Tom bought his first piece of real estate at the ripe old age of 18 by investing in an undeveloped lot on Clear Lake in Northern Minnesota. He held it while spending a two year tenure in the Navy. When he came back, he sold the land and doubled his money.

Shortly after getting out of the Navy, Tom started studying for the Real Estate exam and became licensed as a part time agent in July of 1974. On February 15, 1975, he decided to sell real estate full time. Besides selling houses, Tom would buy single-family homes to four-plexes, go in and remodel them himself, and then turn around and resell them. He also bought several small properties and developed the lots or sold them to developers. After a while, Tom expanded into buying up to 20 and 30 unit apartment buildings and doing complete renovations and selling them to investors. Becoming tired of working with old properties, in 1979, Tom turned his attention to new homes. In the first couple of years, Tom built only three to five homes per year. In 1985, he expanded and began building 18 to 25 homes per year in the $250,000 to $800,000 price range. In 1987, Tom built a home in Bloomington for $795,000. This home was the most expensive home in the 1987 Parade of Homes. The home was featured on "Good Company" with Sharon Anderson. It was also featured on the 6:00 and 10:00 news on channels 4, 5, 9 and 11. Many celebrities toured the house, included Kirby Puckett and Neil Diamond, both of whom considered buying it. Through the late 1980's, Tom specialized in bigger homes. When his market changed in 1990, Tom changed his market emphasis to second home buyers specializing in the $120,000 to $180,000 market range. Through lots of intense bargaining with subcontractors and suppliers, Tom was able to keep most of the special features that made the bigger homes so special. Tom still loves to brag about the fact that there is a "stained glass" window in every home that he builds. A new feature, of a few years back, was a solid brass address plate with the company logo on it. Today, as before, Tom still is involved with the schedules and supervision of every homesite. He feels that this keeps the quality control at its top level and keeps projects on time. It's been said that he is hard on his subcontractors and suppliers, but he does this to insure the best possible "New Home" for his buyers. Tom has been featured in articles in "Corporate Report", "The Wall Street Journal", "Builder's Magazine", "The Star Tribune", and the "St. Paul Pioneer Press". TJB Homes was also featured on KARE 11's New Home Workshop sponsored by Andersen Windows.

During his career, he has been a Board of Director for the St. Paul Builder's Association. Tom is also credited with many of the new concepts that are used in the Parade of Homes and Spring Preview. In Tom's 30 years of Real Estate and Construction, he has won many sales and building awards, including over 10 awards from the Parade of Homes and the Builder's Association Competition.

As his children grew up, Tom coached all of his children in soccer. One thing he prides himself in is that over all of the years of recreation and sports, he never missed more than one or two games per year. Tom and his wife Jan have been married for over 30 years. Both of their sons, Jason & Justin, are involved in the business. Tiffany is currently working in the office.

Tom's favorite hobby is his garden. He has just completed a 10,000 gallon fish pond with three waterfalls. Tom is proud of the fact that he laid 24 ton of rock all by himself by hand. Recently, he just planted over 2000 tulips and narcissus, and 100+ daylillys. When Tom is not gardening, you can find him on the golf course working to achieve the perfect handicap.

Back To Menu ^

Jan is not only Tom's wife but is also part owner of the company. In the early years, Jan worked in the office and handled all of the accounting. As the company got bigger, those responsibilities were taken over by full time employees.

Jan now helps in the decorating of the model homes. She purchases all the furniture and decorations. Once delivered she stages the model homes for show.

In addition, Jan helps with model finishing selections such as carpet, tile, lighting fixtures, paint colors, interior and exterior.

Not limited to design duties, Jan plays an important role as sounding board and trusted advisor to Tom regarding the family business.

When not working for the company Jan is active in the community serving on several boards and committees. Jan often plays Hostess for large family gatherings as well as business functions and has the reputation of being a great Hostess. She especially enjoys children and being an Aunt and Grandmother.

Back To Menu ^

Jason has been working on the sites with his Dad since he was 5 years old. When Dad checked sites, Jason use to ride with and he would help sweep and clean the house. Prior to the Parade of Homes Tour starting, you could always find Jason with his Dad doing all the New Home Landscaping. When Jason was 12, he worked with his Uncle Rick trimming new homes. At 13 years old Jason helped in the model homes and actually had his first sale. After high school, Jason had his own business trimming new homes and building decks. Jason's natural mechanical aptitude has helped him learn and understand more about home construction than most people do in a lifetime. When Jason was 19 he actually started his own business to spread his wings and go off on his own, however a snowmobile accident sent him back to work for dad and TJB Homes, Jason is married to his wife Tiffany for 4 years now, he has one beautiful daughter "Brooke" (3 yrs old) and 2 stepdaughters "raisen" (15 yrs old) & "Tyler" (11 yrs old).

Jason now oversees everything Remodeling, from meeting him @ the home show's to the first & last meeting with a TJB Remodeling representative, Jason works with all the clients from design, use of space, preliminary sketches to full CAD drawings; he then estimates, prepares spec books, sells and project manages every project, We even give you a complete project schedule from beginning to end. Jason will remain your contact throughout the entire project. He is ALWAYS on call!!!!

Jason's job description doesn't end there; he also oversees TJB Development Companies, where you will see him running our new developments & working with the cities, counties & government agencies to create new communities. You will also see him at TJB Homes, model homes on the weekends, Jason also is the leasing manager for Jenna Properties, a TJB Homes division that oversees 25 tenant spaces for lease.

Lastly, in 2012 Jason got Ordained, he married his good friend & employee Tony to his new wife Karla, and married his sister Tiffany to husband Jon who both work for TJB Homes, Inc.

TJB Homes, Inc. has been home to Arlyn Kittelson since January of 1986. She started part-time, which turned into full time in one week. At that time, it was only her and Tom running the office, so Arlyn did most of the day to day office duties. As time went on, they hired on help and her duties changed along with the time. At this time, she handles all of the bookkeeping and is Tom's personal assistant.

Arlyn has a husband, Joel, of 29 years, and three grown children, Katie, Amanda & Sara. Katie & Amanda are both married and expecting their first babies, which is very exciting for all.

From the start, Tom took in Arlyn's family as his own and they are all a part of the TJB Homes Family. It is because of the close knit corporation that Arlyn has continued being a part of it for all these years.

Doing Extreme Makeover, Home Addition has just proved how "Family helping Family" is part of what TJB Homes is all about.

Back To Menu ^

Don is the Job Site Coordinator for the New Homes, Property Development and Remodeling. He has been with the company since July 2008. On the new home side he fills in where needed during the project but gets involved towards the end with touch-ups and cleanup. For the property development he works on customizing the office building to meet the client’s needs. Remodeling is where he spends most of his time hands on, making sure the project stays on track, resolving issue thru-out the whole project and making sure the homeowners are happy. Don will also take care of a lot of the warranty work for all of TJB.

Don lives in Ramsey and has two sons, Ben and Zac. If Don isn’t at the jobsite he more then likely has a fishing pole in his hands. He loves to fish so much that he started a fishing league seven years ago and still is going today.

Back To Menu ^

My name is Justin Budzynski and I am currently the Vice President of New Construction for TJB Homes. I work with the homeowners from the beginning to the end including being present at the closing. I am also part of the sales team, which means late evenings and long weekends at times. TJB Homes is a family business, so that means we all have to do what it takes to produce sales or complete a house on time. If you are interested in purchasing a TJB home, chances are you will meet me on your first appointment.

I have been with TJB Homes my whole life! My father used to bring me to work when I was about six years old and made us pick up sites. You can imagine how much a six year old would like that :-) I grew up finalizing the homes;, sweeping out houses, picking up trash, clearing trees, doing bobcat work, building additions, mowing lawns and even landscaping our models. Pretty much any job a person can think of.

When I was 19 years old I broke away and started my own landscape company, it was very successful. I ran the company for about 3 years until TJB’s supervisor passed away. He had been with TJB for approx. 15 years, he was a great man and big shoes to fill when I hung up the landscaping business and came back to work full time being the new project manager..I had a lot to learn, and still learn something new every day. I have been project manager now for about 8 years.

I currently live in Blaine at the moment and have a beautiful six year old daughter named Jenna and have a very cool 13 year old step son named Blaine. Which both mean the world to me!

During the Extreme Home Makeover I will be one of the Project Leads. I will be making sure the house not only built right, but on TIME! It will be a lot of work coordinating all the people on this project. Each contractor will be right on top of one another, when one trade is done in a room, the next trade will be jumping over him to get in the room. The other difficult job is to make sure the materials are there when they need it, you can’t obviously have the whole house of material waiting right outside. You have to have it loaded on a truck and prepared to deliver a couple of blocks away. I am very excited to be a part of this project. Not only is it a opportunity to be on a tv show which will be viewed by probably billions of people, but it’s a chance to do something for a family in need. I’ll see ya soon...

Back To Menu ^

Sherri Patzer has been with the company since september of 1996. I schedule the houses, work with the subs, meet and deal with the buyers on all selections, change orders, questions, final numbers for closing and many other various duties as assigned.

Jay is my husband, we have a 16 yr old daughter named Kayla, and our dog Koda. We love to do all the company picnics, parties, etc and feel like a part of the TJB family

For the Extreme Makeover Home Edition, I will be a volunteer coordinator for the check in tents and any other duties assigned.

Back To Menu ^

Hi All, my name is Tiffany Budzynski, I am the daughter of Tom. I have worked for TJB all my life but full time for the last 3 years. My primary duty is warranty scheduling and receptionist; however, I do pretty much everything and anything asked of me. I even go and get my dads oil changed. It's not so bad; at least I can get out of the office for a little bit! At some point I am going to get my real estate license, I have been saying this for quite a while. But now dad is really pushing so I am going to give it a shot.

I currently live in a townhome in Blaine with my dog, Lily. As far as family, I work with the majority of them, it's crazy and chaotic most days, but it does have its upsides!!

My duty for the project is mainly as a Volunteer Coordinator. I am so excited about Extreme Makeover Home Edition, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and so happy that we are apart of it!

Back To Menu ^

Steve has worked with TJB Homes since 1999. His primary responsibilities include; supervising and maintenance of job sites throughout the metro area, walking through new homes with homeowners prior to closing, and facilitating necessary warranty work.

For the Extreme Home Makeover project, Steve will be supervising and coordinating the loading and shipment of building materials from the offsite location to the house.

Steve's immediate family lives all over the United States and he lives in Blaine.

Back To Menu ^

Donald F. Pertinen has been designing custom homes since 1967.

Recognized as one of the top design firms in the metro area, D.F.P. Planning & Design L.L.C. has designed award winning homes for over 200 Reggie Awards in the annual Parade of Homes Competition.

Our designs have been used to build over 25,000 homes by major national firms and custom home builders, and featured in several publications. Most recently our firm was a partner of the design teams providing plans for seven of the twenty-two homes featured in the 2007 Luxury Home Tour.

Currently our firm designs approximately 300 custom homes annually for custom builders and individual clients, in the $750,000.00 to $5,000,000.00 price range.

Our association with TJB Homes began over 25 years ago.

Together we have provided exciting and unique home plans that reflect our client's lifestyles and turn dreams into reality. With a common goal of making the entire design, building process a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Back To Menu ^

I am Jon Ramey. I have been with TJB Homes Inc. since 2007. I was born and raised in Forest Lake. I was raised by a loving mother (Patti Ramey) who did what she could to raise 3 children by herself. I have an older sister (Destiny) and I also have an older brother (Glenn). I am thankful for the way I was raised and with the morals I was raised with. I am married to Tiffany, Tom''s daughter. We have 2 sons & one beautiful daughter.

I draft all of TJB Homes & Remodeling plans using CAD & Chief Architect. I am currently in school expanding my education into structural design components for new construction & remodeling.

Back To Menu ^

My name is Tony Junker. I'm a very easy going guy, who likes to see things done right. It's important to me that every job I manage is done: and done right.

I have been with TJB Homes since 2006. I primarily work on the remodeling side. In that capacity, I am in charge of miscellaneous tasks such as making sure our job sites are clean & on schedule, to also; demo, framing, insulation, finish carpentry, some sheetrock, painting & about everything. Basically I'm Jason's right hand man. I also supervise our subcontractors by working with our team to be sure we stay focused and on schedule. I make sure we honor every project. I will work as hard as I can to be sure we finish your project with the highest quality in any way necessary.

I come from a close knit family who cares about each other, and loyalty is everything to my family. I recently got married to my new wife Karla.

In Memoriam

Tim Eagen

October 4, 1952
-
September 17, 2007