Proudly Designing and Building in the Finger Lakes Region, Philadelphia, and Southern New Jersey for Over 20 Years

Equal blend contractor, carpenter, designer, and artist, Jeff is the visionary behind Rocco Design + Build. Having grown up in a household of contractors and designers, Jeff learned early on the importance of nurturing an architectural eye and strong sense of interior design in order to be a better builder, a lesson his father practiced in his own design/build firm. 

Jeff grew up on project sites but it was at his first job at a cabinet maker at the age of 14 where he began honing his skill in bespoke finish work and intricate detailing. Having started his design and build firm more than 20 years ago, Jeff’s extensive project experience includes luxury, ground-up homes, extensive kitchen and bath renovations, restaurant build outs, office retrofits, institutional projects, and the design and manufacture of bespoke furniture. 

Managing the financials of a construction company, particularly one focused on custom and high-end craft like Rocco Design + Build is no simple task. That's why Michael's decades of experience managing and controlling the financial health of dozens of companies big and small, from $100-million-agricultural firms, an entrepreneurial biotech firm, international manufacturing, and Defense Contractors in Upstate New York and South Carolina, speaks for itself. 

Michael is passionate about collaboration, he loves to mentor younger team members, and savors the research process in his work. He lives in Cortland with his partner -- an extraordinary chef and baker -- and their four beautiful rescued Old English Sheepdogs.

Dillon’s design direction informs all of Rocco Design + Build’s work. Responsible for all architectural services from initial schematics and visioning through to and construction administration, Dillon is integral in ensuring that all work aligns with our client’s architectural vision. 

Before joining the team, Dillon practiced architecture with renowned design offices KPF and Eisenman Architects. He has taught extensively at Cornell, Harvard, and Syracuse, and holds a Masters in Architecture from Cornell University.

Vanessa manages the marketing, business development, and administrative elements of Rocco Design + Build. Be it engaging with potential clients who are brand new to the world of design and construction, to networking with end-users and industry professionals, Vanessa’s passion for design and enthusiasm for the Rocco team fuels her day-to-day. 

Before joining RDB, Vanessa worked in architectural marketing, material sales, and real estate recruiting. Spending time with her twin sister, listening to 1950s Rock ‘n Roll songs, and watching classic Hollywood movies, fills her spare time. 

Mark brings 40+ years of experience in design, carpentry, general contracting and fine woodworking, and guides and oversees the quality of our projects, particularly with regard to our custom millwork and furniture. 

In charge of Quality Control, Mark ensures Rocco Design + Build maintains its commitment to high craft, while also reviewing drawing sets, fact-checking cost estimates, developing project teams, acquiring materials, and serving as the interface between the project leads, subcontractors, and customers. 

In his spare time, Mark gardens, is an amateur ornithologist, helps oversee community built playgrounds, makes fine furniture, and makes, plays, and teaches Scottish bagpipes. His instruments are played worldwide.

As our estimator and project manager, Greg pivots between juggling the minutia of bids and day-to-day construction realities to the big picture goals and dreams of our clients. He is responsible for all aspects of construction, from scheduling, estimating, procurement and managing the quality of materials, to overseeing internal and subcontractor labor.

Greg's whole family is in the business: he and his father worked as carpenters and superintendents for a commercial contractor in Florida, where they lived until Greg finished high school, and his grandfather owned the celebrated Cote Hardwood Products lumber mill in Locke, NY. 

Greg is passionate about the field of astrophysics, is an avid and ever-curious learner, loves cooking delicious meals, and relaxing with his wife and Teacup Pomeranian. 

Shimels is our leading carpenter and resident speed demon. In the past decade and a half since joining Rocco Design + Build, Shimels has executed the construction of most of our firm’s major repositioning projects, but particularly excels in kitchen and baths. Shimel’s repertoire includes tiling, finish carpentry, trim work, and custom millwork, particularly cabinetry. 

Shimel’s career in construction began in his native Ethiopia where he was a master welder for the single-family residential and furniture markets. When not playing with his two beautiful children, Shimels spends his weekends cooking elaborate barbecues, and boating on Cayuga Lake with family and friends.

Like a Swiss-Army knife, Ike is as nimble as he is capable, and jumps between managing and self-performing a wide array of projects, big and small. Ike began working with his father at age 10 and has thus collaborated on the majority of Rocco Design + Build’s projects in the past 10 years.

While Ike performs most aspects of construction, he is particularly adept in framing and rough carpentry, which he did for the gut renovation of the celebrated, jewel-box Odyssey bookstore in downtown Ithaca. When not on a job site, Ike spends his spare time restoring old BMW cars.

Pete brings to the table a diverse background in property management, grant writing, social services, and youth education, on top of his skills in carpentry and masonry work. Since joining Rocco Design  + Build, Pete has quickly become a point-man for our junior team members and directs labor for a wide array of projects.

Passionate about his community, Pete currently serves as the Chairperson for the Town of Ulysses Planning Board and is the President of his Community Association. He's the proud dad of two adorable kids and loves to take them canoeing and camping.

John began working with Rocco Design + Build as an apprentice carpenter soon after graduating from Ithaca College with a BA in Economics, and has since become an integral member of the team. Having performed everything from rough carpentry tasks, to the installation of windows and doors, to fine finish carpentry, John's well-rounded experience and welcome can-do attitude, serves as inspiration and training for RDB's newer and junior members. 

Like many on our team, John was influenced by his father's career in construction, and learned at an early age the satisfaction of seeing the literal fruits of one's labor. In his spare time, John loves exploring the Finger Lakes with friends and family, chilling with his family's dog, and one day hopes to run a company of his own where he can blend his love of construction and education in finance.

Luke loves working with his hands and witnessing the process of transforming a concept to a finished product, a perfect combo for a career in construction. Luke began his career in the trades as a roofer and has experience with painting, siding, flooring, and trim. He especially loves tiling and other finish carpentry work. 

Mechanically-minded, Luke enjoys repairing his truck, and both fixing and riding jet skis in his spare time. He eventually envisions running his own carpentry practice. Luke is an Interlaken native but speaks fluent German thanks to his mother's German upbringing.