We Are Welch Forsman

Don has spent the better part of his life pursuing the work he loves, having started in the trades at age 17. After studying engineering and architecture, he joined Welch Casey in 1985, adding his name to the firm. Today, as president of Welch Forsman Associates, Don takes great pride in the team of carpenters, woodworkers, cabinetmakers and project managers behind the company. He has a passion for fine design and enjoys seeking out beautiful architecture and art on his travels — and loves canoeing, camping, and motorcycling with family and friends.

As Owner and CEO of Welch Forsman Associates, Brian leads with a wealth of experience spanning structural engineering, logistics, and construction. His career began as a structural engineer, where he developed a technical foundation and a passion for enhancing our communities, before pivoting to logistics to refine his skills in operational strategy, leadership and management, and problem solving. Returning to the construction industry, Brian now brings a multidisciplinary perspective that uniquely positions him to drive innovation and deliver exceptional results for clients. Beyond his professional endeavors, Brian is deeply committed to family and community. As a member of the Board of Directors at Salvo Soccer Club, he combines his leadership acumen with his passion for youth sports, fostering an environment where players and their families thrive. Whether navigating the nuances of a high-level project or championing local initiatives, Brian’s dedication to innovation and collaboration defines his approach to success.

Having started his career at a custom woodworking shop at age 21, Chad has amassed 35 years of woodworking and cabinetry experience — 15 of them at Welch Forsman. As manager of Ingrained Wood Studios, he has a propensity for precision in both the process and the product he and his team create, and it shows in the wide range of projects he has managed and executed. In his downtime, Chad enjoys craft beers, walks with his wife and his elderly dog, Bailey, and working on his own house, where he is currently remodeling his kitchen.

Paul Gorton is a dedicated sales professional at Welch Forsman Associates, bringing over 20 years of experience in the construction and building materials industry. Known for his deep product knowledge and customer-focused approach, Paul excels in understanding client needs and providing tailored solutions that drive project success. With a strong background in construction and project management, he has a unique ability to bridge the gap between technical specifications and practical applications, ensuring clients receive the highest value. Paul is committed to building lasting relationships, delivering exceptional service, and helping clients achieve their goals with Welch Forsman’s premium products and expertise.

As a registered landscape architect and MBA, Greg brings a unique perspective to the Welch Forsman team. His first job in design and construction, over three decades ago, was as a site planner for an architecture firm in Tucson, Arizona, and since then he has worked all over the country, landing at Welch Forsman in 2010. Greg is an avid fisherman who takes an annual fishing trip to northern Canada and loves working on his cabin on Minnesota’s Roosevelt Lake. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his MBA is from the University of Arizona.

In 1975, Tim got his start in the construction industry on a film set, and moved into residential construction the following year. Since then, he has worked with Welch Forsman as both a carpenter and estimator, and joined the firm permanently since 2003. Over the years, he’s enjoyed working on several major film sets including The Mighty Ducks, Grumpier Old Men, Fargo and A Simple Plan — and still bowls with Minnesota’s own Coen brothers. In his spare time, Tim is a soccer, hockey and trap-shooting dad. He holds a BA in geography from the University of Minnesota.

After receiving his associates degree in liberal arts, Thom started working as a handyman and carpenter back in 1995. He has consistently grown his career, his considerable skill set and his responsibilities since then, joining Welch Forsman as an entry carpenter in 2001, moving up to lead carpenter soon thereafter and becoming a site supervisor in 2012. Thom has two sons, likes good beer and bicycling, and enjoys working in his garden. He’s also a frequent and enthusiastic traveler and visits both Canada and Germany regularly.