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Sauter Builders was established in 1995. We take great pride in our commitment to building distinctive homes for our clients that are comfortable, resource and energy efficient – a home that they can be proud of for generations. We achieve our high quality standards with the expertise and integrity of a great group of individuals. We invite you to get to know them.  In 1986, Charlie had the opportunity to work on a new home project in Chanhassen, Minnesota with a company called The Swedish Housing Group. It was here that he was exposed to Swedish building methods that highlighted energy efficiency, indoor air quality and durability. He was intrigued at how they effectively integrated innovative technologies and construction techniques into a beautiful home. While in the Twin Cities, Charlie spent much time playing music. He was a first-call bass player in the Minneapolis music market, playing jazz, R&B, and rock with a dash of country with many regionally well known artists. In 1991, Charlie and his wife/business partner, Denise, moved to the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. They arrived in Boulder Junction with “Northern Home Services,” a caretaking company created from their own business plan, part of which was used as a model for Small Business Administration classes in the Minneapolis area. Charlie’s desire to reconnect with his love of carpentry was fulfilled in 1993 when he took a job with a cabinet maker and, soon after, a local builder. Charlie and Denise founded Sauter Builders in 1995 with the goal of continuing the same tradition of quality home construction Charlie had seen in The Swedish Housing Group. With an emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainability and long term durability, “Green Building” has been a way of life for Sauter Builders since the beginning. They have found the Boulder Junction area to be a great place to raise children, enjoy wonderful friends and make lots of music (see More Info & Fun Stuff!). And – Charlie even became a Packer fan! Charlie loves the creative process in designing and building homes. He attributes much of his enthusiasm for designing homes to his passion for playing music. He appreciates the problem solving and the artistic nature involved in both music and home design. Extremely committed to advancing the idea of energy efficient green building methods, Charlie leads free educational home energy seminars for the public and works with several high schools speaking to classes and involving them in the testing of new homes. He also serves on the building committees of various local service organizations.  Denise graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Music Business – a foundation she has drawn upon in many facets of her life. She was in marketing, sales and management for several companies, including “jingle houses,” where she sold jingles for radio and television commercials in Midwest markets (a fun and very interesting industry!). In 1990, she convinced Charlie that her brainchild, a caretaking company dubbed Northern Home Services, could facilitate their move to the beautiful Northwoods. Although they left many dear friends and music behind, they have met many more wonderful people and adventures in the Boulder Junction area. Northern Home Services served them well until they were ready to start a family and venture on to Charlie’s dream of truly energy and resource efficient building. Denise wears many hats at Sauter Builders. She oversees office operations, is the Chief Financial Officer, OSHA supervisor, and the Marketing Department. In her precious spare time, she pursues her passion for music in many ways. She is the lead singer for the band Jazzworks and one of three singers in Mama’s Little Hippies (see More Info & Fun Stuff!). She is also a choir director and currently teaches piano lessons to seven great kids! Denise is a self-proclaimed “bit-of-a-fanatic” when it comes to natural foods and chemical-free products in and around their home. Together, Denise and Charlie are constantly researching healthy alternatives to traditional building materials and methods.
 While in Hawaii, Donna held several jobs to make ends meet, one of which was a receptionist with a CPA and real estate company. It was there that she learned and perfected her office management skills, and became a licensed real estate agent in the State of Hawaii. After several great years in the CPA’s office, Donna began working for a chiropractic office as an office manager and personal secretary. At that time she also worked as a supervisor in sales for Liberty House of Hawaii department stores where she achieved an honorary recognition for lead sales two years in a row. After struggling in the Hawaiian economy for nearly seven years, Donna moved back “home” where she met her life partner, Randy Boyle. As owners of Pine Hill Resort in Presque Isle they started a family, fulfilling her dream be a stay at home Mom. During the seven years at the resort, Donna donated time to many nonprofit organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Last Wilderness Conservation Association, a local land trust with a focus on conservation and preservation of land here in the Northwoods. Donna also created Presque Isle Wildcrafts, a truly unique arts and crafts business specializing in “making something from nothing.” She loves growing organic herb and flower gardens, gathering from the wild, and scrounging around antique and junk shops, searching for treasures to use in her beautiful dried flower arrangements. Donna and Randy eventually sold the resort in 1998, at which time Donna became a full time home schooling Mom. She compares home schooling to the Peace Corp, in that “it is the toughest job you’ll ever love!”
Donna joined Sauter Builders as Office Manager in 2007, and has been a wonderful addition to the office. Her organizational skills are indispensable, and she cheerfully takes on the tough job of keeping everyone in line!  Dennis devoted 24 years of his life to serving the people of Boulder Junction as their Police Officer. He retired in 2006 after 30 years of law enforcement service. Dennis continues to serve as Fire Chief for the Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department – a position he has held for the last 15 years. A self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer, Dennis applied for this job after Sauter Builders had completed an addition and installed a ventilation system for his family’s Boulder Junction home. He brings integrity, discipline, and hard work to every job site. Dennis is the go-to guy for safety on the job! And everyone makes room when his pager goes off and he has to put his Fire Chief hat on. Dennis and his wife, Karla, have lived in Boulder Junction for over 26 years. They have two sons, Benjamin and Shane. Being a true northern Wisconsite, Dennis tries to spend as much time as he can outdoors, with hunting as a life long passion.  Prior to that, Bob had worked in both commercial and residential construction for 23 years. He has been involved in the Energy Star/Focus on Energy programs since their inception. Bob has been instrumental in the Wisconsin Energy Star Homes program as he served on several round table discussions to determine the initial direction of the program. During his nine years with the Energy Star program, Bob and his crew certified 16 Energy Star homes in the Merrill area. And, in 2006, he was honored as the only recipient from Northern Wisconsin to receive an award for Excellence in Air Tightness from the State of Wisconsin and the Energy Star program (he likes to rub this in to Charlie as frequently as he can! But Charlie likes to remind Bob that they aren’t presenting these awards anymore!). His brother decided to leave the business in 2005, and Bob continued operations alone for two more years, before deciding to seek out another Energy Star builder to lend his talents to. We were very fortunate that he came knocking on the door of Sauter Builders. Bob is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated (one of our office mantras is “What Would Bob Do?”). For the first year of his employment with Sauter Builders, he commuted from Merrill to the jobsites in Mercer and Boulder Junction! We are happy to report that he and his wife have purchased land, and are putting down their roots in the Boulder area. Bob has Charlie beat in another area – He and his wife have been married for over 35 years. They have four children, and are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.  As he grew up, Jay would often build various forts and tree houses. After high school and college, he was given the opportunity to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps as a brick mason by entering a union apprenticeship in plastering. Jay became a journeyman plasterer and was able to work on various projects, most notably, a second copy of the Frank Lloyd Wright design, “Falling Waters” on the shore of Lake Geneva. At 26, Jay had the opportunity to change careers and work in the office of a large commercial construction firm as an estimator and project manager. After a few years, he was able to use his new knowledge to start his lifelong dream of becoming a business owner himself. He became partners with his brother, John, and started J&J Construction, Inc. As an owner, Jay was able to work, both with his hands as a carpenter, and in the office as a custom home designer. Through the years their company was recognized for its customer service and innovative home designs, winning awards such as “Builder of the Year” and “Best Parade of Homes Model.” In 2005, Jay parted ways with his business partner to look for a place to slow down with his wife, three kids and a boat. He loved the northwoods, and felt fortunate to find a piece of property just across the lake from his parents’ summer home where he and his brother spent many wonderful vacations. After taking a year to build their new family home, Jay found Sauter Builders.
Needless to say, Jay’s talents and experience have made him an integral part of the Sauter Builders team.  After working for various homebuilders during high school summers, George eventually earned a position with a small, highly regarded AIA award-winning custom builder in the north shore suburbs of Chicago. In 1980, while working as a mechanical maintenance supervisor, George pursued a dream – a five year project building a sailboat. Understandably, he desired more free time to enjoy his dream, which led to self-employment in the construction business for fourteen years in Lake Geneva, WI. He would work long hours in the fall, winter and spring in order to enjoy many happy summers cruising under sail on the Great Lakes and Atlantic coasts of Nova Scotia and Maine. After his sailing career, George was hired on to help build a ship, the S/V Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot re-creation of a three-masted, 19th century Great Lakes schooner. Master shipbuilder Rob Stevens handed George the responsibility of building the white oak, curved sliding hatches and mating doors for the Coast Guard certified vessel. Another highlight of George’s multi-faceted career included creating a manufacturing department for an architectural pre-cast concrete manufacturer for the in-house production of wood molds for their custom concrete products. He then broadened his knowledge of woodworking and state of the art fabrication techniques working for Glenn Rieder, a Milwaukee-based architectural millwork firm. During his years at Glenn Rieder, George met his wife Jacqui in the modern way – online. They were married on the covered bridge in Milwaukee’s Grant Park. They adopted two ferrets to keep Jacqui company while George went to work five and often six days a week at the millwork company.
George’s vast experience shows in his work. He is talented, and his attention to detail allows him to take on just about anything!  Chris attended UW-LaCrosse and UW-Menomonie where he studied music and social services (you should hear Chris play guitar sometime!). After college, he returned to Manitowish Waters to help manage the family farm and start his own family.
In addition to cranberry farming, throughout the years Chris gained knowledge in the construction field building and remodeling spec homes, and installing hardwood floors. In 1998, he and his wife began a self-sustaining, organic hobby farm in Mercer, where, along with three more boys, they raised Scottish Highland cattle, sheep, milking goats and chickens. During this time, Chris also worked for a builder who specialized in timber frame construction. He consequently built an old fashioned barn on the farm utilizing mortise and tenon construction. Chris joined Sauter Builders in 2006 and has been a great addition to the crew, bringing integrity and a positive attitude to every job.
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