Who is Chris…

Chris leads Hawkins Design Build with a focus on integrating design and construction into a single, cohesive process. Born and raised in Lake Lotawana, he started the company with a simple goal: to build homes he is proud of—homes that are thoughtfully designed, well-executed, and built to stand the test of time. Chris began working in residential construction in his early teens under Greg Smetanka, where he spent years learning every aspect of high-end building and remodeling. Over time, he advanced into managing increasingly complex projects before leading large commercial work in Kansas City’s Crossroads District. In 2020, he returned to Lake Lotawana to focus on designing and building custom homes within the community he grew up in. Today, his work centers on early decision-making, coordination across disciplines, and maintaining consistency from initial concept through final construction.

A young boy sitting in an old, empty bathtub inside a rustic wooden room, holding a hammer, with a surprised expression on his face.
A man with a red beard and mustache smiling with arms crossed, wearing a plaid button-down shirt, standing against a plain white wall.

Meet the Team

  • Portrait of a man with red hair and a beard wearing a dark carhartt shirt with brands Hawkins and Carhartt, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

    JESSE ODER

    SUPERINTENDENT

    Jesse leads field execution at Hawkins Design Build, overseeing construction and ensuring each project is built with precision and consistency. With over 20 years of experience in custom residential construction, he coordinates closely with trade partners and the internal team to maintain quality, manage daily operations, and carry design decisions through to execution. He plays a key role in keeping projects aligned from planning through construction, helping ensure the final result reflects the original intent. Born and raised in Overland Park, Jesse lives there with his wife and daughter. Outside of work, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with his family.

  • A young woman with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a black top with ruffled sleeves and a necklace, against a dark background.

    RACHEL WATTS

    MARKETING AND OFFICE MANAGER

    Rachel manages marketing and office operations at Hawkins Design Build, helping maintain organization across both internal processes and external communication. She supports day-to-day office coordination while ensuring the company’s messaging remains clear and consistent, contributing to a more structured and well-managed overall process. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Marketing) from UMKC, she brings a strong attention to detail and a thoughtful approach to her work. A Kansas City native, Rachel lives in Blue Springs with her husband and daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.

  • Alyssa Varone

    CLIENT AND DESIGN COORDINATOR

    Alyssa leads client experience and design operations at Hawkins Design Build, helping guide projects from initial vision through execution. With over a decade of experience in the construction and design industry, she brings strong organization, attention to detail, and a client-focused approach to every project. She works closely with both clients and the team to ensure each project stays aligned, thoughtful, and well-coordinated. Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and her pet

  • Smiling man wearing a blue Hawkins cap and a gray T-shirt with a black bird logo, standing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.

    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.

  • Man standing inside a wooden building under construction, wearing a bright yellow Hawkins t-shirt and smiling.

    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.

  • Smiling young man with a cap sitting in the driver's seat of a blue vintage truck, with trees and a house in the background.

    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.