MEET THE TEAM
YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS GROUP.
LACEY PASSANTINO & CHRIS DREITH
LACEY PASSANTINO
Lacey Passantino is the manager of the Home Improvements Group, Inc. and is passionate about improving the lives of her clients through design, sharing that passion with all the staff and subcontractors. She brings a unique view of the kitchen and bath business from her years working in the corporate retail world. Her creativity and personal attention to each project has helped build the Home Improvements Group into one of the premier remodeling companies in Northern California, which has won numerous design and business awards, both locally and nationally.
CHRIS DREITH
Chris Dreith started the Home Improvements Group, Inc. in 1994 and has never lost her enthusiasm and dedication to her clients, her staff, and the industry. She is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), the highest certification possible from the National Kitchen and Bath Association and has been a judge for NKBA’s national and local design contests. She is a Charter Member of the SEN Design Group, the first national buying/marketing group in the kitchen and bath industry, in which she is involved as an Advisory Council Member and a mentor for many kitchen and bath dealers throughout the country.
FUN FACTS
LACEY PASSANTINO
What would you say your team role at the Home Improvements Group is?
Help keep projects on track and every once in a while, throw in a crazy design idea!
What are a few of your favorite things?
Old houses, old cars and old dogs!
Share with us one unusual thing many people may not know about you.
I like chocolate...too much.
What is one piece of advice or statement you want to make about the kitchen and bath industry (or remodeling)?
There will always be problems AND there are always solutions!
What do you like most about the Home Improvements Group?
Working with great people, both clients and co-workers.
Where are you from?
British Columbia, Canada (eh!)
What motivates you to work hard?
The idea of accomplishment with each finished project.
What makes you laugh the most?
When my kids are laughing, and they don’t know why. It’s contagious and I start laughing uncontrollably!
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Have children.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warning: I have children
How long have you been in the kitchen and bath industry?
Fifteen years in retail housewares and four years in remodeling.
What is your favorite thing to do in Yolo County?
Participate in community events. And eat and drink!
What was your first job?
Working in my grandmother’s bookstore.
What do you do in your spare time?
N/A. Just kidding! Play with my kids and create family ancestry photo books.
Do you have family or pets?
One amazing husband, two fantastic kids, and two crazy Pugs!
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
Favorite is my gas cooktop. I LOVE to cook!
What is your favorite holiday?
Valentine’s Day. Love, flowers, and chocolate = BEST DAY EVER!
CHRIS DREITH
What would you say your team role at the Home Improvements Group is?
Keeping the team motivated, encouraging them to do their best, making sure communication is clear and efficient between the team, the clients, and the subs. And supporting creativity.
What are a few of your favorite things?
Traveling, tasting whiskeys with friends, eating at great restaurants, sleeping in.
Share with us one unusual thing many people may not know about you.
I was a Girl Scout chaperone for my little sister’s troop when we spent a month in Europe.
What is one piece of advice or statement you want to make about the kitchen and bath industry (or remodeling)?
HGTV is not realistic.
What do you like most about the Home Improvements Group?
My team and my clients.
Where are you from?
Born in Nebraska, grew up in Colorado, did some time in Wyoming and Oregon before moving to Woodland in 1985.
What motivates you to work hard?
This industry is relationship driven. I care so much about my clients that I am driven to make sure their lives are better because they can now live in a space that is specifically designed and built for them.
What makes you laugh the most?
Even after all these years, my husband cracks me up.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Jumped out of an airplane. Started a business. While both are scary, at least when I jumped out of the plane, I had a parachute.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Don’t be offended: I can joke about everything.
How long have you been in the kitchen and bath industry?
35 years and counting.
What is your favorite thing to do in Yolo County?
The California Honey Festival. The Scottish Games. Visiting wineries, distilleries, and breweries.
What was your first job?
Working for my dad in his bowling alley, spraying disinfectant into bowling shoes.
What do you do in your spare time?
Reading and writing mysteries.
Do you have family or pets?
One spoiled husband and two spoiled Labradors.
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
Microwave and ice maker.
What is your favorite holiday?
National Love Your Dog Day and Christmas.
CHRISTY BAUTISTA
ASHLEY WATSON
FUN FACTS
What would you say your team role at the Home Improvements Group is?
The Keeper of Books, which entails helping with the invoicing, paying the bills, and getting the financials ready each month.
What are a few of your favorite things?
Going on vacation with my boys, reading, and arts and crafts (aka making props for Halloween).
Share with us one unusual thing many people may not know about you.
I can only wiggle half of my bottom lip.
What is one piece of advice or statement you want to make about the kitchen and bath industry (or remodeling)?
You can get much nicer hardware at a showroom vs big box stores!
What do you like most about the Home Improvements Group?
My favorite thing at the Home Improvements Group is the family atmosphere. It’s not just another job.
Where are you from?
The first few years of my life, I lived in Alaska.
What motivates you to work hard?
The two things that motivate me the most is deadlines and check lists. It’s such a great feeling to check a project off a list and have it done on time.
What makes you laugh the most?
My boys have given me the hardest laughs with the things they say or little jokes they tell me.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
In 2019, I started my own bookkeeping business instead of working in a bookkeeping office where I had been working for four years.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Proceed With Caution – Has a Dark Sense of Humor.
How long have you been in the kitchen and bath industry?
Since I do the bookkeeping, I don’t count myself in the kitchen and bath industry, but I have picked up knowledge while working at HIG over the years.
What is your favorite thing to do in Yolo County?
See movies at our local historical theatre.
What was your first job?
Working at Steve’s Pizza in Woodland in high school.
What do you do in your spare time?
Watch movies/TV shows with my family or sneak away to my bedroom to read my book of the month without distraction.
Do you have family or pets?
One husband, two boys, one dog, one cat, three fish tanks, four chickens and one pigeon. The pigeon chose us by one day moving into the coop with the chickens. His name is Gerald.
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
The refrigerator. I feel like I’m always looking in there for some food that I know isn’t there.
What is your favorite holiday?
Although my house goes ALL OUT on Halloween, Christmas is my favorite holiday.
What would you say your team role at the Home Improvements Group is?
As the newest member, my roll here is to learn and grow!
What are a few of your favorite things?
Springtime, puppy breath, pure & unconditional love.
Share with us one unusual thing many people may not know about you.
I’m a grandma!
What do you like most about the Home Improvements Group?
It’s owned and opereated by a wonderful woman!
Where are you from?
Winters, California.
What motivates you to work hard?
Be an inspiration and role model for my son, also provide a life that I didn’t have. Client satisfaction is also rewarding!
What makes you laugh the most?
My husband and my BFF.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Become a Mom!
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warning: works well with others, overthinks everything, and always has a positive attitude.
What is your favorite thing to do in Yolo County?
Eat, eat, eat!
What was your first job?
Hostess at the Buckhorn Restaurant.
What do you do in your spare time?
Workout or walk my dog.
Do you have family or pets?
Amazing husband, five children, one dog (who is also family).
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
Refrigerator!
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!
Lyndsie Gonzalez
What are a few of your favorite things?
All things “Mom” related, Real Estate, Scentsy!
Share with us one unusual thing about you that people may not know about you.
I wear my socks inside out.
What motivates you to work hard?
My family!
What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
I’ve been skydiving!
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Caution: “OCD” alert!
What was your first job?
Nugget market in Vacaville.
What do you do in your spare time?
Clean, Real Estate, go on walks.
Do you have family or pets?
I have 2 kids, and a husband.
What kitchen appliance do you use everyday?
I use my coffee pot everyday!
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!