Company
About
Established in 2010 by real estate developer Jon Schippers, Steering House is a solutions-oriented building company centered around the best path to build a client’s vision. Whether it’s collaborative construction with an architect or full-service design & build, we get the job done with no ego.
The company originated over twenty years ago as a development firm. Our success was predicated on our ability to create value through quality and efficiency. Our projects consistently sold faster, set new sales records, and were often featured in leading publications. Today, our clients benefit from that experience, which we proudly employ in pursuit of their goals.
Our ability to efficiently lead the pre-construction requirements and navigate the complex NYC construction environment delivers valuable time and budget advantages for our clients. We’re also extraordinarily compliant, with a 100% success rate passing Department of Building inspections—over the last five years, we have not had a single full-stop work order. We are fully licensed and insured with no hidden exclusions in our policies that expose our clients to unforeseen risk.
We’re particularly proud of our partnership with Brooklyn’s leading high-end boutique residential developer, The Brooklyn Home Company. For the past six years, we have been the exclusive builder of their high-end townhouse and boutique condominium portfolio. Together, we have built over 250,000 sq. ft., including the record-breaking homes at 81 Pierrepont Street, 608 5th Street, and 1 Sidney Place, Brooklyn’s second most expensive townhouse at over $22,000,000.00.
Mission
-Putting client vision at the center of a tailored approach to high-end residential building.
-Operating a company that values transparency and promotes security, growth, and excellence for our team.
-Contributing to the vibrancy of historic communities through the modernization of its homes and personal engagement with neighbors.
-Respecting the past, present, and future in every project.
Divisions
There are four divisions of Steering House—Architecture, General Contracting, Real Estate Development & Consulting, and Home Services—but we don’t work in silos. We have a unique, multi-layer management team with differing backgrounds collaborating closely to produce the best solutions daily.
Architecture
Bringing over 15 years of experience modernizing and renovating Townhouses, we work closely with clients to create optimized plans that achieve their goals and bring their vision to life.
General Contracting
Delivering an enjoyable and careful home-building experience with thorough pre-construction, accurate budgeting and scheduling, and high-quality execution.
Real Estate Development & Consulting
Helping homeowners, prospective buyers, developers, and investors identify the current condition, best use, and potential of their investment.
Home Services
Providing a full-service, 24/7, white-glove management solution to maintain the quality and efficiency of your new home.
Culture
Steering House is a medium-sized tight-knit construction company centered around a family-friendly work culture. We’re a full-time, in-office group of like-minded experts, including architects, project managers, construction supervisors, site managers, and home service managers, led by developer Jon Schippers. The backbone of our company is the 60-plus construction crew, many of whom have been with us since our inception in 2010.
Steering House directly employs all positions essential to the development and construction process to maintain the highest degree of control over our work. This results in on-time and on-budget delivery of our projects, allowing us a significant advantage over the competition.
We have an intentional open office format to encourage problem-solving by committee, and you’ll see representatives from multiple teams in attendance throughout the construction lifecycle. Make no mistake, our work is difficult, but our collaborative culture helps ensure it runs smoothly.
Team
Jonathan Schippers
Founder & CEO
Jon, the founder and CEO of Steering House, is a seasoned real estate developer and builder with over 20 years of experience leading teams through the entire development lifecycle. Born and raised in Brooklyn Heights, he is deeply rooted in the community, where he currently lives with his family and two active boys. In his free time, Jon embraces a range of interests, from spending quality time with his sons to pursuing his passion for triathlon – previously completing two Ironman-distance races. He also enjoys surfing, fishing, golf, snowboarding, and mountaineering, having climbed three of the seven summits of the world to date, including a trek to Everest Base Camp with three generations of his family – gardening and producing dance music.
Additionally, Jon is dedicated to community engagement and serves on the board of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, reflecting his commitment to sustainability and the environment. With a vision for transformative urban spaces and a dedication to excellence, he continues to lead Steering House in creating exceptional living and working environments.
Stephen Sorak
Chief Operating Officer
Stephen has been with Steering House since 2018, initially as the Director of Construction and now as Chief Operating Officer. In his current role, he oversees daily operations, ensuring seamless collaboration between the project management, construction management, and architecture teams. Prior to joining Steering House, Stephen served as the Director of Design and Construction at a Brooklyn-based design-build firm, where he focused on energy-efficient, ground-up residential projects. Stephen holds a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and Technology from the University of Hartford and a Master’s degree in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
He resides in Park Slope with his wife, Gabrielle, and their daughter. Outside of work, Stephen is passionate about cooking and travel, often seeking out nature-focused adventures that immerse him in new landscapes.
Elizabeth Roesch
Finance & HR Director
Elizabeth has been the Director of Finance at Steering House Construction since 2019, drawing on nearly 20 years of Wall Street experience. A graduate of NYU, she began as an equity analyst, later transitioning to equity sales and leading an international sales/trading desk. She worked at firms like Prudential Securities, Paine Webber, and UBS.
She has served on several boards, including as treasurer of Grace Church School and president of The Heights Casino. Elizabeth was also a founding member of Friends of Firefighters. Passionate about staying active, she is an avid tennis player, water skier, runner, and swimmer. She also takes great pleasure in travel, cooking and gardening. She lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband and two children.
Stephen McNamerra
Lead Architect
Stephen is a licensed architect leading the design and approval processes for Steering House’s design-build projects. With a broad background in institutional and commercial architecture, Stephen has developed a strong passion for residential design. He is particularly drawn to the historic qualities and detailing of Brooklyn townhouses and frequently engages with LPC on many of Steering House’s projects in historic districts. Stephen works closely with the construction team to ensure that each project’s design is executed smoothly and efficiently, from concept to completion.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University and a Master of Architecture from Yale University. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going to museum exhibits, spending time outside exploring different Brooklyn neighborhoods, and relaxing in Prospect Park.
Chad Thompson
Home Services Director
Chad, a native Californian with a passion for New York, serves as the Director of Home Services. He brings over 25 years of building maintenance and management experience. Previously, he managed a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential properties for a non-profit in Brooklyn and worked as a trade school instructor and preventative maintenance consultant.
Outside of work, Chad and his wife engage in community service, mentoring youth and volunteering for non-profit projects. They love traveling and have visited every continent except Antarctica. Chad also enjoys sailing, running marathons, skiing, and does professional voice-over work as a hobby. On nice days, you can find him cruising through Central Park on his longboard.
Padraig Deegan
Project Manager
Padraig emigrated to the United States upon completing his M.Eng. in Mechanical and Electronic Engineering in 2015. He began his construction career as an assistant project manager at a boutique construction firm in Manhattan, specializing in luxury residential renovations. Within a year, he was promoted to project manager and has since gained nearly a decade of experience renovating luxury townhouses and apartments throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
In his free time, Padraig enjoys keeping fit, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. Growing up in a small village in Ireland, animals, and the outdoors have always been a big part of his life, causing him to constantly struggle to turn his small Brooklyn backyard into a viable green space.
Alla Harrington
Project Manager
Alla Harrington has been part of the high-end residential renovation industry since 2005. Having worked on numerous prestigious projects, Alla understands the nuances of working with visionary designers and the unique challenges of renovating in one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding cities, from historic brownstones to modern penthouses.
Alla holds degrees from NYC FIT. She credits her success as a construction project manager to her extensive understanding of Architecture and Interior Design. When not overseeing high-end residential renovations, Alla enjoys exploring the world with her son and husband, seeking new experiences, favorite destinations Portugal and Colombia.
Frank Distefano
Project Manager
Frank is a dedicated project manager with over 10 years of experience with various projects ranging from gut renovations of luxury 5th Avenue penthouse apartments to new ground-up buildings for charter schools and mixed residential/commercial use. Growing up with a father in the business as a high-end architectural millworker helped him develop an expert level of attention to detail and quality control. Frank holds bachelor’s degrees in business management and history and a master’s in secondary education from Adelphi University. He is committed to ongoing learning and professional development.
Outside of work, Frank enjoys a wide range of activities such as rock climbing, basketball, and playing pool, which help to foster a balanced lifestyle. He also ran cross country and track & field on a division 1 collegiate level for four years and has continued to train and compete in ensuing years.
Austin Deyo
Construction Manager
Austin is the Construction Manager at Steering House, bringing over a decade of experience in high-end residential construction. Having started in the building industry at the age of 13, he worked his way up through the field, now overseeing a crew of more than 40.
He earned a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Music from Hamilton College, where he was a two-sport varsity athlete. While he’s not often seen on the lacrosse field these days, Austin enjoys spending his time gardening, perusing museums throughout the world, on the squash courts, or behind the drum kit — a place he has spent the majority of his nights and weekends for the last 20 years. Austin’s commitment to activism and philanthropy was instilled early on, and he is proud to continue supporting both local and global causes.
Austin Beesley
Field Team Lead, Home Services
Austin has 12 years of construction and high-end renovation experience, specializing in leading teams of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and painters. He has a proven ability to resolve issues efficiently, ensuring top-quality results and client satisfaction. As a Field Lead, Austin excels at delivering superior home service solutions while fostering strong communication and teamwork. His attention to detail and problem-solving skills ensure every project meets the highest standards.
In his free time, Austin enjoys baseball, golf, and fishing, which keep him active and balanced. These hobbies connect him to the outdoors, feed his competitive spirit, and provide both physical and mental refreshment, giving him a sense of accomplishment.
Careers
Steering House employees produce exceptional results through diverse perspectives, real-world work experience, and close collaboration.
We’re always looking to meet people who share our passion. If you’re a solutions-oriented creative thinker, please email your resume to jon@steeringhouse.com
Employee Benefits:
Health insurance
Parental leave
Paid time off
Unlimited vacation with advanced approval
Competitive pay
Professional development assistance
Referral program
We are currently interviewing for a Director of Construction.