The Leff Team
The Leff Team
Dave Leff
Founder, President and CEO, Leff Construction Design Build
Dave was born in London, where he lived until moving to San Francisco at the age of nine years old. He attended Sonoma State University, graduating with degrees in Psychology and English. Dave was on his way to law school when he decided to stay a little longer in Sebastopol, CA to improve his carpentry skills. Read More
In 1978 Dave formed Leff Construction as a sole proprietor, and was joined by his father in 1987 when they incorporated the company.
Dave is a Certified Green Builder, and over the decades has become an expert in solar and sustainable building, historical renovation and infill real estate development. He’s dedicated to alternative building approaches, and his passion for building and remodeling homes that are beautiful and functional – and which integrate sustainable principals with new technologies – has informed his company vision and the development of his Design Build approach to all projects.
Dave has been an instructor of the remodeling process to homeowners and contractors (Santa Rosa Junior College), and frequently contributes Design Build and construction articles to industry publications. Dave and the LEFF team hold remodeling workshops for homeowners at the new LEFF Design Center several times a year. He serves on the Board of Directors and heads up the Green Building Committee of the North Coast Builders Exchange and participates as a speaker or panelist in conferences and events about sustainable building practices.
Lisa Newbold
Director of Operations
Lisa was born in Southern California and has been working her way up the coast. She’s spent the most recent half of her life in Sonoma County. As Director of Operations, Lisa coordinates across departments to ensure the company’s smooth operation. As Chief Financial Officer, she manages finance and administration including LEFF’s financial statements and the company’s annual budget. Read More
Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Accounting from Sonoma State University. She started for LEFF as part-time controller in 2001, Lisa has over 25 years of experience in management, accounting and construction. She started in management at her first job in a record company and has experience in a wide variety of industries including independent software consultant and accountant and in the general engineering, entertainment, and medical fields. Most weekends and evenings Lisa spends time with her husband, their carefree smooth collie and some amusing cats. You’ll also catch her attending music events, reading and playing electric bass.
Jeffrey R. Rexford
Senior Designer
Born and raised in Vermont, Jeffrey R Rexford has lived in California since 1978. He is a Senior Designer and Sales Representative at LEFF, where he leads the Design Team in 3-D rendering, construction blueprints, permits and interior finish design. Jeffrey is a qualified Universal Design Certified Professional and Licensed General Contractor. Read More
He holds a BA in Art and Engineering from Antioch College, and has more than 20 years of design experience and skills in Chief Architect Software.
Jeffrey brings a deep and extensive knowledge in all aspects of residential design and construction, having spent 38 years as a Designer and General Contractor. His superior work displays his focus on thoughtful design and quality workmanship. Before joining LEFF in July of 2016, he headed his own Design Build Construction firm for five years. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of sales, design, and construction. Most weekends you will find Jeffrey spending time with family and friends studying martial arts, hiking, traveling by motorcycle, reading and going to the movies. Keeping fit is important to Jeffrey and he is studying to attain a Black Belt in Kung Fu. An avid photographer, Jeffrey spends time looking for that next great shot.
Candice Regaldo
Senior Designer
Candice is a Sonoma County native. As a Senior Designer, she helps to lead the Leff Design Team. Working together to focus on all aspects of the Design Build process to keep a strong emphasis on space planning relative to interior design and architecture. Read More
She has over eighteen years as an interior designer and a project manager, starting her career as an architectural intern. This experience built a foundation for a design aesthetic that encompasses sound structure and functionality; striving to deliver superior design with a classic approach. At Leff, Candice’s experience and skills guide her expertise in taking preliminary design concepts from plan creation to construction – on time and on budget.
Most weekends you will find Candice spending time with her family, hiking, racing at OCR events, and shopping for anything beautifully designed.
Sarah Adams
Interior Designer
Sarah Adams was raised right here in Sebastopol, CA. She received a BA in Art Studio – Photography, and returned to study interior design around the same time she began working part time at LEFF in 2013. Sarah joined the LEFF team full-time in 2015, and now, as an Interior Designer, she works closely with clients on the design and selection details of their project. Read More
She is passionate about solving clients’ problems in their home and fully enjoys finding solutions that not only look amazing, but work and flow with the client’s needs. Sarah’s dedication to delivering superior customer service is informed by her thirteen years of experience working in the grocery/retail industry.
Sarah loves spending her free time with family, especially her little nieces and her many fur babies.
Heather McKay
Interior Designer
Heather hails from the San Francisco Peninsula. She holds degrees in Psychology from USC and Interior Design from Canada College. She worked in residential design and project management on the Peninsula for 10 years before moving to Sonoma County in 2013. Read More
As an Interior Designer with Leff Construction, Heather coordinates the design process, guiding and keeping track of all the details as clients’ designs are refined and their finishes selected. Heather’s love of houses and organization make her ideally suited for her position. In her free time, she manages her busy family and enjoys tending her garden and chickens.
Rae Petenes
Design Center Manager
Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rae Petenes is the calm and capable Manager of the very busy Design Center, as well as a talented member of the LEFF Design Team. Rae is a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a Masters in Fine Art (MFA) and an emphasis in interior architecture and design. Read More
Prior to joining LEFF, Rae was an environmental compliance coordinator overseeing state and federal regulations for more than 500 farms located in a five-state region. Her commitment to the environment and sustainable design fits in well with her role on the Design Team. In her spare time, Rae enjoys camping, hiking and traveling with her family.
Mike Woods
Construction Manager
As the new Construction Manager at LEFF, Mike provides the leadership that keeps the project’s critical path on track while double-checking the details – his goal is to always exceed the standards of the company and our clients expectations. Read More
He has over 25 years of experience in construction and project management – recently in the luxury home development of Martis Camp in north Lake Tahoe. Mike has a deep appreciation for architects and designers, and his rapport with the Team enables him to lead them in the best ways to build projects efficiently and effectively, and to draw on their strengths and knowledge to realize the clients’ vision. In his free time, Mike enjoys traveling and exploring California and the Bay Area, fishing and golfing, and spending as much time possible with his four kids.
Alex Williams
Project Manager
Originally from Kansas City, Alex moved to Sonoma county to be near family, enjoy the outdoors and wine country. As a Project Manager with LEFF, Alex coordinates and supervises design/build projects to ensure they are completed on time, on budget and with exceptional outcomes for her clients. Read More
Alex has worked in the remodeling industry for nine years and recently earned the prestigious NARI Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) designation. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family while exploring all that Northern California has to offer.
Josh Bird Johnson
Estimator
Josh Bird Johnson grew up on the Russian River in Sonoma County, but has roamed all over the West Coast. At Leff, Josh is General Construction Estimator, with over a decade of experience both in the field as a tradesman and estimating projects in various industry sectors. Read More
Josh insures efficiencies in the review and evaluation of preliminary cost estimates, and creates the final project estimates. Josh maintains the unit pricing database, and communicates directly with clients, trade partners and team members. In his spare time, Josh rides his motorcycle and bicycle, plays the drums and board games, and practices yoga. Josh and his dog Peanut continue to perfect their repertoire of amazing dog tricks.
Mark De Shields
Superintendent
Mark was born and raised in Santa Rosa, and started his career in the construction industry as an apprentice right out of high school. He has worked ever since in Marin and Sonoma counties, applying his expert building and remodeling skills to residential projects of all sizes, from small homes to luxury estates. Read More
His comprehensive knowledge and turnkey approach to all aspects of building and remodeling, from foundation to finish, has been an asset to LEFF during his eleven years with the company. Mark enjoys fishing and camping on weekends, and spends vacation time visiting friends in Juneau, Alaska, every chance he gets.
Jon Parisian
Superintendent
Jon was born in Michigan, and raised in Alaska and Sonoma County. Jon began his time at LEFF as a journeyman carpenter, and now leads a team as Superintendent. His expert skills, experience and attention to detail have been honed over the 20 years of his career in the commercial and residential construction industries. Read More
Jon and his family spend their free time together camping.
Thomas Ahern
Superintendent
Thomas Ahern has deep roots in Sonoma County. His family has lived in Healdsburg, CA for three generations.In his capacity as a Superintendent at LEFF, Thomas leads a team of expert journeymen carpenters. He oversees and manages all aspects of construction, which includes daily coordination and communication with the client. Read More
Thomas ensures that expectations are met by all subcontractors, and he provides crew members with clear direction and resources to achieve the highest quality result.
Thomas spent 18 years as a carpenter and five years as a superintendent. His skills and experience inform his superior work ethic and high attention to detail; he consistently delivers and excellent experience to clients.
Most weekends you will find Thomas spending time with his family or “landscaping” any of the local golf courses with his pitching wedge.
Carol Grogan
Human Resources Manager
Carol worked for Leff Construction in 2002 as the office administrator and returned in 2016 in the role of Human Resources Manager. She previously worked as an HR Manger for the Heinz Corporation and Norwalk Hospital, both located in Connecticut, as well as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Read More
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Masters degree in American Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Carol is thrilled to return to Sonoma County to be closer to her daughters and her grandchild.
Krista Billing
Executive Administrator
Krista is a Sonoma County Native. As the Executive Administrator, Krista handles the various administrative and accounting duties on all LEFF projects, supporting office and field staff (and keeping everyone on their toes!). Read More
She is responsible for billing and makes sure that all subcontractors are properly licensed and insured.
Prior to joining LEFF in 2012, Krista gained 15 years of construction industry knowledge and experience in her role as a Project Management Administrator. Away from the office, Krista can be found shuttling her son about, cheering at his sporting events, hanging out with family and friends and capturing those moments with her Nikon – she’s the Mama-razzi!
Elaine Lucia
Marketing Director
Elaine began her marketing career designing graphics, layout and copy for newspaper advertising and print publications, sales teams and small business entrepreneurs. Read More
With the advent of online marketing tools, Elaine evolved into digital media and ran her own WordPress website design company for eight years. She has worked for companies in the wine, restaurant, tourism and consumer product industries. Raised in the beautiful but freezing cold of upstate New York, Elaine studied music and voice at S.U.N.Y. Binghamton and Eastman School of Music. Having decided at the age of ten years old that she was going to move to California, she sold her flute after music school and bought a one-way ticket to the Bay Area. Elaine lives in Sebastopol, CA, and in her free time, she writes, performs and records music, and spends every minute she can with her grown daughter.
