We Are Empirehouse
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team combines decades of experience with a passion for innovation, working together to create stunning glass and glazing solutions that inspire projects and transform spaces.
James Bringle
General Manager
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
I love collaborating with our clients whether it is the architect, contractor, or even the owner to help them turn their design ideas into buildable systems.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
Lakewood Mausoleum in Minneapolis, this project had so many fine details that needed to be thought through to achieve the design intent of the architect. I spent several months collaborating with the contractor and architect to help design custom systems using custom bronze components.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
Since February of 1984, I have been lucky enough to work with all three generations.
Mike Gilbert
President
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
The teamwork it takes to complete the whole project. Nothing is greater to say then, “we did that project.” What it really takes to understand all the components of a project.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Communicating transparently with our clients. The relationships. The Empirehouse Way (or the process itself). I love all the processes we have in place because I have been involved in all of them at some point in my career.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
My whole life if we are being specific. When I was a kid I use to mow the lawn, pick weeds, move materials, and unload windows. In high school with a few friends we started pushing gasket, making deliveries, and sometimes be a very pour second hand on jobsites. I took a full-time role 20 years ago, I have been in all aspects of the company since then: product sales, estimating, production management, and project management leading me where I am today.
James Hutera
Chief Financial Officer
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
I have always enjoyed the comradery that derives within this industry. Everything from a kickoff meeting to closing a year from a financial standpoint it takes teamwork and cohesion to stand out in a confident manner.
What’s your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
Empirehouse has always stood up to the test of any and all difficult situations. Whether it is a deadline that needed to be hit or fighting through a pandemic as a united front. The Empirehouse family always comes together to have an effective and positive finish.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
I have always enjoyed the numbers within a business. I also enjoy working in a team environment where all of the minds can work together in solving a questionable situation while having extremely different ideas for a solution.
Chad Rice
Job Superintendent
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Everyday challenges of changes, trying to evolve and keep ahead of these times that we live in today!
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
I think the best thing about the whole construction process is watching every job grow in its entirety from. Ground breaking day to the end of the whole erection process!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Hollywood Stunt Man, because I knew I wasn’t handsome enough to be an Actor!!!
Kristin Hutera
Chief Executive Officer
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Being able to collaborate with a team of people on a project from start to finish, and the story that you are able to tell each time you are driving by a project.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Each project is very unique so watching our team come together from start to finish is pretty incredible to be a part of. I love being able to drive by each completed project and telling my family that Empirehouse did that job! What an incredible feeling to see and tell the story.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
Lakewood Mausoleum – This project has so much meaning to me. Not only did this job allow us to collaborate with a partner from the beginning, but also show them that we could be so much more valuable on a project from the beginning to the end. It is also where our founders John and Betty are placed to rest, in a way, it was like they were watching over us! Kind of cool!
Trent Johnson
Chief Operations Officer
What’s your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
My favorite part is the familiarity and forming lasting relationships that extend outside the business.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
I enjoy the pre-planning – being presented with a challenge and developing a solution to overcome it.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
Since October of 1996, when my dad brought me into help push vinyl over MEA week when I was in eighth grade. I started full-time in the field when I turned 18.
Jake Reining
Operation Manager
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Construction is about building. I’ve always had an interest in constructing something with my hands. Once the project is done, it’s nice to see how the dream metamorphosed into reality.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
American Swedish Institute it was challenging and had a custom curtainwall. Everything was designed, fabrication, and installed by Empirehouse. It also had a lot of old history that I enjoyed about the job.
How did you get into the construction Industry?
I have always enjoyed working with my hands, I dabbled in home construction during college part-time. I always have been someone who likes to build and work with my hands and it seems I always find my way back to this industry. My family introduced me to the industry and I never left.
Joe Veit
Virtual Design Coordinator
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Implementation of new technologies and seeing how it influences the construction processes and the final product.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Initially it was to be an Architect.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Preconstruction/Virtual Design & Construction Coordination
Jason Weld
Director of Project Management
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Every day brings on a new challenge that keeps me on my toes.
What’s your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
Just as you wrote – it’s a family! We are not cogs in a corporate machine. We are a family!
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
The final product; knowing all the hard work from so many different team members paid off. People admire the work we do, but they often don’t know what it takes to get it to that point.
Hannah Wicker
Project Manager
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
University of St. Thomas STEAM and Mayo Clinic.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Building a relationship with different trades, general contractors, and vendors as well as the camaraderie it takes to complete a project.
How did you get into the construction Industry?
While my background was in non-profits, my specialty was processes, procedures, and efficiencies. My favorite part of working was when I had a few projects going at once. I saw this as an opportunity to use my expertise and learn about an industry that many of my extended family members were involved in.
Leslie Johnson
Sales Manager
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
1919 University, TI Entrance, Crossview Lutheran Church, Dunwoody
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Estimating – I enjoy digging into the plans and putting the puzzle together
What your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
Empirehouse is more like a family than a corporation. You matter, your voice matters and you feel valued.
Mark Waggoner
Senior Project Manager
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Building what architects dream up and filling in the blanks when it comes to the detail in our scope of work.
How did you get into the construction Industry?
My Father, we have worked together on and off for 18 years.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
15 years.
Dan Weis
Farmer
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Being physically active every day, and working with my hands. Seeing something solid built at the end of the day.
What’s your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
The teamwork and collaborative efforts.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
They have all been fun and educational in their own way. There are no two projects alike. They all pose some type of challenge that drives us to do better. Adapting and overcoming new challenges through innovation and teamwork is what puts us above and beyond the competition.
Clayton Gripp
Engineering Manager
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
The fact that we create something from scratch and can see the final product of our designs and projects. Going from design to construction and being able to see what has been created and how our hard work has paid off is probably the most rewarding part of the job for me.
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
For me personally it’s the design assist process when needed. Helping to solve problems and helping to create and design the systems that are required for each project. That and helping to create field fixes when needed while we are out in the field constructing the project.
How did you get into the construction Industry?
I started at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a Civil Engineering degree with a Structural emphasis and was lucky enough to get a job straight out of college in the Curtain Wall field. I’ve now been working in the Curtain Wall field for 15 years and have loved every minute of it.
Tim Malin
Service Estimator
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Seeing something come together with all the different companies working together.
What your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
Everybody is always very helpful, and we are active in the community.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Either a football player or race car driver
David Bringle
Shop Superintendent
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
With many working parts on every project, problems inevitably arise, and I get to come up with creative solutions to solve them.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
The MOA expansion and office tower back in 2014 was my first big job and I get to see that work every time I visit the mall.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
Many of my coworkers aren’t just coworkers, but friends outside of work. These relationships were founded at Empirehouse working alongside each other every workday.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Every project has something new and interesting that I get to figure out and implement.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
First as a part-time worker in the summer, full time in the field to full time in our shop, I’ve collectively been with Empirehouse inc. for over 15 years.
How did you get into the construction industry?
Empirehouse and construction in general has been a part of my family for my entire life with my father working here his entire career.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up I wanted to build intricate and interesting things regardless of what specific profession that brought me to.
Matt Barland
Project Manager
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
Working thru problems and challenges onsite with other trades and general contractors.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
10 west end. Was my first big install project for Empirehouse.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
The pre-planning that takes place on our projects. Thinking outside of the norm to complete projects.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Seeing the finish product. Knowing all the hard work that our team puts in to one project.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
4 ½ years
How did you get into the construction industry?
My family has been in the industry for a very long time. I knew I wanted to follow in those footsteps.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I knew I wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps. Which was become a Glazier.
Justin Campana
Sales/Estimating
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
My favorite part of the construction process is both ends of the project lifespan – bidding and completion. I love getting into the beginning bidding phase of a project, seeing the design of each project and working on how to price each one competitively. I also love being able to see completed projects around the Twin Cities Metro.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
Bidding the Mystic Lake Hop House project. The design of the project includes a vast array of different products to create a modern, industrial space.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
The close-knit relationships with colleagues. I enjoy being able to work independently white being able to collaborate as necessary.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Witnessing the building sciences evolve. Every year performance and code requirements become more stringent and new products, systems, & processes are implemented to satisfy these new requirements.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
I began working at Empirehouse in September 2024.
How did you get into the construction industry?
I studied Architecture in college and enjoyed the design side of the industry but have always been interested in the construction side. I started working in glass & glazing out of college and love the technical & aesthetic aspects of how glazing can impact a building’s design.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A professional hockey player, but learned quickly that I should pursue other endeavors.
Max Berry
Project Manager
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
I personally enjoy picking through the project. Finding the correct product lines and look the design team is trying to accomplish. Working together as a team to provide the best product from start to finish that in turn accomplish the vision of the overall design.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
Having not been at Empirehouse very long and have yet to have many projects under my belt here. I can say that I chose Empirehouse based on the people working here and the opportunity to continue to build state of the art projects.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
The teamwork and the atmosphere. Everyone here is pitching in and has the same goal. People here look for reasons to help when and where they can. Every person here is trying to help the person beside them be successful. It’s a good feeling knowing you all have the same goal and can have a open conversation about what is best for us to succeed.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
Personally, I enjoy seeing something from conception to finished product. I love to see something on paper that makes you say “Wow, that’s neat” and actually make that design come to physical form.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
Two Months.
How did you get into the construction industry?
I am a second-generation glazier. My father was in the glazing industry as well. My family is still in the glazing industry and owns and operates a glazing company in Southern Missouri.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Honestly…I don’t think I though about anything more than playing sports. Baseball or Football mainly. That was all I did growing up was go outside and play some sort of sport. Now, I just hope I can stand up without my knees making a weird sound. HAHA
Mark Blough
Sales/Estimating
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
The face to face interaction with the client. Getting to know them, getting to know each individual project, and being able to deliver a quality product.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
TBD. I’ll update this one in the next month or so.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
The atmosphere and core values. The Great Company, Great People, Great Results is proving to right on the money. Empirehouse truly has a plan in place so everyone around them can succeed.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
I love the front end sales and estimating part. Getting to work on the start of the project and drive it towards success with the right systems, product lines, budgets, and teams in place is a very rewarding part of what we do.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
I’ve worked with Empirehouse for several years now but only recently joined the estimating and sales team in September of 2024.
How did you get into the construction industry?
I am third generation in the glass and glazing industry. I’ve been around glass nearly my entire life, working for either my grandfather or father at their various businesses. When I graduated college in 2009, it was a natural fit to join the office in an estimating and sales role. Since that time, I’ve bounced around to various estimating, project management, and branch manager roles but ultimately came back to my true passion in estimating.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Once my fighter pilot dreams were dashed when I learned I would need glasses at an early age, I shifted gears to wanting to become an architect to design buildings. The pull to help family and continue my career in glass has led me to the over 15 years estimating experience that I carry with me today.
Cory Eyanson
Service Manager
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
My favorite part of the construction process is being able to connect with my team members on every level.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
My favorite project that I have been involved with would have to be the (RE_BUILD MINNEAPOLIS) which was a project that we did on west lake street installing new storefronts that were damaged in the riots, which is also my favorite part of working in the construction industry is being able to help rebuild the communities.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
I have been employed at empirehouse for almost 5 years and the company and family environment that they provide is very welcoming and I am truly blessed to be a part of it all.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I have been in the construction industry for a total of twenty years, I was young and needed a job, and a family friend that worked as a secretary for a small glazing company put in a good word for me and I have been a glazier ever since, Although I wanted to be a DNR officer when I grew up.
Jeremy Baker
Safety Coordinator
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
My favorite part of the construction process is the installation of glass because it makes everything feel more complete and is generally a main focal point both on the exterior and interior of buildings.
What has been your favorite project you have worked on so far in your career at Empirehouse?
My favorite project that I have worked on in my career at Empirehouse would have to be the Marshfield Medical and Cancer Center in Eau Claire Wisconsin. It was the first project I was on as an employee of Empirehouse. It was rewarding for me knowing that I was part of a project that in the end would be able to help people. Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis Minnesota is also another favorite because it was special to me that I was part of the rebuild due to the unfortunate event that took place.
What is your favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family?
My favorite part of being in the Empirehouse family is how it is a workplace that makes me feel I can call home. Everyone is so friendly and makes you feel part of the family right from the beginning both in the office and the field.
What is your favorite part of working in the construction industry?
My favorite part of working in the construction industry is being part of the process of building development. Being able to show & tell my friends and family about the process start to finish.
How long have you worked at Empirehouse?
I have worked at Empirehouse since June of 2017. I have worked my way up to a Journeyperson glazier, now I am the Safety Coordinator which I started in January of 2024.
How did you get into the construction industry?
The way I got into the construction industry was my uncle who was a glazier with Empirehouse at the time mentioned to me they were looking to bring on people as Industrial workers, who could then receive an apprenticeship based on performance, after completing school and hours then I would qualify as a Journeyperson. At the time I did not have any background in construction and was not sure if it was the best fit for me, but I was willing to take the opportunity and give it my best effort. I sure am glad I took it because I would not be where I am today if I had not given it a chance.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A professional hockey player. I played for several years growing up and still love the sport.