Let’s Talk

Our Design-Build Team

janisteam group

Award-winning services begin with an exceptional team. The design-build team at S.J. Janis consists of knowledgeable, professional, experienced designers and craftspeople who strive to deliver superior results. Our team members bring years of experience to each project, ensuring that your renovation will yield unparalleled results, whether you’re remodeling a single room or reimagining your entire home. You can rely on the experts at S.J. Janis for your complete design-build services, from the initial design to the final walkthrough.

team img
Gary Sannes CR, CGR Vice President and Co-Owner

I have been owner of S.J. Janis Company, Inc., since 1984 and I receive great enjoyment and pride in helping our project management team provide our clients with a quality remodeling experience. My goal is to provide an enjoyable remodeling process while exceeding our client’s expectations. 

Although I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in the biological aspects of conservation and chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I decided my talents were served better in the home improvement industry. Learning the business from the ground up, I joined S.J. Janis as a sales representative in 1977 and became the owner and President in 1984. 

I have served on the board of directors of NARI Milwaukee (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) for 20 years and am a Past President of NARI Milwaukee chapter and the NARI Milwaukee Foundation. My hobbies are genealogy (traced family to the 1400’s), traveling with a special emphasis on the Mayan culture and civilization, golfing, and fishing. 

read bio

team img
Nick Sannes President and Co-Owner

I joined the S.J. Janis Company in February of 2014. My role is to ensure each department of the company has the resources they need for success. Besides ensuring success, I also manage customer service over a network of 1400+ past clients and make sure their homes are exceptional. 

I started with S.J. Janis in the 1990’s as an office assistant, then throughout High School and College I was in charge of demolition and assisting carpenters on our job sites. In 2005, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After college I found a marketing position with a downtown Milwaukee advertising agency marketing Broan/NuTone bath fans. For the next eight years, I progressed into a sales management role for a software company growing their direct sales and B2B channel accounts. Combining sales and marketing traits in my business approach provides me the best of both worlds. 

Outside of work I enjoy cars, new technology, and fishing. 

read bio

team img
Kelly Ament Business Manager

I joined S.J. Janis Company in July 2018. My goal is to ultimately contribute to the growth of the company by providing excellent customer service, streamlining office procedures, maintaining and managing the company’s finances, and inspiring a great work culture. 

I have over 17 years of Office Management/Bookkeeping experience in manufacturing, retail, and real estate environments. I am a proactive thinker and problem solver that is always striving to improve the details to enhance the big picture. If you ever have a concern or issue, I am happy to help! I am very passionate about what I do and love that it involves a balance of working both independently and as part of a team. My position here provides flexibility and constant opportunity for learning and growth, which I really enjoy. Ultimately, I have always chosen to work for smaller companies because I feel a better sense of “family” there. With all the time spent at work, I feel your work home is your second family. I am glad to be a part of the S.J. Janis family! 

Besides Administrative and Accounting work, I have an interest in holistic health and I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist. In my free time, I love spending time outside in nature, whether riding bikes, hiking, gardening, or kayaking. I also enjoy yoga and working on creative projects. 

read bio

team img
Joe Klein, CKBR, UDCP Director of Design

I joined the S.J. Janis Company in the spring of 2008. My role is to create the architectural drawings and designs for our clients. I work with homeowners to make sure their project meets their needs and budget. I use several different types of media to assist in visualizing the completed project. 

My skills began developing from the ground up. First, working as a mason while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture, and then for a few small firms in southeastern Wisconsin and Chicago. I consulted and designed on a variety of projects including retail shops in malls as well as residential remodeling plans. When the opportunity to work for S.J. Janis presented itself, I saw an opportunity to work for a great company. I’m excited to work with homeowners and develop plans that will make their unique project everything they want it to be. 

When I’m not working, you can find me being walked by my dogs, reading, or playing sports with friends. I also donate a good portion of my time to the Elmbrook Humane Society, where I serve as the chairperson for the annual wagfest, which is their largest fundraiser each year, and on the Board of Directors. 

read bio

team img
Sarah Rhoden Designer

I joined S.J. Janis Company in January 2019. As a designer, I value the opportunity of getting to know our clients-their needs, wants, and “wishes.” It is my pleasure to assist in the selection process, as well as planning phase 

I’ve been in the remodeling industry for 10 years in a design/sales role, with an emphasis on residential kitchens and bathrooms. I have been fiercely passionate about all things design since childhood. I decided to pursue my dream job and attended Milwaukee Area Technical College for Interior Design. Today, I use various techniques to bring plans to life. This includes using computer-aided rendering software, creating vision boards, sourcing products, specifying materials, and overall building strong relationships with my clients. I strive to inspire, be a good listener, and make the process enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my husband, Blake. Together we enjoy hiking, traveling, and trap shooting. We also have a yellow lab (Annie) who keeps up busy! Other interests include time with friends discovering local musicians, wineries, and art festivals. 

read bio

team img
Amy Petrus Design Consultant

I joined S.J. Janis Company in December 2022. My goal is to positively improve our clients’ lives by remodeling their home to function for the way they live, with finishes that represent their personality. I enjoy getting to know our clients to develop a shared vision and help them navigate the remodeling process – from conceptual ideas, to architectural designs, all the way through construction I will be your trusted advisor. I have a passion for home design and a strong business background to work through challenges, collaborate to find solutions and communicate effectively.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a business degree in Real Estate & Urban Land Economics. The first ten years of my career were in commercial real estate, developing and implementing retail real estate strategies at Kohl’s Department Stores and Marcus Investments. I pivoted my career to residential real estate in 2019 to pursue my passion of home design. I worked at a Milwaukee home builder as a New Home Sales Professional where I listened to customers to understand what they needed from their home and then advised them throughout the design, selections, and construction phases of new home building. I am excited to work with clients who love where they live, but need help to re-envision their space to function better and reflect who they are.

When I’m not working you can find me with my family – my husband and three young daughters. We love spending time in the water, swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddling boarding. My husband and I also enjoy traveling, hiking, wine-tasting and cheering on Wisconsin sports teams.

read bio

team img
Casey Carney Design Consultant

I joined S.J. Janis Company in October 2018. My role is to help clients turn their ideas for their space into reality. I enjoy understanding homeowners needs and wants to further enrich their lifestyles through remodeling. 

Throughout my life, I have taken great pride in carpentry and in college I was Shop Manager for a carpentry shop on campus. I studied architecture and renewable resource in college.  Although I graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation and Environmental Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I found a job building and designing custom cabinetry. I consulted and designed various residential projects. Since 2011, I have been designing kitchens, bathroom, basements, and additions with another small firm. When the opportunity to work for S.J. Janis presented itself, I was excited to become Design Consultant for such a great company. 

Outside of work I love spending time with my wife (Alanna), two boys (Killian and Conor), and our two huskies (Lobo and Luna). I enjoy working on my own home, when I’m not busy chasing and playing with the kids or dogs. I love spending time outside with friends, watching football, and live music. My hobbies include longboarding, playing baseball, and brewing beer. 

read bio

team img
Vincent Project Coordinator

I joined the SJ Janis Company in November 2022. My role as a project coordinator involves ensuring the entire home remodeling process stays as smooth as possible with customer satisfaction as my number one priority. Overall, my goal is to implement new systems that provide process improvement and make our company better as a whole. 

 Anything and everything real estate has always been a passion of mine. The reason I joined SJ Janis is not only because of the great reputation they have, but also because a company like theirs directly aligns with my passions and interests. Striving for process improvement and customer satisfaction is exactly what I love to do. I am going to be in a position in the office where I get exposed to all concerns from our guys out in the field so I can communicate with them, think of creative solutions, and coordinate them to the right person to get them solved. A company where I have a certain level of responsibility and feel like part of a family is exactly why I chose to work here at SJ Janis. 

 When I am not doing my job at SJ Janis, I am at home with my wife, two cats, and dog. We are a happy and loving family who are very invested in sports and love to spend quality time together fishing, traveling, trying new restaurants, and going to different events. We also own our own real estate business where we are looking to grow into several different roles like residential redevelopment, wholesaling, buying properties with creative solutions, and even some lending! 

read bio

team img
Chris Production Manager

I joined SJ Janis in June of 2023. I‘ve been in the home building industry for 29 years, starting as a rough carpenter when I was in high school. From there I opened and owned my own new home/remodeling company for 19 years.  

I draw from those years of experience when leading our Project Managers with their projects by making sure they run efficiently, on time, and within budget. Customer service and satisfaction are also a big part of my job. I found that home construction was my true passion once I started in the industry and haven’t looked back since!  

In my spare time, I’m usually running from one sporting event to another for our 3 kids. They are all very active in an array of sports, including gymnastics. They are also passionate about music and animals. In between the chaos, we try and take in any live music we can!  

During the winters, we live at the ski hills! We all love to snowboard and ski. We also have a Chocolate Labrador whose name is Ty. He is 2 years old and adores the kids!  

read bio

team img
Greg Project Manager

I started working as a carpenter right after high school and went on to running my own company for many years. I did all kinds of work from remodeling to new construction. I have been married for 37 years to my beautiful wife and we have five kids together and a pit-bull mix puppy. My wife and I enjoy traveling a road-trips together. I became a grandpa in 2019 and now have one grandchild.  

read bio

team img
Andrew Carpenter

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 2012 with a degree in education, but I found my true passion to be carpentry. I joined the S.J. Janis Company team in December of 2018 as a Carpenters Apprentice. My time at S.J Janis working with experienced carpenters has helped me learn, develop new skills, and improve my craftsmanship. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Liv. Together we like to travel and enjoy time with our dog and families. 

read bio

team img
Noah Carpenter

For me there is no better career in the world! From the time I could walk and talk I knew I wanted to be a carpenter. As a little guy, I told my mom I couldn’t go to kindergarten because, “Who was gonna go to Menards with Dad?” I also took great pride in telling people, I built the ark!” So I guess with a name like Noah, I was meant to be a carpenter! 

I am a 2016 graduate of Franklin High School where I put my energy into studying the trades and wrestling. While at Franklin High School I had the opportunity to study under an amazing instructor in constructions, Mr. Brian Deblak. Under Mr. Deblak’s guidance I was taught to take pride in my work and only deliver a quality product, both qualities of SJ Janis.  Following high school graduation, I tried my hand at an apprenticeship with a large construction company. There, I discovered that I wasn’t looking to build skyscrapers but wanted to have a personal connection on a smaller scale with both coworkers and clients, fortunately I discovered SJ Janis.  

I was lucky to join the SJ Janis team in the spring of 2020 where each and every day my skills are honed and perfected under the guidance of master carpenters. I am able to connect with clients and coworkers daily and create a quality product that we all can be proud of! 

When I am not working at SJ Janis I spend my time coaching middle wrestling in my community, fishing, traveling, camping, mountain biking and spending time with my girlfriend and family! I’m a die-hard Packer fan and have 2 cats, Crimson and Clover. I’m looking forward to a long career with SJ Janis and meeting all of your construction needs! 

read bio

team img
Beth

I joined S.J. Janis Company as a Designer/Drafter in June of 2023. I am responsible for drawing up the floorplans for our projects. I’m a dedicated designer with a passion for creating harmonious living spaces. I embarked on my journey in the remodeling industry over 7 years ago.  

Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in the art of design and sales, specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. My mission is to seamlessly blend aesthetic elegance with functional practicality, creating spaces that not only delight the eye but also enhance everyday living. As a firm believer in the transformative power of design, I am committed to collaborating closely with clients, understanding their unique visions, and translating them into reality. With each project, I strive to create environments that reflect individual personalities while optimizing usability.  

Outside of work I spend a lot of time with my husband and son. I enjoy being outdoors hanging out with family and friends.  

read bio