Jesse Connell was born and raised just outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  He graduated from Gordon College in northern Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in small business management.   Upon graduation he promptly looked to pursue a career in the building industry and accepted a position in an apprenticeship program with a New England custom home building company, Allsopp Design.   The experience from Allsopp taught Jesse the proper methodology and processes involved in constructing a home.  This provided a springboard toward a move to San Francisco, where under the tutelage of master carpenter Lawrence Motta, Jesse honed his skills as both carpenter and project manager while completing many upscale projects.   San Francisco’s unique architecture offered a different perspective of construction.  The blend of modern design, strict building codes, and attention to “green” building, combined with the classic methodology and style of the east coast, helped form the key characteristics of Jesse’s style of carpentry.   Years later, Jesse returned home to Boston and began working on a major restoration of an 1850’s home in Wellesley, Massachusetts with brother in law JD Schmidt.    

     Jesse brings a high level of organization and open communication to each project he manages.  From developing the project schedule, to ordering materials and interacting with clients, his goal is to always put the needs of the customer first and ensure the delivery of a high-quality product.  Jesse currently lives in Washington, DC with his wife Kristen, his son Owen, and dog Biergit. 

     JD Schmidt grew up locally in McLean, Virginia with his four sisters and two brothers.  He attended Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC and later went on to Boston College where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications, while playing as a scholarship athlete on the football team.  His interest in building developed as a young boy on his family's farm in St. Mary's City, Maryland. He spent his childhood summers there working as an apprentice to his surrogate grandfather Hank Willis, a master carpenter.  Working on the historical buildings of the farm enabled JD to learn the basics of building and historical restoration.

     JD's passion for building continued to grow while working for two reputable residential builders in the Boston area.  These experiences helped to refine his knowledge and skills as a builder and provide the inspiration to begin developing a building portfolio of his own.  JD is detail-oriented, and has exceptional communication, problem solving, and business skills.  These traits allow him to work effectively with each client from the initial stages of planning to the delivery of the final product.  He enjoys the challenge of taking the imaginative ideas of a client or architect and making them a reality.  JD currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife Melissa and a baby on the way!