Meet The Team

Todd Birckhead

Co-Owner / Craftsman

Todd is one of the co-owners of Courtyard Creations and wears a few different hats around the company, including craftsman, estimator, and drone pilot. But at the heart of what he does, Todd simply enjoys building things that people can enjoy for years to come.

One of the things Todd enjoys most about his work is seeing the finished project, and, even more importantly, hearing how happy the homeowners are with the results. There’s something rewarding about taking an idea from the planning stage, putting in the hard work, and seeing it become something that a family can actually use and enjoy.

For Todd, that’s what makes the work worthwhile. He takes pride in building outdoor spaces that are made to last and that can become part of a family’s story for years to come.

Life Outside of Courtyard Creations

When he’s not working, Todd is happiest spending time with his family. With eight children and two grandchildren, there is never a shortage of people to keep him busy, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and camping, especially anything that gets him outdoors and away from the everyday routine.

And then there are his two Labradoodles, who are undoubtedly convinced they are also part of the Courtyard Creations team. 

What Todd Is Most Proud Of

Todd loves knowing that the work he and the team do isn’t just something that looks good when it’s finished, it’s something built to stand the test of time.

“I enjoy that we are building something that will last and withstand the amount of time for families to enjoy and make memories together with something that we built.”

Josh Gorman

Co-Owner/ Craftsman

Josh is one of the co-owners of Courtyard Creations. As a designer, estimator, and craftsman, Josh gets to be involved in a project from the very beginning, from helping homeowners develop their ideas and figuring out the details to getting hands-on in the construction process.

What he enjoys most is bringing people’s ideas to life. Josh loves helping homeowners create outdoor spaces that aren’t just beautiful when they’re finished, but spaces they can actually use, enjoy, and make memories in for years to come.

He’s also a hands-on kind of guy in just about every part of his life. He enjoys working on projects around his own home, and yes, he genuinely enjoys mowing the grass. In fact, he thinks his zero-turn mower may be the closest thing to a wooden roller coaster ride you can have in your own yard. 

Life Outside of Courtyard Creations

Josh loves spending time with his wife and daughters and enjoys anything that gets his adrenaline going, especially roller coasters.

He’s also a self-proclaimed nerd at heart. He grew up wanting to be an astronaut and is a big fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, and pretty much anything involving science fiction. If there’s a new sci-fi movie or series, there’s a good chance Josh is going to be geeking out over it.

And apparently, his definition of “geeking out” extends to tools, too. New tools can be just as exciting as a new Star Wars release.

At home, Josh’s family includes quite the crew: Daisy, his dog, and four cats—Moon-Pie, Pumpkin-Pie, Bear, and Ember.

What Josh Is Most Proud Of

For Josh, there’s something special about taking an idea that starts in a homeowner’s head and turning it into something they can stand in, sit in, gather around, and enjoy.

He loves working with his hands and believes he was blessed with what he jokingly calls the “handyman gene.” He’s proud to put that gift to work creating something that will be part of a family’s home for years to come.

And someday, when the tools are finally put away, Josh has one more dream: a house by the water. He loves the smell and sound of the ocean and would happily trade the job site for a waterfront view when retirement eventually rolls around.

Until then, he’ll probably be building something.

Hollie Gorman

Office Manager & Accountant

Hollie is the person helping keep things organized behind the scenes at Courtyard Creations. As the Office Manager and Bookkeeper, she keeps up with the details that help the business run smoothly and makes sure the day-to-day pieces stay where they belong.

But for Hollie, her favorite part of the job isn’t just keeping up with numbers and paperwork, it’s the people.

She enjoys interacting with the Courtyard Creations team, getting to know everyone, and being part of the relationships that make the company feel more like a family than just a workplace.

Life Outside of Courtyard Creations

When she’s not keeping the office organized, Hollie loves spending time with her family and getting lost in a good book. She’s a proud mom of two girls and enjoys making time for her husband and family whenever she can.

Her household also includes quite the collection of four-legged, furry, and possibly slightly slimy family members: Her dog Daisy, four cats, and lots of fish and frogs. 

So yes, there’s a pretty good chance Hollie has someone, or something, waiting for her to take care of at home, too!

What Hollie Loves About Courtyard Creations

One of the things Hollie is most proud of is helping create a friendly team environment where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

She believes that the people behind the work matter just as much as the work itself. She enjoys celebrating the team’s accomplishments, cheering everyone on, and being part of a company where people can take pride in what they do.

At the end of the day, Hollie helps make sure the business side stays organized, the team stays connected, and the people who make Courtyard Creations what it is know that their work matters.

A little Hollie quote/callout for the website:

“I love being part of a team where we celebrate each other and what we accomplish together.”

Leslie Carter

 Sales Manager & Client Experience

For Leslie, it’s always been about people first.

She loves getting to know her clients, building lasting relationships, and helping homeowners turn the space they’ve been dreaming about into a reality. She approaches every project as if it were her own home, with care, attention to detail, and a commitment to giving 100% from the first conversation to the finished project.

Leslie believes that when you genuinely care about the people you’re working with, it builds trust, and that trust makes for a better experience and a better end result.

“I want our clients to feel like family, and I want them to know that their project matters to us as much as it matters to them.”

One of Leslie’s favorite things about Courtyard Creations is the team behind the work. She loves being part of a company where everyone has a voice, everyone brings something valuable to the table, and people genuinely care about doing a great job. She feels fortunate to work somewhere she is valued for who she is and what she brings to the team.

Life Outside of Courtyard Creations

Leslie stays pretty busy when she’s not at work! Family is everything, and you’ll often find her on the road heading to the golf course, a baseball field, the river for a day of kayaking, or wherever her kids and husband happen to be.

She also enjoys dinner with family, live music, shopping, decorating, and spending time with the people she loves.

Her faith and church family are another important part of her life. Leslie teaches Sunday School and helps lead a monthly women’s fellowship group focused on creating a community where women can encourage one another, grow together, and have people to lean on through life’s ups and downs.

What Leslie Loves About the Work

What makes the job especially rewarding for Leslie is seeing an idea become something real.

A homeowner starts with a vision, the team brings their talents to the table, and together they create a space that can become part of that family’s life for years to come.

That’s the part Leslie loves most, knowing that something the team helped build today may be where a family gathers, celebrates, relaxes, and makes memories tomorrow.

Brandon Sanders

Project Consultant

Brandon serves as a Project Consultant with Courtyard Creations. While his role is less involved with the day-to-day work happening in the field, Brandon remains a valued part of our team and contributes his experience, perspective, and knowledge when needed.

Brandon helps support Courtyard behind the scenes, offering input on projects, ideas, planning, and the continued growth of the company. His ability to look at situations from a different perspective and offer thoughtful advice makes him a great resource for our team.

At Courtyard Creations, every person brings something different to the table, and Brandon’s experience and support continue to make him an important part of the Courtyard family.

Desi Armstrong

IT Manager

Desi serves as the IT Manager for Courtyard Creations and plays an important role behind the scenes helping keep our technology and digital systems running smoothly.

From troubleshooting technical issues to helping maintain the systems and tools our team relies on, Desi brings knowledge, patience, and problem-solving skills to Courtyard Creations. His work helps keep us connected, organized, and moving forward as the company continues to grow.

Desi may not always be the person you see out in the field, but the support he provides behind the scenes is an important part of keeping Courtyard running every day.

We’re thankful to have Desi as part of the Courtyard family and appreciate everything he does to support our team.

Melissa Ruiz

Company Ambassador

Melissa serves as a Company Ambassador for Courtyard Creations and continues to be an important part of the Courtyard family.

In her role, Melissa helps represent who we are as a company and the values we stand for. She supports Courtyard through community connections, special projects, company events, and by simply being someone who believes in what we are building.

Melissa brings a positive presence, great energy, and a willingness to help wherever she can. While her role has changed over time, her support for Courtyard and our team continues to mean a great deal to us.

We’re proud to have Melissa representing Courtyard Creations and helping us continue to grow, connect, and build something special..

Field Crew

Coming Soon