WELCOME TO
DESCHUTES CUSTOM HOMES
With years of experience in the custom home industry, we are committed to excellence, from our hands-on approach to our attention to every detail. Our mission is to turn your dream home into a reality, blending personalized service with superior craftsmanship to build homes that stand the test of time.
MEET THE TEAM
MICHELLE CONKLIN
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
Born and raised in Oregon, Michelle holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Interior Design and Housing Studies from Oregon State University. She has over a decade of experience in the construction industry, with a background that includes design and drafting, accounting and bookkeeping, building department permitting, and project management.
Michelle and her family have called several states home—including Hawaii, Washington, Texas, and Oregon—but are now happily settled back in Central Oregon, where they’ve spent the past five years renovating their quirky old farmhouse.
Alongside her husband, she also co-owns an event catering company. They share a love for hospitality and often host friends and family to test out new menus and recipes.
KEN SUNZERI
OWNER - NEW CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST
The story of Deschutes Custom Homes is rooted in legacy, craftsmanship, and a lifelong passion for building exceptional spaces. Founder Ken Sunzeri comes from a long line of builders—his great-grandfather was a prolific craftsman behind many of San Jose’s historic homes and churches that still stand today.
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Ken began working construction jobs through high school and college, mastering framing, renovation, and design. In 2007, he founded his own company with a vision to create architecturally distinct homes built with character and integrity.
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After weathering the 2008 recession and refining his craft through diverse projects, Ken led Sunzeri Construction to success in the Bay Area before relocating to Central Oregon. Today, Deschutes Custom Homes continues that multi-generational standard of excellence, blending timeless design with modern craftsmanship.
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Outside of work, Ken enjoys life on his small farm in Tumalo with his wife, April, and their four daughters. He stays active, loves music, and still dreams of becoming a jazz pianist one day.
JOHN KNAUSS
OWNER - RENOVATION SPECIALIST
John Knauss was born and raised in Edmonds, Washington, where his love for building began while working construction jobs to support his college education. What started as a way to pay tuition quickly became a lifelong passion for hands-on craftsmanship and design.
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After founding his first remodeling company in the Seattle area, John spent nearly a decade earning a reputation for quality work and attention to detail. In 2011, he and his wife, Kristi, moved their growing family to Bend, Oregon, where they embraced the outdoors and a slower pace of life.
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Following over a decade with local design/build firms, John teamed up with Ken Sunzeri in 2022 to launch Deschutes Custom Homes. Grounded, hardworking, and family-centered, John brings passion, craftsmanship, and care to every home he helps create.
GRANT HAMLIN
PROJECT MANAGER
Grant Hamlin is a Business Management graduate from Oregon State University with deep roots in the construction industry and a lifelong passion for design and craftsmanship.
Growing up immersed in the world of building, Grant has been creating luxury custom homes in Bend, Oregon since 2018—known for his attention to detail, creative vision, and commitment to delivering one-of-a-kind residences that reflect both quality and individuality.
Before his career in construction, Grant was a nationally ranked alpine ski racer, training with Mt. Hood Academy and the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.
Today, that same drive and precision carry through his work as a builder. When he’s not on a job site, you can find Grant on the mountain skiing or mountain biking with his wife, Abbi, or enjoying time around a fire with family, friends, and their Bernedoodle, Stokely.
JIMMY GENTRY
PROJECT MANAGER
Jimmy Gentry was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and has always been drawn to working with his hands and creating lasting, meaningful work. After graduating from Verdugo Hills High School, he began his career in the entertainment industry with Global Entertainment Industries, building sets for film and television. The work combined creativity and technical skill through carpentry, welding, and graphic design.
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In 2017, Jimmy moved to Oregon and began working in residential remodeling, focusing on carpentry and helping homeowners transform their spaces. What he enjoys most is guiding clients from the first conversation to the finished project and seeing their vision come to life.
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Outside of work, Jimmy loves spending time with his wife, Julianna, and their son, Jacob. He also enjoys camping, rock crawling, backpacking, traveling, golfing, woodworking, and playing guitar.
PROJECT MANAGER
KRIS MOOD
Born and raised in Hawaii, Kris relocated to Oregon, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology. With a background spanning several areas of the construction industry, Kris brings a well-rounded perspective to his work.
His experience includes roles in building product sales, estimating, production, and project management. His first job as a teen was at a hardware store, where he developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and the collaborative process behind every successful project.
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Outside of work, Kris enjoys spending time with his young adult son, attending concerts, and watching him surf the river wave. He is also passionate about water sports, snowmobiling, and traveling.
SPECIALTY PROJECTS
TREVOR
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Trevor was always drawn to the mountains and the epic singletrack trails of the West he’d see in mountain bike magazines. In 2016, he made the move to Bend, Oregon—with three mountain bikes, a dirt bike, two mattresses, and his best friend. Within a week, he met his future wife and soon after began his construction career as a framer.
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Over the next seven years, Trevor built a strong foundation in residential construction, mastering the trade from the ground up. Since joining Deschutes Custom Homes, he’s expanded his expertise across remodels and new builds, contributing to the high-quality craftsmanship the team is known for.
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Now living in Sunriver with his wife, two sons, and their dogs, Trevor spends his free time woodworking, mountain biking with his 5-year-old, and enjoying everything Central Oregon has to offer.
Transforming an industry that hasn’t changed in a century isn’t easy.