Ellicott City, MD — 12/8/2025 — Cornerstone is excited to announce a new chapter in the company’s journey. Founder AJ Ballantine has officially repurchased majority ownership of the business, joined by new minority owners Lauren Weber, Chris Hogsten, and Heath Runkles—three leaders who have been instrumental in shaping Cornerstone’s culture and direction over the years.
Rather than signaling change, this moment is really a celebration of who Cornerstone has already become: a company built on trust, shared values, and a deep belief in building a business that stays human at its core.
A Natural Step in Cornerstone’s Story
AJ founded Cornerstone in 2011 with a mission—to create a construction and remodeling company where people, relationships, and craft mattered just as much as the final product. That mission has guided every evolution since.
When Lauren stepped into the General Manager role in 2022, it allowed AJ and his previous partner Jim to focus on building RENDR, a tool designed to help other contractors pursue the same people-first, mission-driven approach that has always fueled Cornerstone.
“Cornerstone has always been about more than projects,” said AJ. “It’s about the people who walk through our doors every day—our clients and our team. Lauren, Chris, and Heath have each played enormous roles in building the company we are today. Their becoming owners isn’t a shift in direction. It’s recognition of the trust we’ve built together.”
Leadership That Reflects the Heart of Cornerstone
Each new minority owner represents a different facet of Cornerstone’s culture and continued growth:
Lauren Weber – General Manager
Lauren joined in 2015 as Cornerstone’s first in-house designer, and her influence has touched nearly every part of the business since. As General Manager, she leads the company with clarity, compassion, and a steady focus on moving Cornerstone forward.
Chris Hogsten – Operations Manager
Starting in the field in 2014, Chris grew with the company through multiple roles before stepping into operations leadership. His grounding presence and commitment to process have played a major part in helping Cornerstone grow while staying true to its roots.
Heath Runkles – Production Manager
Heath joined in 2018 and quickly became a cornerstone (pun intended) of the production side of the business. As Production Manager, he continues to support and lead the field team with humility, consistency, and a strong commitment to quality.
Together, this leadership team has been running day-to-day operations for years. Their ownership simply aligns the formal structure with the reality of how Cornerstone already operates.
A Shared Belief in What Comes Next
For Lauren, Chris, and Heath, becoming owners represents both pride in the company’s past and confidence in its future.
“It means a lot to step into ownership of something we care about so deeply,” said Lauren. “Cornerstone has always been about people first—our clients, our team, and the experience we create together. This step reflects how committed we are to carrying that mission forward.”
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone exists to build a company that is human at its core. Since 2011, that mission has shaped everything we do—from the way we communicate, to the way we plan, to the way we care for the people inside and outside our walls. Our commitment is simple: create clarity, build trust, and make the remodeling experience feel grounded, personal, and deeply human. This mission continues to guide every project we touch and every relationship we build.
