Our Team

Chris Decker, MSBC, CGC

President & Managing Principal

Education/Experience:

• Master of Science in Building Construction (UF – 2011)
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Marketing (UF – 2005) 
• Active in Construction Industry since a Young Man (4th Generation Builder)
• Active in Construction in North Central Florida since 2006

Certifications/Professional Accreditations:

• State of Florida Certified General Contractor (Active – CGC1522815)
• Gator 100 Honoree (2021)
• OSHA 30
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Member of BANCF since 2012
• Board Member for Xtraordinary Joy and Humane Society of NCF

Hobbies/What you do for fun:

I enjoy working, and I really enjoy playing (work hard – play hard)!  Any opportunity I have, I love being on the water with friends and family.  I enjoy exposing our kids to the coastal lifestyle, and teaching them about sea life and how to fish.  I love college football and attending Gator games whenever I get the chance.  The weekends are for rejuvenating the mind, body and soul.  No better way to do that than by spending time with my wife and our kids, our friends, and enjoying our time together as much as possible!

Highlighted Projects:

• The Hartman House (Historic Renovation)
• Oakview Park 
• UF Health Shands Labor, Delivery & Recovery
• UF Law School Renovations 

Most proud of:

There is so much I am proud of and thankful for.  For the life my family and I have been able to build for ourselves.  For my friends and family who have supported us along the way.  For my friend and business partner, and the company we have built from the ground up.  For the team of dedicated professionals we have assembled.  For the relationships we have built with the local community and within our industry.   For keeping true to ourselves and our core values, and helping create a better quality of life for our team, our families, and the communities we serve.  And last but not least, I am proud and thankful to be part of the Gator Nation – GO GATORS!

Sandra Decker

CFO & Marketing Manager

Background and Residency

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UF – 2007
• Minor in Heath Science Education from UF – 2007
• Registered Nurse since 2007

Employed by UF Health Shands since 2007

Third generation resident of Gainesville, Florida

Years of experience with your firm and years in the field

17 years of healthcare experience as an RN

Safety Manager at Decker Construction since 2024

Discipline

• Principal/Safety Manager
• Registrations & Certifications
• Registered Nurse in the state of Florida
• OSHA 30 Safety Certification
• American Heart Association BLS Certified
• Line of authority

Principal, CFO

With 17 years of direct patient care experience in nursing for Shands at UF, Sandra is uniquely positioned to assist the Decker team recognizing challenges and identifying creative solutions in the healthcare setting.

Kris Terhorst

General Superintendent

Education/Experience:

• Graduate of SFC Carpentry Apprenticeship Program 2009
• 20 years Construction Experience; 10 years Construction Management Experience
• Started in Construction doing side jobs with his father who was a Carpenter and has been growing his skill set ever since. 

Certifications/Professional Accreditations:

• CPR/First Aid Certified
• OSHA 30
• Hazwoper 40
• HIPAA Certified

Hobbies:

Spending time with my family at the beach, fishing, and coaching my son in his sports adventures.  Obviously watching sports and cheering on the Gators!

Highlighted Projects:

• Progress Center HVAC Upgrades
• UF Health Shands Labor & Delivery Suites
• Gatorland Toyota Dealership
• Mercedes-Benz Dealership
• Pugh Hall

Most Proud Of:

The growth I have been able to achieve both personally and professionally.  Professionally growing my career from a labor to a superintendent has been exciting and challenging. The Shands LDR project gives me satisfaction that the job will help impact lives in a positive way for many years to come.  Personally, the growth of my career has shown my son what people are capable of if they work hard and have good ethics, morals, and integrity. I enjoy being a good role model for him and watching him grow up.

Karlin Warkentin

Project Manager

Education/Experience:

• Masters in Construction Management (UF)
• Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (UF)
• 8+ years in Commercial/Institutional/Healthcare/Municipal Construction Management in the Gainesville market

Certifications/Professional Accreditations:

• OSHA 30
• HAZWOPER

Hobbies/What you do for fun:

• I enjoy being outdoors biking, paddling, and hiking with April and Chilly (Dog).

Highlighted Projects:

• UF Health/Shands LDR
• Bruton Greer/UF Holland Law
• Oakview Park
• Hartman House
• Tigert Hall UF Online Suite Renovation

Most proud of:

• I am proud to be a member of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation for over 10 years.

Justin Decker

Project Manager

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Florida, 2004
• 12+ years in the construction industry
• 8+ years as a project manager

Certifications/Professional Accreditations:

• OSHA 10-hour certification
• CPR Training

Hobbies:

Boating, cooking, and playing with my kids.

Highlighted Projects:

• SVN Headquarters Interior/Exterior Office Renovation Project:
  • Fully renovated the exterior and interior of the two existing buildings.
  • Highly detailed project that included the addition of two new Nanawall operable glass partitions, new elevator, new storefront façade set in structural steel framing, custom Cypress beams with LED uplighting, stained wood trim and doors, and a complex lighting and lighting control package, amongst other building elements.
• AquaCal Building 10 Addition:
  • Design Build project adding a new 28,000 SF building between two existing buildings, comprised of a 1^st floor warehouse with three dock levelers and overhead doors, and 2^nd floor office spaces.
  • Exterior of the building featured insulated architectural metal panels and decorative steel columns.
  • Interior spaces featured metal ceiling panels, skylights for natural light, several stacked stone walls, and interior storefront.

Most Proud Of:

• Professionally, working on some very challenging and unique projects, helping to bring them to a successful completion, and the knowledge acquired during them, is something I take great pride in.
• Personally, I got married and now have two wonderful kids.

Jim Decker

Sr. Project Manager - Hospitality, Special Projects

Key Skills

Construction Management | Project Management | Estimating | Budgeting | Procurement | Strategic Planning | Team Leadership | Cost Analysis | Quality Assurance | Safety | Hospitality Management

EXPERIENCE

Extended Stay America (Remote)

Regional Construction Manager (2018-2024)

• Managed construction of 5 prototype hotels from start to completion.
• Led repairs/maintenance for 600+ hotels, saving $1.5M-$2M over 20 months.
• Developed ProTrack tool for competitive bidding on roof/parking lot projects.

Lendlease, LLC (Remote)

Project Manager II (2012-2017)

• Managed hotel renovations and new builds for Intercontinental Hotel Group.
• Completed renovations on 100+ hotels on time and under budget.
• Created cost-estimation tool, improving sales team accuracy by 5%.

J.E. Decker Construction Group (Gainesville, FL)

Consultant/Qualifier (2012-2023)

• Developed business model for nationwide low-cost shingle roof replacement.
• Provided project management for home and business roof replacements.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

• James E. Decker Construction (President, 1995-2010)
• Lakeland Hotel Partners (Managing General Partner, 1985-2005)
• L. Ewell Construction (President, 1981-1994)
• US Navy (Engineering Watch Supervisor, 1970-1978)

EDUCATION 

• Carl Matthew’s School of Construction
• S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion and Engineering Schools
• University of Florida (Attended)

CERTIFICATIONS

• OSHA 30
• Florida Certified General Contractor
• Nuclear Plant Operator (US Navy)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft 365 | Procore | ProTrack (Quickbase) | Excel | Microsoft Project

AFFILIATIONS

• American Arbitration Association
• Vice-President, Association of Sheraton Owners North America (1996-2000)

Kevin Casasnovas

Project Manager

Education/Experience:

• B.S. Civil Engineering – University of Florida
• 5 years of project management experience

Certifications/Professional Accreditations:

• Construction Quality Management for Contractors, USACE, 2018
• OSHA 30
• Procore Certified, Core Tools
• American Heart Association Infant, Child and Adult, First Aid CPR AED Certified, 2019

Hobbies:

• Target shooting
• Trails Riding

Highlighted Projects:

• MP06973 FL Gym RM 250 Renovations, 2022
• MP07419 Stetson RM MG-43 Renovation, 2022
• Rebuild Egmont Channel RRL & FRL USCG St. Petersburg, FL, 2021

Most Proud Of:

My career of delivering quality spaces to clients over the last 5 years.