Meet Our Team
We are a tight-knit crew who like to create, give back, and have fun!
Amy Jo Fuller - International Sales Manager
Amy Jo Fuller
Returning to design after a four-year hiatus in the bike industry felt like coming home to Amy Jo. She was especially thrilled to be joining the Area team, as wallpaper is in her blood: growing up with a British mum, Amy Jo helped her mother change and install new wallpaper many times. She gives her mother credit for sparking her interest in design: “She would rearrange rooms in our house – furniture and artwork – and I could feel the impact that would have.”
Originally educated in the field of higher education, Amy Jo pursued a certificate in interior design while working for an online university. From there she took a position at Holly Hunt in the textile department of its Minneapolis showroom. After several years, she moved to Chicago, home to Holly Hunt's corporate office. Overall, she spent nearly 10 years at the eponymous design house.
As part of Area, Amy Jo brings a passion for design and a sales philosophy focused on customer service and building relationships.
Favorite Designs: GF-2 Mile 23
Laura Knutson - Account Manager
Laura Knutson
Laura started her career in the A & D community by way of an art and framing gallery, she was particularly interested in how to build the gallery's business. The gallery fueled her interest in interior design and her eventual direction into some of the best showrooms of luxury furnishings. Laura created an amazing career by cultivating relationships with the Architects and Designers for both the Holly Hunt and Donghia showrooms where she worked, collectively, for the last 20 years.
Always curious about how things are made, she never passes up an opportunity for a factory tour or to flood a maker with questions.
"Working with nice people that create beautiful art and get it out into the world for others to enjoy, is the best."
Naturally curious with the creation process, Laura is happy to make her way to the manufacturing side of the industry here at Area Environments. With so much experience behind her belt, she is the perfect fit for our customers and showrooms.
Laura likes gardening with native plants for the butterflies, working with her neighborhood to restore their local pond, visiting museums and galleries, iced coffee, and dark chocolate.
Favorite Designs: Picking a favorite is like trying to pick a favorite chocolate truffle out of a lovely assortment. My favorite artist/work is the one I am working on in the moment to bring in the sale 😉
Karin Anderson - Account Manager
Karin Anderson Gul
Karin earned a BA degree in Art and Business and she chose perfectly. She has a mind for business, and her hands and heart are always busy with artistic projects. With over 30 years’ experience in Store Design and Visual Merchandising, she has dressed mannequins, Christmas trees, beds and every inch of many 35,000 square foot furniture showrooms. She’s excited to be out of the “big box” world and focused on dressing only walls. And herself, of course, as she has a closet to envy and a flair for fun, easy fashion.
Away from work, Karin is a master at keeping all the plates spinning. She shares her home in Northeast Minneapolis with her husband, Sadik, her two children, Massan and Kahina, along with two Yorkies and two cats—because everything is better in pairs. She’s almost always in the middle of a home improvement project, whether indoors or out. When she needs a breather from the busy pace of family life, she retreats to her backyard oasis with a cup of coffee (or a glass of white wine) and some laid-back music. There, she enjoys quiet moments by the pool, dreams about future travels, and loves hosting family and friends. After long Minnesota winters, pool days are especially cherished. Lately, Karin has taken up learning Turkish, adding it to her creative interests like drawing, sewing, and experimenting with new recipes.
Hayatın tadını çıkar! Enjoy life!
Greg Davis - Operations Manager
Greg Davis
Greg Davis brings over two decades of experience in photographic and fine art printing to his role at Area Environments, specializing in collaborations with portrait and wedding photographers. His Minnesota upbringing fostered a passion for photography, leading him to work in professional print labs where he spearheaded the transition from traditional film to digital printing. While wide format printing is familiar territory, Greg finds mural work to be a new and exciting experience, noting, "It's incredible how much a room can be transformed by art; I'm especially drawn to how striking the metallic designs are."
Greg resides in South Minneapolis with his wife Maggie and their two daughters, Lucy and Layla – a family of artists. They enjoy camping in State Parks during the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, and frequent trips to Lake Superior.
In his free time, Greg embraces quintessential "Minneapolis Dad" activities, such as biking to breweries, record stores, and baseball games.
Heather Neurer - Design Manager
Heather Neurer
Heather brings a thoughtful eye and an inventive spirit to her role as Design Manager at Area Environments. With a background that spans Interior Design and photography studios, she has a deep appreciation for how space, light, and imagery work together to tell a story.
Outside the studio, Heather can often be found wandering thrift shops and antique stores, following a very specific order of discovery: artwork first, lamps second, vases third. She also keeps an eye out for fabric for all the projects she doesn’t know how to sew… yet. A self-proclaimed lamp enthusiast, Heather believes there’s no such thing as too many, a philosophy reflected in the 100+ lamps she may or may not currently have at home.
At Area Environments, Heather channels her curiosity, experience, and sharp design sensibility into guiding projects from concept to completion, ensuring every detail feels intentional, inspired, and just a little bit fun.
Jacob Leyhe - Print Specialist
Jacob Leyhe
I spent my 20s in the world of commercial photography and traversing the United states in a van with 6 different cameras. My favorite photo makers are Gregory Crewdson, Matthew Brandt, Donald Weber and John Baldasari. Occasionally I say quotable things. I prefer speakers and records over headphones and MP3s. I often think about climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring caves. I prefer old buildings to new, and George Mulhauser to Charles Eams. I'm told that I can become obnoxious if I haven't traveled someplace in the last few months. I am grateful for spell check and to have a place here at Area.
Elizabeth Wakefield - Custom Design Specialist
elizabeth wakefield
Elizabeth found her home in the Twin Cities at the turn of the millennium, where she has built a life with her husband, two kids, dog, and two cats — all of whom have strong personalities. It’s a lively and often chaotic household that regularly sparks thoughtful debates, offers unique perspectives, and overflows with humor.
She earned a degree in Art from the University of Minnesota, but her endless curiosity and love of learning keep her education ongoing. This passion for knowledge has shaped her into a multifaceted artist, though her greatest love lies in oil painting portraits and landscapes. Elizabeth is also deeply committed to her local creative community. One of her proudest achievements is co-directing an annual art festival on the east side of St. Paul.
Red Kuehn - Production Artist
Red Kuehn
Born and raised in the suburbs of the twin cities, Red is a now a die-hard city girl living in Minneapolis. As an artist, they are captivated by strong shapes, bright colors, and the art of letterforms. When not at work, they enjoy video games, sleeping in, indoor rock climbing, and exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of the city.
Jennifer Norman - Project Manager
Jennifer Norman
Meet Jen, back for round two here at Area, our former librarian is reorganizing and on a mission to have everything as aesthetically pleasing as a perfectly shelved book. Jen mentions how nice it is to be back by saying, "It's nice to be appreciated for my insight and skills that I bring to the team. It is like coming back home, it feels like family."
Most people don't know that Jen grew up in a musical environment, playing piano and flute for 8 years and also learning percussion. Needless to say, she now has a very diverse musical listening palate. She admits that she has seen Howard Jones live more than any other musician and admits missing out on never seeing the soulful magic that was Amy Winehouse.
In Jen's spare time she has been developing her art with collage work and fiber art. We are certainly glad to have her sense of humor and playful demanor back in the building.
Diane Perry - President
Diane Perry
Diane came to Area with an impressively multidimensional background: a talented photographer and graphic designer, she initially went to school for fashion design, then had her own photography business for 20 years while simultaneously working in retail management. What started as a graphic design intern position at Area blossomed into a bold and wonderful career as Operations Manager, and Diane was appointed President of Area in May 2018. Building on Area's forward-thinking culture, lighthearted atmosphere, and the high standard of customer service the company has become renowned for, Diane is planning for worldwide coverage of Area’s products. As Area continues to grow, she’s looking forward to expanding its offerings of new, cutting-edge materials for the architectural and design community.
“I have obtained bliss! I am so lucky to be able to work for a really cool company that values art and the creative process.”
Originally from Colorado, Diane moved to Minnesota in 2012 to attend the graphic design program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Charmed by the concept of Area, she jumped on board and set sail on what has become an incredible journey. Her life beyond work includes being the mother of two young men who have inherited her adventurous spirit. She frequently uses a sketchbook to document her journeys, which allows her to slow down, absorb details, and observe the world from a completely different point of view than behind a camera’s lens. Dedicating her time to family, friends, volunteering, design, travel, and art of all mediums, Diane enjoys a very full life.
Jamie Reich - Owner
Jamie Reich
From studying both art and theater at the University of Buffalo to working as the prop master at the famed Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Jamie Reich – the owner and founder of both Apropos Painting Studio, Area Environments, and 5th & Malcolm – has a long, illustrious history as an artistic innovator. Apropos Painting Studio has been in business for over 35 years and has evolved into a booming art, fabrication, and print business that employs a growing number of artists and tradespeople. Apropos has created sets for numerous film projects and produces ongoing interior projects for hundreds of retail stores worldwide.
