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Meet The Team

nichol

Nichol Dehmer- Founder, CEO

Nichol Dehmer is a Bank CEO, Housing collaborator and YardHomesMN CEO.  Nichol has spent over 25 years in the Banking and finance arena in addition to consulting.  This finance background has been uniquely favorable as YardHomesMN has partnered with financial institutions to bring ADU’s to market rate and affordable housing customers.  Nichol’s housing experience, market rate mortgage background, and experience in affordable housing development programs in many of her volunteer housing Board positions brings unique insight to each transaction.  Nichol has an incredible ability to bring resources together to accomplish a common goal.

Jeffrey A Covert- Partner, Director of Construction

Meet Jeffrey Covert, a dynamic and accomplished business professional with a solid educational background, holding a degree in Business and Finance from the prestigious University of Phoenix. With an impressive career spanning various industries, including real estate, construction, and non-profit work, Jeffrey has honed exceptional problem-solving skills and creativity. As the founder of J Covert Construction and Northern Builder Co-op, LLC, he has consistently demonstrated an innate ability to deliver innovative and efficient solutions for his clients. Jeffrey's excellent communication skills have not only fostered strong client relationships but also ensured unparalleled client satisfaction, making him a trusted and sought-after partner

in the business world.


Outside the realm of business, Jeffrey's interests and passions are as diverse as his professional endeavors. An avid traveler, he has explored countless destinations, yet his heart lies in the tranquil beauty of National Parks and natural wonders. A keen photographer and artist, Jeffrey captures the essence of nature through his lens and creations, which further reflect his eye for detail and artistic vision. Embracing the serenity of the great outdoors, Jeffrey finds inspiration in the wonders of nature, infusing his personal and professional life with a deep appreciation for the world's beauty and the unlimited possibilities it offers.

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Jeffrey

Dave Joas- Partner, Director of Sales

David Joas is a multi-talented professional with a diverse background in business, real estate, and construction. As an owner-operator of Northern Builder Co-Op, he has made a significant impact in the construction and remodeling industry, bringing

innovation and excellence to every project he undertakes. 


Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Business, David's journey began with a solid foundation in the world of manufacturing commerce. However, his innate passion for building and creating spaces led him to explore new avenues in the construction and real estate space. Before long, he found himself immersed in the exciting realm of building and remodel projects, where he discovered his

true calling. 


Over the years, David's expertise and dedication have earned him a reputation as a skilled builder and remodeler. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, he has successfully completed numerous projects,

transforming spaces and exceeding clients' expectations. 


In addition to his prowess in construction, David is also a licensed Realtor, leveraging his extensive knowledge of real estate to assist clients in finding

their dream homes and investment properties. His ability to understand the unique needs of buyers and sellers, coupled with his proficiency in negotiation, makes him a trusted advisor in the competitive real estate market. 


Beyond his professional achievements, David's life has been enriched by his experiences abroad. Having lived in Argentina, he immersed himself in a new culture and became fluent in Spanish. This international exposure broadened his horizons and instilled in him a deep appreciation for diversity and global perspectives. Outside of work, David finds joy in sharing his expertise and giving back to the community. He actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, guiding them on their respective paths to success.  David's life journey is a testament to the power of versatility and continuous growth. As he continues to make a mark in the worlds of construction and real estate, he remains dedicated to bringing transformative visions to life and creating spaces that inspire. 

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Dave

Melanie Joas- Partner, Staged to Sell

Melanie Joas —  the genius behind Staged to Sell — has always loved color and design. She loved it so much that she pivoted to real estate (where she still is) from her first career as a cosmetologist.

Though she immediately loved real estate, Melanie missed working with color and design. Trying to find a way to incorporate creativity, she noticed that while design came so naturally for her, it was not the case for others.

Friends and family began coming to her for design favors — small at first then larger and larger. Seeing the happiness her designs brought others — and the stress she could help reduce — made her realize she has an impact on people’s lives through design.

Melanie loves being immersed daily in the latest trends of the real estate industry. With over 15 years of staging and design experience and two certifications from The Staging Studio, she seamlessly incorporates the desires of buyers and sellers into her designs. 

Living out her dream job of redesigning and transforming homes across the Twin Cities fuels Melanie’s passion for helping people. Real estate and design bring her so much excitement, she convinced her husband Dave to become an agent and join the business! 

With 15 years in general contracting, remodeling, and project management for home improvements, Dave leads the home renovation and improvement projects for Staged to Sell.


Our Staged to Sell promise to you is to always bring you creative innovative design.


We like to employ a collaborative approach — we want to incorporate your vision and help you through this emotional experience. We vow to stay humble and always learning, and to make this a fulfilling, fun, enjoyable experience!

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Melanie
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Heather Worthington

Principal, Worthington Advisors LLC

Worthington Advisors is a consultancy focused on governance and policy advising, leadership and team building, and land use and strategy guidance all through a racial equity lens.  As the founder and principal of Worthington Advisors LLC, Heather brings 25 years of leadership in local government organizations, including most recently as Interim Community Development Director in Bloomington, MN.  As Director of Long-Range Planning in Minneapolis, her team led the creation, engagement, and policy adoption of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Previously she was the first Deputy County Manager appointed in Ramsey County in June 2010, where she led the Economic Growth and Community Investment service team.  She was the overall project manager for the cleanup and redevelopment of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), the state’s largest Superfund site; as well as leading the redevelopment of the former West Publishing site in downtown St. Paul.  Heather also served as the City Administrator of Falcon Heights, MN and Assistant City Manager of Edina, MN, where she worked on a broad range of policy issues including public safety, human resources, and organizational development.

 

Heather is committed to seeking authentic community engagement and leading racial equity efforts to strengthen communities that have experienced disparities, disinvestment and marginalization.  She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University, a BA in History/Historic Preservation from Michigan State University, and a certificate from the State and Local Executives Program from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. 

Jocelyn Borchardt

President at Front Door Development, LLC

Front Door Development partners with mission-oriented organizations including non-profits, Housing Authorities, and communities to develop affordable and workforce housing and housing oriented renewable energy projects. We also provide technical assistance for navigating public and private affordable housing initiatives including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Public Housing repositioning programs.

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Advisory Board Members

Matt Mithun

Matt Mithun owns Mithun Enterprises, a Real Estate, Sports and Entertainment company, and runs Somerset Amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue in Somerset, Wisconsin. In addition to YardHomes, Matt’s recent Board involvement includes 826 MSP and YMCA.  He lives with his wife, Sarah, and three children, in Wayzata, MN. 

Terri Thao

Terri Thao is passionate about building power with community. She is currently a program director at Nexus Community Partners, a non-profit community building intermediary where she runs the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI).  Terri has spent most of her professional career in the fields of community economic development, community building, leadership development, and philanthropy. She also teaches classes on leadership and advocacy at Metropolitan State University. She serves on the boards of the F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Minnesota Housing and Voices for Racial Justice. She obtained her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees from the University of Minnesota. She lives with her family on the East Side of St. Paul and loves to read in her spare time.

Terri's LinkedIn

Eugene (Gene) Nicolelli, Jr

Eugene (Gene) Nicolelli, Jr. started his architectural career in California winning several Gold Nugget Design awards while employed with a local Orange County architectural firm. Throughout his career his love of and involvement with residential architecture has led him on a journey from residential tract homes and land planning to custom homes. During his tenure in addition to large private homes he has designed and won local and national awards for affordable housing. He has become an expert in agingin-place/universal design, frequently giving lectures on the subject and has won the coveted National Association of Home Builder’s 50+ Gold Achievement Award. Gene says his residential design philosophy is very simple-- “I design spaces that address my client’s present and future needs.” Gene is excited to have the opportunity to join with YardHomes to expand into what he sees as the future of residential living with modular premanufactured homes bringing his years of experience to the organization.

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