MEET THE TEAM
KATIE GERESY
PRESIDENT - PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Katie is the lead designer and driving force behind KTG Design. Her passion for design began early, with a flair for decorating the family Thanksgiving table by age 8, much to her parents' surprise. She pursued her design ambitions by studying Interior Architecture at UC Davis and started her career immediately upon returning to Truckee. Katie then expanded her horizons by living abroad, where she refined her design skills and, admittedly, enjoyed some time in the sun.
Now fully dedicated to design and small business ownership, Katie excels in creating timeless interior designs, blending classic elegance with functional beauty. She works closely with architects and contractors on a diverse range of projects, from expansive residences to commercial spaces. Katie lives in her hometown of Truckee with her husband Drew, son Theo, and her two beloved fur babies, Olive and Spud.
DREW STEWART
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Drew wears many hats on the KTG team, managing business operations to ensure everything runs smoothly, from big-picture strategies to the smallest details. As one of the first points of contact for new clients, he takes on any task, big or small, to ensure the business operates seamlessly. Not to mention, he’s Katie’s favorite team member—a title earned when they married in 2020. A proud Truckee native, Drew ventured north to the University of Oregon, where he earned a BS in Human Physiology. Still hungry for knowledge, he pursued his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from George Fox University, making him our in-house physical therapist as well.
After returning to Truckee, Drew reconnected with Katie, became a bulldog enthusiast, and rearranged their home countless times at Katie's request. Though some might call his decision to shift from full-time PT to joining the family business bold, Drew has embraced it wholeheartedly. He’s now an invaluable member of the team—not just for the heavy lifting and keeping Katie on track—but for his unwavering commitment to moving the business forward, always with a smile. And seriously, the guy never stops smiling.
JILL AKERS
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
Jill joined the KTG family in January of 2021 and quickly fell in love with Phase One of design and bringing client’s dream homes to life through 3D modeling, the construction process and final furniture install. Jill is (also) a Truckee native with a multi-generational entrepreneur spirit that brings constant energy and positivity to the team – including her golden retriever/in-house office dog, Harlow, who frequents the KTG Instagram stories. Jill took a brief break from her hometown to attend Cal Poly, SLO, but ultimately, the mountains called her home. Upon her return, she wasted no time building a portfolio in public relations, personal entrepreneurship, and devoting her spare time to coaching varsity volleyball at Truckee High School. Outside of the office, you’ll either find Jill exploring in the woods with Harlow, or in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe. As a true people person, Jill weaves the KTG Team together with a selfless leadership and willingness to take on any new project or design challenge.
DEMIRAE SMITH
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
DemiRae joined the KTG crew as a Junior Interior Designer in May of 2021. Since then, she has dove into Phase One of the design process focusing on 3D modeling, finish designs and schedules. With strong ties to the local plumbing industry, she revels in the beauty of plumbing finishes and fixtures for client’s homes. With a Business – Project Management degree from Chico State University, she has the necessary skill set to propel a blueprint into a client’s dream home. After travelling through numerous countries, DemiRae decided to reside in Truckee with her husband and black lab, Benelli. When not posting on KTG’s social media, DemiRae can be found SUP’ing at Donner Lake or skiing at Squaw Valley. With an up for anything attitude, fierce determination, and an eye for detail, DemiRae has proven to be a strong asset to the KTG Team doing whatever it takes to execute our projects at a high standard.
LEIGH COLLINS
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
As yet another Truckee local, it was easy to make her way home. Before joining the team in May of 2023, Leigh headed east to the Big Apple to pursue her first love and career studying ballet with the Joffrey Ballet School. After four years of studying and touring across the US and Europe, Leigh started her professional career with Nevada Ballet Theatre in Las Vegas - bringing her one step closer to home. After moving home, Leigh continued to pursue creative fields of work through her work at KTG and teaching youth ballet. At KTG Design, Leigh quickly found a new love for the creative process of 3D modeling and seeing project come to fruition.
LUCY ANDERSON
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
Prior to joining the KTG team in June of 2023, Lucy was a former Jewelry Designer and Gemologist living and working in New York selling diamond jewelry across the US, Canada and Europe. She returned home to Lake Tahoe during 2020 and fell back in love with the mountains and traded her city stint for the long term, small town lifestyle. Since moving back, Lucy has pivoted her attention to another true love - Interior Design - and it runs in the family. Lucy quickly grasped the processes of 3D modeling, perhaps thanks to her experience with jewelry CAD design. Lucy dove head first into project installs during her first few months, finding the process of seeing the visions become reality and soaking in the details. Out of the office, Lucy loves backcountry skiing & hiking the trails with her dog, Pip, and working on her farm in Sierraville, taking breaks to bake something tasty!
