Built on a Tradition of Stewardship
The RJ Group was founded by Rob Janicki. The Janicki family has been a vital part of northwestern Washington communities for decades. Rob’s parents were first-generation immigrants who worked the land and founded Janicki Logging and Construction—a local company well-respected for its sustainable logging practices that allow forests to flourish and wildlife to thrive. It is one of the few timber companies that specialize in timber restoration and reclamation, focusing on thinning timber stands to make them healthier and more robust, increasing their capacity for supporting biodiversity.
Rob has taken that same thoughtful approach to doing business and incorporated it into The RJ Group’s guiding principles. He and his team weave forward-thinking environmental initiatives into their projects, including LED lighting, hybrid electric car hookups, permeable pavers and solar-ready wiring for roofs. By choosing to focus on small-lot, infill projects and permanently protecting green space and wetlands within their developments, The RJ Group helps to reduce the end users’ carbon footprint, while at the same time adding value to the community at large.
The RJ Group Team
Rob Janicki
The RJ Group founder and managing member Rob Janicki comes from a family of Skagit and Whatcom County entrepreneurs. He began his career at EDS in San Francisco and Dallas, before returning to Skagit County in 1993 to join his family’s company, Janicki Logging. He began investing in and developing local properties shortly after, before forming his company, The RJ Group, in 2010. Since then, his company has earned a well-deserved reputation for smart urban development. Rob has a bachelor of science in physics and mathematics from Gonzaga University, graduating magna cum laude.
Mollie Janicki
Mollie Janicki joined The RJ Group in 2015. Mollie attended Seattle University, receiving her undergraduate degree in international studies in 2013 and her master’s in business one year later. Following graduation, she worked in the hospitality industry as sales and catering coordinator for Hyatt House in Redmond, Washington, before returning to Whatcom County to join The RJ Group as marketing manager. Mollie’s varied responsibilities include promoting The RJ Group brand, organizing project financing for projects, and networking with vendors and partners.
Carrie Veldman
Carrie Veldman is the Managing Director of The RJ Group where she focuses on building high performance teams to successfully complete residential, commercial and land use development projects. She oversees all stages of the organization’s real estate development portfolio to ensure The RJ Group creates quality built environments.
Devon CAINES
Devon Caines is The RJ Group’s Senior Project Manager. Devon earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and policy from Western Washington University Huxley College of the Environment. Devon has worked on a variety of projects in Whatcom and Skagit counties, including industrial projects and mixed-use, single-family, and multifamily residential communities.
Scarlet Ponder
Scarlet is The RJ Group’s newest Project Manager, working on research/feasibility, design, permitting, and more for commercial as well as mixed use residential projects in Skagit and Snohomish counties. Scarlet’s previous experience includes transit planning for municipal government. Her credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in Spokane and a masters of city and regional planning from the University of Memphis.
Kate Cloonan
Kate Cloonan is the Office Manager of The RJ Group. Kate joined our team in 2021 and brought with her 30 years of experience. In addition to her Office Manager responsibilities, Kate plays a vital role with our Finance and Asset Management teams.
Garrett Critchlow
Garrett is The RJ Group’s Project Engineer and is responsible for assisting Project Managers in the execution of single-family, multi-family, commercial, and civil development projects. He is actively involved in detailed work during the pre-development phase to ensure project efficiency in the construction phase. Garrett has a solid history of managing construction from a multi-state builder.
Daisy WARD
Daisy joined The RJ Group in 2023. She has over 25 years of professional office experience, primarily in legal, insurance, and administrative work. As the Executive and Administrative Assistant, she enjoys working with many aspects of RJG projects and with the team that brings them to fruition.