Why Budget Blinds of Ames

Gabriel Haugland is proud to serve the Budget Blinds of Ames Team owner! In 2007, Gabriel attended Drake Law School before joining the Iowa National Guard and serving as an Infantry Officer and JAG Officer. As a combat Veteran of Afghanistan, owning his own business is a new and exciting journey for his family and he is enjoying every minute of it. Gabriel has lived in Clear Lake since returning from Afghanistan in 2011 and loves calling the area home. He loves to fish, hunt, and attend Twins games with his family. He also enjoys spending time serving his local church in Clear Lake. He is married to his wife, Carolyn, and they have two beautiful children,Grace and Nick. Gabriel greatly appreciates the support of the local community and looks forward to working with each and everyone of you!

Welcome to Ames, Iowa! Here at our branch, we have so many great team members—and we always love to take some time and recognize individuals for their contributions, both to our brand and within our community! So who are we recognizing this week?

That would be Lisa Salmonson! She’s our Lead Showroom Manager. What that means for you is, if you stop in at our location to take a look at our showroom, there’s a good chance you’ll get to meet her!

Lisa brings so much to this role. She’s always been willing to learn—and that shines through in everything that she does. Lisa’s attention to detail is exacting, and when you work with her, you’ll recognize her unparalleled customer service skills. Give us a call, and you’ll discover she’s just as great on the phone as in person, too. Perhaps that warmth comes from her background as a certified CNA.

One of the great things about Lisa is that she’s quite familiar with the culture around here. While she’s lived in Ames for the last six years, she grew up in Aplington, Iowa.

So what does Lisa do when she’s not here at work with us? She loves crocheting, plants, and gardening. She also loves spending time with her family—her husband, daughter, a dog named Bolt, and a cat named Loki.

Join us in celebrating everything that Lisa does here at Budget Blinds! You’ll love working with her just as much as we do!

Today, we’re going to highlight one of the amazing team members who works here at our Ames location! Dana Albright is a highly skilled Design Consultant who brings over 22 years of experience as an interior designer to our team. She started with us in July of 2020—and we’ve discovered that she’s passionate about helping customers choose the right products to enhance their space. She also loves the variety that her work here provides.

Originally from the suburbs of Des Moines, Dana now resides in Waukee. She has a lake house in Clear Lake, and she loves boating and fishing in her free time. Dana is also an avid workout enthusiast who practices Ferrell’s Kickboxing daily. In addition to her hobbies, she enjoys decorating, shopping, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.

Dana is happily married to her husband David, and she has two adult children, three grandchildren, and one furry companion—a dog named Berkley. She attended Drake University for Adult Education and Interior Design as well as an online interior decorating program. In 2001 and 2002, Dana was an award-winning Interior Designer at the DSM HBA Home Show.

With so many accomplishments under her belt, plus her wealth of design knowledge, Dana has been a joy to have around—and you’ll love working with her, too!

We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of our exceptional team members at Budget Blinds. Meet Al Attig, our incredible Installation/Service Manager, who has been with us since 2004 and brings a wealth of expertise to our team.

Al is our go-to person when it comes to fixing blinds of any style. His extensive experience and special skills make him an invaluable asset to our customers and the entire team. If you have a blinds-related challenge, Al is the guy to call!

Born and raised right here in Albert Lea, Al's deep-rooted connection to the community shines through his exceptional service and dedication. He has been a resident of this town his entire life, and his commitment to delivering outstanding results is unparalleled.

When he's not busy exceeding customer expectations, Al loves spending time pursuing his hobbies. Whether it's boating, golfing, or bow hunting, he knows how to embrace the great outdoors and enjoy life to the fullest. Al is also a proud husband and father of two wonderful daughters, making family time an essential part of his life.

Let's all raise a toast to Al Attig, a true rockstar in our team! We appreciate his hard work, his exceptional skills, and his unwavering commitment to our customers. Thank you, Al, for making Budget Blinds the best in the business!