Pete Franzen’s first hands on experience with the Gary Sinise Foundation came in 2014 when given the privilege to design and build a custom adapted smart home for a triple amputee, USMC Corporal Mark Lytinski, and his family. Since that time Pete’s role has steadily grown within the RISE program, having now served as Sr. Project Manager for the Gary Sinise Foundations, RISE program, since January of 2016. Pete could not be more pleased and grateful to have the joy and privilege of continuing to serve our veterans and their families in this capacity.

Pete Franzen grew up in a construction-oriented family in northern Minnesota. From an early age, he was a part of the family business. After time spent with both education and apprenticeship, Pete worked for the family’s commercial construction business for a number of years as a carpenter, carpenter foreman, project supervisor, and office side project manager. This afforded him a broad range of commercial construction experiences from the field work to the board room.

In 2000, Pete went into business for himself turning his focus from commercial buildings to the residential, design-build, custom home construction market. His company continued for 20 years as a strong player in the small market area of Duluth, MN having built hundreds of custom, turnkey homes. On most of those homes, Pete also worked for the clients to design and draft the homes. In 2014, Pete was awarded the Star builder of the year award by his local builder’s association. Pete now focuses full-time on serving with the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Pete’s father and grandfather served in the US Navy, and there is a long family history of military service dating back to the civil war. Pete is married to his wife, Erin and they have four sons; Caleb, Joseph, Grant, Carson, and one daughter, Torrie.