In Jacob’s earlier days, he loved watching his father hand drafting and seized every opportunity to learn the art of fine craftsmanship alongside him. Sketching and carpentry were his favourite activities. So, it’s not surprising to learn that his favourite part of his job at Lagois is seeing a project take tangible shape. Jacob’s education was driven by passion and a core objective to understand the bigger picture “holistically”. With an educational background in Architecture, Heritage Carpentry & Joinery and Project Management. His drive and passion has had a major impact on where he is today. After several years of being part of the Lagois team, in 2022, Jacob was presented the opportunity to continue Herb Lagois’ legacy and lead Lagois into the future as Owner. When Jacob isn’t keeping tabs on everything and everyone involved in all of Lagois’ various projects, you will find him on the lake, spending time with his family and dreaming up innovative ways to have a positive impact on our environment, community and industry.

Sophie has her finger on the pulse of all projects at Lagois. Tasked with managing budgets, product selections, trade pricing, scopes of work and contract writing, she definitely has her hands full. But she loves every minute of it – especially the variety. When it’s time to recharge, Sophie loves spending time with her family, gardening, cooking and trips to the cottage.

Darren is well known to Lagois, as he had worked for us for many years as one of our Trade Partners. His knowledge and expertise in construction led him to a role as one of our Site Supervisors. Darren has now transitioned to Production Manager and oversees all projects, ensuring they stay on time and within budget for our clients. He also mentors and coaches all production staff to ensure that every project meets Lagois’ high standard of workmanship. As an avid outdoorsman who loves hiking, camping, and canoeing, Darren is always grateful that his job doesn’t keep him at a desk all day.

As Lead Designer at Lagois, Jeff has the exciting job of working closely with homeowners to help them realize the home of their dreams. From measuring and investigating the existing spaces, creating conceptual designs, 3D renderings, project estimates and meeting with homeowners, Jeff is tasked with ensuring every design client’s vision is brought to reality. As a new dad, Jeff’s time away from work is spent enjoying every moment with his son, watching him grow and learn new things daily. When time allows, you will find him on the golf course, at the campground or on a long walk with the family.

Ruby went to Carleton to study the history and theory of architecture and fell in love with the idea of protecting our built heritage. Ruby says every building tells a story, and she is particularly interested in Canadian vernacular architecture because it tells many stories: for example, how buildings were constructed, techniques used in the area, how people liked to divide space, and what spaces were needed based on people’s lifestyles. Ruby didn’t want to just research the stories that buildings offered, but to also have a hand in protecting existing buildings – to help tell new stories through space. With that in mind, she went to Algonquin College to study Architectural Technology. She says she is thrilled to be working on existing homes that need another chapter in their story. In her free time, Ruby likes to go on long hikes, bike rides, and runs. She enjoys painting, woodworking and spending as much time as possible with her family and friends.

As a graduate of the Algonquin College Architectural Technology program, Tom did design and construction drawings for several years with Lagois. It was his knowledge of construction detailing that allowed him to move up to Site Supervisor. Tom has now stepped into the role of Craftsman, offering support on construction projects and looking after any of our Service / Warranty work. If he’s not immersed in the finer details of a building project, you might find him snowboarding, camping or on the hockey rink.

Jason Simons started his career with Lagois Design-Build-Renovate as a high school co-op student in 1996. He graduated with honours from Algonquin College’s Red Seal carpentry program and since then he has worked closely with Lagois. As a Site Supervisor, Jay is knowledgeable in all aspects of every build. In his free time, Jay enjoys having a campfire, four wheeling and snowmobiling. He loves camping with his wife, two kids and their dog.

As Office Manager, Brenda keeps everyone on track and keeps the office functioning. She is the face of Lagois when people first walk in or make a call. If you have a question, she will do her very best to answer it and if she can’t, she knows exactly who to direct you to. Brenda has always had a love of horses. You will most often find her in the horse barn with her two daughters. Family is very important to Brenda; they enjoy camping and snowmobiling together.

When Kelly was a kid, she imagined being an accountant when she grew up. She clearly had good professional instincts because she is now the Bookkeeper at Lagois. Tasked with staying on top of all things numbers, Kelly helps the Lagois team stay on their financial toes. When she’s not tapping a calculator, Kelly loves hopping on her motorcycle in the summer and being out on her snowmobile in the winter.

Passionate about all things art and design, Emma thrives on bringing creativity to every project she encounters. As an Interior Design Specialist and Director of Marketing, she combines her love for aesthetics with strategic thinking to create beautiful spaces and impactful campaigns. Whether Emma's designing interiors that inspire or crafting marketing strategies that connect, her goal is always to blend creativity with purpose. When Emma's not working, you’ll find her playing music, spending time with her cats, and capturing moments through photography!

As a Civil Engineer with a strong passion for architecture and interior design, Shahrzad has gained valuable experience working in her home country. Her focus has been on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, while ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of quality. She is passionate about helping people fulfill their needs by effectively coordinating project tasks to ensure exceptional quality and successful outcomes. She’s particularly interested in expanding her skills within the Canadian home renovation industry. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with friends, and creating calligraphy artworks. She hopes to create even more calligraphy artworks in the future and dreams of holding an exhibition to share her work with a wider audience!

Herb founded the company in 1984 as a unique design and construction company. His love of working with his hands and his educational background in Architecture is why we are a Design-Build company today. Herb is especially proud about having systems and processes in place so the Lagois Legacy continues which came to fruition in 2022 when Jacob Kirst became the Owner. Herb’s new role includes both mentorship and design which is his passion. He is looking forward to being involved with the company for many more years, helping folks love where they live.