About the Team

Chad Arendsen: A fourth generation builder, Chad Arendsen is the Principal, front man and namesake of Chad of All Trades, Inc. With a (perhaps naive) dedication to revolutionizing the construction industry, Chad believes in an educational approach to sales and a long-term, preventive approach to building. Having started the company himself as a mobilehome handyman, and grown the company to a full service construction company, he has never lost sight of full spectrum of the industry and is dedicated to providing quality service to every home regardless of project size or budget. While working as a waiter to pay his way through college, Chad also learned the great lesson of customer service and is, therefore, a proponent of running his business with the client in mind. Chad is a master of budget engineering, construction management and is an undeniable people person. While many of his associates and close relatives find him nauseatingly optimistic, his clients have always found reassurance in his inability to say no and his innovation in finding solutions. He can solve Sudoku puzzles without making notes, he has almost finished the Rubix Cube without cheating; but more importantly (and more seriously), there is absolutely nothing that he cannot build, un-build or rebuild. Also a consummate relationship builder, Chad looks forward to working with you.

Amber Arendsen: Co-founder, current CFO and innovative internet marketer for Chad of All Trades, Amber Arendsen still finds time to be a full time mom, school volunteer and yoga enthusiast. And the old adage does not stray far in that behind every great man is a great woman. At Chad of All Trades, however, we call that a “whoa-man” – a woman who brings the “whoa” out in a man; a woman that makes a man say “whoa, now that is a woman,” every time she walks in a room; a wo-man. Her shrewd instincts and quick assessment of societal trends have always enabled Chad of All Trades to stay one step ahead of the competition and maintain its leadership in its niche market. And although we all know that brains and beauty do not always come hand in hand, Amber is one well packaged shark.

Jennifer Kidder: Aside from being the beautiful voice behind Chad of All Trades, Jennifer Kidder (a.k.a. Jen) is a graduate from Cal State San Marcos and holds her Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Sciences. While she continues her higher education in the pursuit of greater insight to humanity, her presence at COAT INC. is indispensable. Jen is the backbone of our customer service department, master scheduler for Chad and all Professional Handyman™ related projects, as well as the brainchild behind many of our marketing and strategic partnership endeavors. When you call to schedule, if there is one thing that you will be left with, it is a good impression of Jen and everything that Chad of All Trades has to offer.

Dean Wilson: Dean Wilson is not only our longest standing Full Service Technician (6 years strong), but easily one of the most well rounded, professional (and lest not forget, handsome) trades people you will ever encounter. In fact, here at Chad of All Trades, we have a running joke that the company could very easily be named Dean of All Trades. Not only does Dean’s 15 years of construction experience leave him well versed in nearly every trade in the industry, but he is also a licensed helicopter pilot! There is nothing that Dean cannot do, and do well. If you have a job that is too difficult, seemingly impossible, or just too overwhelming, be sure to ask for Dean. Faster than a speeding water leak, stronger than a steel framed house – have no fear . . . Dean will be there.

Thomas Monreal: Tom Monreal (a.k.a The Wizard) was recruited this year for his amazing achievements in innovative marketing concepts and strategic alliance building in a variety of industries. His quick wit, charm and educational sales approach are not only consistent with the Chad of All Trades philosophy, but have fast made him one of the most capable lead generators in the industry. While his customer service skills and ability to think on his feet are crucial in any business, we find him especially refreshing in a business that has been stigmatized for its beer-guts, plumbers cracks, tardiness and lack of personal hygiene. Here is to you, lead-generating-non-beer-gutted-salesman-guy.

Josh Higgins: Josh Higgins is a veteran superintendant and can be attributed to the construction oversight of many local Solana Beach and Cardiff homes. In addition to being an invaluable asset to our quaint and efficient team, Josh himself is a licensed general contractor, as well as a licensed demolition contractor. So unlike so many “paper pushing” project managers who have no real world building experience, having Josh run your project is like having hired two builders for the price of one. Despite his great sense of humor and generally easy going nature, Josh is an insightful reader of character and a master in the art of negotiation. Since joining the Chad of All Trades team (approximately 3 years ago), he has been acclaimed with a 95% rate of bringing jobs in on time AND on budget. Way to go, Josh!!! And did we mention he is funny? Very, very funny.

Richard Gaoiran:     Richard Gaoiran: As a licensed finish carpenter and with a highly personable attitude, COAT INC found quick camaraderie in Richard Gaoiran. With a history for custom door and window installation and a keen eye for tight moulding joints, Richard is among the best in his trade and is a fine representation of everything Chad of All Trades represents: timeliness, cleanliness and professionalism. Though when Richard leaves your home your doors will be closing perfectly, we have every confidence that you will keep them wide open to him and his traditional Latino charm.

Jarrek Arendsen: Sharing a birthday with the day that Santa Claus arrives, Jarrek is no stranger to the wonders of magic, and every bit of it shines through his glowing 7 year old eyes. Jarrek is currently looking to become a police-officer-pastry-chef-builder (direct from his mouth). Granted, a much reduced aspiration from his previous list that spanned two paragraphs and consisted of over 80 single professions, but a great aspiration nonetheless. While all of us at Chad of All Trades only wish that we could be 7 again and maintain such unadulterated insights of how easy the world works (and it actually truly is that simple), Jarrek lives what he preaches and does not allow a day to go by that he does not make his own waffles (pastry chef), build or draw something that he wants to build (builder), or tell everyone in the family that they are wrong (police officer). He is a man of integrity and a great inspiration to all of those who have lost their way to Neverland. With a sparkle in his eye and a disarming smile, Jarrek will no doubt achieve his goal and we will be lucky (if not overweight and law-abiding) to have him at Chad of All Trades, Inc.

Jewel Arendsen: If Jewel could be described in one word (actually two), it would be: spark plug. A five year old ballerina who’s pirouette will make your eyes water; a younger sister who’s left jab will make you straight up ball your eyes out. This girl is an absolute walking interpretation of Tao; a singular body of simultaneous love and dislike; a perpetual contradiction of life itself. A hug from Jewel will (literally) melt your heart and if she does not get her way, she may (literally) stab you with a pencil. Real life analogies aside: Jewel’s genuine love of animals, natural instinct to protect the helpless (or unjustly accused) and truly unconditional respect for life is the most contagious and intoxicating thing that you may ever encounter. While I have heard jokes and the occasional accusation of bi-polarity where her mood swings are concerned, we at Chad of All Trades just call that the makings of a great sales person. Don’t ever change, Jewel!     

Lindsay Hester: Principal of Hester Interiors, Lindsay brings to the table nearly 10 years experience in Interior Design. Having experience ranging from high end corporate environments to restaurant interiors, her passion and the specialty of Hester Interiors is residential remodel and new construction projects. Lindsay is active in the design community having taught interior design at The Art Institute of California- San Diego and currently serves on the board of directors for the San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers or ASID. Lindsay's work has been honored with numerous awards and by multiple publications. For more information about Lindsay and Hester Interiors, visit her website at www.hesterinteriors.com.