Meet the craftsmen and leadership team behind Root Down Remodeling.

Black and white logo with a stylized house and a bridge inside a circle.
A woman with long brown hair wearing a red cardigan, plaid shirt, and jeans, standing in a modern kitchen with white cabinetry and a marble backsplash, resting her hand on the kitchen counter.

Emma Mallon

With over a decade of experience running a local southeastern Wisconsin tree service, Emma brings both hands-on expertise and a deep appreciation for the communities she serves. A UW–Madison graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, she combines strong communication skills with a refined eye for aesthetic design—an influence rooted in her background as a third-generation creative, inspired by her fine art lineage: grandfather, Jon Wilde, and her father, Jonathan Wilde. She is an engaged and enthusiastic community member, as President of  the Cooksville Community Center volunteer board, and remains active through NARI and MABA events where she regularly volunteers and networks. Outside of her professional work, she is a devoted dog mom to Norman, an avid thrifter and hiker, and a natural explorer who can often be found out and about in search of unique treasures.

A smiling woman with dark brown hair and glasses, wearing a blue dress and denim shirt, standing in a hallway with wooden shelves on one side and a door on the other.

Abby Rajala

Abby brings a unique blend of analytical expertise and creative passion to her work. After nearly 20 years in academia, culminating in a PhD in Neuroscience from UW–Madison, she developed a strong foundation in data organization, project management, and team coordination. Throughout that time, she nurtured a long-standing interest in design—spending countless hours exploring inspiration and honing her eye for detail. Originally a client, Abby became deeply engaged during her own bathroom renovations and was inspired to join the team, turning her enthusiasm into a new professional path. She remains actively involved in the community as a member of the Cheers, Madison! community choir and a volunteer in Monona. Outside of work, Abby is an embroidery artist who sells her creations locally, an avid baker and reader, and a busy mom to two kids. She shares her home with her husband, Matt, and their standard poodle, Nacho.

A man with a beard smiling in a workshop, holding a yellow clipboard, wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, work boots, and a tool belt, surrounded by tools and supplies on shelves.

Matt Mueller

Matt serves as lead foreman and is the definition of a true jack of all trades, bringing a wealth of hands-on expertise to every project. With extensive experience spanning rough and finish carpentry, mechanics, arboriculture, electrical, and plumbing, he approaches each build with precision, versatility, and problem-solving skill. Deeply rooted in the Monona community, Matt stays active both on and off the job—playing in his hockey league and coaching his son’s youth hockey team. He shares his life with his wife, Rachel, a local real estate agent, and also expresses his creative side through music, collaborating with fellow carpenter Matt Tupper in the band Brother Rye as lead guitarist and vocalist. Outside of work, Matt is an avid silent sports enthusiast who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and staying active year-round.

A man wearing glasses and a baseball cap kneeling in front of a sunlit window, holding a drywall mudding tool and a sponge, with a ladder nearby. There are household items and furniture in the background.

Matt Tupper

Matt is a third-generation carpenter and master craftsman known for his ability to bring thoughtful, custom solutions to projects of any size. With a lifetime of experience in both framing and finish carpentry, he specializes in expert woodworking and custom millwork tailored to meet each client’s unique vision. As a licensed home inspector, he brings an added layer of insight and precision to his work, ensuring quality from the ground up. Outside of the job site, Matt is an accomplished upright bass player who performs with several local bands. He enjoys life with his wife, Becky, their son, and their two cats, Pebbles and Jammers.

A man standing in front of a wooden bookshelf filled with books, wearing a gray hoodie with a logo, a cap, and jeans, smiling with hands in pockets.

Kyle Mallon

Kyle brings a rare combination of grit, precision, and outdoor expertise to his work. With a lifetime of experience in landscaping and arboriculture, he is a true machine operator extraordinaire, known for his efficiency and deep understanding of the craft. His approach is grounded in extreme attention to detail and a commitment to getting every aspect of the job exactly right. Outside of work, Kyle is an avid outdoorsman who can be found hunting, fishing, ultra marathon running, and embracing just about any challenge nature has to offer. He’s also a proud dog dad to Watson, a Deutsch Drahthaar who has excelled through the highest levels of agility and field training, including VJP and HZP.

A man with a beard and cap standing in a kitchen, smiling, wearing a black hoodie and gray cargo pants.

Taylor Gregorich

Taylor brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, with a strong foundation built during 16 years at Project Home, where he specialized in carpentry, home repairs, and energy efficiency upgrades for hundreds of homes throughout Dane County. His work reflects a deep commitment to quality, functionality, and improving the spaces people call home. Outside of the job site, Taylor is an avid biker and skier who also enjoys gardening, cooking, and continually remodeling his own east side home.

A man with shoulder-length dark hair, glasses, and facial hair stands next to a gray wall, with a window showing outdoor trees and houses in the background. He is wearing a black hoodie, beige cargo pants, and sneakers, with one hand on his hip.

Jon Lee

Jon brings over 30 years of hands-on experience in both finish and framing carpentry, backed by a lifelong dedication to the craft. He has a genuine passion for all aspects of remodeling and thrives on the variety each project brings. Known for his calm, steady demeanor and efficient work style, Jon consistently puts clients at ease while delivering high-quality results. A devoted husband and family man based in Monticello, he takes pride in both his work and the relationships he builds along the way.

Work With a Team You Can Trust

If you’re looking for a remodeling team that values craftsmanship, communication, and collaboration, we’d love to connect.

Schedule a consultation