About
“Building Ironwood Construction Company as a company has been a rewarding experience for me. We’ve been fortunate to have great clients, reliable subcontractors and experienced employees. It’s what has helped Ironwood grow from the new company on the block 20 years ago to a very highly regarded general contracting company, which has truly been a satisfying experience.”
Daniel Steffes
Principal / Founder
Dan was born in Detroit and grew up in Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Detroit, where he and his wife, a schoolteacher, raised three wonderful children. In 1996 he bought 80 acres of beautiful Northern Michigan hardwoods with a panoramic view of Little Traverse Bay and the countryside. The following year, after 50 consecutive weekend trips up north and working beside family and friends, he completed a new log sided home and considers the accomplishment a true labor of love. In 2001, Dan and his wife finished an addition on their new home and moved up north permanently. They both consider it the best move they ever made.
Shortly thereafter, Dan started Ironwood Construction Company and proceeded to design, develop and construct three premier residential developments: The Woods – log residential duplexes and office buildings; Cedar Bluff – luxury duplexes overlooking Bay Harbor; and The Shores on Crooked Lake – beautiful waterfront condos. Since then, Ironwood has designed and constructed numerous residential, commercial and industrial structures in Northwest Michigan.
Dan is a University of Detroit graduate and has been a licensed builder for many years. As a young man, Dan was fortunate enough to work with a general contractor who self performed foundation and concrete flatwork, masonry work, sewer and water underground work and operated heavy construction equipment. This hands-on experience has served him well throughout his career.
“The best part of my job is the countless number of talented, diverse, hardworking, creative people I’ve been able to work with throughout my 20 years with Ironwood. They teach me something new every day!”
Serenity Dankert
Serenity grew up in mid-Michigan before moving to Petoskey in 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Lake Superior State University. After a few years in public accounting, where she served assorted industries including construction companies, she decided to shift gears and began a career at Ironwood Construction.
Her professionalism and willingness to learn, lead to her quick advancement and she currently serves as the company’s Managing Principal. Serenity is well-versed in the management of residential, commercial, and industrial projects – from traditional remodels to out of the ground new construction where her over 15 years of field experience as Project Manager is invaluable. Additionally, her accounting background and investment in company ownership ensures that her focus remains on budgets and project timelines; while her positive, collaborative attitude and her ability to quickly provide solutions keeps all stakeholders well informed and engaged.
Serenity and her husband, Jesse, live in Bliss Township and invest their spare time in the community. They have two sons, Nick and Chris, and they can often be found enjoying the outdoors together as a family during their downtime.
“The best part of working in construction is working with our team to meet the needs of our clients. It’s great to work with people who have been here their entire lives and others who are from different parts of the country. The most satisfying part of the job is making a client’s vision their reality. Nothing beats a happy client.”
Becky Miles
Managing Principal /Project Manager
After growing up in Grosse Pointe and graduating from Michigan State University, Becky spent the next 25+ years in Chicago where she held a variety of leadership positions in the commercial real estate industry. Petoskey, though, had been in Becky’s and her husband, Joe’s, sites for several years and they welcomed the opportunity to relocate when Becky had the chance to join the family business.
They have two grown daughters who love to come north and as a family they are all looking forward to spending more time on the lake.
Dan Cleary
Project Manager
Dan Cleary is a Project Manager with extensive experience in commercial construction. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Dan moved to Petoskey, Michigan in 1999 with his wife, Jennifer, and has spent most of his professional career in the construction industry. His project experience includes hospitals, municipal libraries, casinos, and hotels, giving him a broad perspective on complex commercial builds. Dan is known for his collaborative approach and attention to detail throughout all phases of a project. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with Jennifer, their two sons, Aidan and Liam, and their Labrador, Indy. His hobbies include skiing, golfing, boating, fishing, and hunting.
“I’m a highly organized individual who takes pride in making sure the accounting side of our projects is accurate and timely. I understand the importance of this from our client’s perspective as well as our hardworking subcontractors’. Ensuring a smooth accounting process is something in which I take great pride.”
Janna Reinsmith
Office Manager
A lifelong resident of Petoskey, Michigan, Janna brings over 20 years of construction industry experience to the job having worked in kitchen and bath sales, client management and accounting & bookkeeping. Her well-rounded experience is of tremendous value as she efficiently and professionally attends to our client’s and team’s needs.
Janna and her husband feel fortunate to have raised their family here – especially enjoying their many family trips kayaking down the Bear River.