We love what we do here
We Are Icon Building Group
Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.
– Amy Poehler
We Bring Your Projects to Life
Meet The Team
Charlie Murphy
Owner – President/CEO
Jenny Rice
Owner – Remodeling Sales & Design Consultant
Sean Burke
Vice President of Operations
Mike Fess
Director of Renovations
Joe Stelzer
Renovations Sales/Project Manager
Samantha Murphy
Remodeling Design Consultant
Angela Smith
Sales & Design Consultant
Sheryl Myhre
Sales and Design Consultant
Natalia Machaj
Cabinet Design Consultant
Charlie Murphy
Owner – President/CEO
Where do we start with Charlie? Well, to kick it off, as a young-in’ Charlie started, built and sold a company, which was unrelated to real estate. Pretty random right? As a family man, Charlie realized he LOVED the opportunity to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life and decided to start Icon to create spaces for families they would call home. But most importantly is that his 3 kids inspire him to live a fully alive life. FACT: If you can’t get a hold of him (which is more rare than hens’ teeth), he’s most likely hitting a barkie on the links!
Favorite Quote “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” – Buddha
Hidden Talent Is magical with kids. Might as well call him Mr. Rogers!
Jenny Rice
Owner – Remodeling Sales & Design Consultant
This funny, curly haired gal is a natural when it comes to inspiring creativity! When she isn’t killin’ it in the remodeling realm, you can find Jenny at your local art shows with her kids. Jenny has an art background so typically, colors and patterns come easily to her BUT she had no construction experience when she started with the company 10+ years ago. It was a leap of faith and we’re sure glad she jumped!
Favorite Quote “220, 221…. whatever it takes.”
Hidden Talent Imitating Foreign Accents
Sean Burke
Vice President of Operations
If you know Sean, you know he means business. Even as a young lad Sean envisioned himself in a role in construction – Shocker! With his strong balance of loyalty, determination and focus, Sean just oozes “Carpe Diem”. When he isn’t seeking ways to improve margins, increase productivity and identifying opportunities to increase customer satisfaction, you can find Sean spending time with his wife and two sons. And if you really want to sweeten him up, present him with a Titos and Soda! (don’t forget the lemon!)
Favorite Quote “How do you eat an Elephant? One bite at a time.”
Hidden Talent Nunchuk Master
Mike Fess
Director of Renovations
If you don’t have pride in your work, lack in work ethic or don’t call back, you ain’t no friend of Mike’s! Growing up, Mike had always wanted to be a race car driver but went a different route and truly enjoys transforming something dated into something modern and functional. Mike excels in applying his experience and knowledge tactfully as each renovation is never the same. While Mike is not working, you can find him street racing sport bikes, mountain biking and target shooting.
Favorite Quote “That’ll buff out.”
Hidden Talent Is a “need for speed” superstar like Ricky Bobby
Joe Stelzer
Renovations Sales/Project Manager
Before Joe enters the afterlife, a goal of his is to see the pyramids and climb a redwood tree… and speaking of trees, after college Joe spent 4 years working as a carpenter before joining the Icon team! His favorite part of doing what he does is working with homeowners and seeing how happy they are with the finished product. As far as animals go, dogs are the bee’s knees! If he’s not working his booty off on the job, you will find Joe exploring with his fiancée Kate and two dogs, O’Banion and Nellie.
Favorite Quote “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a Ride!” – Hunter S. Thompson
Hidden Talent Yes, but will remain unknown. Hmmm!
Samantha Murphy
Remodeling Design Consultant
Design Consultant by day, fine jewelry designer by night! Sam recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in art, business and cheese. Lucky us, Sam has worked in several different positions throughout the years at Icon and has had the opportunity to learn many facets of the company. Sam loves working with clients to creatively solve problems and breathe new life into their homes. Her favorite concert she’d ever been to was The Elton John farewell tour in 2019 and is a shameless DIE HARD Harry Potter fan! Wingardium Leviosa!
Favorite Quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Hidden Talent Sam loves to draw!
Chris Bond
Project Manager
This world renown traveler is one of our fantastic Project Managers! Believe it or not, he has tried foods such as kangaroo, cow brains, chicken heart and even fried grasshoppers. Yikes! Chris’ construction background stretches alllll the way back to when he was 14 years old working with his uncle and has loved it ever since. He loves building relationships with homeowners and making their dream home become reality. Next time you see Chris be sure to ask of his crazy travels!
Favorite Quote “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest gift in life is to keep your mind young.” – Henry ford
Hidden Talent Has played tennis for 37 years. Watch out Federer!
John Cygnar
Project Manager
Being in the residential home building industry since 1993, John has been an incredible asset to the Icon team as a Project Manager! While construction is one of his passions, he also enjoys coaching lacrosse and hockey, fishing, his dog “Chunk” and playing in a band called Bucket Number 6. Rock on! If you are someone who snaps their gum, chews loudly, or sadly has poor grammar…then watch out… John wanted to be an assassin when he was 10 years old! With John’s outgoing, sincere and fun personality, work just doesn’t feel like work.
Favorite Quote “Whatever you are…. be a good one.”
Hidden Talent Can fix almost anything! Challenge excepted.
Mark Moreno
Sales & Design Consultant
When Mark isn’t dreaming of being on the island of Kauai, he’s either having a ball with our customers or relaxing and hangin’ out with friends! Great designs begin with a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs and expectations and Mark has just that. Those of you who have been lucky enough to work with him know his keen eye for colors and textures allow him to create the perfect space that is both timeless and creative. This kind, open minded and slightly sarcastic man is truly a one of a kind designer!
Favorite Quote “It is better to remain silent and let others think you’re a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Hidden Talent Has knees of steel
Angela Smith
Sales & Design Consultant
This mozzarella stick, Captain n’ Coke lovin’ lady has been in the real estate game for 11 years and spent 10 years as a lead project coordinator before coming to Icon! Angela loves spending time with her daughter and sassy old yellow lab – and also enjoys rummaging through flea markets and refinishing furniture. What she enjoys most about work is her Icon team and making the customers’ visions come to life! When asked who inspires her, a woman named Pinterest was spoken of?
Favorite Quote “Show me, don’t tell me.”
Hidden Talent Per Angela, her talents would only put her on the ‘Stupid Human Tricks’ segment on David Letterman!
Kristi Warrenfeltz
Cabinet Design Consultant
Was Kristi destined for a life in the world of cabinetry? Of course she was! This tiny but mighty Dirty Heads super fan has been working with cabinets for over 15 years! Thanks to Kristi’s magical intuition, Icon has never built the same home twice. Pretty awesome right? When she’s not at the office, the Starbucks lover is spending time with her husband and little fur babies in the comfort of their home.
Favorite Quote “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.”
Hidden Talent Loudest belcher in the Midwest! Yeehaw!
Joe Augello
Purchasing Manager
Some say Joe’s passion for crunching numbers was written in the stars. And we believe it! Joe’s eye for detail and understanding of construction techniques help Icon to obtain quality work and appropriate delivery speed at a competitive price! Joe’s favorite place in the world is being at home with his wife and kids or… fangirling at a Bucket Number 6 concert. One day Joe will find himself living out his dream of visiting the motherland of his roots, Italy. Ciao bella!
Favorite Quote “Precision beats power and timing beats speed.”
Hidden Talent Sean’s nunchuk nemesis
Rachel Wallis
Controller
What is Rachel’s full-time job you ask? We’re not quite sure either! She is the jack of all trades, with a background in construction stemming all the way back to her childhood. Rachel started off as a wee intern for Icon and blossomed into one badass businesswoman. She loves that every day offers a new challenge, and even though her role is primarily Finance, she loves collaborating creatively on our Express Homes as well. Need someone to keep your plants alive while you’re away traveling? DO NOT ASK RACHEL.
Favorite Quote “You cannot stray from an unmarked path.”
Hidden Talent Basically Chef Ramsay’s sous chef
Jen Mallers
Marketing & Project Coordinator
Know where to get a mean Bloody Mary? Contact Jen IMMEDIATELY. With a degree in graphic design, she loves creating marketing material and content that gets her team, trades and clients excited about Icon and the home building experience. Does she have an obsession? Yes. Her dog, Pip! When she’s not jamming out to Foster the People, you can find her spending time with her husband and family – most likely at the golf course, bowling alley or brewery. Cheers!
Favorite Quote “Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”
Hidden Talent Professional eyelid flipper
Carson Bernard
Assistant Project Manager
Carson, our Assistant Project Manager, dreams of one day living in a modern house with tons of technology on the beach or mountainside. We can dig that! Literally. With a bachelor’s degree in construction management, Carson has been a great addition to our Custom Homes department and has so much room to grow! The best piece of advice he was ever been given is that life has no limitations, except the ones you make. I think we can all relate to that! If he’s not in the office, you can find Carson watching sports, spending time with family and friends and of course eating really good food!
Favorite Quote “PIVOT! PIVOT! – Friends”
Hidden Talent Can tread water for 2 hours. Okay, Aqua Man.
Natalia Machaj
Cabinet Design Consultant
Natalia, the crazy cat lady…no wait… crazy HORSE lady! This bubbly, vibrant, open-minded gal is not your typical chicky. Does she like to pamper herself? Sure! But what she really loves is working on her cars, horseback riding, camping and collecting crystals. She also really enjoys hanging out with her dog, Mochi! In the past, Natalia was a Design Consultant for The Tile Shop and a Specialty Designer at Advance Design Studio. Her dream home would be a two story farmhouse on a lot of property with lots of farm animals, a pull barn for her cool cars, a riding arena and nature trails where she can unwind and drink her peach margaritas.
Favorite Quote “Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out.” – Gordon B Hinkley
Hidden Talent She can eat a lot…A LOT of food and models AND is a good driver. Quite the mixture!
Ian Hunter
Purchasing Assistant
Set the scene: 12 year old tweenage Ian headbanging at the Beastie Boys concert, singing every single word, with his old man. End scene. Looking for the perfect song to set the mood? Ian’s got your back! This music loving, film watching guy loves everything when it comes to food. Ian’s happy place rotates from watching Chicago Bears games to dreaming about the large lot of land he will be living on one day. Ian comes from a background of project managing and enjoys being a contributing member of a team to produce the best possible results. Looking for a little advice? Ian claims that continually looking in the past is the easiest way not to move forward. *all the feels*
Favorite Quote “He who has the why to live can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Hidden Talent Can do a backflip on a snowboard. Pretty gnarly, ay?
Sheryl Myhre
Sales and Design Consultant
Was interior design always Sheryl’s destiny? 10-year-old Sheryl sure thought so! Sheryl graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Housing/Environmental Design and truly believes that having clients feel at home in their space and loving their surroundings is an endeavor worth making. Now, “Alexa – Play the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack.” If Sheryl isn’t watching Daniel Day-Lewis fight off the French and Hurons, you can find her traveling, hiking, biking, kayaking… basically anything that has to do with the outdoors. One day you will find Sheryl posted up in her Blue Ridge Mountain home or on the coast basking in everything that Mother Nature has to offer!
Favorite Quote “Be yourself; everyone is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Hidden Talent Professional headstand-er.