WHEN TALENTED PROFESSIONALS TALK, WE LISTEN.
Admit it, you have an inquiring mind, and you want to know about the team building your Bozeman or Big Sky dream home. We understand the inclination. So we decided to bring you ShopTalk, conversations with the talented pros designing, building, and outfitting your homes.
Eugene Graf IV
E.G. Construction
Since 1906, the Graf family has been rooted in the Gallatin Valley. Today, like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Eugene Graf IV operates a family business and is an active community volunteer. When not supervising the construction of a new home or planning a development, Eugene gives back to Montana through organizations such as the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association and the Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation. For the Grafs, the values of yesterday are the values of today: family, work, and community.
“Delivering a home that exceeds expectations is the most enjoyable experience for everyone on the E.G. Construction team.” –Eugene Graf IV, Owner, E.G. Construction
What services do you offer?
We offer new residential construction, remodels, land development, and commercial tenant improvement.
What geographic areas do you service?
The Gallatin Valley.
How did you get into the construction industry?
My father has been a developer and leader in the construction industry. In the mid– ’90s when my dad was in the leadership of the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association, I traveled with him to Seattle to visit their Parade of Homes. He came back and organized a Parade of Homes in Bozeman to show the quality work in the industry and educate the community about what is possible. I’ve followed in his footsteps by being an advocate, educator, and leader in the building industry.
How do you see construction changing in the next five to ten years?
Hopefully we will be able to recruit more young people into the industry by demonstrating that the trades are a good way to provide for a family and a career of which they can be proud.
What project are you most excited about right now?
We are always excited to introduce new phases and new homes as more developments come online. Right now I’m particularly proud of the new Allison subdivision and know many families will be proud of it, too.
Describe your process and how you work with clients.
We are a very hands-on construction company. I walk the customer through the process of developing the plans and site selection. Then my wife Erin works with the customers through the selection process. Delivering a home that exceeds expectations is the most enjoyable experience for everyone on the E. G. Construction team.
What words do people use to describe your work?
Honest. Dependable. Trustworthy.
If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?
Some sort of elected public service.
What do you listen to while at work?
I listen to audio files from Great Courses– –from history to philosophy. We should never stop learning. Listening to content that is not directly related to my work is a great way to exercise my mind.
What inspires you?
I serve on a veterans’ organization called Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation. We have been fortunate for the last ten years to have generous donors who help support our mission, which is to bring post 9-11 wounded veterans to Montana to experience the healing powers of fly fishing. We outfit them and try to give them tools to deal with any struggles they face back home. I hear emotional and impactful stories from these heroes and it is truly rewarding and inspiring.
Bruce VanLandingham
Sundog Fine Art
A stroll through the Sundog Fine Art gallery gives visitors snapshots of the peoples and landscapes of the American West. While the gallery may initially feel like a museum with relics from the past, one quickly realizes the art–be it Navajo rugs, beadwork, jewelry, furniture, paintings, artifacts, or photographs–speaks to us about the present. For Bruce VanLandingham, the contemporary and the classic complement each other and co-exist. In the back of the gallery you’ll find an extensive book collection and you just may find Bruce ready for a conversation about art and life.
“We are passionate about the rich history and aesthetic beauty of our ever–changing collection.” –-Bruce VanLandingham, Owner, Sundog Fine Art
What services do you offer?
Sundog Fine Art offers collection service and development, appraisals, and knowledgeable answers about art. As much as anything, our love of art–whether contemporary, western, or Native American–carries through into any of our conversations. Each of us here brings our own artistic expertise and area of concentration to the gallery.
What is your professional background?
From an early age, my parents nurtured my love of art and growing up in rural Kansas created a fascination with Native American art and culture. I have both a BFA and MFA in painting. I taught at the college level before becoming an art dealer, which I’ve been now for over 40 years.
How do you see your field changing?
I see a more knowledgeable buyer developing. The Internet makes it possible for anyone to glean more information in real time. This is definitely a plus for us because of our scholarly approach to both education and sales of our artwork.
What projects are you most excited about right now?
We are very happy to be involved with Robert Osborn and the release of his new fine art photography book: The Cowboys of Central Montana: 50 Portraits. Later in the summer we will be showing landscape oil paintings by Michelle Osman.
Describe your process and how you work with clients?
Honesty and intellectual interaction are the two most important aspects of working with our clients. We want our clients to enjoy working with us not just once, but for a very long enjoyable relationship.
What do you offer that is unique?
Sundog Fine Art brings together the finest quality artwork. This carries through to everything we do including our display techniques, curation, knowledge behind each and every piece, and desire to help our clients acquire and grow their collections.
Are you known for showing certain types of artwork?
We are definitely known for our extensive collection of Native American antique art, however, we merge the past with the present by showing contemporary artwork alongside these antiques. Our focus, whether modern or historical, boils down to “American Art.” My personal favorite pieces include a 1974 Robert Rauschenberg from his airport series and a 1830s-1840s Northern Cheyenne tobacco bag.
What words do people use to describe your gallery?
Beauty. Quality. Diversity.
What do you enjoy most about living and working where you do?
Here in Bozeman we are surrounded by art and beauty both in our gallery and in the surrounding natural environment. Both are wonderful, day in and day out.
What are your current challenges?
Keeping up with the growth in the gallery. It is a wonderful challenge.
What do you do that most people would not be aware of?
I kick up dirt clods on my daily walks… but in all seriousness, my life is an open book. I couldn’t be having more fun.
What inspires you?
Living life and my love of art go hand in hand. I love working and living with an artist who is constantly challenging me to do more and learn more about art and life in general.
Cory Reistad
SAV Digital Environments
Cory Reistad’s career has been dedicated to finding and vetting not only the smartest and the best technologies, but technologies that almost seem invisible. Many technologies can seem intimidating, unwieldy, and brazen; Cory seeks products that are subtle, intuitive, and behind-the-scenes. SAV’s expert team designs and installs digital systems that co-exist and complement people’s day-to-day existence. After all, even in this digital world, we still want a human touch.
“Our discerning clients and partners are looking for two things in their digital environment: simplicity and elegance.” –-Cory Reistad, Owner, SAV Digital Environments
What services do you offer?
SAV is a comprehensive, process-driven firm that offers design and installation services for audio/video systems, home cinema, lighting and shade control, network and IT connectivity, security and surveillance, energy monitoring solutions and more.
What geographic areas do you service?
Our main regions are Bozeman and Big Sky, MT, as well as Jackson, WY. However, we have been known to serve various other locations, most within a 100–200 mile perimeter to our main regions.
What do you offer that is unique?
We offer unyielding commitment to client service. Very early in the business, I learned that establishing a commitment to our clients’ needs is our most important job. That is why SAV has dedicated an entire division of the company to focus on our clients’ systems after they have been installed.
What project are you most excited about right now?
Though we get excited about all of the work we do, right now our commercial security division is our most exciting. We are seeing increased demand for asset protection. Advancements in facial recognition and artificial intelligence related to human behavior are absolutely astonishing.
Describe your process and how you work with clients.
Our work with our clients generally starts early in the design phase of the project. Because the end goal is to incorporate technology into the home in such a way that it blends into the architectural environment, it’s necessary to incorporate those details and collaborate with the owner in order to succeed. Once the design is complete, we work closely with the general contractor, interior designer, and other trades to deliver a seamless system.
What are some of the trickS of the trade?
In the wake of ever-changing technology, I’d advise to be patient with innovative products and make sure they are properly vetted before placing them in clients’ homes. With our commitment to simplicity and usability, it is vital that we do not use our clients’ homes as technology test beds.
