Company Profile

Mission Statement

Avante Contracting Corp. exists to transform lives through community centered construction. From the spaces we build to the clients we serve, people are at the heart of everything we do.

Avante is a full service general contractor. We are dedicated to achieving our clients’ goals. Avante provides executive level attention to every project and hands on management from inception to completion to ensure the finest general contracting services and highest caliber workmanship for our clients.

Download our Avante Profile 2021 for more information.

Owners

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.

In Memory of Our Co-Founder

NANCY LEPRE was co-founder and president of Abracadabra Painting Co., Inc. and founder and president of Avante Contracting Corporation. Until her passing in 2019, Ms. Lepre was the CEO and CFO and oversaw fund allocation, project management, and managed daily operations. Ms. Lepre recently founded Avante Development LLC to expand her role in the field of affordable housing development.

Ms. Lepre earned a Masters of Business Administration from Iona College. She held the following industry certifications: OSHA 10 and 30 Certification, Allied Member of the American Institute of Architects, Construction Superintendent Certification by the New York City Department of Buildings, Home Improvement Salesperson License issued by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. Ms. Lepre served on the boards of the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club, Pelham Family Services, the Pelham Arts Center, and was a member of the certifying committee for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. She was a member of the National Minority Business Council, Women Builders Council of New York, American Institute of Architects Associate Member, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, New York State Association for Affordable Housing, and the Supportive Housing Network of New York. Through her affiliation with some of these organizations she lobbied at the New York State Legislature and at the New York City Council in support of the preservation of affordable housing, as well as the participation of Women Business Enterprises in construction and the development of affordable housing.

In 2012, the New York City Women’s Chamber of Commerce presented Ms. Lepre with the Women of Excellence award for the testimony she presented to the New York City Council on behalf of Women Owned Businesses. In 2013 as well as 2017, Ms. Lepre was privileged to be a panelist in the Annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum sponsored by HOPE Community Inc. Also in 2013, at their 45^th Annual Community Service Awards Dinner, HOPE Community Inc. presented Ms. Lepre with The George Calvert Community Service Award for her significant contributions to the East Harlem community. Ms. Lepre was dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and mentoring women in the construction industry and entrepreneurship as she always explored new avenues to promote and advocate for women in business.