Our Team

Dedicated & Determined

Peter C. Schmidt – President

Peter started his company over 30 years ago. After growing up here, he moved to California to attend college and start his career. While in California, Peter started his construction company and owned two florists. He returned in the early 90’s to raise his family on San Juan Island. Since then the company has expanded consistently over the years and has grown into a well-respected, highly successful corporation. Peter is proficient in AutoCAD and 3-D design, which has given him a unique perspective as a general contractor when it comes to meeting the needs of his clients. He enjoys a challenge, from building custom vacation homes to moving the Churchill House to its current site on Argyle to building the eagle habitat at Wolf Hollow. Peter respects our small island community lifestyle and has found many ways of consistently donating his personal and company resources to multiple charities and community needs over the years.

Brenda Schmidt – Vice-President/Treasurer

Brenda moved to Friday Harbor in ’92 for a lifestyle change, which she will always tell you “I got”. She also wanted to raise her two kids in a safe healthy environment. She started at Dockside Realty as a receptionist and quickly moved to office manager. She became proficient in Photoshop and PageMaker and soon took over all advertising. She got her real estate license and partnered up with Shirley Nielsen (well, the rest is history). She has been the President of the Friday Harbor Chamber of Commerce, head of the town Christmas and 4th of July committees. Peter’s business was growing and they decided to make the jump; Brenda joined the company as Bookkeeper/Office Manager. Within 2 years of working together, they tripled their business. Brenda knew that they would be an unstoppable team. She now holds the title of V.P and Treasurer.

Jayson Schmidt – Project Manager

Jayson Schmidt was raised in Friday Harbor where he graduated high school and spent many years learning his father’s construction business. He attended Gonzaga University where he graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and a business minor. Jayson was then hired by a major Spokane contractor, McKinstry. It was there that Jayson became very effective in sales, project management, and grant writing. Jayson recently rejoined the family business as an opportunity to continue the great business his father began, while having an amazing opportunity to live and raise a family in the San Juan Islands. To our clients, Jayson pledges not only to keep the promises set out in our proposals and to act in their best interest but also to strive to understand their business and deliver custom solutions that will enhance their operations.

Katie Schmidt – Contract and Administrative Director

Originally from Chicago, IL, Katie moved out west to attend Gonzaga University Law School in Spokane, WA. After she completed her law degree, she accepted a director position with a $100m ecommerce company in Spokane, WA where she managed a team of 12 account managers. After three years, Katie decided to pursue a career in real estate and she sold 10 homes within three months! It was also in Spokane where she met and fell in love with Jayson, and it wasn’t long after that she fell in love with their visits to Friday Harbor. She and Jayson decided to moved back to Friday Harbor, WA so they could join the family construction and design business. Katie’s legal knowledge and background in real estate helps serve our clients with exceptional service, expertise, and creative solutions.

Chelan Taylor – Office Manager

Chelan Taylor is a born and raised islander. After growing up in this little community, she attended the University of Montana Western to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Equine Science. After college, she moved back to Friday Harbor and worked extensively in the customer service industry before launching her career in the escrow industry. Her knowledge of the island, industry and banking help serve our clients with expertise.

William Shields – Project Manager

Will Shields grew up in a small town in New Hampshire where he spent his childhood snowboarding and playing In the woods. His introduction to building came early, working for his dad on their own house and for local contractors during highschool. He moved to Washington in 2005 for college where he met his wife Emily. They share a love for the outdoors doing things like gardening and foraging for mushrooms. They moved to Seattle where Will climbed the ranks from carpenter to superintendent to project manager and welcomed a Son named Luca In February of 2019. With Luca getting bigger and developing his own love of the outdoors they decided it was time to leave the city. Having spent lots of time on the San Juan Islands they knew this was the place. Will is thrilled to start the next chapter of life with his family here on San Juan Island working for Peter Schmidt Construction tackling challenging custom homes and remodels.