Our Small but Effective Team
Heath Follen: Owner/Operator/Designer
Shortly after moving to Waunakee in 2005, I took a no-look leap off a very high cliff and started MSM Design Group with next to no contacts in the Dane County area. A few dependable builders and clients jumped aboard early-on, adding confidence and traction, and the momentum continued to build due to an unwavering reliance on the traits instilled in me by my parents: Faith, honesty, integrity, and old fashioned hard work. Today I am surrounded by a talented group of design & business associates who share those same values, and we've earned an amazing builder base and steady stream of excellent clients who appreciate things done the right way. I'm not a fan of any expectation that includes "yesterday or cheapest", it's my belief that a properly designed home requires a diligent process that will never be synonymous with "ASAP". Outside of work I'll forever fail to acknowledge I'm getting older, so my hobbies remain what they've always been; playing/coaching sports and being on the water. Having grown up on the lake and purchasing a ski boat at 16 before having a vehicle to pull it, it's no surprise that boating, skiing and fishing remain my greatest loves. Any time spent on the water near home, Lake Havasu, or our family cabin in Presque Isle is my heaven.
Penny Wormet: Graphic Design
Being Heath's mother, I've been working with him since his date of birth in one way or another. We share some creative talents and mutual exasperations. While Heath was honing his remarkable skills for home design, I was entrenched in the auto business with my husband, Bud, who founded A-F Motors in 1965 and loved his business until his death in 2007, just after I published a book in 2005. We worshipped together, worked together, traveled to faraway places, hunted South Dakota pheasants, caught Canadian walleyes, enjoyed animals, gardening and yard work, and all the challenges and joys of dedication to our very large and well-knit, blended family. I'm now semi-retired to enjoyment of home and family, church work, sewing, knitting, gardening, yard work, my one remaining horse and dog, and helping Heath with his ambition to provide the best and most creative services to the clients of MSM Design.
Scott Farrey: Former Designer now with Marten Building & Design, Still Contributes 2D/3D Design Assistance as Needed
I started working for MSM Design in August of 2013, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with my Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies. Prior to that, I managed Lucky's Bar in Madison for 3 years, along with various other bartending jobs that supported me through college. I graduated from MATC with an Associates of Science in Architectural Technologies in 2011 before continuing my education at UW-M. I currently spend my days working with Marten Building & Design, which is owned by a very close friend and associate of MSM Design, Randy Marten. The ability for frequent design and construction collaborations between MSM and Marten Building helps all of us stay on top of our game. My hobbies include playing lots of sports including golf, softball, and volleyball. I enjoy traveling to see my brother in Hawaii and also to various friends scattered around the US. I am excited that someday soon I might be able to rescue a dog of my own. I also enjoy spending time at my family's land hunting, fishing & hiking around the hills of Southwest Wisconsin.
Riggins: Life Coach, Sleep Mgr., Food Director, Security (yeah, right) & Fetcher of Things
Riggins began overseeing all operations at MSM Design the moment he first stepped foot into the home office back in October of 2021. Whether eating sticks, running through muddy water, or rolling in any animal poop he can find, Riggins always has a smile on his face and is ready to please. While he hasn't dipped his toe (paw?) into designing homes yet, he's been dreaming of doing it while he's sleeping most of the work days. In his spare time (all the time?), Riggz enjoys a good swim, any time on the boat, meeting new friends, playing endlessly with his best friend Moxie, eating anything he finds off the ground, chasing insects, playing sports, and watching Ozark with the family. We are so blessed to have this wonderful guy on our team!!!