Our Team

John is the Founder and President of Sun Country Builders. He is a seasoned veteran in the building industry with nearly 50 years of experience. Under his leadership, Sun Country has grown to be one of the premier builders of affordable housing in Southern California, with 117 completed projects totaling 8,700 homes.

John Ahlswede started in the building industry in 1975 as a laborer on a concrete crew. He worked hard to expand his knowledge and expertise, training to become a carpenter, framer, and eventually a general contractor. He has been specializing in the construction of multi-family homes since 1983.

He founded Sun Country Builders in 1979 as a framing contractor and quickly developed a focus on multi-family projects. The company’s focus on affordable housing construction began when John teamed up with a developer who was developing Farm Home Administration (FmHA) agricultural worker housing in remote locations in Southern California.

Sun Country Builders has been recognized for excellence by peers in the building industry. The company has won 18 awards for their projects from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, San Diego Housing Federation, SDG&E, and Affordable Housing Advocates. John is a LEED AP certified

John is committed to giving back through community service and serves on the Board of Directors for On River Time, a charitable organization devoted to bettering the lives of youth who have suffered abuse. He has also served previously on the Boards of Directors for the Staunton Farm Foundation and the San Diego Housing Federation.

Joey brings over 23 years of experience in the construction industry to his role as Vice President of Construction Operations at Sun Country Builders. With a strong background in Heavy Construction as well as Multifamily Housing Construction, Joey ensures the seamless execution of projects while upholding the company’s core values and a client-focused culture

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Joey combines technical expertise with a strategic leadership approach. He is dedicated to fostering collaboration across all divisions of Construction Operations to deliver exceptional results and meet client objectives.

As the Vice President of Innovation and Administration, Erica leads, manages, and holds accountable all administrative departments of Sun Country Builders, including Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Risk Management, and IT. With over 20 years of experience as an accounting professional, Erica has a proven track record of driving company success through innovative systems, streamlined processes, and the strategic use of technology.

Erica holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, San Marcos. She is a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA).

As Director of Construction, Dennis oversees all aspects of Sun Country’s construction projects, including schedule, budget, quality, and client relationships. He ensures all projects adhere to sound safety practices and provides leadership to Project and Field Management staff. Dennis is a veteran of the construction industry and has worked on several large-scale projects in his 30-year career, including the Qualcomm Stadium Renovation, Petco Park, hotels, and education projects.

Dennis has LEED AP certification and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University.

With more than 20 years at Sun Country Builders, Saul leads and oversees all of the company’s Self-Perform work for both new and rehabilitation projects. He led the progress of the Self-Perform Division from a concrete-only operation to a semi-standalone company that encompasses the following trades: Framing, Siding, Stone Veneer, Drywall, Windows, Painting, Finish Carpentry, and Appliance Installation. He also established an in-house Temporary Labor Division, which services all of Sun Country’s projects.

Saul is certified in OSHA 10.

Saul is the Director of Estimating for Sun Country Builders and is responsible for providing accurate estimating and preconstruction services for clients to ensure that project budgets are accurate at the onset. He has 21 years of experience in the industry specializing in estimating and project management and has contributed to the growth and efficient operations of companies he has worked for. Saul recently was instrumental in helping Sun Country secure its largest contract to date.

Saul graduated with honors and earned an Associate’s Degree of Science.

Cristy came to Sun Country 12 years ago as a Labor Compliance Specialist, and quickly moved into leadership as a result of her broad administrative experience. As the Director of Business Administration, Cristy facilitates day-to-day company administrative functions and office logistics, including Risk Management, Subcontractor/Vendor Administration, Insurance Compliance, and Prevailing Wage Oversight. She has completed twenty-eight prevailing wage projects and never been found out of compliance.

With over 30 years of Construction Office experience, Cristy is a California Prevailing Wage Certified Professional for Contractors, has received a Certificate of Exam Completion from The Compliance Academy – California Public Works Compliance Administrator and Certified by LCP Tracker Academy as Prime Approver Trained.

Carolina Alban-Stoughton brings a wealth of experience in marketing and communications to her role as Marketing & Business Development Manager at Sun Country Builders, a leading multi-family housing general contractor in Southern California. In this capacity, she drives company growth by fostering client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and overseeing marketing and public relations initiatives.

Before joining Sun Country Builders, Carolina served as Senior Content Strategist at Calsense, where she focused on enhancing brand awareness for the Carlsbad-based irrigation company. She also held the position of Director of Communication and Engagement at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, where she successfully adapted engagement strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A skilled storyteller and content creator, Carolina’s work gained national recognition on the television series America’s Most Wanted. She also contributed to Hispanic media outreach and bilingual services for the late U.S. Senator Harry Reid, utilizing her native Spanish-speaking skills.

Carolina has been honored with four Excellence in Journalism Awards from The San Diego Press Club for her articles in the Carlsbad Business Journal. She holds an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Public Affairs from American University and a B.A. in Communications from Universidad de Lima.

Her strategic and creative approach, combined with her extensive background, positions Carolina as a vital asset to the Sun Country Builders team as they continue their growth in the affordable housing sector.

Ken came to Sun Country Builders after a successful career in the U.S. Navy and as the Chief Construction Officer for San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Since joining Sun Country, Ken has managed eight multi-family projects providing 744 affordable housing units with a combined budget of $137,375,361.00, including two LEED Platinum Certified Projects and one Zero Net Energy project. With more than four decades in the building industry, Ken mentors new project managers, providing training on Sun County values, policies, and procedures.

Ken is certified in Procore, Sage, OSHA 30, and CPR.

Andy Kronenberger is a Renovation Division Manager focusing on renovation projects for Sun Country Builders. He oversees all aspects of the construction process, from preconstruction through completion, ensuring that project goals are met to the clients’ satisfaction. Andy calls on his extensive experience in the building industry to coach and mentor Project Managers and other Sun Country staff to help their career growth and success with the company.

Andy holds a Construction Supervision certification from San Diego State University.

As a Senior Project Manager for Sun Country Builders, Jim oversees operational personnel and ensures quality and accurate reporting on a variety of projects. Jim uses his 36 years of experience in the building industry to teach and mentor his staff to help them and the company succeed and excel. His lengthy career includes experience in Single Family, Multi-family, Commercial, Educational, and Development construction.

Jim has a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and Contracting from Purdue University and is certified in Microsoft Project, Procore, OSHA 30 and CPR.

Sean Woolsey serves as the General Superintendent at Sun Country Builders, playing a key role in managing the company’s new construction portfolio. He collaborates closely with estimating and design teams during preconstruction, ensuring every project is positioned for success. With 32 years of experience in both single-family and multifamily construction, Sean has led field teams to successfully complete 19 multifamily affordable housing projects with Sun Country Builders.

Sean brings a wealth of technical expertise and a proven track record of leadership and quality. His dedication has earned industry recognition, with several of his projects nominated for Ruby Awards and Golden Nugget Awards. In 2006, he was honored as Superintendent of the Year. Sean holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California State University, Long Beach.