Creating Luxury Outdoor Living
In the last 20 years, we’ve grown from a one-man operation to an award-winning team of craftsmen. We take pride in creating amazing outdoor spaces for our clients to create memories for years to come. Remember, we don’t want you to just enjoy your back yard, we want you to love it!
THE TEAM
Throughout all steps of the process, you’ll be working with our dedicated team of professionals to ensure you have a great experience. After all, we’ve built our business on relationships. Through our community and clients support, we’re honored to be named Lake Minnetonka Magazine’s “best of” for six years in a row.
Growing up in Wayzata, Hans’ father and grandfather were always doing home projects as far back as he can recall. Growing up with his father being a CPA and grandfather a master carpenter, Hans was raised knowing numbers and a curiosity to build. After attending St. Cloud State for a year, Hans decided to utulize his strong work ethic learned back in the 90s pulling weeds and mowing lawns and founded Outdoor Excapes in 2001. He learned early to build relationships with clients and staff and surround yourself with people more talented than himself. As CEO, Hans (our fearless leader) has led our growth where we currently employ over 35 staff, designing and building some of the finest projects in the Twin Cities. When he’s not in the office, Hans enjoys spending time with his wife Keaton and two children, Jaxon and Makenna. Together they enjoy traveling near and far to explore the world, boating, real estate and remodeling projects. Their favorite joint hobby is attending music concerts. Hans also has a deep passion for back country snowmobiling and ATV trips.
HANS FREES
President/ Founder
Keaton was born in MN and moved to CA and surrounding states as a child. After moving back to MN, she graduated Hopkins High School and met Hans the summer after she graduated. Following high school she attended Aveda institute and then pursued her Real Estate License. She paired her love for home architecture and her real estate license with a kitchen and bath design degree, and dove into interior design. When she’s not helping clients with wallpaper, lighting or accessory selections, Keaton enjoys managing and growing her VRBO properties. She also enjoys spending time with Hans and their two adult children, Makenna and Jaxon. Keaton is an avid reader and loves music, travel, fine dining and animals. Don’t tempt her with a concert invite, a puppy or kitten, she already has 5 dogs…
KEATON FREES
Principal/ Interior Design
Having been with Outdoor Excapes for over 10 years, Drew has honed his craft working on a wide range of projects from the common to the complex. As the lead designer, he enjoys combining both landscape and architecture in his designs, offering unique and inspired projects for his clients. Drew has a passion for collaboration and thrives working alongside clients, colleagues, and industry professionals to successfully implement a project vision. When not designing or walking a job site, Drew and his wife Sara stay busy trying to keep up with their three young children who seem to have an endless amount of energy and a knack for getting into trouble. Drew also enjoys banging on his guitar, trying his hand at home projects, and having good conversations with friends over a glass of bourbon.
DREW TORRENCE
Designer
Madeleine is the definition of cool, calm, and collected (even when the rest of us are pulling our hair out). Another alum of the University of Minnesota, she earned her Bachelor of Design in Architecture and then quickly joined the OE team. Madeline brought with her skills in 2D/3D drafting and rendering, as well as ample knowledge of building materials and methods. Growing up she always had a passion for Residential Design - including Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Design. As a Designer at Outdoor Excapes, her goal is to create a casual and collaborative experience for clients throughout the entire design/build process. If you get the chance to work with her, you'll notice a strong attention to detail in all aspects of her designs. Being a multi-sport athlete for the majority of her life, she was taught from an early age the importance of work ethic, patience, teamwork, and adaptability. During most weekends, you'll find Madeleine spending time with family and friends, being active outside, or getting sunburnt at a small-town baseball game.
MADELEINE GEISLINGER
Designer
JACK VOSS
Driver
The other half of the dynamic duo, Andy has been with OE from the very start. He’s done it all and is a walking handbook for Landscape Construction. Andy is our Operations Manager who oversees the Production of our fabulous projects. He finds much joy in seeing our designed concepts come to life and being able to take part in that process every day. Having a sly whit, Andy never misses the opportunity to pull a prank or make sure our team is on their toes, he certainly knows how to have fun at work!
Andy is a true Minnesotan and has immensely entertaining stories from his time hunting & fishing with friends and family. He and his wife, Angela, spend copious amounts of time dedicated to their two girls, whom both participate in Competitive Cheer. Their events take them all over the country to compete, which also has its perks! At home, they pamper their adorable Cavapoo, Kali while Andy tries to find the last remaining hours of sunlight to grill up some grub and shoot the breeze with friends.
ANDY BIRRENKOTT
Operations Manager
Austin’s 15-plus years of experience in the Landscape industry means there’s not much he hasn’t gotten his hands dirty with. In his 9th year with OE, Austin is a skilled Field Supervisor who not only manages our foreman’s needs, but also all our Snow maintenance. He is nothing, if not reliable. Austin is tirelessly making sure the project needs are being met all the while keeping our Project Managers and clients informed. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and pretends he’s good at golf. You’ll find Austin working on projects around the house to the set of country music and topping off the day around the bonfire. He is technically a Wisconsin native and also cheers for the Packers… we forgive him… and we can make requests for Spotted Cow Ale whenever he makes the journey back from home.
AUSTIN BLASHKA
Operations Supervisor
Maria has been with us since 2007 and plays the all-important role of Office Manager. She brings many years of experience in office administration, bookkeeping, accounting, and banking. Maria has a multitude of talents, but most importantly to us, she’s our resident Mama Bear keeping the office a fun and productive place including throwing a mean holiday party. She has an incredible knack for assembling custom gifts and OE swag. On top of that, she heads HR, accounting, and IT and many other tasks. Maria enjoys live music, the lake life, and Saturday Bingo. The best nights are spent on the porch playing cards and board games with her adult kids and friends, and always close by are her many grand-dogs.
MARIA HAINLEN
Office Manager
LIZZI MCKINNEY
Administrative Assistant
We affectionately call Jackie the bulldog of the office. If you need answers, she’ll find them and clear the path to the most efficient solution. She wears grit on her sleeves, but as a colleague is a cheerful, creative, and humble woman whom we all adore. Jackie graduated from the University of Minnesota and quickly climbed her way into Project Management in Commercial Construction and excelled with the organizational skills it requires to keep a project on schedule. Jackie wears many hats at Outdoor Excapes including managing communication between our Landscaping and Carpentry divisions, many sub-contractors, and our client/project interface. Most weekends, you’ll find Jackie bumming around the cabin with her two dogs, Nola and Logan, or slinging darts in a Pub in St. Paul. Don’t tell anybody, but she also makes the most amazing hand-made quilts (albeit with a rock and roll flare!).
JACKIE LARSON
Project Manager
Joining us in 2021, Amy brings with her 15 years of experience in Residential Design and with that a network of comrades from the Design-Build Community. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Amy honed her skill at drafting, specifying materials, and delivering innovative solutions to clients. As a project manager, Amy will stay one step ahead of you, as she thrives in the details and the planning that comes before we put boots on the ground. Her laid-back attitude is the perfect fit for our work family and a necessity at home, where she also manages the lives of two busy young boys, a spirited husband & coach, and their dog Miko (also a boy!). You’ll find Amy with family and friends most nights, spectating at the baseball field or on the basketball court. She’ll also tell you there’s nothing better in life than sunshine, a lawn chair, and good tunes paired with an ice-cold beer.
AMY EAKMAN
Project Manager
As a Construction Estimator, Adam enjoys thinking through job processes and piecing together the job cost puzzle. Adam grew up not far up the road, in Spring Lake Park MN, and recently graduated from Minnesota State University- Mankato. Whether it’s golfing, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling or just sitting by a bonfire, you can find Adam enjoying his free time in the outdoors with friends and family! Adam’s family revolves around a 12 year old Shi Tzu named Roscoe, which does whatever he wants and can do no wrong…
ADAM BACHMEIER
Estimator
Joining the team in April of 2023 with 5 years of experience in Residential Design, Lauren is a full-time design machine as our Enhancement Designer. She is committed to exceeding client expectations, delivering quality designs and customer service. If you are looking for someone who is passionate and excited about their career, you found her!
When she is not designing, you will typically find her somewhere camping in the woods, at a concert with her friends, or enjoying a meal on the patio at a local restaurant! Needless to say, she is a huge fan of the outdoors and anything design related!
LAUREN HAUGEN
Design Enhancement
Bio Coming Soon
JACK YOUNGREN
Design Assistant
GRANT HAUGEN
Lead Carpenter
MIGUEL RAYA ALMANZA
Foreman
With over 15 years of experience and nearly 10 years at Outdoor Excapes as Foreman, Antonio has nearly done it all. Seriously, from landscaping, hardscapes, masonry, and tile to rough framing, drywall, and finish carpentry, Antonio’s got some serious skills. His hard work, forward-thinking along with his productive detailed execution has nick-named him the “Animal” on the OE Team. This guy’s a skilled powerhouse always looking for the next challenge. In his time away from our projects Antonio enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son. He also enjoys remodeling his home in Crystal.
ANTONIO VENECRUZ
Foreman
A skilled craftsman in the trade with over 20 years of experience, Pepe certainly knows how to lead a team. A proficient master of equipment he’ll find the most efficient way to get the job done, without sacrificing quality. Passion runs through his blood, and you’ll find his energy radiating the minute you walk on his job site. He’s up for any challenge and loves to learn new things. In his personal time, Pepe enjoys spending time with his wife Maria, and two kids. You’d never guess, but Pepe loves time in the kitchen. Having a passion for cooking Pepe says it brings his family and friends together.
PEPE PUENTE TREJO
Foreman
DRAKE WHITMORE
Service Crew Lead
Starting as a laborer and working himself into his current foreman position, Luis has quickly stepped up. With a background in customer service, Luis certainly has an even keel attitude on the job site. He’s attentive to detail and easy going, yet always willing to train others and teach them the ropes. Luis is dedicated and punctual, always planning ahead for what’s next. In his free time Luis enjoys walking, biking, camping, and fishing. His true joy is spending time with his wife, two daughters, his son, three dogs, and a cat. They frequently road trip together to be with family near and far.
LUIS AGUILAR
Foreman
MAKENNA FREES
Design Intern
SAM VOSS
Design Intern
"Our project was an easy experience and the end result
far exceeded my expectations. Very beautiful!!!"
Jill R., Edina, MN
