Get to Know Us
Your Semi-Custom Home Building Team
Thank you for getting acquainted with us. You’ll find our team has a lot in common — mostly that we all love to be part of the home-building process, help people live their dreams, and have deep roots in the area. We look forward to getting to know you and being of assistance with your home-building project.
Dale Black
Owner, President
He says his many roles have “definitely shaped the way I run the company” and one of his favorite parts of the job is watching employees grow and thrive. In his free time, Dale enjoys golfing, playing the piano, listening to podcasts, and the peacefulness of watching the birds and squirrels in his yard.
Jeff Sheets
Owner, Director of Development
Dan Dwyer
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Dan oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, including sales, service, closings, and more. Construction project managers also report to Dan. He has been with CMS Homes for seven years, starting as an assistant project manager (construction manager/superintendent), then after 6 months, becoming a full-time project manager for about 5 years before achieving his current role.
Dan says he enjoys working with everyone on the CMS team, getting out in the field and looking at potential developments, their current developments, and all their homes under construction. When asked why homebuyers should consider building with CMS Homes, he replied, “Every home built with CMS is a semi-custom home. We don’t deny any plan options or modifications. Our clients are always surprised to learn how much they can do with our base-model plans.” When he’s not at work, Dan enjoys all outdoor activities (hunting and fishing) and spending time with his wife and two children. Dan is also a long-time Saint Louis Blues fan. Go Blues!
Brian Kleck
Construction Manager
In addition to Brian’s construction experience, he’s known for being a problem-solver who enjoys working with homeowners and contractors and always puts quality first and foremost. He says, “It gives me a feeling of accomplishment, building a quality home that will last and making peoples’ dreams come true. Most prospective homebuyers will research and seek builders with a reputation for quality, like CMS Homes. My goal as Construction Manager is to continue this tradition.”
In his free time, Brian, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology, enjoys the outdoor life with his wife and three young children, who are old enough now to go camping and on float trips. He loves exploring nature and watching the kids discover new things and experience new adventures.
Kevin Kruser
Sales Manager
When asked what he likes most about his job, his answer goes hand in hand with why new construction homeowners love CMS Homes, “We build a superior product and prioritize customer satisfaction. We build great homes at a great value.”
After hours, Kevin spends time on his farm. He loves to hunt and fish with friends and family and has even gone fishing with a few CMS customers who’ve become friends.
Sonya Ellison
Bookkeeper
She loves how efficiently their homes are built and that homeowners get to move in within their allotted timeframe. In her free time, Sonya enjoys vacationing, F1 racing, and playing games with family and friends.
Michael Sheets
Superintendent & Supervisor Field Coordinator
Superintendent & Supervisor Field Coordinator
Michael started his carpentry career in high school, as a summer laborer, then, after graduation, became a union carpenter building CMS houses. Years later, he became a CMS superintendent and was recently promoted to Supervisor/Field Coordinator. One of the things he likes most about CMS is working with experienced, professional people. They all take pride in what they build and work to exceed buyers’ expectations, ensuring they are pleased during and after building their homes. In his spare time, Michael likes to travel and do anything outdoors — hike, hunt, and fish.
Emily Wilson
Closing Coordinator, Missouri Notary Public
Closing Coordinator, Missouri Notary Public
Jacob Wilson
Service Warranty Manager
Service Warranty Manager
Jacob’s favorite part of the job is helping new homeowners and getting to know them. When asked why a potential home buyer should choose CMS, he said, “People should choose CMS Homes because we care about each customer as an individual and work hard to make sure everyone has a positive, memorable experience building their home.” Jacob is also a student at St. Charles Community College and enjoys learning new things.
Rich Hackmann
Project Manager
When asked what he loves about CMS, he said, “Our commitment to quality and service. We make sure everything is completely right for our new homeowners.” In his spare time, Rich likes to do woodworking, deer-shed hunting, and spend time with his grandkids.
Nathan Kramer
Project Manager
As a Project Manager, Nathan oversees the build of customers’ homes from start to finish and regularly communicates with them along the way. He’s been helping people build homes for over 20 years and says, “It’s a great feeling to build someone’s home for them just the way they want it and know they’ll create lots of memories with their families in that home.”
Nathan was thrilled to join CMS Homes in November 2023 — for years he wanted to be part of the team because they offer the perfect combination of giving homebuyers the best experience while knowing how to turn out a top-quality home. He says, “Our small-town roots and values mean we don’t treat people like numbers. Each homebuyer is unique and given the personal service and respect they deserve.”
When Nathan is not helping CMS customers, he is attending his kids’ sporting events, vacationing in Mexico with his wife, and being a self-proclaimed car geek (thanks to the Dukes of Hazard and Knight Rider TV shows!). He buys a couple of neglected cars every year, cleans them up, and sells them. He shares, “I’m probably close to fixing up around 75 cars and trucks since age 16.”
Sherrie Verhaeghe
New Home Sales Assistant
Having been with CMS Homes for five years, she credits her listening skills and enjoyment of being in service to others as part of why she loves her career. Her other reasons mirror what the rest of the team feels – working with a fantastic CMs team and providing beautiful custom – not cookie-cutter – homes to new homeowners. In her free time, Sherrie appreciates spending time with family, loves dogs and horses, and being outdoors.
Lona Montgomery
Sales Manager at Orchard Grove
As the Orchard Grove Sales Manager, Lona helps buyers who want to build a semi-custom home choose the home plan that best fits their style and assists them with customizing that plan to get everything they want and need. Her experience as a real estate agent has provided an understanding of what buyers want and the frustrations of trying to find ‘the perfect home’ in today’s market. “Speaking from experience, we do a great job of making the home-building process straightforward with as little stress as possible. My husband and I built our first home together in 2023 with CMS, and we were amazed at how smoothly the whole process went and we got the home of our dreams.”
When Lona was asked to join CMS Homes in December of 2023, she was thrilled. She says, “CMS Homes has perfected the process of new home building with the best quality and process around, making it easy for clients. Also, all the employees have a great eye for detail, whether in the design room or on the construction site. I am proud to be part of such a caring and talented team.”
In addition to her time spent with CMS clients, she works part-time in healthcare, carrying on a 33-year legacy. She also enjoys gardening and loves to be at home, relaxing with her husband and boys.