Meet The Team

Jennifer Hansen

Co-Owner, President, Project Estimator

Jennifer’s love for building began early in life, when she realized she would rather construct miniature sets for her toys than role play with them. While earning her BFA in painting from the University of Illinois, she found herself gravitating towards 3-D installation art and subsequently fell in love with how materials, high quality craftsmanship and intention can powerfully transform a space.  When given the opportunity to learn carpentry in a women-owned construction company, Jennifer saw a unique chance to apply her education in a very tangible way, while learning an exciting and new set of skills.

Although primarily working as a Project Estimator now, she still enjoys designing spaces, helping friends with their construction projects and working on her own never-ending list of home improvements. Whenever possible, she spends time with family and friends, cycling, hiking, gardening, and just enjoying the present moment for what it is.

Mark Ritten

Co-Owner, Project Estimator, Lead Carpenter

Mark has lived in the Champaign-Urbana area most of his life. Mark got his start in the construction field at the ripe old age of 12, when he started helping neighbors with their building projects, be it adding a garage or roofing their house.

He spent two years in the construction program at Parkland College before transferring to Bradley University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction. Mark started working for New Prairie in 2007. He likes learning about new products and techniques in the construction industry.

Erik Paulson

Co-Owner, Construction Operations Manager, Lead Carpenter

Erik holds an Associate’s degree from Parkland College in Construction Design and Management. He began working as a carpenter in 1992, building new homes and remodeling an 1870 Victorian. He also has training and experience in CAD drafting.

Erik began working for New Prairie in 2003. While working at New Prairie, he has broadened his carpentry skills to include straw bale building and timber framing.

Erik owns a small farm, and enjoys cooking, furniture making, and sculpture. He also follows auto sports, with an interest in open wheel racing.

Barrie Bredemeier

Co-Owner, Lead Carpenter

A native of New England, Barrie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York State College of Ceramics in 1981. In 1983 he came to C-U for his Master of Fine Arts in glass sculpture. He designed, built, and ran the glass department for editions in cast paper for Frank Gallo. During this time, he also started Glass Lake Studio, producing decorative and functional blown glass. For the past twenty years, he was been selling his work through art fairs, galleries, shows, and commissions, offering workshops and lessons, and winning numerous awards.

In March of 2010 he started working for New Prairie. As part of his continuing education, Barrie attended a timber-framing workshop in 2014. He enjoys learning new skills in building greener living spaces, and is very interested in self-sustainable energy resources and lifestyle. He also likes to spend time fishing, hiking, camping, gardening, making bread, and sculpting hand-blown glass.

Antonio Juarez

Co-Owner, Lead Carpenter

A native of Santa Eulalia Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Antonio grew up farming with his family. In 1988 he came to Champaign seeking a better life. He soon obtained work in the trades and has continued to work as a carpenter, doing both framing and finish work. In 2006 Antonio brought his experience and sense of humor to New Prairie.

As the father of four sons, Antonio finds his spare time to be at a premium. He enjoys playing basketball and has recently taken up jogging and bicycling so he can keep up with his youngest son.

Brian Barnick

Solar Division Manager

Brian’s background is deeply rooted in the agriculture industry. While working in the ag field, Brian became interested in renewable energy, beginning with the conversion of a non-invasive, perennial, sustainable grass into biofuel. As time progressed, Brian’s interest grew to include wind and solar, so much so that his interest evolved into a business installing and servicing residential wind turbines and solar arrays. Brian joined our solar team in 2019, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the New Prairie Solar program.

In his down time, Brian also enjoys spending time with his family and in the outdoors.

Mirwais Amarkhil

Solar Install Team

Mirwais was born in Afghanistan and attended Kabul Polytechnics and Bakhtar University. From 2014-2019 he worked for the Audit Division CSTC-A RSHQ in Kabul, Afghanistan as an auditor and cultural advisor.

Mirwais came to the United States in April 21, 2019 and began to work for New Prairie in August of 2019. He can speak Pashto and Dari as well as English fluently. Mirwais is a certified NABCEP Associate and continues to further his education in the renewable energy field.

Enayatullah Azizi

Solar Install Team

Born in Afghanistan, Enayatullah graduated from Kabul Polytechnic University in Survey and Road Construction. He came to the United State in January, 2019.

With 12 years of construction experience behind him, Enayatullah joined the New Prairie Solar Team in 2021. He speaks English, Dari and Pashto, and is OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certified. Enayatullah will be a certified NABCEP Associate and continue to further his education in the renewable energy field.

Nate Becks

Solar Technical Sales and Design

Nate grew up in a northern suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture, he relocated to Champaign in May of 2020. Nate worked as a landscape designer in Bloomington and Champaign for over a year. He became more interested in the intersection of sustainability and design, leading him to join the New Prairie Solar team in August of 2021. He hopes to learn more about green energy and how it can be applied through design practices.

Nate and his partner have two dogs, a corgi and a husky/lab mix, that occupy most of their free time. They enjoy hiking and visiting different parks in the area. Nate is also passionate about plants and photography.

Nate is a certified drone pilot and a certified NABCEP Associate and continues to further his education in the renewable energy field.

James Krehbiel

Solar Install Team

Laura Gillen

Carpenter

Laura was born in Paris, France, grew up in Hudson, Ohio, and lived in Pittsburgh, where she earned her BFA in Painting at Carnegie-Mellon University. She got her first taste of carpentry after college when she helped remodel a friend’s rowhouse in Pittsburgh. She later moved to Brooklyn, NY, where she was hired as a Scenic Artist, working on TV and movie sets. Her favorite jobs were The Royal Tenenbaums and Angels in America. She left the Scenic business to coordinate the build-out for the coffee shop she co-owned and ran in Peekskill, NY, and to eventually have a son. Laura and her son have lived in Champaign since 2012. In her spare time she travels, continues to do some decorative painting projects, and makes oil paintings and watercolors which she shows at a local gallery.

Kieffer Tucker

Carpenter

My name is Kieffer Tucker and I am an apprentice carpenter at New Prairie. I worked in the restaurant industry for ten years before making a career change to construction. Following a series of home remodel projects I did for myself I decided to seek out further education at Parkland college. There I was accepted into the HCCTP (highway construction careers training program) where I received a broad variety of training and certifications. After Graduating the HCCTP I did odd jobs for about a year before finding an opportunity to work for New Prairie. My time with New Prairie is both challenging and rewarding. I am very happy to be a part of a great team as I grow into becoming a carpenter.

Logan Flessner

Carpenter

Logan was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois. He grew up around construction his whole life as his Dad and Grandpa were both developers and builders in Urbana. He has always had a natural interest in construction and really enjoys it. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, going fishing and hunting. He graduated from Urbana High School in 2018 and continued his education at Parkland College receiving his Associates in Construction Design and Management in 2020.

Charles Lee

Carpenter

Charles Lee has been a carpenter for 20+ years. He has a wide range of experience, including plumbing, welding, masonry and tiling. Charles went to college at the University of Wyoming. He joined the New Prairie team in spring of 2022.

Robert Lang

Carpenter

Robert was born and raised in Central Illinois. He served a term in the US Army, making the rank of Infantry Sergeant and earning veteran status. He received a BA in Economics from SIU Carbondale, IL and later continued his studies at EIU Charleston, IL. He has excelled in various carpentry fields for over a decade, with an expertise in roofing most recently. Of his many accomplishments, Rob considers being a great father one of his highest achievements. Rob joined the New Prairie team in summer 2022 and is truly enjoying hands-on work.

Michael Sarro

Carpenter Apprentice

Connie Hamilton

Warehouse Administrator

Connie joined the New Prairie team in 2019 as the warehouse administrator.  She assists with the organization and stocking of the warehouse supplies, paperwork and equipment.  Her diverse background includes old home renovations, Living History Museum construction and theatre costume creation.  She has also been a veterinarian assistant and certified massage therapist.  She enjoys a rural lifestyle, living on an 1880 farmstead since 1984.  Past and present activities have revolved around travel, kids, cattle, critters, camping, gardening, reading and creative cooking.

Michelle Winland

Bookkeeper

Michelle is a life-long resident of Central Illinois. She and her husband reside in the same small town where they grew up and met.  While working and raising a family, Michelle returned to school and completed a Business Administration Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2002. She joined the New Prairie staff in 2020.

Michelle and her husband have been avid DIYers. Their last project, a 1969 Fan Trailer restoration, has made camping and fishing their favorite pastime. Michelle also enjoys reading, gardening, birdwatching and hiking.

Ruby Gaylen

Office Manager

Ruby is a Western Colorado native but has spent the majority of her life in Central Illinois. Ruby finds personal fulfillment in cooking, multimedia design and growing her plant collection. She and her family enjoy recreational outdoor sports; river kayaking and downhill skiing are among their favorite activities.