Cornerstone Timberframes

Our Team

Office Team

Tanya Bachmeier
Chief Executive Officer

Tanya grew up in a family involved in almost every aspect of construction. In 2000, she graduated and went straight to work, helping her father and uncle run Cornerstone’s office. In her early years, she handled bookkeeping and gained mastery of 3D design software. As customers asked how they should best protect their timbers, Tanya started by providing advice, but soon found herself staining client frames in the shop after hours. And she hasn’t looked back, annually assisting scores of clients with colour choices and directing a large, professional finishing shop. Tanya along with husband Nevin, purchased Cornerstone in 2015. They have two children.

Personal notes:

  • Plays hockey for fun and fitness.
  • Enjoys splitting wood for her home’s fireplace.
  • Always has a furniture or finishing project on the go.
Jake Howe
Director of Commercial Sales

Jake was born and raised in Toronto where he first gained interest in construction, working for a residential General contracting company he was curious about many trades. He went to trades college and became certified as a Gas Technician. After exposure to large commercial construction projects, he went back to get his C.E.T. designation from Red River College. Jake worked for one of the largest General Contactors in North America where he was first introduced to Mass Timber and decided that this progressing construction methodology was the way of the future. He joined Cornerstone Timberframes in September of 2023 and was tasked with expanding the Commercial Construction portion of the business.

Personal notes:

  • Is an avid fisherman and has caught 49 species across 3 continents.
  • May be found talking to his TV during a hockey game.
  • He and his wife love the outdoors, whether its gardening or hiking they are often outside with their two dogs.
Michael Pankratz
Vice President

Michael grew up in Winnipeg and studied Architecture at the University of Manitoba. Following school, he spent two years in commercial and residential construction, gaining valuable insight into project management and effective problem solving. Michael’s favourite part of his job is creating personal connection with clients and helping them achieve their visions. Since joining Cornerstone in 2015, he has helped hundreds of clients complete projects big and small with custom timber designs and visualizations.

Personal notes:

  • Enjoys sports, both as a player and a fan (our March Madness expert).
  • Always ready for DIY work, especially home renovations and yard improvements.
  • Loves a Saturday morning coffee with a good read.
Maison Smith
Designer

Maison is a Certified Engineering Technologist having graduated from Red River Polytech in 2020. Her work at Cornerstone covers the full spectrum of residential timber design including unique entryways, outdoor structures and full timber homes and cottages. An area of specialty: creating photo-realistic renders to help clients see how their home or cottage will look with furniture, lighting, and finishes.

Personal notes:

  • Can be found kayaking – year-round, wherever open water can be found.
  • Enjoys creating art in many forms, from murals to costumes.
  • Cornerstone’s green thumb, regularly rescuing office plants from certain death.
Michael Bergen
Designer

Michael studied Architectural Technology & Engineering at Red River College and received his diploma in 2019. One of his favorite job assignments is studying and creating excellent technical details that will satisfy engineers, architects, builders, and clients. He is also Cornerstone’s machine language expert, translating timber designs into files that can be read by our two CNC joinery machines.

Personal notes:

  • A movie critic and a certified night owl.
  • Enjoys keeping up with the latest tech news.
  • Always up for exploring new food / coffee places

Sales & Site Management

Dennis Sullivan
US Sales Manager

Born and raised in southeast Michigan, Dennis ventured into the world of construction early on. Managing installed sales at a national building supply company honed his skills. Intrigued by traditional craftsmanship, he learned hand-cutting timber at a small company before embracing modern methods with CNC technology. Evolving into a project manager, he founded his own timber/ SIP installation company. 

Personal notes:

  • Off-duty, you’ll find him cheering for baseball and football.
  • Dennis enjoys unwinding by the lake, or exploring new destinations with his wife.
Veronica English
Residential Sales- U.S.

Veronica grew up in a small town near Ottawa, Ontario, with a big family. After obtaining her teaching degree at the University of Ottawa, she taught K-10 before moving to Winnipeg with her young family. Veronica enjoys the variety in her work—building relationships with clients, expanding her industry knowledge, and, her favourite, applying math in the real world! Since joining Cornerstone, she’s found her niche: helping US clients bring their visions to life with custom timber frame designs.

Personal notes:

  • She can be found cheering loudly at her kids’ activities
  • Stays active by running, spinning, or playing slow-pitch
  • Race director for the locally famous 5km Kleefeld Honey Run.
Candice Dyck
Residential Sales-Canada

Candice grew up in Steinbach, as a proud member of the Red River Metis Nation and has a large local network of friends and family.  She is happiest in her work when there’s an opportunity for personal connection and understanding. Both colleagues and clients appreciate her sense of fun, keen listening skills and gentle wit.  Her love of people, their experiences, and insights, made her a natural for working with clients. With over ten years experience in sales and customer support she’s a great addition to the Cornerstone Team. 

Personal notes:

  • Enjoys sports and avidly cheers on the Steinbach Pistons hockey team and the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Active and full of energy, Candice teaches spin classes (when many of us are still sleeping)
  • Loves reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and dog “Piper”.

Production Team

Doug Kehler
Logistics & Finishing
Manager

Doug loves building things and the positive feelings that come through being highly productive. For 16 years he ran his own business in concrete forming and carpentry.  In 2019 he came to work for Cornerstone where his people skills in directing site crews prepared him well for running a large finishing shop and keeping trucks with timber rolling. 

Personal notes:

  • He loves spending time on the lake and fishing with his partner.
  • He enjoys watching his children grow and attending their games and events.
  • Helping friends with projects and building furniture on weekends.
Zoey Penner
Timber Frame Lead

It’s a beautiful thing when a person finds their passion in their daily work. Zoey started with Cornerstone in our finishing shop, learning the art of matching colours and staining timber.  At an annual review, she mentioned she would like to have a try at cutting joinery.  She soon impressed our veteran carpenters with her gift for hands-on learning – picking up complex cutting processes by seeing it done and then practicing it right after. Now, as an energetic and gracious leader for our joinery shop, she inspires her co-workers to be their best. 

Personal notes:

  • Her love of woodworking is likely inherited from her great-grandpa. She uses his hand planes in her work and has learned to spin yarn on a spinning wheel he built.
  • Loves being outside, spending time with dog Maisie and horse Dusty.
  • A self-taught hobbyist, always looking to add new skills (right now: leather work).
Jon Giesbrecht
Production Manager

Following high school Jon worked in residential carpentry and was exposed to every facet of homebuilding.  He came to Cornerstone in early 1999 and was soon recognized for his skill working at height and his competence in laying out and cutting complex joinery. In 2006 he took a year long sabbatical to work at a renowned timber frame company in Scotland. Upon his return he became the lead of our layout department and in 2015 was promoted to shop manager.  Jon’s encyclopedic knowledge of timber framing is applied everyday in his role as mentor to Cornerstone’s designers and carpenters. 

Personal notes:

  • Enjoys running, biking, being active outdoors.
  • Loves to travel and learn about history
  • Always working on or planning the next home project.

Let's Start the Conversation

At Cornerstone, our top priority is always to ensure we are a good fit with each and every one of our clients. Book a consult to learn about the Cornerstone advantage today.

1.866.326.4456

Contact

1.866.326.4456
info@cstf.ca

Head Office

11 Main Street – Unit D
Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0 Canada

Canada (Mail)

Unit 3-20 Brandt Street, Suite 150 Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y2 Canada

USA (Mail)

4737 County 101 #235
Minnetonka, MN 55345 USA

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