Meet the Team

Hartford, SD

Kristy Koprowicz

General Manager

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Kristy joined Blackburn with a passion for helping homeowners and leading teams with integrity and enthusiasm. Originally from Wells, Minnesota, she now calls Sioux Falls, South Dakota home. Known for her upbeat attitude and dedication, Kristy brings energy and focus to everything she does — from coaching her team to ensuring every homeowner receives the best experience possible. Outside of work, she enjoys playing softball, throwing darts, shooting pool, and spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Jasper and Cody.

Zac Appletoft

Director of Sales & Service

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Zac, originally from Mitchell and now living in Bridgewater, South Dakota, is a dedicated leader who finds fulfillment in helping the Sales and Service teams at Blackburn excel in their roles. He takes pride in coming to work each day to help homeowners solve their biggest challenges and give them peace of mind knowing their homes are protected. Zac is passionate about building strong teams that set up the Production crews for success, ensuring every customer receives the best service possible. He believes in doing what we say we’re going to do—when we say we’re going to do it. Outside of work, Zac enjoys taking his pontoon out with family and friends during the summer and spending time with his wife, Amy, and their three daughters, Alyssa, Mia, and Maxine.

Kristi Merfeld

Director of Marketing

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Kristi joined Blackburn with a passion for marketing and helping homeowners. She lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with her husband, Chase, son, Trey, and Luna, their husky. Growing up on a farm outside of Trent, South Dakota, she developed a strong work ethic and a passion for serving others. Known for her creativity and strategic thinking, Kristi is dedicated to supporting homeowners and the communities Blackburn serves. Outside of work, her family enjoys hiking, exploring local wineries, coaching baseball, and spending time in downtown Sioux Falls.

Elizabeth Pearson

Customer Care Manager

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Elizabeth joined Blackburn with a passion for creating remarkable experiences for homeowners and leading her team with care and dedication. She lives in Bridgewater, South Dakota, with her husband, Zach, and their two daughters, Blaire and Annie. Known for her dependable and driven nature, Elizabeth takes pride in helping homeowners from their first call to the final installation. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, reading, adventuring in the mountains, and collecting wildflowers.

Justin Taylor

Branch Manager

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Nick Skillman

Service Manager

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Originally from Garretson, South Dakota, Nick now calls Brandon home. Known for his friendly personality and team-first mindset, he takes pride in being part of a company where every department works together to create a remarkable experience for homeowners. Nick values collaboration and communication, ensuring each customer receives the best possible service. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending quality time with family — including his two dogs, Wrigley, a 7-year-old Doberman/Pit mix, and Ms. Hazel, a 4-month-old Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix. Nick’s dependability and dedication to teamwork make him a strong example of Blackburn’s “One Team” mission and commitment to excellence.

Corey Little 

Sales Manager

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Corey, originally from Sioux City, Iowa, now calls Sioux Falls, South Dakota home. Known for his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and passion for helping homeowners, he brings energy and teamwork to everything he does. Corey takes pride in providing lasting solutions and ensuring each homeowner feels cared for throughout their project. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his dogs, Harper and Scooby, working out, watching a good movie, and hanging out with his niece and nephew. His dedication, dependability, and drive make him an invaluable part of the Blackburn team.

DesaRay Bruggeman

Accounting Specialist

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Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, DesaRay brings a collaborative spirit and a passion for growth to the Blackburn team. Now living in Sioux Falls with her spouse and five children, she enjoys a busy life filled with family time, gardening, and bird watching. DesaRay is energized by environments where she can make an impact while learning from others, and she appreciates how openly ideas are shared within the Blackburn team. She embodies our One Team mission by communicating clearly, staying dependable, and supporting her colleagues to reach shared goals with confidence and consistency.

Pieter Swart

Foreman

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coming soon.

Alfredo Gallegos

Radon Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Dillon Pacholl

Foreman

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Dillon was born and raised between Sioux Falls and Canistota, South Dakota, and has always had a hands-on approach to problem-solving. His passion for mechanical work and helping others led him to join the Blackburn Foundation Repair team, where he takes pride in making a positive impact for homeowners. Outside of work, Dillon enjoys playing guitar, tattooing, drawing, writing, working on vehicles, and riding motorcycles. He and his wife, Keylia, have five children — Sienna, Lyric, Zaidon, Freyah, and Ryot — who inspire him every day. Dillon’s dependability, drive, and teamwork reflect Blackburn’s core values and make him an essential part of the crew.

Devin Maxwell

Foreman

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Devin, born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, still calls Sioux Falls home. He enjoys golfing, spending time with friends and family, smoking meat, and being outdoors. When he’s not outside, Devin and his family love spending time with their three bearded dragons and two cats. His family includes his beautiful girlfriend Brianna and their wonderful daughter Novalyn. As a Foreman at Blackburn, Devin is excited to enter customers’ homes, address their concerns, and fix the issues that threaten their safety or peace of mind. He takes pride in seeing the transformation from start to finish—knowing the homeowner can rest easy once the job is done. Devin represents Blackburn’s mission by putting the customer first, leading his crew efficiently, and making sure every project reflects the dependable, passionate, and hardworking spirit that defines the Blackburn team.

Evan Wilson

Foreman

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Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, now lives in Dell Rapids. He finds peace in fixing small details around the house and has recently started getting into woodworking. Evan enjoys spending time with family, especially pheasant hunting and fishing around Northeast South Dakota, and he also likes gaming—mainly racing and Battlefield. Born and raised in Sioux Falls, his family is spread across Eastern South Dakota, Maine, and Texas. As a Foreman at Blackburn, Evan enjoys tackling the challenges that come with time in a home or business and showcasing the high-quality solutions Blackburn offers. He loves seeing the dramatic, hour-by-hour improvements that come with concrete lifting and values being part of such a supportive team. Evan represents Blackburn’s mission by leading with dependability and teamwork, ensuring every project runs smoothly and is done right the first time—no surprises, just solid results.

Tanner Iwan

Foreman

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Originally from Scotland, South Dakota, Tanner now lives in Bridgewater with his wife, Mallory, and their son, Archer. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.
As a Foreman at Blackburn Foundation Repair, Tanner takes pride in leading his crew and making sure every project is completed safely, efficiently, and with the customer’s needs in mind. His experience in multiple roles at Blackburn gives him a strong understanding of what it takes to keep a job running smoothly from start to finish.
Tanner enjoys being hands-on in the field, working alongside his crew, solving challenges as they come up, and helping homeowners protect one of their most valuable investments—their home. He loves what he does and the people he gets to do it with.

Shytwain Foster

Foreman

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Trystin Pulscher

Foreman

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Zach Sauers

Service Technician

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Zach, originally from Larchwood and still living in Larchwood, Iowa, is proud to be part of the Blackburn Foundation Repair team and values the company’s strong customer-first mentality. He enjoys helping homeowners feel confident that their homes are in good hands and takes pride in being part of a team focused on providing lasting solutions and peace of mind. Zach believes in putting the customer first and making sure homeowners feel supported throughout the process. Outside of work, Zach enjoys golfing, shooting pool, watching dirt track races, and spending time with his family.

Eric Leighton

Warehouse Manager

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Bio Coming Soon

Shawn Nelson

Senior Account Manager

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Originally from Mitchell, South Dakota, now calls Sioux Falls home. Known for his strong attention to detail and dependable nature, he brings a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach to every project. His passion for helping others and commitment to quality make him a valuable part of the Blackburn Foundation Repair team. Outside of work, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife, Christi, and their two children, Carolee and Simon. He loves cooking, grilling, reading, and experimenting with his 3D printer to create custom items for friends and family. Shawn takes pride in being part of a company that values integrity, teamwork, and putting customers first.

Jason Gabriel

Field Supervisor 

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Originally from Fort Pierre, South Dakota, Jason now lives in Sioux Falls with his significant other, Leah, their son, Wylder, and their dog, Thor. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and fishing.

Jason is proud to be part of the Blackburn team and appreciates working alongside people who care about the quality of their work and the service they provide. He is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of homeowners by delivering dependable solutions and an excellent experience.

As a leader, Jason is committed to coaching and developing Blackburn’s crews. He leads by example, helps team members grow, and works to ensure every project meets Blackburn’s high standards for quality and customer care.

Ben Rauscher

Design Specialist 

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Born and raised in Mitchell, South Dakota, Ben enjoys life in his hometown with his two sons, ages 15 and 10. Outside of work, he loves golfing, playing hockey, and spending time with friends and family. Ben enjoys meeting new people every day and takes pride in providing quality solutions that homeowners can trust. He’s dedicated to giving each customer peace of mind knowing their home has been fixed correctly the first time.

Levi Ford

Design Specialist

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Born and raised in Brookings, South Dakota, Levi brings a hands-on, customer-focused approach to every project he takes on. As a Design Specialist at Blackburn Foundation Repair, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the right solution for their unique needs — with the same care and attention he’d give his own family’s home. Dependable and driven, Levi takes pride in doing things right the first time and ensuring every homeowner feels confident in their home again. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, riding motorcycles, camping, and hiking with friends and family.

Gavin Lewis

Design Specialist 

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Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and still proud to call Sioux Falls home, Gavin enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him on the golf course, staying active, or out on walks with his family.

Gavin is excited to be part of the Blackburn team because it gives him the opportunity to help his community permanently protect their greatest asset — their home. With five years of industry experience, he takes pride in crafting custom solutions for each homeowner. By focusing on long-term results and peace of mind, Gavin helps homeowners feel confident knowing their foundation and concrete concerns are handled the right way.

Anthony Viereck

Design Specialist

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Originally from Larchwood, Iowa, Anthony brings a dependable, hardworking attitude and strong integrity to his role at Blackburn Foundation Repair. His goal is simple — to help homeowners protect and improve their homes with solutions they can trust. Known for his focus on quality and customer care, Anthony takes pride in doing the job right the first time. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, woodworking, gardening, and spending time outdoors. Anthony values family above all else and enjoys life with his significant other, his son, and their two cats. His dedication and reliability make him a valued part of the Blackburn team.

Tim Boyer

Design Specialist

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Originally from Parker, Colorado, and now living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he enjoys life with his wife and two kids. In his free time, he enjoys cars, gaming, golfing, and spending time with friends.

He is excited to be part of the Blackburn team to try something new and continue growing. He takes pride in being willing to learn, working with integrity, and doing what’s right for both the customer and the team. By focusing on honest solutions and strong values, he helps deliver a positive experience for every homeowner.

Nate Roemen

Design Specialist

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Originally from Larchwood, Iowa, and still living in Larchwood, Iowa, he enjoys spending time golfing and at the pool. He values time with family, including his two sisters, two nephews, and four nieces, and is proud to be a godparent to two of them.

He is excited to be part of the Blackburn team to help guide customers in protecting and repairing their homes. He takes pride in delivering great customer service through hard work and dedication. By putting homeowners first, he helps ensure every job is done right and every customer feels confident in their home.

Tanner Mott

Design Specialist

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Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and still living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he enjoys life with his wife and two sons. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and staying active with sports.

He is excited to be part of the Blackburn team to gain knowledge and work alongside a motivated group of people. He takes pride in being solution-oriented, maintaining a strong work ethic, and putting people first. By focusing on doing what’s right for each homeowner, he helps deliver a better experience and lasting results.

Patrick Coleman

Concrete Design Specialist

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Patrick, originally from Sibley, Iowa, and now living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is passionate about putting people first and helping homeowners feel seen, heard, and supported. He finds fulfillment in educating homeowners about what is causing problems in their homes and working alongside them to determine the best solution for their situation. Patrick believes in approaching every interaction with kindness, honesty, and a positive attitude, and he always strives to bring a smile or laugh to those around him.

Outside of work, Patrick enjoys watching movies and Tennessee Titans football, writing, reading, shooting hoops, attending live music events and arts festivals, and, most importantly, spending time with family. He shares his life with his significant other, Jordan, and remains close with his family in northwest Iowa, including his parents, Tim and Linda, and his younger brothers, Houston and Dakota.

Jenn Woldt

Marketing Specialist

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Originally from Winsted, Minnesota, Jenn now calls Sioux Falls, South Dakota home. Known for her creativity, enthusiasm, and positive energy, she brings passion and purpose to everything she does at Blackburn Foundation Repair. Jenn loves being part of a team that truly makes a difference for homeowners every day. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, hiking, blacksmithing, and singing karaoke. She’s happily married with three kids, two cats, and a dog — and finds her greatest joy in family time and helping others feel confident in their homes.

Talliah Rubey

Production/Logistics Specialist

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Talliah joined Blackburn with a passion for helping both her crews and customers while bringing a dependable, hardworking attitude to everything she does. Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she takes pride in giving her all each day—never stopping until she’s found the right solution. Known for her determination and teamwork, Talliah embodies Blackburn’s “One Team” spirit by showing up ready to support everyone around her. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, sewing, crocheting, writing, and collecting stickers, and loves spending time with her spouse, child, two dogs, and cat.

Anton Hall 

Service Technician 

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Originally from Watertown, South Dakota, now lives in Sioux Falls. He enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his wife. In his free time, Anton also loves playing video games with friends, hosting Dungeons & Dragons nights on Wednesdays, and playing Magic: The Gathering on weekends. A big fan of comic books—especially DC—he reads them often. Anton’s family includes his mom and stepdad, who live in Sioux Falls, his brother Isaiah and wife Tasha who live in Watertown with their twins, and his younger brother Ezra who lives in Sioux Falls with his daughter Everly. As part of the Blackburn team, Anton takes pride in seeing the systems they install in action and helping service them to ensure they’re working exactly as they should for customers. He enjoys working closely with homeowners to find the best ways to protect their homes and takes great satisfaction in knowing he’s helping safeguard one of their biggest investments. Anton lives Blackburn’s mission every day by being customer first, one team, and dependable—always communicating, showing up when he says he will, and being there for both his team and customers.

Darienne Stone

Customer Care Specialist

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Originally from Hartford, South Dakota, Darienne now calls Brandon home. Known for her friendly personality and strong sense of accountability, she takes pride in providing excellent customer service and helping homeowners protect their homes. Darienne values teamwork, dependability, and the collaboration that makes Blackburn’s culture so strong. Outside of work, she enjoys playing pool, knitting, board games, and Sudoku. She loves spending time with her husband, two kids, two cats, and their many fish, finding joy in both family life and making a difference for homeowners every day.

Lauren Anderberg

Customer Care Specialist

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Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lauren brings creativity, passion, and heart to everything she does. She loves being part of a company that values integrity, teamwork, and helping homeowners protect what matters most — their homes. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys cooking, reading, crafting, and gardening, always finding new ways to learn and create. She shares life with Chris, Adrian, Zander, Josilyn, Milo, Kai, Maizy, Simba, and Lizzie — a lively crew that keeps every day full of laughter. Lauren’s positivity and commitment to honesty make her a true reflection of Blackburn’s mission and values.

Kendra Thomas

Customer Care Specialist

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Coming Soon

Susan Holler

Service Scheduler

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Cat Henschel

Logistics Specialist

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Spearfish, SD

Austin Gabriel

Branch Manager

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Originally from Fort Pierre, South Dakota, Austin now calls Spearfish home. Known for his strong work ethic and dedication to doing things right the first time, he takes pride in delivering quality craftsmanship and dependable service. Whether he’s helping a teammate or working directly with homeowners, Austin brings focus, integrity, and care to every project. Outside of work, he enjoys staying busy with hands-on projects and finding new challenges to tackle. Austin’s drive, reliability, and teamwork make him a true reflection of Blackburn’s mission and values.

Ryan Clark

Sales Manager

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Originally from Tempe, Arizona, and now living in Spearfish, South Dakota, Ryan brings leadership, dedication, and a customer-first mindset to his role as Sales Manager at Blackburn Foundation Repair. He’s passionate about helping his team of System Design Specialists provide every homeowner with a professional and positive experience. Ryan values being part of a company where people are driven to grow personally and professionally while taking pride in serving homeowners well. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Sloan, and their daughter, Monroe — whether it’s camping, fishing, or relaxing at the lake.

Lyndon Lach

Design Specialist

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Originally from Minot, North Dakota, Lyndon brings dedication, integrity, and a strong work ethic to his role as a Design Specialist at Blackburn Foundation Repair. He takes pride in helping homeowners feel confident and secure in their homes again — ensuring every project is completed with care and lasting quality. Outside of work, Lyndon enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and riding motorcycles. He’s married with three children and values spending time with his family, whether at home or out on an adventure.

Cory Dieter

Design Specialist

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Originally from Sand, Oregon, and now living in Rapid City, South Dakota, Cory enjoys life with his wife and their five children. An outdoor enthusiast, he loves riding his Harley, four-wheeling, hunting, and fishing. Cory values that, from the top down, Blackburn is truly focused on helping homeowners. He takes pride in educating homeowners about why and how issues occur — and providing the best solutions to resolve their concerns with confidence and care.

Elliot Ramirez

Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Jared Voyles

Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Rick Fountain

Poly Foreman

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Bio Coming Soon

Ian Rath

Radon Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Jason Lauer

Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Zach Wilson

Service Technician 

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Born and raised in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, Zach takes pride in his small-town roots and strong work ethic. His dedication to helping homeowners and his reliable, team-oriented mindset make him a valued member of the Blackburn Foundation Repair team. Zach enjoys being part of a company that stands behind its work and truly cares about protecting customers’ homes. Outside of work, he stays active through boxing, hiking, and gaming — hobbies that keep him focused and balanced. Zach lives in Belle Fourche with his girlfriend and their dog, and he finds fulfillment in helping homeowners keep their homes safe, strong, and dry.

Wes Whitwer

Service Technician 

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Bio Coming Soon

Pierre, SD

Kevin Gabriel

Branch Manager

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Bio coming soon.

Dan Trefz

Design Specialist

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Originally from Onaka, South Dakota, and now living in Aberdeen, Dan enjoys life with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he spends his time hunting, fishing, training dogs, and being with his family. After a career in education, Dan wanted to join a reputable, stable, and trustworthy company where he could continue working with people while staying connected to his construction background. Joining Blackburn has been a perfect fit, and he’s proud to be part of a team that values quality, integrity, and lasting results.

Jason Gilk

Design Specialist

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Originally from Miller, South Dakota, and now living in Pierre, Jason brings both experience and professionalism to his role at Blackburn Foundation Repair. With ten years in home improvement and five in banking, he understands the value of trust, communication, and doing things right the first time. Inspired by his father-in-law, who has worked in the industry since 1992, Jason developed a strong interest in waterproofing and foundation repair and knows firsthand the importance of keeping a basement dry. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with his wife and their three children.

Gage Gehring

Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

Rayn Jones

Foreman

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Originally from Fort Pierre and now living in Pierre, South Dakota, Rayn takes pride in helping homeowners feel safe and confident in their homes again. As a Foreman at Blackburn Foundation Repair, he leads by example — guiding his crew with dependability, teamwork, and a passion for doing things right the first time. Rayn enjoys the hands-on nature of his work and the satisfaction of seeing a homeowner’s smile when a project is complete. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his family.

Clint Gregg

Foreman

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Bio coming soon.

The Blackburn Foundation Repair team is ready to provide you with top tier service in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska.

The story of our success all starts with our people. From our production team to our office staff, our team of professionals is passionate about what they do. We pride ourselves on hiring the best personnel in the industry and that all starts with people who love doing what they do.