Team

Kat Mullen is one half of the husband-and-wife team behind our award-winning East Bay design-build firm. Scott launched the business in 2001, and Kat joined in 2011 after careers in special education and the shipping industry in New York. Together, they’ve been transforming East Bay homes with creativity, craftsmanship, and heart. Outside of work, Kat enjoys traveling, hiking, golfing, yoga, and visiting their twin daughters, who now live out of state.

Nicole Amen is MSK’s office manager and a dynamic multitasker who keeps everything running smoothly. Her responsibilities span everything from purchasing office equipment and keeping the team OSHA compliant, to scheduling client and vendor appointments, and even removing the occasional splinter. A native Southern Californian and a 24-year resident of Walnut Creek, Nicole brings more than 18 years of experience across a variety of industries, ensuring operations stay efficient and well organized.

Nicole and her husband have three sons, two of whom are graduates of the University of Oregon (Go Ducks), with their youngest in his final year at Cal. Go Bears! A family of devoted sports fans, game days are a big event in the Amen household. In their downtime, Nicole and her husband love cooking together, followed by working out to balance out those delicious meals.

Margie joined MSK Design Build in September 2011. Having worked as a bookkeeper in a local construction firm for over 30 years, Margie’s wealth of experience, great work ethic, and dry sense of humor are a welcome addition to the team. An avid music lover and traveler, Margie is also a wonderful hands-on grandmother. Margie pays the bills and keeps us laughing!

A Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and Certified Interior Designer, Kelly joined MSK in 2002 after relocating from Canada. A second-generation designer with over 25 years of experience, she is also the author of several design books and a respected kitchen and bath blogger. Kelly has served as a design judge for NKBA national and regional competitions, and six of her MSK Design Build projects have earned NARI awards. Well traveled and design savvy, she is known for creating high-end spaces and for being a pleasure to work with. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys fine dining and European travel.

Suzy Baur arrived in 1995 from Switzerland and has happily called the Bay Area home ever since. She began her career as an art historian before discovering a passion for interior design, including kitchen and bath design, as a way to bring beauty to the practical. A Certified Interior Designer, Suzy values listening closely to her clients, understanding their vision, and creating spaces that reflect their lifestyle. She especially enjoys working with a firm that designs and builds its own projects, allowing for thoughtful collaboration from start to finish. Color, material, and simplicity are at the heart of Suzy’s design approach. Outside of work, Suzy enjoys visiting art museums, attending concerts, hiking, biking, gardening, and birding.

Originally from Colombia, Luz spent five years in Atlanta before relocating to the West Coast in 2014. She holds a degree in Industrial Design from San Francisco State University and brings over 10 years of experience in kitchen and bathroom design. Talented, knowledgeable, and deeply motivated, Luz brings both creativity and heart to every project. She collaborates closely with her clients through every phase of the process, ensuring thoughtful, well-designed results. We’re thrilled to have Luz on our team!

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Michelle spent 16 years in the education field as a Portuguese and Spanish teacher and education coordinator. In 2016, she relocated to California to study English, where fate quickly intervened and she met her future husband. Within two years, they were married and settled in Walnut Creek, where they now live with their dog.

After gaining experience in logistics, Michelle made the move into the design build construction field, and we could not be happier to have her on the team. Outside of work, Michelle and her husband Joe enjoy hiking, fine dining, traveling, and yes, raising chickens. And being Brazilian, Michelle, of course, loves the beach.

Born and raised in Pune, India, Rutuja earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Vishweshwarya University before completing her Master’s in Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in Chicago. After two very cold years in the Midwest, she chose California as her next adventure. With several years of experience working as a junior architect in India, we were excited to welcome Rutuja to MSK as our Design Coordinator, where she is learning design build, American style.

Rutuja has two great passions: fashion styling and travel. Her next dream destination is seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska, well dressed, of course.

Curt has been a Project Manager with MSK Design Build since 2003. He oversees construction operations in the field, manages client relationships during the build, keeps clients and subcontractors informed, and is responsible for scheduling crews and trades once construction is underway. His calm demeanor makes coordinating the many moving parts of a remodel look easy, even though it is anything but.

Curt relocated from Oregon in 1997 and has happily called the East Bay home ever since. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors, including boating, fishing, and golfing.

Born and raised in Oakland, CA Chris started in the construction industry as a young woman. With her mother a property owner, and her grandfather a carpenter, it was inevitable! Chris started remodeling homes at 14, and investing in property in 2003. She became a carpenter, then an electrician, and eventually owned her own construction business (until we stole her away!)

Chris is an avid traveler and is currently pursuing flying small planes. She lives near Lake Merritt, and indulges her passion for wine and food in the great restaurant scene in Uptown Oakland. We are so pleased to have Chris on our team!

Jorge has been with MSK Design Build longer than any other employee – he was Scott’s first hire 25 years ago!  His talents encompass many construction areas, including plumbing, framing, stucco, and rough & finished carpentry. Jorge is quiet, funny, and extremely hardworking. No job is complete without him as a steady presence. Jorge lives in Oakland and enjoys visiting his family and friends in Mexico when he’s not busy swinging his hammer.

Chuck is a talented finish carpenter who has grown through the ranks at MSK to become a lead carpenter. With 20 years at MSK and more than 30 years of flooring installation experience, learned from his grandfather, Chuck brings deep expertise to every project. He is a pro in cabinetry installation and fine finish work, and is known for his attention to detail and ability to listen carefully to clients’ needs. Chuck is a respected, steady presence on our team and consistently earns high praise for both his craftsmanship and professionalism. Outside of work, Chuck and his wife Venetta enjoy spending time with their three children and friends in the East Bay. We’re happy to have him on our team!

Alvaro followed his passion for craftsmanship into a career in carpentry, bringing with him a strong foundation in landscaping from years of working in his family’s business. He joined MSK Design Build as an apprentice and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his natural talent, strong work ethic, and calm, steady presence on every job site.

A valued lead carpenter, Alvaro plays a key role on our projects, handling everything from rough and finish carpentry to cabinetry, flooring installation, and plumbing. A true team player, he consistently goes above and beyond, earning the trust of both colleagues and clients.

Outside of work, Alvaro enjoys camping and family adventures with his wife Otilia, a military reservist, and their two children. He brings dedication, kindness, and quiet confidence to everything he does.

Jason Owen is a Northern California native who lives in Vacaville with his wife Emily and their ten-year-old son, Brandon. He began his career in the construction trades in 1996 as a custom home framer and has since developed into a highly skilled rough and finish carpenter, with strong plumbing expertise as well. Jason has also earned his Certified Lead Carpenter designation.

Outside of work, Jason and his family are devoted SF Giants fans and love spending time outdoors. When they’re not watching games, they enjoy gardening together and taking weekend trips to the beach.

Joe was born and raised in Marysville, CA, and discovered his love of building early, helping neighbors with repairs and chicken coops. At 20, he joined Youth Build as an apprentice carpenter, building two homes, and later gained experience as a carpenter and assistant supervisor.

With over 20 years of experience, Joe is now a lead carpenter at MSK. He lives in Manteca with his wife Angela and their son, Joe Jr. Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors—beach trips, swimming, hiking, and camping—and his calm, can-do attitude makes him a pleasure to work with.

Jose Mariscal relocated from Wisconsin in 2015 and is happily enjoying the California weather. He brings a diverse background in construction, including drywall, framing, plumbing, and flooring. With three children ranging in age from 12 to 22, Jose stays busy both on and off the job.

Known for his calm demeanor and ready smile, Jose is always willing to lend a helping hand, making him a favorite among the crew. Whenever I ask Jose how he is doing, the answer is always “never better!” Outside of work, he enjoys playing and performing guitar, hiking, mountain biking, and listening to Audible books.

Sean was born and raised in Concord, CA, and moved to Los Angeles at age 22. He spent seven years working as a painter before expanding his skills to include construction and plumbing. In 2023, Sean returned to the Bay Area with his wife, Cristhiane, and their son, Luke, to be closer to family.

Outside of work, Sean and his family enjoy water sports, camping, and weekend adventures throughout the Bay Area and nearby mountains. We value Sean’s strong work ethic, positive outlook, and sunny disposition.

Carlos grew up in Concord, CA, and lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Deztiny. After high school and some college, he worked in commercial construction, specializing in waterproofing, before expanding his skills into residential construction. At MSK Design Build, Carlos plays a key role supplying materials to job sites and assisting with demolition on remodels.

Outside of work, Carlos and Deztiny share a love of great coffee and enjoy exploring cafés throughout the Bay Area. With their young children, Julianna and Noah, the family also loves visiting local beaches and discovering new adventures together.