WHO WE ARE
At Kaizen, we work tirelessly for our clients. With an array of services, we can tailor fit those that are best suited for each one that helps them achieve their goals. Our most utilized services include interior design, project management, owner representation, land development, and entitlement. With decades of experience, we have created a streamlined process to be our client's strongest advocate for completing their project, which in turn reduces the stress on them and their team. When it comes to hotels, we have established a strong relationship with many brands including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson, IHG, and Choice.
SETH OLIVER | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Oliver was raised in a construction and real estate family and his experience started during his high school years. Mr. Oliver’s father was in the midst of several large local projects and enlisted Mr. Oliver’s weekends and summers. During that time, Mr. Oliver learned everything he could from organizing years of paperwork to running a jackhammer on site.
In 2003 Mr. Oliver consolidated the Oliver hospitality business from his father and partners into Oliver Companies, Inc. In the first 5 years of operations, the company grew from 7 hotels earning $8.5 million in room revenue to 16 hotels earning over $30 million in room revenue. In 2007, Mr. Oliver started the construction division (Kaizen Companies) within Oliver Companies, and in 2017, when Kaizen Companies revenues overtook that of Oliver Companies, Mr. Oliver spun out Kaizen into its own company. Mr. Oliver is also an investor in Design Environments, an interior design and procurement company.
Throughout Mr. Oliver’s career, he has infused core principals of continuous improvement and honoring of those who helped get him this far. Living under those principles, Mr. Oliver built a 2,000 – plus member team that was able to expand the Oliver Companies portfolio and increase operational excellence. In 2017 Hilton sought out Mr. Oliver to join their owner advisory board.
Mr. Oliver received his undergraduate degree from The College of St. Scholastica with a major in Business Administration.
COLLEEN ANDERSON | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Colleen is responsible for the fiscal management aspects of Kaizen Companies. She is responsible for cash and asset management of existing properties and the physical and financial analysis of potential properties to add to the company portfolio. She is responsible for obtaining financing for acquisitions and existing projects. Responsible for debt compliance, investor relations and communications.
Colleen has a degree in Accounting from the College of St. Scholastica along with over 20 years of accounting experience, 15 of those in the hospitality industry.
JIM TONINATO | PRESIDENT
As President of Kaizen Companies, Inc. the development, design and construction company, Jim is responsible for the project management, construction management, and interior design for each project. Jim oversees all projects from new ground up construction to franchise required Property Improvement Plans. He manages the budgets and timelines to maximize efficiencies and minimize operational shut downs for the properties.
Jim has a degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and has over 25 years of experience in the construction field with over 17 years in hotel development.
JON ROHWEDER | VICE PRESIDENT
As Vice President of Design and Construction, Jon has a large variety of responsibilities including entitlements, writing and enforcing contracts, budgeting, permitting, and coordinating with engineers and architects. He oversees compliance on construction projects including franchise and brand standards. He works closely with ownership groups to develop new ideas and move projects forward.
Jon has an entrepreneurial spirit and he has started multiple businesses in the fields of construction, transportation, and retail. Jon brings 20 years of experience in construction and property development. He has a degree in Business Management from Hawaii Pacific University. Jon is a military veteran from the United States Marine Corp.
ELEANA WALLACE | LEAD INTERIOR DESIGNER
Eleana is an award-winning and highly creative Interior Designer with over 15 years of international design experience. Her portfolio includes a string of large-scale projects across United States and Middle East in mixed-use development and the commercial sector.
With a Master's degree in Architecture advanced further with studies at Harvard University, Eleana’s expertise expands far beyond design into marketing strategy and project technicalities.
Eleana accomplishments were recognized and awarded in the Middle East where she worked for over ten years at leading international Architecture & Design firms. In 2020, Eleana won three awards for mixed-use development she designed in the United States. Exhibiting endless creativity, Eleana is driven by her ongoing passion for constant learning and knowledge. Maintaining a pulse on leading international design innovations and high-profile architectural projects, keeps her abreast of the industry. Having traveled to over twenty-five countries, Eleana draws from the international cultures and architectural designs she has experienced firsthand. This unique international perspective directly contributes to the passion Eleana demonstrates and the bold vision she consistently delivers.
JESS WOLLEAT | PROJECT COORDINATOR
Jess is a Project Coordinator at Kaizen Companies, where she leverages her background in architecture and real estate. With a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota, she has developed expertise through her roles in architectural firms and real estate ventures. At Kaizen Companies, Jess is responsible for procurement, project tracking and organization, design work, and coordination. Her keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills ensure that projects run smoothly and efficiently from conception to completion. Outside of work, Jess enjoys exploring new architectural marvels, hiking in nature with her pup, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
JAYCIE PAULSON | PROPERTY MANAGER
Jaycie Paulson is the property manager for Kaizen Companies. She is responsible for the marketing and leasing of new developments and market-rate properties. She specializes in new construction lease-ups and management. Jaycie has previous experience working in building inspections. In that work, she found her love for working with properties, contractors, and tenants. Jaycie has now been working in Property Management for several years. She has a strong passion for the field which drives her motivation and success. As a property manager, she focuses on the importance of building relationships with tenants. Jaycie prides herself on customer service skills and problem-solving abilities.
BRITTANY OLIVER | CORPORATE FACILITATOR
Brought up in an entrepreneurial and real estate family, Brittany has continued to resonate with both of those tracks throughout her careers. Graduating with a decorated Business Entrepreneurship degree from the University of St. Thomas, she felt a strong need to escape the frigid Minnesota winters and moved south the day after graduation. In North Carolina, Brittany started a part-time job at a nightclub having always had a passion for dance and music, not realizing it would be the beginning of a 14-year career in the nightclub business. The culmination of that career path was the design, build-out, and ground up staffing, choreographing, marketing, and daily operations of running a successful ‘Coyote Ugly style’ nightclub of her own. Brittany then shifted gears and joined her family in their various companies. She started at Oliver Management Service, managing HUD-subsidized and Market-Rate multi-family housing along with commercial properties. During her five-year tenure with OMS, she realized gains in overall occupancy from 87% to 95%, increased NOI by 36% and Net Cash Flow by 232% within four years, while simultaneously streamlining and focusing the portfolio. In tandem, she obtained her real estate license and had multiple successful transactions both residentially and commercially with the local brokerage CMRA. Brittany continues to enjoy her additional passions of travel, tiny living, micro business, self-sustainability, and her inordinate love of pigs.
AMY JOHNSON, ED.D. M.A.M. | DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT
Amy’s focus is on the corporate entities and employees, corporate websites, collateral as well as community development. Amy graduated from the University of St. Thomas with her Doctorate of Organization Development and Change. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Management with an emphasis in Change Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management with a minor in Finance from the College of St. Scholastica. She is also a trained professional coach.
Amy brings with her a background in organization development, business development, human resources, and higher education. Amy is passionate about employee satisfaction and engagement.
