about us
Our clients are able to select a lot, floor plan, and finishes that keep the process budget-friendly and stress-free. For clients who come to us looking to be more involved in the building process, GBH offers the ability to design your own floor plan and customize the details of your dream home! Our team of professionals focus on communication, use quality products, cutting edge designs and styles, and offer reliable and fair warranty services.
Ground Breaker Homes is a sister company to Diligent Development Group. Diligent has assembled and developed a variety of single family and multifamily subdivisions throughout Central Iowa. This partnership allows GBH to collaborate with Diligent to identify lots before they are available to the marketplace.
As part of our strategic business plan, we are actively working with communities to spur rural homebuilding. GBH has collaborated on rural housing projects with cities such as Newton and Chariton in central Iowa. This strategy of collaboration has been key for rural communities with strong housing needs and has increased our overall portfolio of builds. Ground Breaker Homes has secured many specialty projects including building architecturally intriguing homes in an ‘agrihood’ community in Cumming, Iowa. We take pride in finding niches such as these. By providing quality designs, we help homeowners see that Iowa is a great place to reside.
With six full-time staff, GBH offers a positive and exciting work environment. We are fully engaged with the customer experience and find joy making houses into homes. Our staff works closely with, not only our clients, but with various contractors and building professionals from across the state. We pride ourselves in having strong, healthy working relationships with the many important technical and artistic professionals that are involved in the home building process.
Jay Downing
Jay Downing is the Project Manager at Ground Breaker Homes. His role is crucial to the day-to-day happenings on each job site. Jay’s experience, knowledge, and personable demeanor are key to overseeing all the pieces to building a home. Jay also works with build-to-order clients to walk them through the building process. Prior to employment with GBH, Jay worked as a remodeler for many years.
Keaton Dreher
Keaton Dreher enhances Ground Breaker Homes with his construction background. Keaton grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa, and then attended the University of Northern Iowa. Keaton started with Ground Breaker Homes in the spring of 2013. Together, Keaton and Kalen have created a team relationship that is focused on delivering innovative solutions to their clients. Keaton is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Iowa.
Katie Long
Katie Long is an exceptionally creative professional with years of experience in interior design and new builds. Having a passion for interior design is truly what makes her tick, which is why she will be responsible for planning and guiding clients through each phase of the design process.
Kalen Ludwig
Kalen Ludwig is able to use her new construction passion as she walks clients through the building process. She is great at listening to buyers' needs and helping them find the perfect lot/building site, choosing a floor plan, and assisting in selections for their specific style. Keeping the marketplace up to date with her quarterly new construction and housing statistics/blog is a focal point of her business. After earning a Marketing and Real Estate degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Kalen joined Peoples Company in January 2005 and Ground Breaker Homes in 2010. She keeps up to date with building practices and styles by being a member of the Executive Board for the Des Moines Home Builders Association. Kalen is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Iowa.
Becky Rozenboom
Becky Rozenboom oversees day-to-day operations for Ground Breaker Homes. Her Vice President role in Ground Breaker Homes includes managing the bidding process and budgets for each project, review monthly financials, communicates with the on-site project manager and sales team, and addresses post-construction communication and warranty work with homeowners.
Vision
Bringing professionalism and processes to the building industry by delivering a high-quality product consistently.
Mission
Building a cohesive network of vendors and subcontractors who focus on details, style, and craftsmanship.
Values
Committed to enthusiasm, accountability, communication, relationships, and follow through.