Completed modern JECH home with white siding, stone detailing and a landscaped front lawn

JAMES ENGLE CUSTOM HOMES

The people
behind the homes.

Founded by Jim Engle in 2000, the company builds homes throughout the Kansas City area.

OUR COMPANY

Built by a team with different strengths.

Architecture, construction, sales, selections, purchasing, accounting, and homeowner care all shape the finished home. Get to know the people doing that work.

Explore our homes

OUR TEAM

Meet the people.

Leadership

Jim Engle
Owner and President

Jim Engle

Jim has been with JECH for 26 years and serves as Owner and President.

Read more about Jim Engle

An accountant by training with a natural creative streak, Jim developed an early fascination with floor plans and architectural design. While many kids gravitated toward storybooks, he found himself captivated by room layouts and architectural details, influenced in part by growing up in a family that frequently built new homes.

Jim brings a rare combination of financial expertise and design sensibility to JECH. His attention to detail supports accuracy in budgeting and planning, while his creative problem-solving skills help navigate complex design challenges. He excels in project management, coordinating timelines and resources while working closely with clients and contractors. His passion for architecture contributes to homes that are both functional and visually compelling, while his financial discipline ensures strong value for clients.

Jim is most proud of building not just a company, but a family-oriented team, with many employees having worked together for more than a decade. He is also proud that JECH has donated over $500,000 to local charities. To Jim, JECH represents collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, he enjoys time at the lake, staying active, traveling, watching his daughter cheer, and watching his son Eli surf. He also enjoys working alongside his wife. A surprising fun fact is that he sold the rights to a song he wrote about a bad haircut, which is still used annually at a hair stylist convention. He also enjoys watch collecting.

Erin Cooper
Chief Operations Officer

Erin Cooper

Erin has been with JECH for 16 years and serves as Chief Operations Officer.

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Her entire career has been rooted in administrative and accounting roles, providing a strong foundation for operational leadership.

Erin began at JECH as a temporary part-time employee and transitioned into a key role responsible for creating many of the systems and processes the company relies on today. She brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to grasp new concepts quickly, and deep institutional knowledge.

Erin views JECH as a true family unit and is proud to be part of a team that cares deeply for employees, their families, buyers, and the community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters, watching her girls compete in sports, traveling to the lake, reading, photography, and crafting. A fun fact is that she dropped out of an anatomy class after realizing she was too squeamish to pursue a career in medicine.

Kevin Schneider
Director of Construction

Kevin Schneider

Kevin has been with JECH for 13 years and serves as Director of Construction.

Read more about Kevin Schneider

He began his construction career while in college and later framed homes after moving to Kansas City in 1988. His entry into homebuilding came in 1999 when he built a home for his family, a milestone that helped shape his long-term path in the industry.

Prior to joining JECH, Kevin owned both a framing company and a building company. He brings a steady, organized, and consistent leadership style, supported by strong communication skills. When asked about his proudest professional achievement, Kevin points to longevity and the ability to remain committed and dependable throughout his career.

Kevin feels especially fortunate to be part of a team where he can draw on both professional and life experience to train and lead the next generation at JECH. Outside of work, he values time with friends and family. His 36-year marriage and the children that came from it are his greatest accomplishments and the things he is most proud of.

Sales & design

Lauren Engle
Director of Sales

Lauren Engle

Lauren has been with JECH for two years and serves as Director of Sales.

Read more about Lauren Engle

When asked how she joined the company, she jokingly says she married into the mafia.

Before transitioning into real estate, Lauren worked as a social worker, which gave her extensive experience working with a wide range of individuals, families, and situations. She describes JECH as a company that truly feels like family, with a supportive environment both inside and outside of work.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys thrift shopping, spending time at the lake, and being with family, friends, and their three dogs.

Sarah Baird
Architect

Sarah Baird

Sarah has been with JECH for 14 years and serves as an Architect.

Read more about Sarah Baird

Her interest in architecture began early, as her mother was a realtor and she enjoyed walking through homes with her as a child. Sarah brings more than 30 years of experience in residential architecture and values being part of a team working together toward a shared goal.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, studying the Bible, and playing the piano. A favorite family story is that when she was 11 years old, she bowled a game of 247, and her family still enjoys teasing her about what life might have been like if she had become a professional bowler.

Lindsay Beckman
Director of Selections

Lindsay Beckman

Lindsay has been with JECH for seven years and serves as Director of Selections.

Read more about Lindsay Beckman

She first became familiar with JECH when her family purchased one of the company’s spec homes about 10 years ago, which gave her insight into the team and the quality of their work.

When Lindsay later sought a role that aligned with her skills while offering flexibility during the years of raising children, the opportunity felt like a natural fit. She is a relationship-driven team player with a strong eye for detail. Having built her own home, she understands the buyer experience firsthand and the support homeowners need throughout the process. She stays organized and enjoys finding ways to simplify workflows to help everything run more smoothly.

Outside of work, Lindsay’s greatest focus and joy is her family. She and her husband love chasing their kids and supporting them in all of their activities and endeavors.

Construction

Brian Standley
Senior Construction Manager

Brian Standley

Brian has been with JECH for 16 years and serves as Senior Construction Manager.

Read more about Brian Standley

He was introduced to construction through Builders Trades in high school, though he did not initially expect to build a career in the industry. He began working for a builder as a cleanup worker and steadily progressed through the ranks over time.

Brian brings nearly 30 years of experience managing new single-family home construction and is known for his strong communication with homeowners and trade partners. Over the years, JECH has felt like a second family to him, a mindset he believes extends to how both employees and homeowners are treated. He is proud to be part of that culture.

Outside of work, Brian enjoys hunting, fishing, playing golf, and spending time with his family.

Brandon Minton
Construction Manager

Brandon Minton

Brandon has construction in his DNA!

Read more about Brandon Minton

He grew up in the construction industry where his father built custom homes. He possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in many different construction fields including bridge and commercial (apartment buildings) construction as well as residential home building. Brandon played college football and now coaches his son in football and baseball. He also travels the nation to watch his daughter dance. He enjoys family activities like hiking in the Rockies, snow skiing and relaxing at a beach or lake. His special hobby (when he can find the time!) is to build furniture in his wood shop and to teach his son the craft.

Solomon Franco
Construction Manager

Solomon Franco

Solomon has been with JECH for six years and serves as a Construction Manager.

Read more about Solomon Franco

He has worked in construction in various forms throughout his life and was excited by the opportunity to continue learning all facets of the industry.

Solomon is known for his strong communication skills, leadership, and thoughtful problem-solving approach. One project he is especially proud of is a small home built in the Waldo area, which he believes was JECH’s first slab-on-grade build. The project presented many unforeseen challenges, and he takes pride in navigating those complexities without becoming overwhelmed.

To Solomon, JECH means everything. He views each day as a learning experience and believes the team grows stronger by learning from mistakes and overcoming obstacles together. Outside of work, his priorities are family, golf, and barbeque. He enjoys boating, relaxing at the lake, grilling, beach trips, camping, floating down the river, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Eric Gillenwater
Construction Manager

Eric Gillenwater

Eric has been with JECH for nearly five years and serves as a Construction Manager.

Read more about Eric Gillenwater

He previously raced BMX with the son of a JECH employee and was seeking a change from his former role when they happened to be looking to hire a Construction Manager Assistant.

Eric is detail-oriented and places a strong emphasis on building respectful relationships with both customers and trade partners. He is especially proud of building the PV model home on 71st Terrace, which was his first project completed from start to finish.

To Eric, being part of JECH means working with a great team that feels like family and striving to be the best at what they do. Outside of work, he enjoys playing beach volleyball, riding his motorcycle, watching motorsports, attending car shows, and tinkering with anything that has a motor. He is also proud of winning his first beach volleyball tournament.

Shane Evans
Construction Manager

Shane Evans

Shane has been with JECH for five years and serves as a Construction Manager.

Read more about Shane Evans

He joined the company after being connected for an interview and quickly found a home with the JECH team.

Shane’s path into construction started early. As a kid, he spent weekends following his dad around job sites, learning more than he realized at the time. Right after high school, he secured his first full-time role as a field blaster in Kansas, becoming fully credentialed in demanding, high-responsibility work. He later managed fleet and facilities for Overland Charter, but eventually realized he wanted a career that allowed him to build something lasting without living on the road.

At just 29, Shane brings more than 13 years of hands-on experience across multiple industries. He prides himself on being a true jack-of-all-trades and is driven by a constant desire to learn, improve, and solve problems.

One professional achievement he is especially proud of is managing the teardown and rebuild at 5111 W. 72nd Terrace in Prairie Village. It was his first project completed from start to finish and challenged him to apply everything he had learned.

To Shane, being part of JECH means working with a team that feels like family and contributing to something bigger than any one person. He values the relationships built along the way and takes pride in helping create homes that matter.

Family is everything to Shane. Outside of work, his greatest accomplishment is being a father. People are often surprised to learn how rugged and hands-on his background is, as he jokes that he “doesn’t exactly look the part.” Others are surprised by how much life experience he has packed in at a young age.

In his free time, which is limited with two young daughters, Shane focuses on being present and making memories. He enjoys car shows, getting outdoors, riding four-wheelers, and spending time together as a family. With a growing household, he can easily see a boat in their future. At heart, Shane is a fun-loving dad who makes the most of every moment.

Jordan Lewis
Senior Construction Manager Assistant

Jordan Lewis

Jordan has been with JECH for two years and serves as a Senior Construction Manager Assistant.

Read more about Jordan Lewis

He was introduced to the opportunity through Eric Gillenwater and joined the team bringing roughly seven years of prior management experience.

To Jordan, JECH represents a group of people who take pride not only in the finished product, but in the process, it takes to get there. Being surrounded by teammates who care deeply about quality and accountability motivates him to continually improve and bring his best effort to the job each day.

Outside of work, Jordan enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and playing sports. A lesser-known fact is that he previously competed as a semi-professional Rainbow Six Siege player. These days, much of his free time is spent on the sand volleyball court.

Eli Engle
Construction Manager Assistant

Eli Engle

Eli has been with JECH for four years, including time mowing lawns, one year seasonally as a Construction Manager Assistant, and two years seasonally as a Field Support Technician.

Read more about Eli Engle

He began with the company after Jim and another coworker at JECH gave him the opportunity to mow vacant properties, which eventually led to an open CMA position.

Eli values his ability to navigate and maintain complex working relationships within the workplace. To Eli, JECH means family and a culture where everyone helps one another succeed.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time at the lake and traveling, particularly to Turks and Caicos and the United States Virgin Islands. He is proud of ranking number one overall in Kansas City for Boy Scouts popcorn sales seven years in a row, as well as ranking in the top 50 globally in Clash Royale. A unique fact about Eli is that he raised ducks in Prairie Village named Frick and Frack. His hobbies include wakesurfing, traveling, and gaming.

Justin Sievert
Construction Manager Assistant

Justin Sievert

Justin has been with JECH since late September 2025 and serves as a Construction Manager Assistant.

Read more about Justin Sievert

With an academic background in finance and a strong interest in real estate, he was drawn to a role that allowed him to work more hands-on while developing skills applicable to long-term real estate and management opportunities.

Justin brings a highly organized, communication-focused approach shaped by his corporate and finance experience. He places a strong emphasis on clear, proactive communication with stakeholders and team members alike. Early in his time at JECH, he noticed how much the company values its people and prioritizes work-life balance, something he greatly appreciates in the leadership team.

Outside of work, Justin has a strong love for country music and taught himself to play guitar during the Covid quarantine so he could sing and play his favorite songs. Despite his polished professional appearance, he was raised in rural Kansas, grew up raising small animals, and was active in FFA, including winning the state Milk Quality and Products competition. He stays active through strength training, basketball, golf, and tennis, and enjoys reading philosophy, theology, and psychology. While he generally lives by a less-is-more mindset, he also enjoys collecting fragrances and watches, including a vintage Hamilton from 1942.

Michael Danner
Construction Manager Assistant

Michael Danner

Michael has been with JECH for two months and serves as a Construction Manager Assistant.

Read more about Michael Danner

He began exploring construction by researching the field and taking opportunities as they arose, drawn to the hands-on nature of the work.

While still building experience, Michael brings strong motivation, dependability, and a genuine eagerness to learn. He takes pride in showing up each day ready to work and grow. One professional accomplishment he is proud of is earning Employee of the Month at a FedEx warehouse, a reflection of his work ethic and reliability.

To Michael, being part of the JECH team means coming to work every day with a positive attitude and making the most of the opportunity in front of him.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time outdoors and is especially proud of becoming a father. People are often surprised to learn that he has three amazing kids and a beautiful wife. His hobbies include building RC trucks, spending time on trails, and focusing on what matters most to him: his family.

Jessica White
Construction Manager Assistant

Jessica White

Jessica joined JECH as a Construction Manager Assistant with a background in construction operations.

Read more about Jessica White

Her experience coordinating vendors, scheduling inspections, checking job sites, and tracking project details sparked her interest in custom homebuilding.

She brings strong communication, organization, and attention to detail to the team, along with an ability to stay calm and focused under pressure. Jessica values being part of a team that takes pride in its work and looks forward to helping create a great experience for homeowners.

Before entering construction, Jessica worked as a police officer. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, photography, fitness, and spending time on projects with her family. She also supports the boxing community through event photography and social media content alongside her husband, who runs a fighter management company.

Brycen Heil
Construction Manager Assistant

Brycen Heil

Brycen joined JECH as a Construction Manager Assistant after gaining hands-on experience in homebuilding and flooring while in school.

Read more about Brycen Heil

His first construction job was with a builder in Northern Colorado, where he discovered a passion for the work.

Brycen brings a strong work ethic, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accountability to the team. He also played college football at Colorado State University and applies the leadership and teamwork he learned on the field to his work today.

Outside of work, Brycen enjoys cars, exercise, hunting, fishing, football, and going to the movies. One of his proudest projects is a car he restored with his grandfather while he was in school.

Homeowner care

Peyt Carpenter
Director of Warranty Operations

Peyt Carpenter

Peyt has been with JECH for seven years and serves as Director of Warranty Operations.

Read more about Peyt Carpenter

He entered the new home industry through a progression of construction-related experience that began early in life while assisting his grandparents, who built multiple homes. As a young adult, he spent summers working in various construction roles and further developed his skills through vocational and accredited courses.

Peyt brings extensive knowledge across new and existing home construction, repairs, sales, management, customer service, and property management. He has a strong eye for cosmetic details developed through years on job sites and contributes expertise in code compliance, plumbing, and landscaping and horticulture.

Outside of work, Peyt is proud to have coached his daughter’s first volleyball team. He also enjoys woodworking, spending time with family and friends, and collecting Hot Wheels.

Dan Dewitt
Warranty Manager

Dan Dewitt

Dan has been with JECH for five years and serves as Warranty Manager.

Read more about Dan Dewitt

After spending 20 years in banking, he was ready for a significant career change and gravitated toward the construction industry, which had long appealed to him. A mutual connection introduced him to JECH leadership in 2020, and that conversation ultimately led him to join the team. His only regret is not making the transition sooner.

Dan enjoys the variety of his role and values that no two days are ever the same. He finds working directly with homeowners especially rewarding and believes strong communication skills and close attention to detail are essential to success in his position.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife of 30 years and their 19-year-old son. He often spends weekends tinkering in the garage or working on projects around the house. He also enjoys snow skiing in the winter and mountain biking when the weather is warmer.

Business support

Tina Stuart
Controller

Tina Stuart

Tina began working in the home building industry in 2018.

Read more about Tina Stuart

At that time, she also transitioned into the accounting field from the auditing industry, where she gained exposure to many different industries. Her background in auditing has proven invaluable in preparing Tina for the construction industry, where proficiency in multi-tasking, communication, planning and process execution is critical.

Tina’s blend of experiences results in a natural curiosity about the various components necessary for success in the industry. She likes the combination of cyclical and atypical tasks that come with handling the finances in an every-changing housing market.

Outside of work, Tina claims pro-level status as a sports fan to her kids and the many teams they have competed on over the years. She and her husband, Justin, have been blessed with three kids and love spending time with their family, friends and church community.

Amy Brown
Purchasing Manager

Amy Brown

Amy has been with JECH for eight months and serves as Purchasing Manager.

Read more about Amy Brown

Her interest in the industry began early, growing up around constant home projects led by her father, including a full home addition that sparked her curiosity. That early exposure led her to Kansas State University, where she studied Interior Design.

Following college, Amy built her career in residential design and remodeling before transitioning into new home construction in 2020. She brings approximately eight years of experience in residential remodeling and nearly six years in new construction. Throughout that time, she has been involved in a wide range of responsibilities, including homeowner selections, job selection sheets, floor plans, change orders, purchasing, and detailed problem-solving both on and off the job site.

Amy is also a certified yoga instructor. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids, tackling DIY projects with her husband, and visiting estate sales in search of unique finds and hidden treasures.

Janessa Hazel
Accounts Payable Specialist

Janessa Hazel

Janessa has been with JECH for two years and works in Accounts Payable.

Read more about Janessa Hazel

Her first office role was as a dispatcher for copier technicians. After learning more about the accounting department and expressing strong interest, a position was created for her. During her five years there, she held several roles, with her favorite and longest-running position focused on purchasing and payables.

Janessa brings an extensive accounting background that allows her to manage a wide range of scenarios, work effectively under pressure, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. She previously received Employee of the Year recognition after just six months at a prior employer; an achievement she remains proud of.

When traveling, Janessa makes an effort to learn as much of the local language as possible as a way to show respect. Her greatest passion outside of work is travel. She has visited many countries and experienced diverse cultures, with Japan being her favorite destination after three visits. She deeply appreciates Japanese culture and the mutual respect reflected in its society.

Davis Engle
Technology Manager

Davis Engle

Davis works across JECH’s website, automation, and internal systems, connecting field experience with tools that make the team’s work clearer and more efficient.

Read more about Davis Engle

Before moving into this role, he worked as a Construction Manager Assistant. His background includes neuroscience, entrepreneurship, process design, and technology-driven problem solving.

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