Who is Chris…
Chris was born and raised in Lake Lotawana and started Hawkins Design Build with a simple goal: build homes that he is proud of that will stand the test of time. Starting as a laborer in his early teens for Greg Smetanka, he spent years learning every aspect of high-end residential building and remodeling while advancing through the ranks to managing more and more complex builds. After leading large commercial work in Kansas City’s Crossroads District, Chris returned in 2020 to focus building one of a kind custom homes in the lake community he grew up in.
Meet the Team
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JESSE ODER
SUPERINTENDENT
Jesse, our Superintendent at Hawkins Design Build, brings 20 years of custom construction experience, ensuring every project meets our high standards. Born and raised in Overland Park, he continues to call it home with his wife and daughter. Off-site, he’s mountain biking, hiking, or enjoying family time outdoors.
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JENNIFER SAYLOR
PROJECT COORDINATOR & INTERIOR DESIGNER
Jennifer, our Project Coordinator and Interior Designer at Hawkins Design Build, brings 7 years of interior design and project management experience. A Blue Springs resident with her husband and son, she holds degrees from KU and JCCC and has her NCIDQ and CKBD certifications. Outside of work, she enjoys Jeep projects, family travel, and off-road adventures.
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RACHEL WATTS
MARKETING AND OFFICE MANAGER
Rachel manages marketing and office operations at Hawkins Design Build, ensuring smooth projects and a clear brand voice. A Kansas City native with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Marketing) from UMKC, she lives in Blue Springs with her husband and daughter. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and time with family.
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RAUL BRIONES
JOURNEY MAN
As a certfied welder and roofer, Raul is a top notch Swiss army knife of experience and detail. From building steel staircases to wooden structures, his talent has allowed us to expand our in-house capabilities well beyond that of a typical residential builder.
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BRIAN BIXBY
JOURNEY MAN
Brian has spent his entire life in the high end residential building world working for his father (Wayne Bixby) who was a builder at Lotawana. Brians exceptional carpentry skills and attention to detail set a quality standard that can only be matched by years and years of dedicated work and repetition.
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BRODY BIXBY
Apprentice/Laborer
Brody (who is Brians son) is the third generation of Bixby’s to work in construction at Lake Lotawana. With construction in his blood, Brody is rising through the ranks like his father and grandfather to be the future journeyman we will need to carry our quality of work for years to come.