Meet the Tru Builders Family

Max E. Christiansen

Founder, Sales Director

Max has been in the business since he was 10 years old, working for his father who was a Builder specializing in Custom homes and Commercial buildings in Southern California and the ski country of Northern New Mexico. After his father retired, at the age of 23, Max began working for a National Home Builder as an Assistant Superintendent. He climbed the corporate ladder for a few large builders and became the Development Manager where he facilitated all aspects of development from the land purchase to completion of 20 million+ dollar projects. Max has personally owned and developed Gated Communities in Scottsdale and Phoenix, built dozens of Custom Homes ranging from 2,000 to 14,000 sf and built and developed over 100,000 sf of commercial and office space. Since founding Tru Builders in 2010, we have completed hundreds of Additions and Remodeling Projects in the West Valley. Max dedicates his free time to his family and friends, enjoying outdoor activities, water sports and snow skiing.

Lori Christiansen

Co-Founder, Office Manager

& Senior Designer

Lori obtained her Real Estate license in California in the mid 80’s and has worked for several brokerages since. Over the years, Lori has partnered with Max in all aspects of building; from real estate developments, custom homes to remodeling and additions. In addition to overseeing the inner workings of Tru Builders, Lori has acquired extensive Interior Design experience and enjoys helping client’s visions become a reality. Max and Lori have been married since 1992 and have lived in the Phoenix Valley since 1993. They have 6 adult children, and 4 grandchildren. Lori is an avid reader, enjoys spending her time with family and relaxing with her 6 wonderful grandchildren.

Cassie Parra

VP of Operations & Design Manager

Cassie is a third-generation builder, she has grown up in and around construction her whole life. As one of the daughters of Founders Max and Lori Christiansen, Cassie has in depth knowledge of the company and industry. As the VP of Operations, one of her main focuses is ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and systems at Tru Builders. She continues to strive for maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction. She is the Main Designer at Tru Builder, she loves turning old to new. All while focusing on function, color coordinating and staying on budget. She helps clients through the design and pre-construction process. Cassie has overseen the design and completion of hundreds of projects, she loves attending design seminars. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, serving on the youth team at The Rock Church in Peoria, and enjoys the hot weather in AZ to have fun on the water and getaways in the wintertime to snowboard.

Mitchell D. Jackson

Sales Team

Mitchell first began working for the City of Phoenix as a lifeguard and swimming and training instructor. Though born and raised in Arizona, Mitchell relocated in 1994 to Colorado and started his career in various construction fields ranging from masonry, framing, roofing and landscaping. In 2000, Mitchell moved back to Arizona continuing to work in the growing construction industry and in 2006 he obtained Phoenix Finishes and Architectural Design LLC, endeavoring in the world of fine finishes and custom paint and remodels. In line with Tru Builders and their vision, Mitchell has taken the opportunity to expand his extensive skill set and provide the best possible customer service in and out of the field. In his spare time, Mitchell enjoys water sports and outdoor activities of all kinds and serves as a mission team leader and instructor at his church.

Tom Bisgaard

Field Superintendent

Tom started in construction as a stone mason in California, taking over his father’s business. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake he went to work for a home builder in the Pacific Palisades as Construction Superintendent, constructing custom single family homes, multi-residential condominiums throughout Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Malibu. Tom moved to Arizona in 2010 to be closer to his family and help take care of his father. Tom enjoys being a team player and thinks Tru Builders will be a great fit. Tom enjoys spending time with family and enjoys any sport with an engine. Nascar is his passion, but any motorsport will do.

Kori Parra

CAD Designer

Kori is Tru Builders CAD Designer. Prior to joining Tru Builders, Kori was a stay at home mom. Prior to this she worked for a charter school, and worked in retail. Kori participates in client/designer meetings, creates in-house drawings/floor plans, coordinates cabinetry orders, and many other duties as a part of the Design Team. Kori, in her free time, volunteers full time at The Rock Church on the worship team, youth team, and kids ministry team. She also enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, and food is her main focus on any vacation she takes.

Jailie Davis

Administrative Assistance & Sales Coordinator

Jailie is Tru Builders office assistant, Sales Coordinator, and receptionist. Prior to joining Tru Builders, Jailie worked at a daycare center as the second Co-Teacher for the infant room. Before that she was a receptionist for another construction company. Jailie sets up all prospective clients with their initial consultation and in our project management system Buildertrend. She manages all the executives’ calendars to ensure we are on time to meet our client’s needs. Additionally, she assists in office operations including office management, accounting, and inputting Job Starts and Budgets into Buildertrend.

Jailie has been with Tru Builders since 2019, learning more and more as the years go on. Jailie is a mom to a little boy. In her free time, she likes to spend it with her family and friends, exploring the outdoors and the AZ weather.

Ken Robertson

Estimator

Ken’s interest in construction began as a teenager helping his father and grandfather remodel their homes. After graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Construction Management, Ken started his career as an estimator for a painting contractor in Indianapolis. Throughout his 40 years in the construction industry, he has worked as an estimator, purchasing agent, owner rep, contract administrator, project engineer and project manager. In 2006, Ken and his wife moved from Cincinnati to Surprise when he accepted the position of contract administrator for an architectural firm in Glendale. Ken enjoys golf, fishing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.