Meet The Team
Jim Baratto
Owner
Jim Baratto grew up in Hill City, MN, and attended Bemidji State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology in 1976.
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He continued to hone his industrial skills by earning a Vocational Certification in Sheet Metal in 1977. From there he began his career in education, teaching courses in topics such as Architectural Drafting, Electronics, Cabinetmaking, Industrial Technology, and various other building trades. In 1996, Jim completed the necessary coursework to earn a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development & Education from the University of St. Thomas. It was then in 2002, equipped with a lifetime of industrial knowledge and a passion for custom designed carpentry, Jim and his brother founded Baratto Brothers Construction, Inc. Jim became sole owner of Baratto Brothers in the fall of 2009 and his son Ben joined the business. Ben has since become part owner and Vice-President of the company and they continue to grow and build Baratto Brothers as a successful construction business based on family values. Jim enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife DeAnna, their 3 children, and 5 grandchildren (and counting).
Ben Baratto
Owner & President
Ben is part owner of Baratto Brothers Construction and oversees all construction management operations.
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He works hard to ensure that the BBC team is adhering to the rigid procedures set forth which aim to provide consistency in client experience and meet the high standards in place as a premier builder. Ben began working for Baratto Brothers in 2002, the same year he began school at Bemidji State University. He played football for BSU and later held a captain leadership role. Ben spent his time between semesters in the field learning the trades and in 2007, graduated with a BS in Industrial Technology with an emphasis on Construction Management. After graduation, he moved home and began working full time for Baratto Brothers. In 2014, he became a shareholder of the organization and now continues to manage the day-to-day operations as well as guide and implement the strategic direction of the company. Ben enjoys hunting and fishing in his off time and spending time with his wife Amy and their three young children.
Eric Carder
Partner – Director of Project Development
Eric is a Partner with the firm and as such he assists the Vice President in construction management operations.
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On top of that, his role in Project Development is to work with BBC clients and our estimators to bring together a project that embodies the vision of the clients. Eric has 16+ years of experience in both residential and commercial project development, management, and construction marketing. He was hired by BBC in 2011 as Director of Project Development and in 2014, he became a Partner. Eric’s skills and background support the sales processes and marketing strategies that encourages growth and expansion of Baratto Brothers Construction. In 2014, he was instrumental in developing and implementing the commercial construction division of BBC, which is now thriving and growing. Eric is also a USAT Triathlon National Competitor, a 2 time Ironman Wisconsin Finisher, and an avid hunter. On his off time you may find him riding our local Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails training for his next race.
Matt Radniecki
CFO
Matt began honing his leadership experience and management skills while serving two tours in Iraq as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
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Following his years as a Marine, Matt graduated from the College of Saint Scholastica with a B.A in Management. In 2013, he chose to leave a promising career in the retirement services industry to step in to an accounting and business role with Baratto Brothers Construction. The move proved to be a good fit in rounding out the leadership team for BBC. Matt is actively working towards earning his MBA, with an anticipated completion date of October 2017, and at the same time will begin completing the various sections of both the CPA and CMA exams. Aside from managing the overall financial aspects of the organization, Matt’s role on the team is to ensure that our Project Managers are working to provide the best value for our clients throughout the construction process. In his spare time, Matt is a dedicated husband, new father, and an accomplished triathlete. He qualified for the ITU age-group World Championships in 2015 and has been a three-time qualifier of the USAT National Championships between 2013-2015.
Jason Thiesse
Project Development
Jason started at BBC as a Job Site Superintendent in 2012 and was promoted into a Project Development role with Baratto Brothers Construction in 2015.
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Jason has worked in the construction industry for over sixteen years. He completed his formal construction training through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Accomplishments during his career include first place in the State of Minnesota Craft Championship, subsequently finishing in the top five at the National Craft Championship competition in Puerto Rico. Jason has enjoyed progressing through the ranks of construction and gaining experience at different levels along the way. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm where he also learned the value of hard work. Jason’s training and experience has been a great asset to the Project Development team. On his off time, Jason gets out hunting and fishing on the Minnesota lakes with his 3 boys and wife, Bobbi. They also hit the pavement on their Harley’s and aim to put as many miles as they can as weather and time permits.
Joel Ferguson
Project Manager
Joel Ferguson has been exposed to the construction industry trades since the age of 14 when he began summer work as a roofer in Heron Lake.
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After graduating high school from Pequot Lakes, Joel continued building on his experience while working for a small contractor in Crosslake and also managing the ongoing construction needs of his family’s lake resort. In 2003, Joel graduated from Alexandria Technical College’s Carpentry Program where he fine-tuned his skills in various trades including woodworking, project planning, drafting, estimating, and accounting. Joel starting working as a carpenter for Baratto Brothers Constructions in 2004. His superior performance and knowledge launched him from a carpenter to a Lead Carpenter, then to a Foreman, and ultimately to a Project Manager in 2012. Since then, Joel has successfully managed multiple projects ranging from multi-million dollar custom lake homes to multi-million dollar light commercial/industrial buildings. In his personal time, Joel spends as much time as possible enjoying the Minnesota seasons. He gets out boating on the lake in the summer with his girlfriend, Renee, and hits the trails snowmobiling in the winter when the snow cooperates. As time allows, Joel takes advantage of the BBC shop and sharpens his skills doing some woodworking and furniture building on the side.
Nicki Fett
Interior Designer
Meagan McGrane
Administrative Assistant
Meagan, originally from Bluffton, MN, graduated with a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of MN, Crookston, in 2007.
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Since then she has been working in the agriculture and horticulture industries, most recently doing landscape maintenance. Meagan has been a positive addition to Baratto Brothers Construction team handling all of the general office administration tasks and is the welcoming voice of BBC. She resides in Brainerd with her two children.
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Baratto Brothers Construction, Inc.
218.692.1070
