Meet the Team
35 years ago Steve Mindel and Jonathan Morse began working together in Southern Vermont focused on bringing fine homebuilding to the area. Throughout those years they harnessed and developed their penchant for quality work. Mindel and Morse Builders is an ongoing testament to the good-hearted community members and businessmen who set out to do the best work at a time where the best work wasn't being done. We are proud to continue this trend.
Jonathan (JoJo) has stepped down from regular work and settled into a retirement project -- he is working hard at renovating his daughter's home in Marlboro. As a founding member of SEON, Jonathan remains on the board and plays a large role in the ongoing efforts there, bridging members of the sustainable building community. You may also find him singing bass in the Brattleboro Concert Choir.
Steve is still very much involved in the goings on at Mindel and Morse -- financial oversight, communicating with clients and the many planning/designing aspects of the work. While not doing too much heavy lifting anymore, you'll find him with his crew troubleshooting issues and crafting building methods to ensure that the work is done in a way akin to the decades of methodology developed by he and Jonathan.
Jonathan (JoJo) has stepped down from regular work and settled into a retirement project -- he is working hard at renovating his daughter's home in Marlboro. As a founding member of SEON, Jonathan remains on the board and plays a large role in the ongoing efforts there, bridging members of the sustainable building community. You may also find him singing bass in the Brattleboro Concert Choir.
Steve is still very much involved in the goings on at Mindel and Morse -- financial oversight, communicating with clients and the many planning/designing aspects of the work. While not doing too much heavy lifting anymore, you'll find him with his crew troubleshooting issues and crafting building methods to ensure that the work is done in a way akin to the decades of methodology developed by he and Jonathan.
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Joshua Engle
Josh started his building career in his father's workshop cutting out wooden swords from scrap pieces of lumber. After a stint studying art and sculpture at Humboldt State University in Northern California he came to Vermont to live in a cold climate where life in the woods is considered usual. Josh has been working with Mindel and Morse Builders since 2008 and began taking a leadership role in the company in 2014. He lives with his family in West Brattleboro and, when not working on bringing his clients houses to a state of functionality and beauty, he works on getting his own house to be functional and beautiful.
Gero Dolfus
Gero joined M&M fresh off the boat to fulfill his old dream of becoming a carpenter. He studied economics at the universities of Tübingen, Helsinki, and Minnesota and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Helsinki. After growing up in Germany and living in Hungary, Finland, and Minnesota, he and his wife decided to return to her roots and make Vermont their home. Outside work, Gero tries to just sit down and relax, but rarely succeeds. In 2017, he became a PHIUS Certified BuilderSM and a dad.
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Patrick Stevens
Patrick grew up in Windham County and began his work in the trades as a stone mason tender when he was 18. After studying music theory at Marlboro College he found himself in Somerville, Massachusetts working in food as a cheese monger and cook. While there he met his eventual wife and, together, they decided to return to their home state. They settled in Brattleboro in 2013 and this is when Patrick began his career in carpentry. Outside of the trade he finds himself cooking, playing music and works part-time at a local eatery.
Steve Detra
The “other Steve” lives in Guilford with his wife and golden boxador (part lab, part boxer - He named the breed himself). Moving to the area in 1984 to teach woodworking at Marlboro College, he launched a construction company with Rick Barron in 1985. Since 2001 Steve has worked for M&M, for a total of 32 years in the construction trade in this area. Steve is a dedicated worker, a skilled framer and a fine cabinetmaker. In his spare time he restores British sports cars.
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