Team

The best builders in New York want a company that stands for quality and ethical conduct, for building at the very highest standard, for training, and for consistency. Over time, these builders have gravitated to Rusk, because we have always chosen to do the right things in the right ways.

Rusk comprises more than 50 professionals: Site Coordinators oversee the cleanliness and safety of our jobsites; Site Carpenters refine the quality of our projects; Site Superintendents are our field generals; and our seasoned Project Managers make good on their passion to bring luxury to life. Support for our building teams reaches from Estimating and Financial, through Marketing and Senior Management, to our dedicated Service and Warranty Team.

The people who work in your home are the people we would want work in ours. Most are second- or third-generation builders. Many of them trained in fine arts, architecture, engineering, or the building trades. A number of those in management roles are graduates or former teaching assistants at Columbia’s Master’s degree program in Construction Administration.

Our rigorous application process includes multiple interviews in the office and in the field, skills testing, and a thorough background check conducted by an independent third-party service. Training and development have helped Rusk twice win endorsement from Crain’s magazine for Best Places to Work in New York City twice.

John Rusk

President

Matt started his career at Rusk as a paid extern from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation, Matt worked for a year as a corporate architectural designer before returning to Rusk. Matt’s dedication to customer service and creative problem solving, as well as his enthusiasm for great design and New York City has proved an invaluable asset on every project he’s worked on. Matt holds a Master’s in Architecture from University of Michigan where he also received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Mary Kocy

Partner

As a fourth-generation family member in the building trades, Rusk partner Mary Kocy brings over 30 years of experience in organizational development, education and human resource management to the firm. By attracting the most talented professionals and supporting them with on-going training and education, Rusk Renovations under her direction, remains steadfastly committed to maintaining the most demanding standards of quality and service in our industry. Mary holds a Master’s of Education from Bank Street College and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University.

Andrew Hatzenbuhler

Chief Operating Officer

Andrew is a construction professional with broad experience in both the luxury residential and commercial construction sectors. With a reputation for delivering challenging projects on time and on budget, Andrew applies the same principles to create efficient processes and develop the next generation of professionals. He supports Rusk’s strategic planning objectives and oversees operational excellence throughout the organization. Andrew holds a Master of Science degree in Construction Administration from Columbia University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science from Colgate University.

Travis Fyfe

Director of Construction

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Kurt Decker

Chief Estimator

Kurt Decker is the Chief Estimator at Rusk Renovations, with more than two decades of experience in high-end residential construction. He also serves as adjunct faculty at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, where he teaches Residential Project Management and Estimating. Before Rusk, Kurt spent nearly a decade as a subcontractor designing security and low-voltage systems for high-end residential clients, and led the development of the original Virtual Doorman platform. He holds a Master of Science in Construction Administration from Columbia and a background in mechanical engineering.

Burim Djonbalaj

Estimator

Joining the firm as an associate member of the Estimating Department, Burim started his career in construction by working with his hands on job sites each day. With his Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences/Environmental Control, he transitioned into an office environment where he developed a deep affinity for estimating. Burim is a lifelong New Yorker and a BMW enthusiast.

Nataliya Khabaylyuk

Accounting & Finance Manager

Nataliya brings over fifteen years of finance experience within the construction industry. As an Accounting & Finance Manager, she plays an essential role in overseeing daily financial operations and supporting the company’s overall business objectives. Her expertise, professionalism, and analytical approach contribute to effective financial planning, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational growth.

Marisa LeFleur

Executive Assistant

Marisa is an executive administrator with 10 years of experience working in high end residential construction in New York City. Her diverse skill set, combining the roles of office manager, project administrator and assistant project manager, creates a calm and streamlined work environment for all at the firm. Marisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont.

Matthew Ritsema

Senior Project Manager

Jacqueline Brand

Assistant Project Manager

Jacqueline “Jackie” Brand is an Assistant Project Manager at Rusk Renovations, working with Megan Traub on full-scale residential renovations in Manhattan. She runs the day-to-day work on her projects, coordinating subs and keeping the design team, ownership, and the field aligned through closeout. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Lehigh University and came to construction during a renovation of her family’s home in Rye. Outside of work, she’s a self-described jack of all trades who skis, watches sports, and likes trying new activities.

Ernesto Jerez

Logistics

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Leon Griffith

Logistics Coordinator

Leon brings over four years of logistics and dispatch experience to his role as Logistics Coordinator at Rusk, where he helps keep daily operations running smoothly. Previously, he coordinated fleets of more than 100 vehicles and supervised security operations teams, experience that strengthened his ability to manage manpower, vendor deliveries, and unexpected challenges in fast-paced environments. At Rusk, Leon applies these skills to overseeing office systems, OSHA compliance, Procore onboarding, and field support across active projects. He studied Computer Science at CUNY New York City College of Technology.

Stephen McCabe

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Nicolette Minuchin

Project Accountant

Nicolette is a Project Accountant with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, bringing a well-rounded perspective shaped by a variety of roles throughout her career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and is known for her attention to detail, strong relationship-building skills, and consistently positive, team-oriented mindset.

Victor Miranda

Assistant Project Manager

Victor Miranda is an Assistant Project Manager at Rusk Renovations, with a career spent at boutique high-end residential GCs in Manhattan. He works on full gut renovations of apartments and townhouses, handling the day-to-day in the field through closeout. He came to construction from an unusual starting point: a degree in Classics and Religion and helping run his family’s Brooklyn coffee shop. Outside of work, he follows Manchester United, the Jets, the Knicks, and Formula 1, and has two big dogs.

Mariusz Nicka

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Alexy Ostrovsky

Client Services Coordinator

Alexy Ostrovsky is the Client Services Coordinator at Rusk Renovations, with a background that runs across sales, marketing, and independent residential contracting in New York. He’s the day-to-day point of contact for clients on service calls, warranty items, and small projects, and he prices and schedules that work alongside Travis Fyfe, Director of Construction. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Brooklyn College. Outside of work he hikes, backpacks, and tracks a Miata at Englishtown, Pocono, and Lime Rock.

Lauren Viggiani

Senior Project Manager

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Omar Walker

Project Manager

Omar is an accomplished Project Manager and Designer with over a decade of experience leading collaborative teams on high-end residential projects, from renovations to expansive estates. His expertise spans the full project lifecycle, focusing on the restoration of award-winning custom homes and historic preservation. Beyond residential work, he has made significant contributions to the civic domain, spearheading community preservation initiatives that enhance public spaces through coordination with governmental offices and stakeholders. Highly skilled at managing complex project scopes, he also served as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at Pratt Institute for many years. Omar holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from The Cooper Union and is a recipient of the Irma Giustino Weiss Fellowship and the Harold Kiel Prize.

Culture

Rusk loves to learn, soaking up lessons from employees, design partners, warranty and service to improve our offering. We take pride in our diversity and relish all the talents and perspectives our various backgrounds offer. Each of us loves what we do and what it creates. Every team relies on integrity, transparency and direct communication to achieve unsurpassed quality and service.

We are proud of our place in the greater New York community and support our clients’ charities as well as The Fatherhood Academy, Get Out and Stay Out, Bronx Healthy Families, Alpha Workshops, The Institute for Classical Architecture and Art, Historic House Trust, and the Service Program for Older People.

Janice Infante

Human Resources Manager

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Eve Rusk

Brand Ambassador

Eve brings a unique perspective to the team, holding a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in London, with a focus in sculpture and painting and an associate’s degree from Bard High School, Early College. Eve carries the torch as the fifth-generation builder in her family.

Maria Flores

Associate Project Manager

Maria graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor of Architecture. Post graduation she acted as a Project Manager at a high-end custom millwork company where she dealt with residential & commercial projects within the Tri-state area. Her passion for the built environment has propelled her into general contracting where she hopes to continue to learn and share her management skills.