“A group of people with different talents, coming together to build a shared vision.”
Joseph K. Salerno II
President (Principal)
Education: SUNY Albany; Bachelor of Science Business Administration & Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Bachelor of Science Building Science.
Experience: Head of Operations since 2009 Managing all Construction Operations; Project Executive for Bid, Pre-Construction, and Construction phase services.
Pre-Construction: Develop work scopes, associated budgets, review bid packages, analyze material costs and advise design team on projections, Review industry labor trends, trade and jurisdiction conflicts, and forecast manpower needs.
Construction: Manage project coordination with Project Managers, Engineers, and Subcontractors to review and enforce project schedule, safety, documentation, and constructability. Meet with Project Owner with updates and potential changes.
Post-Construction: Work with Team to ensure all Punch List items, Commissioning, Attic Stock Turnover, Owner Training, Owner/Vendor Coordination, Warranties, O&M Manuals, and Final Test or Inspections are finalized and ready for Owner’s seamless transition for turnover.
Accreditations/Affiliations: CSI, Certified Construction Contract Administrator Professional Program; Certified Construction Estimating
Notable Projects: Utica Auditorium – West End Suites, 26,100 sf, $6.8 million; NYSTEC/99 Otis – Griffiss International 32,000 sf $7.2 million, Hangar 100 – Griffiss International 73,400 sf $7.1 million
Donna K. Frankowski
Director of Operations (Principal)
Education: Elmira Business Institute, Elmira, NY. Business Administration and Data Processing, Elmira/Corning BOCES Construction Management Certifications, NYS Notary Public
Experience: Over 25 years of experience in Owners Representative Contract Administration, General Construction Contract Administration/Coordination, Project Management, and Construction Accounting.
Contract Administration: Proposal, Contract, Subcontract, AIA, and Construction Documents.
Construction Accounting: AIA Pay Application, QuickBooks, Change Order, and Project Account Tracking/Coordination.
Project Management: Facilitate communication between Owners, Construction Management, Architects, Engineers, and Contractors, ensuring project goals are achieved on time and within budget.
Over 25 years of Construction Experience in construction contracts, processing submittals, RFIs, coordinating change orders, managing progress meetings, and overseeing project close-out documentation.
Contract Management: Commercial Construction Management Administration and Construction Accounting.
Notary Public Lic.: NYS 01FR0028009
Notable Projects: Cornell University Martha Van Rensselaer Hall Renovations, Corning Incorporated Painted Post Project, STEM Academy, Corning, NY, NYSTEC/99 Otis – Griffiss International, Hangar 100 – Griffiss International 73,400 sf
Zef Vataj
Director Of Funding
Education: Harvard University; BA in Economics and Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management.
Real Estate Management: Part of family office that manages nearly 400 Residential and Commercial units in tri-state area, partner and advisor in hotel development and management for multiple groups totaling over 60 nationwide.
Partner/Chief Strategy Officer: SOMO Financial Group, a holding company that owns and operates a network of businesses in finance, telecom, marketing, insurance, consumer services, etc., all dedicated to serving America's service communities - currently reaching over 3 million households.
Fundraising and Lending: Over $40 million in deal volume and $60 million currently pending closing in 2025.
Over 6 years of consulting, business development and planning, and financial modeling. Expert in strategic analysis, planning, and execution.
Ronald P. Cerminaro
Business Development
NYS License Number: 1030121865
NYS Real Estate Instructor: 2 Technical Licenses, 1 General Instructor for all real estate subjects (except appraisal).
Education: BS Siena College-Finance, MBA Hofstra University–Finance, Postgraduate–University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business-Real Estate Investment Analysis.
Experience: Over 35 years of leadership and expertise in the Real Estate, Construction, Consulting and Education sectors.
Commercial Real Estate Broker with over 40 years of experience.
Licensed Real Estate Instructor with 25 years’ experience teaching at Mohawk Valley Community College, Herkimer Community College, Utica Rome Educational Center; Adjunct Instructor Traditional Business SUNY Morrisville.
40 years of Constructor Management, including court testimony as expert witness, arbiter for the insurance industry for construction related issues.
Business Consultant: Provided consultant services to broad range of clients including Fortune 100 companies from feasibility, analysis, to strategic planning and creation of business plans.
Notable Project: Consumer Square New Hartford, NY Site Acquisition and Feasibility.
Michael Kulik
Senior Project Manager (Principal)
Education: John Hopkins University; Master of Business Administration; Finance. Clarkson University; Bachelor of Science Engineering Management (Industrial Engineering).
Experience: Over 25 years of experience as a Construction Management Professional, Lead Client Liaison; Chairing Progress Design Meetings.
Pre-Construction: Develop project outlines, schedules, budgeting/estimating, perform constructability reviews, contract agreement development, and design and oversee bid requirements.
Construction: Oversee, direct, and inspect completion of planned work by communicating and implementing control methods for greater work efficiency.
Post-Construction: Final Budget review and reporting, trade contractor final negotiations, as-built documentation; end-user training, and follow up client relations.
Accreditations/Affiliations: CSI, Certified Construction Contract Administrator Professional Program; AGC Lean Construction Education Program; Vice President Syracuse Chapter of Construction Specifications Institute
Notable Projects:Meadows Apartments at Settlement Road. 98,000 sf $16.5 million; Cayuga Medical Construction Manager at Risk, multiple projects and phases $22 million.
Dave Williams
Senior Project Manager/Project Superintendent (Principal)
Education: Mohawk Valley Community College; Associates Degree in Occupational Science, in Electrical Services and Systems, and Applied Science in Electrical Engineering; Empire State Carpenters Joint Apprentice Training Committee; Instructor of Carpentry Apprentice Course.
Experience: 31 years of construction project management and project superintendent, focusing on client satisfaction, jobsite safety, quality control, and coordination of the work/schedule.
Pre-Construction: Review site safety conditions and procedures, maintaining egress routes, fire watch, critical barriers and worker PPE, and tracking non-compliance.
Work with project managers and subcontractors and update project schedules, RFI logs, incomplete work lists, and daily reports.
Construction: Work with project managers and subcontractors and update project schedules, RFI logs, incomplete work lists, and daily reports. Work with owner, design team, and subcontractors to ensure accuracy and work schedule.
Post-Construction: Work with owner, design team, and subcontractors to ensure fast completion of punch list and close out requirements prior to owner occupancy.
Accreditations/Affiliations:
- OSHA 500 Certified Trainer
- EPA Certified Lead Safe Work Practices
- Certified Scaffold Erector
- Certified Permit Required Confined Space
Notable Projects: Utica Auditorium – West End Suites, 26,100 sf, $6.8 million; Remsen Central School District Capital Improvement Project, Danfoss Quad C Interior Buildout Project