jumped!

Bio coming soon!

Some say Joe’s passion for crunching numbers was written in the stars. And we believe it! Joe’s eye for detail and understanding of construction techniques help Icon to obtain quality work and appropriate delivery speed at a competitive price! Joe’s favorite place in the world is being at home with his wife and kids or… fangirling at a Bucket Number 6 concert. One day Joe will find himself living out his dream of visiting the motherland of his roots, Italy. Ciao bella!

Before Joe enters the afterlife, a goal of his is to see the pyramids and climb a redwood tree… and speaking of trees, after college Joe spent 4 years working as a carpenter before joining the Icon team! His favorite part of doing what he does is working with homeowners and seeing how happy they are with the finished product. As far as animals go, dogs are the bee’s knees! If he’s not working his booty off on the job, you will find Joe exploring with his fiancée Kate and two dogs, O’Banion and Nellie.  

Meet Trevor, the maestro of construction and the unofficial president of the Taylor Swift Fan Club. With a rich background in construction, Trevor’s journey from apprentice to project manager for a high-end remodeling contractor in Chicago reflects his dedication and expertise. From paper sketches to stunning kitchens, bathrooms, and homes, Trevor finds joy in turning raw materials into beautiful spaces. Trevor’s #1 favorite thing in the world is orchestrating family time with his wife, Mackenzie, son Parker, and the real headliner of the household, his dog Lincoln. Cooking takes the top spot among his hobbies but, as a baseball enthusiast, Trevor’s childhood dream was to play 3rd base for the Chicago Cubs, and he still aspires to it! His love for Taylor Swift is evident, with attendance at memorable concerts such as The Eras Tour and The Reputation Tour. Having a bad day? Trevor will tell you to ‘Shake it Off’!  

We’ve got a royal knight on our hands! Yes, a knight! Vince was formerly a knight at Medieval Times. Aside from being a total king slayer on the battlefield, Vince has had many years of experience in the construction industry to prepare him for his current role with Icon. Vince has loved Carpentry ever since he could remember – always wanted to be like the old timers from the local lumber yard. All hail, Vince, champion of the realm!  

With 33 years in the trades, 15 years as a business owner, and 7.5 years as a Project Manager for a design-build firm, John has truly seen it all—and fixed most of it. Known around here as our Construction Therapist, John has a calm, steady approach to projects and a deep love for the craft. What drives him most is the satisfaction of creating something tangible that didn’t exist before. When he’s not managing projects, you’ll find him camping, hiking, kayaking, or spending quality time with his family and their pup! A talented woodworker, John can build furniture from scratch, a skill many people don’t realize he has. As a kid, he dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and while he stayed earthbound, his sense of curiosity and adventure never left. Three words to describe him? Tall, dedicated, and humorous.  

Being an “artist” is a thing, and Jessica has got the talent. Which–surprise!– makes her the perfect fit for our remodeling team with her borderline obsession with Chief Architect! In the past, Jessica worked as a specialty designer for a design-build company and is looking forward to growing her career with Icon. She tells us she loves baking during the holidays and to beware of our waistlines as she’ll be bringing desserts into the office – sounds awful, doesn’t it?  

Ryan here is one of the most reliable, funny and loyal people we’ve ever met – but, want to grind his gears? You should try talking to him about daylight savings time, moon-shaped ice cubes or talk on your speakerphone in public right in front of him. Good stuff! Something else we think you should know about him? He’s a self-taught songwriter, guitar player, loves woodworking and hiking with his family. We wanted Ryan on our team not just because of how awesome he is, but because of his extensive experience in real estate sales, property management and remodeling. Welcome aboard, Ryan!  

With 10 years of experience in design and remodeling (including owning Kate & Co Home Design for three years), Kate has a passion for creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful. She loves working closely with clients, turning their dreams into reality—helping them craft homes where they’ll make lifelong memories. Her dream home? Cozy, bright, and welcoming—anywhere with sunshine and water. When she’s not designing, you’ll find her spending time outdoors with family (and wrangling her three kids!). Kate is a dog lover, an IPA enthusiast (depending on the happy hour vibe), and firmly believes: “If you aren’t changing it, you are choosing it.” She’s inspired daily by her kids and enjoys traveling. Oh, and if you need a good laugh? Just put on an Adam Sandler movie—she’s a fan!  

Meet Rose, our Design Administrator Assistant! With a Master’s in Architecture, LEED AP certification, and hands-on experience in remodeling, Rose brings a perfect blend of expertise and creativity to our reno team. She’s an energy-conscious designer who loves nothing more than the challenge of crafting spaces that balance color, texture, light, and negative space. Growing up in Mexico City, Rose’s dream is to someday own a condo near the historic Paseo de la Reforma, close to family and the stunning Bosque de Chapultepec. For now, she’s making her Waukegan home cozier, but a part of her always keeps an eye on the future—and a bucket list that includes traveling to Delhi and riding camels by the Taj Mahal. Three words that describe Rose? Industrious, well-intentioned, and always ready to learn. With her love for sustainability, education, and smart design, Rose is not just part of our team—she’s part of what makes it great!  

Meet Mike, Project Manager extraordinaire! With an impressive 27 years of experience running two successful construction companies, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge to our team in both commercial and custom residential construction. Beyond his project management expertise, Mike is also a certified scuba instructor and a proud Army veteran (Airborne). When he’s not diving into projects (or the ocean!), you’ll find him dreaming of the Croatian coast, or watching his favorite classic, Jaws. Mike’s blend of adventure, dedication, and a sharp eye for detail makes him a fantastic addition to our team.  

Bio coming soon!  

Meet Mike Breliant, Project Manager for New Construction at Icon Building Group. With over 30 years in homebuilding and renovation—including 20+ years as a project manager—Mike loves the satisfaction of handing over a completed dream home to happy clients. Thoughtful, thorough, and always upbeat, he brings hidden talents in cooking and writing, a passion for detail, and a genuine care for others to everything he does. Outside of work, Mike enjoys cooking, gardening, golfing, and spending time with his wife, all while dreaming of his own future oasis: a chef’s kitchen, lush garden, and outdoor kitchen in sunny Hawaii!  

Knock, knock. Who’s there? It’s Sandy! Sandy who? Sandy Novak. No jokes here! This independent and funny woman is Icon’s outstanding Service Manager. Any questions or concerns after your home is closed? Well, Sandy is your gal. For over 20 years, she has provided customer service to tenants in both residential and commercial properties! When Sandy is not working her booty off, you can find her riding her motorcycle, fishing, boating or volunteering at an animal rescue. Bravo, Sandy, bravo!  

This mozzarella stick, Captain n’ Coke lovin’ lady has been in the real estate game for 11 years and spent 10 years as a lead project coordinator before coming to Icon! Angela loves spending time with her daughter and sassy old yellow lab – and also enjoys rummaging through flea markets and refinishing furniture. What she enjoys most about work is her Icon team and making the customers’ visions come to life! When asked who inspires her, a woman named Pinterest was spoken of?  

When Mark isn’t dreaming of being on the island of Kauai, he’s either having a ball with our customers or relaxing and hangin’ out with friends! Great designs begin with a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs and expectations and Mark has just that. Those of you who have been lucky enough to work with him know his keen eye for colors and textures allow him to create the perfect space that is both timeless and creative. This kind, open minded and slightly sarcastic man is truly a one of a kind designer!  

Meet Kara, one of our resident magic-makers of home design! With a degree in interior design and a professional journey that reads like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, Kara has brought her enchanting touch to everything from design consulting to real estate wrangling. If there’s a space that needs a dash of whimsy and a sprinkle of practicality, Kara’s your go-to guru. What tickles Kara’s creative fancy? She loves nothing more than leading her clients through the labyrinth of design possibilities, turning what could be a hair-pulling experience into a delightful dance of textures and colors. Kara’s mission? Transforming stressful into spectacular, one carefully curated room at a time.  

Jenna brings passion, energy, and a keen eye for design to the Icon team! After interning with Icon as a college student, she gained hands-on experience in home building, working closely with clients to bring their dream homes to life. With a bachelor’s degree in business, Jenna blends creativity with strategy to ensure every project runs smoothly. When she’s not helping clients design their perfect space, you can find her boating on the lake, grabbing drinks and dinner with friends, or indulging in her love for cleaning and organizing (yes, really!). Her dream home? A coastal, beachy retreat on the water in Marco Island, Florida. Jenna is all about making things happen—her favorite quote, “You are one decision away from a completely different life”, perfectly sums up her go-getter attitude!  

Natalia, the crazy cat lady…no wait… crazy HORSE lady! This bubbly, vibrant, open-minded gal is not your typical chicky. Does she like to pamper herself? Sure! But what she really loves is working on her cars, horseback riding, camping and collecting crystals. She also really enjoys hanging out with her dog, Mochi! In the past, Natalia was a Design Consultant for The Tile Shop and a Specialty Designer at Advance Design Studio. Her dream home would be a two story farmhouse on a lot of property with lots of farm animals, a pull barn for her cool cars, a riding arena and nature trails where she can unwind and drink her peach margaritas.  

Meet Kailey, our spirited Cabinet Design Consultant! Kailey began her journey as an intern at Kitchen Art Cabinetry. Now, she’s bringing dream kitchens and bathrooms to life, transforming clients’ visions into reality one cabinet at a time with Icon. And while she’s a whiz in the kitchen, don’t expect baked goods—she’s a self-proclaimed non-baker who’s all about savory cooking. Outside work, you’ll find Kailey fishing, working out, or watching scary movies like The Conjuring. She’s also big on mini golf, bowling, and spending time with her family. Her heart is as big as her energy, with a passion for rescuing dogs and making a difference for animals in need. Persistent, outgoing, and a natural leader, Kailey is a fantastic addition to our team, bringing warmth, grit, and a touch of spooky movie fandom.  

Set the scene: 12 year old tweenage Ian headbanging at the Beastie Boys concert, singing every single word, with his old man. End scene. Looking for the perfect song to set the mood? Ian’s got your back! This music loving, film watching guy loves everything when it comes to food. Ian’s happy place rotates from watching Chicago Bears games to dreaming about the large lot of land he will be living on one day. Ian comes from a background of project managing and enjoys being a contributing member of a team to produce the best possible results. Looking for a little advice? Ian claims that continually looking in the past is the easiest way not to move forward. *all the feels*  

Carl, our Purchasing Manager, brings over 30 years of experience negotiating and awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts. He thrives on the challenge of balancing ever-changing market conditions with smart, strategic buying decisions that support both quality and value. Known for being consistent, honest, and tenacious, Carl approaches his work with a problem-solving mindset and a focus on long-term success. A lifelong learner with a sharp sense of humor, Carl once dreamed of simply becoming “a grown up” when he was ten—and he did it his way. Outside of the office, he enjoys 3D printing and CNC projects, traveling, and spending time as a devoted grandfather. His guiding advice: Don’t sit still—keep driving!  

Let’s rip the Band-Aid off and start with the boring stuff…Shawna joined our team with an extensive background in accounting and management, perfect for this role. Good, great, perfect. Now, let’s get to the fun stuff! This loyal, goofy gal wanted to be just like Stone Cold Steve Austin when she was 10 years old. Growing up with two older brothers, she quickly learned how to hold her own! On the weekends, Shawna enjoys spending time with her husband and family while baking cookies and sippin’ on an ice-cold Kiddie Cocktail.  

Bio coming soon!

Know where to get a mean Bloody Mary? Contact Jen IMMEDIATELY. With a degree in graphic design, she loves creating marketing material and content that gets her team, trades and clients excited about Icon and the home building experience. Does she have an obsession? Yes. Her dog, Pip! When she’s not jamming out to Foster the People, you can find her spending time with her husband and family – most likely at the golf course, bowling alley or brewery. Cheers!