Pete Franzen

Pete Franzen’s first hands on experience with the Gary Sinise Foundation came in the spring of 2014 when his construction firm was given the privilege to design and build a custom adapted smart home for triple amputee, USMC Corporal Mark Lytinski, and his family. In January of 2016 Pete began serving as Sr. Project Manager for the Gary Sinise Foundation's R.I.S.E. program. Since that time Pete’s role has steadily grown, with Pete now serving as the director for the R.I.S.E. specially adapted smart home program. Pete could not be more pleased and grateful to have the joy and privilege of continuing to positively impact our nations heroes and their families, as he leads his team in walking out Gary’s mission of service.

Pete Franzen grew up in a construction-oriented family in northern Minnesota. From an early age he was a part of the family business. After time spent with both education and apprenticeship, Pete worked for the family’s commercial construction business for a number of years as a journeyman carpenter, project supervisor, and then office side project manager. This afforded him a broad range of commercial construction experiences from fieldwork to the boardroom. In 2000, Pete went into business for himself turning his focus from commercial buildings to the residential, design build, custom home construction market. Pete’s company built hundreds of custom, turnkey homes. On most of those homes Pete also worked for the clients to design and draft the homes. All of those experiences prepared Pete for the unique opportunity to now serve with GSF.

Pete’s father, uncle, and grandfather served in the US Navy, and there is a long family history of distinguished military service dating back to the civil war. Pete is most grateful for the opportunity to personally serve our nation through this mission of honor and gratitude at the Gary Sinise Foundation.