Our Team
ROBERT LEPRE, President and CEO, oversees the daily maintenance of all construction projects, client relationships, contracts, and construction labor. A 47-year veteran of the construction industry, Mr. Lepre holds his 62-hour SST Supervisor card and Superintendent license, and is an EPA Certified Lead Renovator and Certified Mold Professional.
For many years, Mr. Lepre served on the board of the Mount Vernon Community Service Associates where he donated his time as well as labor and materials for special projects taken on by the CSA within the community. Mr. Lepre is a longtime supporter of the Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club and was instrumental in securing the guest speaker for The Club’s 2014 Annual Gala. Additionally, Mr. Lepre was honored by the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle in 2018, along with Ms. Lepre. For many years, Mr. Lepre was also a member of the Vestry at Christ the Redeemer Church in Pelham.
ROBERT LEPRE JR, Senior Vice President, oversees the project management and estimating team, including daily operations of all projects and procurement of new work and opportunities. He started out painting apartments as a summer job as a teenager and has held just about every role imaginable from laborer, to site super, to project manager, to now Senior VP. He worked hand-in-hand with Yankees legend Mariano Rivera in 2012-2013 to help bring his vision to life of renovating an abandoned old church for his personal congregation.
LAURA LEPRE, Vice President of Marketing, manages the Avante brand and dedication to its values, both internally and externally. She works with the leadership team on long-term strategy for growth, helps evaluate projects and ensure that they align with goals, and builds processes for internal management.
REZA NEMATI, Vice President of Construction, has been with the company since 2015, and he brings nearly 40 years of experience in the construction industry. He supervises and coordinates subcontractors and vendors to ensure the project remains on schedule and within budget. Mr. Nemati conducts budget and schedule development during the bidding phases and contract negotiations with subcontractors and vendors during project buy-out. He holds his 62-hour SST Supervisor card and Construction Superintendent license.
ALEXANDRA HANSON, Vice President of Operations and Development, joined Avante in April 2019. Ms. Hanson leads Avante’s development activities and manages Avante’s business business operations, coordinating with the project management and field teams to ensure team members have the resources and support they need to succeed. She works with clients to understand their needs and build long-lasting relationships. Her dual focus on internal management systems and external business development and client satisfaction is informed by her
years working in affordable housing policy, development and construction. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Humanistic Studies from McGill University and Master of Urban Planning from Hunter College. She is Vice Chair of the Peekskill Housing Authority and is a Board Member of Community Capital NY.
DAWN McCORMILLA, is the Director of Project Coordination and has been with the company since 2003. Her daily responsibilities include the preparation, composition, and execution of client, subcontractor, and vendor proposals and contracts. She maintains customer files for potential jobs, on-going work, and completed projects. Ms. McCormilla oversees daily operations of the Project Management Team and is a liaison between the field, office, and clients.
Ms. McCormilla is very versed in the customer service industry and brings more than 20 years of administrative and customer service experience to the table. Ms. McCormilla earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Syracuse University. She is currently pursuing a degree in interior design from the New York School of Interior Design. She is OSHA 10 Certified, is a Student Member of the American Institute of Interior Designers. In her spare time she is a Girl Scout Leader, a Cub Scout Den Leader, and the Vice President of the PTO.
STEPHEN ACKILLI, Senior Project Manager, joined the Project Management Team in 2015 and he brings more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry to the table. He has strong site work experience in managing the installation of all required infrastructure for new communities. His resume includes managing the construction of more than 1,000 new homes, 500 of which are Energy Star rated homes. Mr. Ackilli is responsible for estimating, project buyout, contract negotiations, submittals, job cost tracking, jobsite management, and value engineering. He is OSHA 30 Certified and is trained in CPR and First Aid.
CHRISTOPHER COTTE, Project Manager, joined the company in February 2017. Mr. Cotte earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Facilities and Construction Management from Iona College. He has over 27 years of experience in construction industry with an emphasis in the retail sector. Mr. Cotte is responsible for scope review and bid leveling on large multi-family rehabilitation projects as well as project buyout, contract negotiations, submittals, job cost tracking, jobsite management, and value engineering. He ensures projects progress in accordance with targeted dates and budget goals. He is OSHA 30 Certified.
ERIKA MARTINEZ-ORTIZ, Project Manager, has joined the Project Management Team in 2019. Mrs. Martinez-Ortiz brings more than 12 years of experience in the construction industry with an emphasis on multi-family rehabilitation projects. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from Tufts University and a Graduate Certificate from NYU in Construction Project Management. She is responsible for scope review, estimating, project buyout, contract negotiations, submittals, job cost tracking, jobsite management, value engineering and closeout package. She is OSHA 30 Certified.
MICHELLE WRIGHT has been with the company since 2015 and has been the Office Manager and Executive Assistant since November 2016. Ms. Wright earned an Associates of Applied Science in Business Administration. She maintains the company calendar and all scheduling for the executives and work crew. She is a liaison between the clients, executives, subcontractors, and office staff. Ms. Wright maintains all insurance certificates, reports, certifications and records to ensure compliance.
OLGA MIEDZYBRODZKA has been with the company since 2012 and recently took the role of Payroll Administrator and Human Resources Officer. She has over seven years experience in sales, marketing and human resources. Ms. Miedzybrodzka performs all company human resources functions as well as payroll and timekeeping. She is an integral part of the Avante office, also assisting all staff with special projects as required.
NISS LOVERA, Bookkeeper, started with the company in May 2018. She has over ten years of bookkeeping experience and has a BA in accounting from Monroe College. Ms. Lovera assists in the preparation of all tax related materials for accountant review and to ensure all tax filing deadlines are met. She manages the payables and receivables for subcontractors and vendors, supervises business transactions, executes all financial reporting including monthly bank reconciliations, profit and loss, and balance sheets, and supervises payroll.
RITA VERGEL, Assistant Bokkeeper, has been with our team since April of 2017. Ms. Vergel takes care of all bill and payment processing, statements, company credit cards and classification of expenses. She has over 12 years of bookkeeping experience.
