WHO ARE WE?

The Banyan tree is one of the world’s most unique, breathtaking, and symbolic works of nature. Though it appears to be multiple trees, it’s really just one—a vast network of roots codependent on each other. Like the Banyan tree, our business thrives off deeply integrated relationships, producing breathtaking results.

Since we built our first project in Indianapolis in 2008, we’ve taken the show on the road nationwide.  We’ve developed deep relationships with contractors and vendors around the country so we can partner with different franchises and franchisee owners to simplify their next build.

Enriching Lives

Our company values people. We understand that people make the place, and our goal is to help add value back into the lives or our team, clients, and partners. We want everyone who comes in contact with Banyan, to be in a better place because of it. We don't just want to build incredible spaces, we want to help build up people and enrich lives along the way!

Developing Partnerships

Our business thrives off of deeply integrated relationships. We have and continue to develop lasting partnerships with clients, subcontractors and vendors across the country. We know that integrity and loyalty over time helps build trust, and that is exactly what we have done!

Remarkable Construction

We have never been ok with "good enough". We have chosen to be ahead of the curve by offering our clients a remarkable construction experience with incredible service in addition to creating exceptional spaces. Our relationship with our clients does not end with turning over the keys. That's why we are always striving to improve our process and to offer our clients the best services possible from start to finish!

Meet The Team

Executive Leadership

Jansen Gehring

Owner

Luke Tarbutton

Chief Strategy Officer
Bio
Everyone calls me: Luke or Luke Skywalker
Grew up in: Atlanta, GA
Dream Vacation: Greece
Favorite Dessert: Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Joined Banyan: 2018
Field Leadership

David Brice

Director of Construction
Bio
Everyone calls me: David
Grew up in: Morrisville, PA
Dream vacation: Sailing in the BVI's
Favorite dessert: DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE only made by My Awesome Wife
Random fact or favorite quote: I wear golf shirts to the gym and my kids say that is weird.

Shannon Walls

Construction Coordinator
Project Development and Field Support

John Mlagan

Director of Business Development
Bio
Everyone calls me - Big John
Grew up in - Brownsburg, IN
Dream Vacation - Uninterrupted beach time
Favorite dessert - Hot fudge sundae
Random fact or favorite quote: I'm a Green Bay Packer fan. Go Pack Go!

Jakobi Gillespie

Project Development Manager
Bio
Everyone calls me - Jakobi or Kobi
Grew up in - Kenosha, WI
Dream Vacation - Somewhere with crystal clear beaches and little umbrellas.
Favorite dessert - It's hard to beat a quality chocolate chip cookie, but sadly, I'm a fan of most sweets.
Random fact or favorite quote: "I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who makes things beautiful. Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth... and all in all and on the whole. Someday I wish to be only a yes-sayer." Fredrick Nietzsch

Steve Ungar

Director of Pre-Construction
Bio

Everyone calls me: Steve
Grew Up In: Indianapolis
Dream vacation: Spending time hiking in Yellowstone National Park
Favorite dessert: Texas sheet cake

Tim Eaton

Project Manager
Bio

Everyone calls me: Tim
Grew up in: Hillsboro, Ohio
Dream vacation: The ocean or the mountains
Favorite dessert: Peach pie

Hayward Cheesebourough

Project Manager
Bio
Everyone calls me: Hayward
Grew up in: Indianapolis, IN/Marion, IN
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite dessert: German Chocolate Cake
Random fact or favorite quote: "Conversation is verbal. Communication is written."

Julie Cummiskey

Owners Selections
Bio
Everyone calls me: Julie or Juge
I grew up in: Sandwich, IL
Dream vacation: Switzerland to see the Apls
Favorite dessert: A Brownie
Random fact or favorite quote: My favorite smell is a bonfire.

Jason Wade

Plan Review and Code Compliance
Bio

Everyone calls me: Jason
Grew Up In: Jax FL
Dream vacation: anything outdoors almost anywhere (I’m not climbing Everest unless they put a chair lift in)
Favorite dessert: milk shakes
Joined Banyan: 2015
Solas Built: 8

Chetana Sabnis

Architectural Designer
Bio
Everyone calls me: Chetana
Grew up in: India
Dream vacation: Bali
Favorite dessert: Fudge swirl
Random fact or favorite quote: "When you live what you have, you have everything you need."

Jake Henning

Permits Expeditor
Bio

Everyone Calls Me: Jake
Grew Up In: West Side Indy
Dream Vacation: Going through Europe exploring the cities by day and the bars by night
Favorite Dessert: None…I’ll take a sandwich instead
Joined Banyan: April of 2017
Solas Built: 0...but Solas Audited = 54 and counting!

Jake Mlagan

Subs, Bids, & Scopes
Bio
Everyone calls me: Jake
Grew up in: Brownsburg, IN
Dream vacation: Golf trip with buddies
Favorite dessert: Cookies 'n Cream ice cream
Random fact or favorite quote: "If you ain't first, you're last."

Jon Burnworth

Field Support
Bio

Everyone calls me: Jon or Jonny B
Grew Up In: Hartford City, IN
Dream vacation: New Zealand Red Stag Hunt and Trout Fishing with Fly Rod/ Backpacking trip
Favorite dessert: Death by Chocolate

Jenny Geimer

Purchasing & Accounts Payable
Bio

Everyone calls me: Jenny
Grew up in: Indianapolis
Dream Vacation: Hawaii
Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Patrick Geimer

Aftercare & Takeoffs
Bio

Everyone calls me: Pat
Grew up in: Decatur, IN
Dream Vacation: Cabo San Lucas
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kerigan Reynard

Audit & Warranty
Bio
Everyone calls me: Kerigan
Grew up in: Montpelier, IN
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite dessert: Homemade buckeyes
Random fact or favorite quote: "You are who you choose to be."
Finance and Administration

Patty Heckel

Controller
Bio

Everyone calls me: Patty
Grew Up In: Brookville, IN
Dream vacation: On or near water- anywhere there is sun!
Favorite dessert: Blackberry Pie
Joined Banyan: September 3, 2013

Kasey Herrington

Project Budgeting and Cost Analytics
Bio
Everyone calls me: Kasey
Grew up in: Anderson, IN
Dream vacation: Europe
Favorite dessert: Snickers apple salad

Tracy Gregory

Lien Waivers / TI Docs
Bio
Everyone calls me: Tracy
I grew up in: Whiteland, IN
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite dessert: Cheesecake
Random fact or favorite quote: I like racing.

Ben Bezy

Human Resources & Recruiting
Bio

Everyone calls me: 'Ben' or 'Bezy'
Grew up in: Southern Indiana
Dream Vacation: Travel Europe
Favorite Dessert: Cookies & Cream Ice Cream or Cheesecake

Superintendents

Juan Carranza

Manny Hannemann

Bio

Everyone calls me: Manny
Grew Up In: Eastern Indiana
Dream vacation: New Zealand or Australia
Favorite dessert: Kasa Kuegen

Kurt Kanable

Bio

Everyone calls me: Kurt
Grew up in: Kokomo, IN
Dream vacation: Japan
Favorite dessert: Chocolate Ice cream

Matt Gervasio

Bio

Everyone calls me: Matt
Grew Up In: Gettysburg, PA
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite dessert: Cheesecake

Rod Davis

Bio

Everyone calls me: Hot Rod, or Rod
Grew Up In: Ketchikan AK
Dream vacation: Scotland
Favorite dessert: Chocolate Cream Pie

Bob Gagnon

Bio
Everyone calls me: Bob
Grew up in: Manchester, CT
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite dessert: Pecan Pie
Random fact or favorite quote: "It's all good."

Eddie Ragle

Bio
Everyone calls me: Eddie
I grew up in: Oakdale, CA
Dream vacation: Australian Outback
Favorite dessert: Oreos with milk
Random fact or favorite quote: I was almost famous in music.

Tommy Roussell

Bio
Everyone calls me - Tom or Tommy
Grew up in - New Orleans, LA
Dream Vacation - Alaskan cruise
Favorite dessert - Peach Cobbler
Favorite quote: "Rather they think you a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Greg Gear

Bio
Everyone calls me: Greg
Grew up in: Cincinnati, OH
Dream vacation: Colorado elk hunt
Favorite dessert: Chocolate cake
Random fact: Father of three boys

James Bledsoe

Bio
Everyone calls me: James
Grew up in: Terre Haute, IN
Dream vacation: Alaska
Favorite dessert: Cake
Random fact: Value time, both yours and mine!
Closeout and Carpenters

John Little

Bio

Everyone calls me: John
Grew Up In: Greenwood, Indiana
Dream vacation: Road trip across America!
Favorite dessert: German chocolate cake

Brent Montgomery

Steve Hughes

Bio
Everyone calls me: Steve
I grew up in: Muncie, IN
Dream vacation: Cedar Point
Favorite dessert: Key lime pie
Random fact or favorite quote: "Praise what makes you strong."

Justin Gagnon