Our Design + Construct Team
Our Mission
We are Wilbur Design + Construct and we love residential construction. Specializing in design-build and maintaining strong core values, our knowledgeable and experienced staff will assist in every step of your dream project, ensuring that our work is our best work each and every time.
Wilbur Jennings
Owner
Wilbur is a construction professional with a degree in construction management and a minor in business from Northern Michigan University. His passion for building began as a teenager working on remodeling projects for his grandfather's rental company.
With 25 years of industry experience, including a decade in remodeling, Wilbur started his career as a project engineer with a large commercial construction company. This experience across various states, from Texas to North Dakota, has equipped him with the skills to run a construction business efficiently.
Raised in the Upper Peninsula, Wilbur is driven by a desire to serve people and help turn their dreams into reality. His commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction sets him apart in the industry.
Amy Jennings
Principal Designer
A seasoned space planner and interior designer with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Growing up in North Dakota with a passion for architecture, she earned a degree in construction management, grounding her design expertise in a solid understanding of structural integrity. Amy’s approach to interiors respects each home’s unique form, balancing flow, light, and character to create spaces that resonate with warmth and functionality.
Her Scandinavian heritage shines through in her minimalist yet inviting aesthetic, infused with touches of whimsy that bring joy to each project. Rooted in nature, Amy’s designs are timeless, livable, and adaptable for family life. She is dedicated to listening deeply to her clients, ensuring they feel truly seen and empowered to live in spaces that reflect their essence and support their lifestyle.
Our Commitment
Integrity
We establish trust by listening to our clients, thoroughly explaining how we work, giving honest feedback, and making collaborative decisions that are respectful of our clients’ best interests.
Quality
Our processes combine creative solutions to complex problems with the best materials to yield superior craftsmanship.
Safety
We mitigate worksite hazards by maintaining the safest work environment possible through continued education, employee training, and implementing best practices on the job.
Relationships
We build strong connections with our clients, subcontractors, and suppliers through attentive listening, timely responses, and open communication.
Experience
Our unique design renovation process offers our clients a seamless renovation from initial consultation to project completion, with the ultimate goal of client satisfaction.
Nick Rousseau
Project Manager
Born in Mount Pleasant and raised in Munising, Nick brings over a decade of experience in the trades to his role as project manager. Skilled in custom tile work, trim carpentry, framing, roofing, siding, and cabinetry, he is committed to quality craftsmanship. His construction journey began at age seven, helping his father build their family home, later strengthened by years in the field and leadership experience as a combat engineer in the Army, where he quickly advanced and earned numerous awards for his contributions.
Nick values trust, collaboration, and strong communication, ensuring seamless teamwork with vendors, clients, and subcontractors. Having grown with Wilbur and Amy for nearly seven years, he takes pride in fostering growth and excellence within the organization, ensuring that hard work and dedication remain at the forefront of every project.
Jake Leestma
Estimator + Drafter
Jake serves as the central hub for our field crew, office staff, and clients, ensuring seamless communication and problem solving. A Ferris State University graduate with a double major in sustainable design and facility management, he brings expertise in architectural technology and process efficiency.
With over three years managing large-scale projects for Collier County Government and GM production sites, plus six years of hands-on residential construction, Jake excels in everything from framing homes to designing intricate decks and staircases. Proficient in SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop, he creates detailed, innovative plans. Dedicated to continuous learning, he stays ahead of new materials and techniques to uphold the highest quality standards.
Jared Manier
Foreman
With over eight years in construction, remodeling, and structural repair, Jared is a dedicated foreman known for his meticulous craftsmanship and problem-solving skills. He specializes in transforming spaces, from revitalizing outdated structures to building new additions, ensuring quality and precision in every project. Committed to client satisfaction, Jared values strong relationships and proactive planning to align each phase with the final vision. Outside of his professional role, Jared often volunteers his time and skills to help those in need, using his expertise to give back to his community.
Mathew Monroe
Foreman
With eight years of construction and foreman experience, Mathew Monroe is a key member of Wilbur Design + Construct, specializing in residential and historic home projects. As a foreman, Mathew ensures smooth operations on the job site, skillfully addressing client needs and adapting to challenges with a hands-on approach. His expertise in both modern and traditional building techniques, coupled with his critical thinking and problem-solving skills, keeps projects on track and maintains high standards for quality. Mathew’s strengths in jobsite supervision, customer service, and project communication have earned him a reputation for reliability and exceptional workmanship.
Nate Gerhold
Carpenter
With over a decade in the trades, Nate is a highly skilled carpenter specializing in rough framing and trim work. Renowned for his precision and dedication to quality, he takes pride in transforming client visions into beautifully crafted spaces. His expertise extends to intricate joinery, custom woodwork, and detailed finish carpentry, including molding, cabinetry, and built-ins. With a keen eye for design and structural integrity, he ensures every element is both functional and expertly crafted. His attention to detail consistently exceeds expectations, bringing durability and artistry to every project.
“
After purchasing our house in Marquette, I wanted to find a construction company I could trust so I started to research reviews and ratings for companies. Wilbur Construction consistently had good reviews and favorable business ratings. My realtor was also aware of Wilbur Construction and recommended them plus I liked examples of their work featured on their website. Amy and Wilbur made the design process easy. Both of them take the time to listen to what you want, assess what's feasible and come up with a reasonable plan. It was reassuring to go through the process of having them ask all kinds of design questions I had never considered but should have! Amy also asked me to create a Pinterest board with examples of things I like and to share that with her so I felt very confident that they would do everything they could to work within my style and preferences. Construction was very organized with a timeline of what was happening and expected deadlines. Throughout the entire process they provided pictures of their progress and a bullet list of daily accomplishments on an app. This was extremely useful to us because we were out of town for a large part of our bathroom remodels. Our furnace even went out in January and Wilbur coordinated everything concerning the repair even though this had nothing to do with the project. Wilbur, Amy, and Nick were all very responsive to any questions we had and always got back to us in a timely manner. Everyone was a dream to work with and I wouldn't hesitate to call them again for future work. I couldn't be happier with both of our bathroom remodels and a few other home repairs that they have done. I feel like when I first made the phone call to Wilbur Construction that I hit the jackpot with contractors.
Elizabeth Benam + Toby Sprunk