THE PEOPLE OF RAINBOW VALLEY

Remember the old slogan, "Service with a smile"? At Rainbow Valley, that's what we deliver, not because it's a deliberate customer service strategy, but because we love our work. We're generally a happy bunch, and it shows: As a project draws to a close, a commonly expressed sentiment among Rainbow Valley's clients is how much they'll miss the crew when they're gone.

Consistently good work isn't achieved by luck. It's the direct result of having consistently good workers, and we have some of the best. Dedicated, motivated, personable and proud of their work, they know the meaning of 'a job well done' and demonstrate it daily.

Because loyalty and commitment are two-way streets, Rainbow Valley encourages personal growth, professional advancement, independent thinking and new ideas. In turn, we're rewarded with extremely low turnover and reliably top-quality work.

Our unique approach involves a talented and eclectic group of individuals with a singular sense of purpose and a personal interest in every project. And we've got a growing list of satisfied customers to prove it.

Our Owners

A Eugene native, Stephen Williams began his career here in 1971 when he designed and built his first house. The foundation for that project included the base on which stood a small but forward-looking design/build firm, which would evolve into Rainbow Valley Design and Construction. Stephen's spin on the change-the-world philosophy of that time was a revolutionary approach to design and construction--one that features honesty and cooperation between client and contractor, and a fee structure that inherently fosters trust and greater cost accountability. Fittingly, the shaggy-haired Stephen would roar up to a job site astride his Harley, nail bag strapped on the back, to deliver his radical new brand of design and construction services.

Since that time Stephen earned a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's degree in architecture and landscape architecture from Oregon State University. He's also a former assistant professor of architecture and landscape architecture at OSU.

Stephen and his co-owners have guided Rainbow Valley's evolution and growth, including the opening of an office in Portland. Although the Portland branch occupies most of his time, Stephen still enjoys collaborating with the Eugene design team on some projects. While Rainbow Valley's commitment to Stephen's original vision of the business is steadfast, some things have changed. Although Stephen still loves his classic Harley, these days you're more likely to see this neatly-trimmed designer purring up to a job site on the back of his shiny new BMW motorcycle.

Steve Gab artfully juggles the many hats he wears at Rainbow Valley. The South Dakota native left the farm for several years of traveling throughout North America. Eventually, he wound up in Eugene. He received a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Oregon in 1979 while volunteering for numerous community development projects. For his next act, Steve served in various managerial positions, including a stint as executive director of Eugene's Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO). He then polished his hat-juggling routine by launching a career in construction and getting his general contractor's license. That path led him to become one of the four founders of Rainbow Valley Design and Construction.

On those rare occasions Steve isn't available to take your call, this devoted family man is probably relishing another hat in the air: His role as soccer coach for his kids' teams.

Amazingly, whether doing sales and marketing, project estimating and coordination, or general contracting, he hasn't dropped a hat yet.

Michael Scarola is a Big Apple native. Even though he's been in Eugene since 1973, he remains a loyal Yankees fan. Shortly after arriving in Eugene, Michael began working as an independent contractor. Soon afterwards he and a partner formed Silver Hammer Construction, which became well-known for efficient and high quality framing and remodeling construction.

When his partner's health problems split the business in 1991, Michael joined Rainbow Valley as a partner. Michael has the front office savvy and in-the-field determination that can't help but win him fans. And while Yankees fans only get to visit the House that Ruth Built, Michael's fans get to live in a house that Scarola built.

There are some professors of architecture who advise students to never pick up a hammer. Luckily, Scott Felsher didn't have any of them.

Coming from Redding, California, Scott began attending the architecture program at the University of Oregon in 1986. To help put himself through school, he landed a job at Rainbow Valley, splitting his time between the design and construction branches. With this hands-on experience, design became more than just pencil lines on paper. Scott left Rainbow Valley to participate in the U of O's Rome program, and spent much of the summer of 1990 touring Italy and the rest of Europe.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in architecture with a minor in architecture history the following year, Scott interned at a local architect's office. Rainbow Valley doesn't let good people get away easily, though, and in 1992, Scott accepted a position as assistant designer. A year later he became the second Rainbow Valley employee to be offered a partnership. Since that time, Scott has assumed the role of design office manager.

Only experience can improve on common sense. So while Scott's nail-pounding days are mostly a memory, it would appear that it was time well spent.

Considering that she began as a one-day-a-month bookkeeper, Dana Tessler’s rise through the ranks was a dramatic one.

Born in Essex County, New Jersey, Dana came West with her family at the age of 11. She completed a BA in anthropology with honors at the University of Oregon in 1989, and then did what lots of other graduates that year did--started waiting tables. Looking to diversify, she took a less-than-part-time office position at Rainbow Valley in 1991. As luck would have it, the business was growing, and before long, Dana became indispensable. Now, in her regular role as Business Manager, Dana handles all things financial, keeping us organized and running smoothly.

Alec Dakers is such a chip off the old block that he may have a little sawdust in his blood. His father became a carpenter at the age of 15 in Scotland nearly 45 years ago, and has worked as a craftsman and builder ever since. Growing up, Alec was surrounded by construction and architecture, first 'helping' on small projects at home and later, as a teen, working by his father's side during summer months.

Alec started his professional career as a carpenter with a California construction firm. In 1992 he took a job as a designer and builder with another construction company to learn more about the design side of the industry. In 1993, Alec began studies in the Planning, Public Planning and Management Honors Program at the University of Oregon. He graduated cum laude in 1997 with a BA in Community and Regional Development with a focus on sustainable design and a minor in architecture. Alec took a job at a Sacramento architecture firm, but fortunately for Rainbow Valley, Eugene's pull was strong, and he returned to take a job with us as a designer in 1998. Alec's clients know him to be a gifted designer. Alec considers that gift to be a family heirloom.

Talk about custom made: Dean Lamoureux is ideally suited for the design/build industry. In fact, while at Rainbow Valley, he's been known to design a home for a client and then go out and frame it!

As the son and grandson of electrical contractors, Dean grew up swinging a hammer but his fascination with the planning process eventually led him to receive a degree from the University of Oregon School of Architecture. During his college years Dean worked summers for design and construction firms and realized that finish work-wooden archways, mantlepieces, stairways and furniture, allowed him to combine his love of design and passion for building.

Dean joined RBV in August 1996 as a designer, but couldn't stay away from construction sites. Now, as a project manager and owner, he can be found on-site, resolving a complicated framing problem, in our wood shop working on a specialty cabinet, or at a drafting table, creating another masterful design.

Andrew Dumitru, is truly a man for all seasonings. While most of us can't even pronounce 'chocolatier', Andrew is one! His love of cooking, baking and catering led him to specialize in chocolate confections, especially truffles. Needless to say, he's a very popular guy at Rainbow Valley.

But our man wielding the pastry bag and wearing the apron is just as comfortable using design software and sporting a nail bag. Andrew moved from California in 1977 to live at Alpha Farm, an intentional community in Deadwood. There he developed an array of practical skills, including home building and design, forestry, plumbing, mechanics and supervision. He has been a baker and purchaser for Alpha-Bit, Alpha Farm's cafe and bookstore, and helps run workshops on consensus decision making and group process. And he's as committed to his family as he is to his community, frequently taking time off between projects to spend time with his wife, Lisbeth, and their two young children.

Andrew earned a bachelor's degree in architecture at the University of Oregon in 1988, and pursued freelance design and construction in Deadwood. Seeking to expand his skills, Andrew joined our design team in 1996. Since then, we've come to rely not only on his gift for design, but also on his group process and facilitating skills, which make him an ideal job site supervisor. His dessert prowess is merely the icing on the cake.

Tom Huckabee, the newest owner of Rainbow Valley, is also one of the Northwest's original skateboarders. And it was skateboarding that brought him to the world of construction. Caught up in the skateboard craze of the late 1970's, Tom started working in a skateboard shop where he eventually started building ramps for the skateboarders to "ride". As the ramps became larger and more complex, Tom's appreciation for the fine art of construction grew, and in 1991 he and a friend decided to start their own construction company. In 2001, after working as a framing subcontractor for Rainbow Valley on several projects, Tom joined our team and eventually worked his way up to project manager. When Tom is not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife and son and keeping up on all the latest construction trends. But the trend that perhaps warms his heart the most is the "new" craze of skateboarding.