Team Member Highlight – Cherry Hjeltness

With a strong foundation in the construction industry, Cherry joined Nino Homes as Project Coordinator in July 2024. She is stepping into the shoes of Lois Pape who recently retired after over 20 years as an integral part of the team. Cherry is proud to carry on the excellent work and example that Lois set.

In her role, Cherry works closely with each project manager as well as Mike, Tracy and Wendy in the small, close-knit office. Her scope of work entails making sure all the proper plans and documents are in place to pull permits with the respective cities, keeping close track of each stage of a project and interfacing with the onsite project manager to ensure they have everything they need. She works closely with Mike Nino to prepare contracts, and interacts with engineers, city and county officials as well as the title company to ensure the smooth delivery of homes to their new owners.

“There’s always something new and fresh going on and I love the challenge,” says Cherry. “It’s important for me to build a rapport with each member of the team and show them that they can depend on me to facilitate each step of the process. I feel very supported and thrive in the family environment that the Ninos have created.”

Attending culinary school, she had planned to work in the restaurant business, but decided that was not the right path. While her career took a turn toward the construction industry, her education had inspired a passion for baking. In addition to her role at Nino Homes, she operates Cereza Cafe, a licensed cottage baking company out of her home.

Cherry and her husband Chris live in Hollister and are the proud “dog parents” of Sophie and Gizmo.