Meet Our Team Of Experts

Jen Sommers

Director of Design

Matt Strausbaugh

Owner/Project Manager

Les Hall

Project Manager

Years of Experience: 15+ in the Residential and Commercial Interior Design

Education: Degree in Interior Design from The Ohio State University

Commitment to Customer Service: “Building a relationship with the client is always my number one goal.”

Commitment to Design: “I have to understand my client’s family and lifestyle in order to create a space that fits their needs functionally, as well as comfortably. I gain their trust through fostering open communication, providing consistent follow-up, and immediately addressing any issues that may arise. I will always be available to our clients to answer any questions and concerns during all steps of the process.”

Years of Experience: 27+ in the Residential and Commercial Construction Industry

Skills: Interior Trim, Cabinets, Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Built-Ins, Fireplaces, Exterior Decks, Pergolas, and Custom Furniture

Commitment to Customer Service: “Customer Service is what keeps me in business, our customers provide me with the passion to build great projects and I will do whatever it takes to guarantee their satisfaction”

Commitment to Detail and Craft: “Paying attention to detail is where you earn repeat business within this industry and our commitment to providing customers with a project that pays extraordinary attention to detail and craft is a core value of Third Space Builders”

Passion for the Profession: “The fact that I am helping our customers not only dream up a beautiful design for their house, but also build that dream for them is really what motivates me…we truly help build Third Spaces”

Years of Experience: 38+ in the Residential and Commercial Construction Industry

Skills: Interior Trim, Cabinets, Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Built-Ins, Fireplace,

Commitment to Customer Service: “I want to give the customer what they paid for…I want them to be happy with the finished product…always solve the problems that arise…make the client apart of the project…keep the project clean”

Commitment to Detail and Craft: “You have to be detailed, non-negotiable, my customers for over 30 years keep calling because the craftsmanship”

Passion for the Profession: “I love working with wood.  I love seeing the smile on my customers face when the job is complete”

Personal Third Space: “Really Nice Basement…Art and Workout Room, storage…nice and comfortable”a

Mitch Bakies

Operations Manager

Years of Experience: 11 + years in the US Air Force (Active Duty)

  • Rank- Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Staff Sergeant
  • Job Titles held, Structural Craftsman, Facility Structural Inspector, Enlisted Accessions Recruiter, Officer Accessions Recruiter
  • 3 Tours overseas, Iraqi Enduring freedom Veteran.
  • Top Decorations include
  • Air Force Commendation medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
  • Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Army Achievement medal

Commitment to Customer Service: “The key to customer satisfaction is to take ownership in all aspects of our projects from top to bottom, more specifically, our clients third space is our third space!”

Commitment to Detail and Craft: “Serving over a decade in the armed forces has provided me with a keen attention to detail that directly translates to the quality and service we aim to create in your third space”

Passion for the Profession: “Many careers are very repetitive and tedious and produce very little satisfaction. Having the opportunity to take an idea, put it on paper, make it come to life, and see the joy and excitement in our clients is a blessing to me.”