Management / Team Bios

Karl Tunberg, Co-Owner

Karl A. Tunberg garners great joy from his work as founder and co-owner of Sanctuary Builder. Creating developments, building offices, shops and neighborhoods that fulfill people’s dreams is richly rewarding and a natural choice of career for this valley executive. 

Growing up in a large family with a military father who later became a University professor kept the Tunberg family moving. By 14, Tunberg had moved 15 times, living in cities throughout the U.S. and abroad. Eventually, his family returned to his birthplace, Santa Barbara, California. Tunberg spent his high school years at Midland School, a college preparatory boarding school located in Los Olivos, CA. Moving frequently instilled in Tunberg a strong sense of what it means to have a home.

After graduating high school, Tunberg attended the University of California at Los Angeles, later completing his education at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate. He continued his education working on his MBA at the University of Phoenix. Combining his knowledge of business and real estate with his writing talents, Tunberg began his career as a managing editor for Sun Belt Publishing, where he produced four monthly periodicals for the real estate and business worlds. His editorial experience in real estate provided Tunberg with many career opportunities. Initially he focused his interest in the commercial sector. Tunberg began his commercial experience as the (Western US) Site Selections Director for a retail optical super store chain. His responsibilities included site selections, market feasibility, demographic studies, proforma analysis, due diligence and contract negotiations. Tunberg also handled other real estate work for the same company including land sales, entitlement and development work throughout Arizona including several communities in the White Mountains and Payson, Arizona.

Tunberg’s interest in development and real estate led him to an opportunity in the home building industry. His homebuilding career began at General Homes as a new home sales associate. Tunberg’s success in the home building progressed rapidly. In 1990, Tunberg was promoted to sales manager for Colonial Homes, then in 1991 to designated broker for Forecast Homes.  In 1994, Tunberg joined the sales group at Richmond American Homes, where his knowledge of the industry and ability to manage led to his position as vice president of sales and member of the land acquisition committee for the Phoenix division. While at Richmond American Homes Tunberg met John Falcione. Falcione’s expertise in construction and Tunberg’s understanding of the market proved a great match. While maintaining their day jobs, the two joined forces and in 1999 launched their company, Sanctuary Builder. It all was started with a custom home project in Troon North located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  

Tunberg continued to work at Richmond American Homes as a vice president until early 2002, when he joined Hacienda Builders as the vice president of sales and marketing and designated broker. After three and half years with Hacienda Builders, Tunberg left to run the day-to-day operations of Sanctuary Builder. Today Sanctuary Builder is a growing company with operations that include commercial and residential renovations; tenant improvements for commercial buildings, design built custom homes, land entitlements, land development and full-service real estate.

Recognized in the industry with a list of awards, Tunberg has been nominated for “Sales Person of the Year,” “Sales Manager of the Year” and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for reaching sales over $52,000,000. His greatest reward professionally continues to be working with others in learning and teaching the dynamics of the business and the building industries.

Tunberg values the opportunity and importance of being an active contributor to his community.  He lends his professional knowledge by serving as a member and advisor to several HOA boards and Architectural Design Committees throughout the valley.  He has taught real estate courses for the Arizona School of Real Estate. He has directed, participated in and undertaken several fundraising and charity efforts over the years including and benefitting the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer, Southwest Community Network, Janus Charity Fund, Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the Melonhead Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and several other worthy organizations and causes. Additionally, he enjoys coaching youth sports, currently he serves as a Lacrosse Coach for LAX Locker and the Kyrene Warriors Lacrosse Clubs. He was previously a high school lacrosse coach, little league coach and youth soccer coach.

John Falcione, Co-Owner
For John Falcione, building beautiful homes and commercial buildings isn’t just a job, it’s a passion.  Co-owner and General Contractor of Sanctuary Builder Falcione offers over 30 years of construction experience to our clients who include building owners, investors, commercial brokers, property managers, commercial developers, homebuyers, homeowners and tenants. While John will say he was born with the desire and natural ability to build, his success is guided by his extensive knowledge, experience and business integrity.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Falcione first discovered his love of construction at the age of five after designing and constructing his first project: a wooden bench which he has in his kitchen today. By age 12, John was working in and around construction sites with his family. After graduating from high school, Falcione joined forces with his older brother and founded Falcione Brothers Construction in Pittsburgh. A trim carpenter by trade, Falcione designed his first home at the age of 20. In the coming years, he would add numerous other projects to his developing portfolio including country clubs, retail shopping centers, retail tenant improvements, office tenant improvements, industrial buildings, churches, federal buildings, land development and various residential building and remodeling projects.

Despite the success he found in Pittsburgh, after 12 years with Falcione Brothers Construction, Falcione left the East Coast in 1995 and headed west to Phoenix, Arizona. Once in Arizona, Falcione quickly found his place in the burgeoning Phoenix metropolitan homebuilding market, joining the teams at Monterey Homes and Richmond American Homes. Interested in continuing the development of his commercial background, Falcione served as project manager for various commercial projects throughout the valley on nights and weekends.

Falcione met Karl Tunberg while serving as a construction supervisor for Richmond American Homes. With a shared interest in commercial and residential construction, the two quickly struck a chord. In 1999, Falcione and Tunberg turned their friendship into a business partnership when they combined their complimentary strengths in the industry and founded Sanctuary Builder, a custom homebuilding company based in Chandler, Arizona.  As the company expanded, its services grew to include residential renovation and remodeling, real estate services, land acquisition, land development & entitlements, commercial renovation & remodel, General contracting, tenant improvements and commercial development.

Falcione serves as president of several HOAs throughout the Southeast Valley area. Married to his high school sweetheart for nearly 19 years and the father of two teenage

children, Falcione fulfilled his lifetime dream of building a custom home for his family this past year in Queen Creek. In his free time, Falcione can be found coaching his son’s football team, watching the Steelers, wakeboarding, fishing or taking in the desert landscape from his dune buggies.

Jim Schibner, Project Manager
Wearing many different hats while at Sanctuary Builder, Jim has been involved in purchasing, land development, entitlements, and construction and now his focus is on our remodeling projects.  Serving as the Project Manager for Sanctuary Renovation and Remodel, Jim provides an extensive background to the company and our homeowners.   In his position of Project Manager, Jim attends the initial meeting with homeowners to discuss their remodeling project.  From there he designs plans, provides bids and manages the project and construction crews through to completion.     

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jim followed owner John Falcione to Phoenix in 2004.  While in Pittsburgh, Jim held his real estate license and owned his own remodeling and custom home business for 7 years. Combining the experience of running his own company and his time with Sanctuary, Jim has over 10 years in the construction and remodeling industry. “Jim has a passion for being completely involved in everything he does and doing it to the best of his abilities” explains Falcione. “He is a great asset to the company and a beneficial resource to our homeowners.  I have complete confidence in his construction knowledge which is a necessity when you are working on remodeling a family’s home.”  Jim’s enthusiasm for remodeling comes from the uniqueness for each job. “I enjoy envisioning the design of each project and sharing that vision with the homeowner’s.  It’s very rewarding to use my creativity and experience to influence the lifestyle of people” states Jim. “Remodeling is always challenging to the homeowner and it’s always more involved than expected so I make it my job to communicate, be available and set reasonable expectations.  But in the end, seeing the homeowner overjoyed with the outcome of the project always provides me with a great sense of accomplishment.”  

Currently residing in Gilbert, Jim has 3 children and enjoys being outdoors, reading and watching his beloved Steelers!

Gina Berson, Marketing Director
With over 7 years in the homebuilding industry, Gina Berson is the Marketing Director for Sanctuary Builder and Sanctuary Renovation and Remodel.  In her role, Berson oversees the development and implementation of the company’s branding strategy and market positioning.  She manages day-to-day marketing activities, as well as long-term strategic planning for the custom homebuilder and its various business divisions.

“Sanctuary Builder is in growth mode right now, so I continue to create, research and  implement plans on how we will market our new services, as well as look at ways to reach new customers,” explains Berson.  “My focus is to get our story to as many people as possible.  I believe that we offer a unique experience because through our expertise, experience and hand-on approach to each project, every team member at Sanctuary focuses on developing partnerships with our clients.  We are in the business of enhancing the lifestyles of our clients with the construction of their new home or remodeling their existing home and we all take that responsibility very seriously. The emphasis that John and Karl place on customer service and quality makes my job of getting our message conveyed to the public easy.”

Berson earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Human Resource Management from the University of Arizona.  After graduation she began her career in the mortgage industry before making the transition to homebuilding. Prior to joining Sanctuary Builder, Gina spent 2 years with Randall Martin Home as their marketing manager, and 5 years with Hacienda Builders where she was involved in many facets of homebuilding including contracts, closings, sales and marketing.

Originally from Colorado, Berson currently resides in Chandler with her husband and four-legged “kids”.  She enjoys working out, traveling and spending time with friends and family. 

Richard Kleiss, Project Manager

With a background in custom home design and sales, Kleiss serves as a Project Manager for Sanctuary Builder. From the moment the phone rings to the construction start of a home, Kleiss walks clients through our process of purchasing, designing and building a custom home.  With the flexible options that Sanctuary Builder offers, Richard enjoys the ability to work with people who are looking to build an affordable custom home and those looking to live in a 15,000 square foot home with the best of everything that money can buy.

Originally from Stockholm, New Jersey Richard grew up in Tucson, Arizona later earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Marketing at the University of Arizona. Prior to entering the custom home industry, Kleiss worked as a Product Manager for the largest food service company in Tucson and then moved into Business Development for a fortune 500 print company. The opportunities available moved Richard to Phoenix where he earned his real estate license and then started a position with a custom home builder as a Design Coordinator. In his role he led customers through the process of design concepts to construction. “I enjoy my job because each project is different with unique challenges and every home is designed to the client’s preferences and lifestyle” explains Kleiss. “Building a custom home can be intimidating and overwhelming for my clients however; I am very patient and have the experience to guide them through the maze of custom homebuilding making it fun along the way.  It’s very rewarding to be a major component in designing and building a home for my clients and Karl and John give me the resources and tools to exceed their expectations along the way.”

Richard was recently married and resides in Gilbert with his new bride, 2 cats and puppy. He enjoys mountain biking, hiking, swimming, basketball and watching the UofA wildcats!