Gabriel Stefania
President

Gabe has been at the helm of Atco Construction Company since 1981, serving as Vice President of Atco Properties & Management, and of Atco Construction, and of all other Atco and Hemmerdinger Companies since 1984.   Under his leadership, Atco has completed thousands of jobs in every major construction classification totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Before joining Atco in 1981, Gabe served as a Sergeant in the 4th Infantry Division of the US Army, receiving a Silver Star for Gallantry in Action in Vietnam in 1969.  Upon his return, he received a BS in Architecture, cum laude from The New York Institute of Technology.

After graduation Gabe worked for Kahn and Jacobs Architects, Loral Electronics and Cadillac Fairview Shopping Centers New York serving as a draftsman, project architect and engineer on many large-scale commercial and retail projects.  Over the years Gabe has been a member of the American Management Association, BOMA NY, Construction Specifications Institute, NY Building Congress, NY Building Contractors Association and REBNY. 

Gabe’s community involvement includes: Board of Directors and Membership Chairman of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 126 in NYC, Board of Directors of Friends of Vietnam Veterans Plaza, and Co-Chair of The Fountain Gallery Events Committee. In honor of his service to the company, Atco sponsors the Gabriel A. Stefania Scholarship Award, given each year to a deserving student at New York University.

Gabe will now serve as President of Essential Design + Build.

Rich Hiler, LEED^®AP
Vice President

Rich joins Essential Design + Build as Construction Manager with over ten years of experience in the Atco family of companies.  His commercial work—spanning projects both large-scale and intimate—includes the conversion of a former factory into office flex space in the Totowa Business Center, construction of the Katzenbach Partners, LLC offices on Park Avenue South, creation of the Laurence Miller Gallery on West 57th Street, the renovation of building lobbies on Central Park South and West 58th Street, and numerous build-outs for law firms, retailers and small businesses.  His work on residential projects includes the restoration and modernization of an historic 1940’s home in Queens, the gut renovation of two high-end Fifth Avenue residences, and the construction of multiple luxury apartments on Central Park South.

Rich holds a BS in Construction Management from Roger Williams University, and is an active fundraiser for the Fountain Gallery's Celebration of Life Benefit (an annual event supporting the not-for-profit cooperative run by and for artists living with mental illness) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  He has served as President of his co-op’s Board of Directors for 2+ years.

Chris Pettus
Senior Project Manager

Chris brings to Essential Design + Construction 15 years of experience with Atco Construction and over 30 years of experience overall, having worked as a laborer, carpenter, foreman, field supervisor and project manager.  He has extensive knowledge of new construction and commercial and medical facilities renovations, and has overseen the lobby renovations of 630 3rd Avenue and 20 West 57th Street, the gut renovation of Atlas Cafe on Central Park South, and high-end residential renovations and commercial build-outs in properties throughout the city.

Jeff Brelsford
Architectural Designer

Jeff has over 7 years of professional experience as an architect, having specialized in projects of diverse scales ranging from multi-unit residential developments to commercial office spaces.  He is experienced in all aspects of project development from schematic design to construction documents and administration.  Jeff’s knowledge of NYC Building and Zoning Code allows for thorough design from project conception to completion, and his proficiency in CAD and multiple rendering and design programs allows Essential Design+ Build to graphically represent and document every detail of the design and construction process. 

Jeff has a Bachelors in Architecture and a Masters in Architecture from SUNY Buffalo, as well as an MBA from NYU.  He has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, has done fundraising for Shoes for Shelter, and supports the American Heart Association and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Amy Butchko, LEED^® AP
Interior Designer

Amy comes to Essential Design + Build having honed her skills as an interior designer and project manager at Pierce Allen.  She is familiar with residential and commercial projects of every scale and budget, and brings to her work a comprehensive knowledge of materials, processes and artisans—along with years of experience and a fine attention to detail.  She is equally comfortable shopping with clients for antiques, decorative rugs and custom furniture as she is specifying lighting fixtures and vinyl wall covering for commercial renovations.

Amy holds a BFA in Acting from NYU, and has earned certificates of completion for supplemental education from the School for International Training, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Alliance Francaise, Third Ward and Pratt University.  She volunteers for New York Cares and the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition, and supports the Posterus Foundation as well as the C.A.R.E. Foundation.

Peter Cruz
Accountant

Peter has 9 years of experience working for Atco, and 11 years of overall knowledge of the construction accounting industry.  He handles accounts payable, accounts receivable and collections for the department.  He insures that all subcontractors are properly licensed, insured, and paid on a timely basis.  He oversees the preparation and processing of purchase orders and change orders and helps ensure that all projects remain within budget.   His project management experience allows him to support the construction team in the field and in the office whenever the need arises.

Peter has an AA in Business Administration from BMCC and is a licensed New York real estate agent and notary public.  He supports the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Esther Torres
Administrative

Esther has 9 years of experience working for Atco and 20 years of overall administrative experience.   She supports our entire office staff and field crew.  Esther handles all administrative duties on all jobs including payroll, correspondence, filing, Submittal Logs, scheduling appointments and more. Esther is the glue that keeps our team together.