Our People
Meet the Payne & Payne Builders Team
Our team at Payne & Payne Builders has worked together for many years to ensure each project is completed on time and to our high standards. We all share the same goal: to exceed our clients’ expectations throughout every step of the building process.
Leadership
We’ve been a family-owned and operated business since our humble beginnings in 1993. Over the years, we’ve come to understand how the commitment and cohesiveness of a family helps improve the home building experience.
Spanning two generations, we’re proud of our work and, most importantly, our unwavering commitment to our clients. Our dedication to clients — whether it’s searching for a custom product or ensuring every detail meets our strict quality guidelines — is what sets us apart.
Eric Payne
President
Eric was the third person to join the Payne and Payne team full time in 1995! Prior to that, he worked in the trades doing hands on construction. As acting President, Eric has intimate knowledge of all aspects of building a custom home including experience in framing, siding, electrical, roofing, trim work, painting, sales, design, and project management. Eric enjoys continuing education in building science and always makes himself available to help on projects.
He lives in Chardon with his wife Lia, and daughters Sierra and Mikala. In his free time, he can be found playing volleyball, skiing, hiking, hunting, traveling, and motorcycle riding.
"My favorite part of Payne and Payne is creating and working with the large and talented team of our hardworking employees, talented craftsmen, and knowledgeable suppliers to create a systemized approach to the orchestration of the custom home building process. Sales, design & detailing, specifications, and ultimately, the best part, seeing everyone working together to create the home."
Eric Payne
Mike Payne
Vice President of Operations
Past President of Cleveland HBA
Mike started his first construction business at the age of 22 before joining the Payne and Payne team. Having physically worked in the field both as a trade and supervisor he has experience in every aspect of home building. Currently, as Vice President of Operations, Mike's focus is on continuing education and improvement, company values, and teamwork.
Outside of the office, Mike enjoys outdoor activities with family and friends.
"We have outdoor hobbies of all seasons, enabling us to truly experience the diverse Northeast Ohio weather."
Mike Payne
Architecture
Our on-staff architects bring over 30 years of experience to each project, allowing us to create site-specific designs of all architectural styles. From single-family homes to commercial spaces, Mike and Phil have the tools and expertise to create a home design perfectly tailored to your family.
Mike Caito, AIA
Architect
Since graduating the University of Cincinnati in 1994, Mike has established himself as one of the most prominent and respected architects in all of Northeast Ohio. Before coming to Payne & Payne, Mike was a partner at City Architecture where he worked on some of the most visible and complex new construction and remodeling projects both in residential and commercial construction. His strong ability to listen and connect with people coupled with his incredible skill and creativity provides our clients the best design and experience. His hand-sketched plans and elevations are truly works of art.
He currently resides in University Heights and is a member of their Architectural Review Board. He enjoys art, being active in the community and traveling.
Mike Caito, AIA
Design
Our professional design team utilizes our design studio for inspiration and demonstration. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of leading-edge design trends, our team creates timeless homes for clients to continue the award-winning legacy that we’re known for.
Annie Payne
Designer/Decorator
Annie has worked for Payne and Payne since the company started in 1993! She brought with her nearly thirty years of experience in decorating, laying out furniture, and even installing wall coverings.
“I have truly enjoyed living in Geauga County nearly all my life. Family is very important to me, so it makes me happy to have most of our children and grandchildren nearby in the "spaghetti circle"! I enjoy spending time with friends, gardening, traveling, drawing, hiking, biking and singing at St. Mary’s. "
“My greatest satisfaction is experiencing the excitement and anticipation of each new project alongside the customer, many of whom become friends for life! It is truly gratifying to work with our entire staff of professionals and trade partners!”
Annie Payne
Designer/Decorator
Annie has worked for Payne and Payne since the company started in 1993! She brought with her nearly thirty years of experience in decorating, laying out furniture, and even installing wall coverings.
“I have truly enjoyed living in Geauga County nearly all my life. Family is very important to me, so it makes me happy to have most of our children and grandchildren nearby in the "spaghetti circle"! I enjoy spending time with friends, gardening, traveling, drawing, hiking, biking and singing at St. Mary’s. "
“My greatest satisfaction is experiencing the excitement and anticipation of each new project alongside the customer, many of whom become friends for life! It is truly gratifying to work with our entire staff of professionals and trade partners!”
Annie Payne
Brittany Chapple
Interior Designer
Bachelor of Arts Interior Design, University of Akron
Brittany has worked in all areas of design. Everything from residential remodeling, new construction, commercial office spaces, multifamily, hospitality, retail and historical. Her work prevails through the use of 3D software, where she is able to bring all spaces to life. This allows clients to visualize their dream spaces every step of the process. She is very detailed and always looking for new and innovative ways to add special touches into each and every project.
Brittany currently lives in Georgia with her Husband, Colton and dog, Lola. She enjoys being active, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling any chance she can get.
Brittany Chapple
Rebecca Phillipson
Senior Designer
Associate's Degree in Interior Design, Virginia Marti College of Art & Design
With 20 years of experience in both interior design and construction, Becca’s ability to guide clients through the selection and space planning process comes with ease and confidence. She has won numerous awards and has received national recognition as a style maker by industry partners. Her attention to detail and creative ability in residential construction have solidified her reputation in the industry. In addition to her design work, Rebecca currently serves on the council of the Ohio State Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and is working to become a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer.
Rebecca Phillipson
LJ
Designer
LJ brings 20+ years of expertise in high-end residential design, both in architectural development and interior finishing. Her foundation in the construction and millwork industry combined with an innate sensibility for aesthetic styling and finish selections has been honed over years of travel and collaborating with other designers as well as adjacent trades and vendors. Her diverse portfolio ranges from renovation & remodeling of NYC brownstones and pre-war buildings to modern penthouses and private estates from Newport, RI to Palm Beach, FL and internationally. LJ’s work has earned recognition from the IIDA and has been featured in NJ Design, LUXE Magazine, and AD Online.
Passionate about client interaction, LJ finds her greatest fulfillment in creating designs that enhance the lived experience of her clients’ most meaningful moments—how they use, share, and love their homes. As she puts it: "The art of design is not a tangible process for the client and can be a daunting endeavor. It’s my job to ease the stress of process by providing my clients with a level of comfort and confidence in making decisions. Nothing gives a homeowner more relief than knowing that they are being heard and that their vision for their home is being nurtured."
LJ
Sales & New Projects
When you’re ready to start your new project, our Sales & New Projects team is here to help. They’ll take the time to learn about your goals, understand your vision, and create a customized plan to make them a reality.
Mark Verdova
Vice President
BS In Marketing; University Of Dayton
Graduate Of Leadership Geauga
Make-A-Wish Northeast Ohio Leadership Council
President Portage And Summit County HBA
Chairman City Of Aurora Architectural Board Of Review
Mark Verdova
Jason Baylor
Business development custom and semi custom homes
B.S. Engineering, Ohio State University
Graduate Leadership Geauga
Jason started at Payne and Payne in 2009 doing both estimating and sales. In his time here he has learned a ton about specifying homes, problem solving, and design. His high energy, experience, and positive attitude have made him an important piece of our team.
In his personal time Jason enjoys being active. He has done Iron Man competitions, Warrior Dashes, and a number of other competitive races. He currently resides in Hudson with his wife and 3 daughters.
Jason Baylor
Dave Hesse
Business development custom and semi custom homes
BS in Communications: Ohio University
An Ohio native, Dave has helped to develop hundreds of successful new home projects in both the Ohio and Florida markets in his professional career. His knowledge, energetic personality, and passion to deliver a great experience for his clients is what makes him such a good fit here at Payne and Payne.
Dave, his wife, 3 children, and 2 labs currently live in Aurora. In his spare time he enjoys working on house projects, skiing, and coaching basketball.
Dave Hesse
Michael Yoe
Business development custom and semi custom homes
AS in Hospitality Management: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Michael was brought on to the Payne & Payne team in 2019 to assist with sales and business development for their neighborhood division. With him he brings previous high-level B2B industrial sales experience, and more recently years of semi-custom new construction sales experience in both the Minneapolis, MN and Cleveland, OH markets. He genuinely enjoys new home construction and design and helping his clients to bring their ideas to life.
Michael currently resides in Mentor with his wife Kayla, daughter Veda and son Ashton. In his spare time he enjoys traveling with his family, golfing with friends, and has a passion for cooking and food.
Michael Yoe
Project Management
Our Project Managers are the “nucleus” of each project, managing pre-construction, project estimates and costs, and the selections process. Think of them as your concierge throughout the building process, helping you ensure your project stays on schedule and on budget.
Brett Dawson
Project Manager
BS Business from the University of Dayton
Brett has spent his entire professional career in residential and commercial construction working on very diverse projects in multiple markets. His experience both in the field and in the office give him a unique skill set to manage projects.
The most rewarding part of his job is creating a tangible product that people will enjoy with their family and friends. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, his 3 kids, going outdoors, hiking, fishing, and backpacking.
Brett Dawson
Justen Musick
Project Manager
BS Engineering Technology, Kent State University
Associates Degree in Drafting and Design
LEED AP
OSHA 30
Justen joined the Payne and Payne team in 2016 after working for a large construction company where he specialized in historical rehabs and repurposing of historically significant buildings. Justen also has experience in civil design; including grading, site balances, utility planning, environmental compliance, storm water management, 3D modeling sites and custom management structures and roadway design. He has worked on geotechnical crews taking soil/rock borings, ran the Trimble robotic total station for field surveys, ran ground penetrating equipment, and performed environmental testing for groundwater monitoring.
Justen and his wife are both from Burton, OH. They enjoy gardening and being outside. They are working on turning their small farm into a small orchard. The thing that attracted Justen to Payne and Payne is the team atmosphere. “Everyone brings different perspectives to each project. I like to see peoples’ individual ideas combine to become something truly unique.”
"Everyone involved from ownership, design, management and trades are part of a team; when that team functions as one unit the result is success.”
Outside of work, Justen enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially gardening/farming, hunting, fishing, kayaking and hiking.
Justen Musick
Jeff Drebus
B.S. in Natural Resources Management, Ohio State University
Jeff joined Payne and Payne in 2016 after working in the building materials supply industry as a sales rep for 25 years. He got his start in Columbus with a wholesale lumber company where he traveled the state supplying specialty wood products and framing materials to builders. During his time he has gained a wealth product knowledge in windows, doors, siding and decking, in addition to framing packages.
Jeff’s greatest joy is spending time with his family, and watching his boys’ soccer and wrestling teams. They also enjoy biking, golf, cooking, and travel. Their most memorable trip was a week backpacking on Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.
Jeff Drebus
Darrell Hershey
Project Manager
BS Business Administration Malone University
Darrell has spent his entire career in the construction field. He spent his summers during college working as a laborer and carpenter. As a new graduate, Darrell began working as an estimator for a building supply company, and as a field supervisor for residential construction and remodeling.
At P&P he is one of our Project Managers. Darrell is tasked with being the link between the office and the field. He specifies our homes, estimates them, sets the preconstruction schedule, and works with the field supervisor to coordinate communication and changes during the build.
Darrell and his wife have 4 children who keep them busy most weekends attending their sporting events. Darrell's many interests include sports and woodworking. He says his favorite part of working at P&P is seeing a project develop from paper to a beautiful new home for his clients!
Darrell Hershey
Nick Kittle
Project Manager
Bachelors Degree in Finance; University of Toledo
As a PM Nick is the central hub to our clients’ projects. His job is to manage the preconstruction schedule, communication, and financials for our clients.
He joined Payne and Payne after several years in the banking and healthcare industries. During his time at Key Bank and Cleveland Clinic he gained valuable financial analysis and project management skills. Those skill sets help him to keep a new home project on track both in schedule and budget with proper expecations.
Nick is an OSU and Cleveland sports fan who enjoys anything outdoors. He and his wife currently reside in Medina with their 3 children
Nick Kittle
Brian Payne
Project Manager
Bachelors Fine Arts; Miami University
As a PM, Brian is integral to the success of our projects. He works with clients early in the process to ensure the home is properly specified, planned, and estimated before we break ground.
He has grown up in the construction business. Working his way up from a teenager cleaning up job sites, to drywalling homes in college, and then his time in Aspen, Colorado where he was in charge of residential estate management focused on high end operations and personal services.
Brian loves spending time with wife Sarah, son Jude, and daughter Ellouise. He enjoys being outdoors- mountain biking, hiking, climbing peaks, skiing. He can also play guitar, mandolin, and dobro!
Brian Payne
Joseph DeLuise
Project Manager
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design Technology; Purchase College, NY
Joseph comes to the Payne and Payne team from New York City where he spent over 10 years as a Production Manager within the Broadway / Commercial Theatre Industry leading large-scale design and renovations. During this time, Joseph developed valuable project management skills including budgeting, estimating, scheduling and design: all of which are key aspects to successfully assisting our clients in their home building experience. His attention to detail and positive attitude are a great addition to the Payne and Payne team.
Joseph’s favorite part of the process is the collaboration between the homeowners, design team, trades, vendors and everyone else involved in the process that lead to a beautifully finished home for the client.
Joseph and his wife live in Aurora, and have two children. When Joseph isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family, trying out new restaurants, and watching sports.
Joseph DeLuise
Dan Kovacevic
Project Manager
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Univ of Akron
Born and raised here in Cleveland, Dan brings a diverse background to P&P. He has owned and operated his own custom home building company and even owned a sausage shop. His strong building background, attention to detail and the understanding of customer needs make him a welcome addition to the P&P homebuilding family. His favorite part of construction is framing and once the interior trim is installed. He says “there is just something magical at those two points in construction – it’s when the project starts taking shape and the homeowner can take vision of what was started on paper.
When asked what he likes most about working at P&P, he says “the coworkers, everyone gets along so well. It’s truly a family atmosphere, we are all here to make the best experience possible for everyone with the focus on the homeowner.
When Dan’s not building homes, he enjoys cooking, wine and all Cleveland sports teams. Ask him about charcuterie or making pizza in a brick oven, we just promise, he will go on forever! Dan currently resides in Richfield, has 2 grown kids and is a grandpa to twins.
Dan Kovacevic
Lou Ragone
Project Manager
Criminology/Psychology; Baldwin Wallace
Lou joined Payne and Payne in 2022 after spending several years in the Commercial Construction industry. He used his experience to manage both renovations and brand new construction of all shapes and sizes. During this time, he gained valuable experience in estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and working closely with clients to provide the end result they desire.
Lou's favorite part of working at Payne and Payne is the great atmosphere. Everyone works together and makes you feel like family, and are more than willing to help out when needed.
Outside of work, Lou enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children. Lou loves being a father, a husband, and spending a day on the lake fishing. He also enjoys grilling outside and camping.
Lou Ragone
Keven Macfarlane
Project Manager
Keven has over 40 years of experience in the home construction and remodeling industry. Both managing and working in the field with the trades. He has strong experience in estimating, sales, managing and cabinet design. As well as experience in retail sales and wholesale supply to help assure the best pricing for his customers.
Working at Payne & Payne is such an enjoyable experience The atmosphere is so inviting, and everyone is like family. He looks forward to each of the projects that he will manage and being hands on from start to finish is a rewarding aspect of the job.
When not working Keven loves spending time with his wife, family, and friends. He enjoys relaxing beach vacations and is an avid hunter and fisherman. When he is not hunting or fishing, he and his wife take day trips and explore the many Ohio wineries, breweries and restaurants, Keven also loves to cook and grills out all year round.
Keven Macfarlane
Carla Croyle
Project Manager
Meet Carla, a Chardon native who's been making her mark in the construction industry for over a decade! With a passion for interior finishes, Carla loves bringing visions to life and seeing the final result of her hard work.
When she's not on the job site, Carla is a devoted mom, cheering on her son as he heads into his senior year of high school. Whether it's one of his activities or another sporting event, she's always there to support him.
In her downtime, you can find Carla relaxing on her back patio with a good book and her loyal yellow lab by her side.
Carla Croyle
Construction
Quality construction and exceptional service are what set us apart. Our Construction team is trained in the latest building science, quality-control, and construction-management systems to deliver the best homes in the industry. They collaborate with Northeast Ohio’s best craftsmen to create unrivaled homes and experiences for our clients.
Bob Miozzi
Bob comes from a construction family and has been a field supervisor since 1989. In his time he’s built homes of all different styles, sizes, and on properties all throughout northeast Ohio. He’s also one of the most entertaining supervisors we have on our team!
Bob enjoys making his homemade pasta and spending time with his son and daughter.
Bob Miozzi
John Inghram
John has been in residential home building since 1999. His stand-out work ethic and dedication earned him the 2015 Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland’s Superintendent of the year award!
Outside of work, John enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends and doing things outdoors.
John Inghram
Nick Mueller
Project Supervisor
OSHA Safety Certification
Nick joined the Payne and Payne team in 2002. He has worked in the construction industry since he was 14 years old, gaining experience in nearly every aspect of the business from physically building to supervising.
Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys. He has helped coach each of their soccer, football, and baseball teams. He also enjoys playing volleyball with his family and friends and completing projects around the house on his ‘honey do list’. In the summer, you can find Nick and his wife out for a ride on their motorcycle, enjoying the countryside.
Nick Mueller
Nick Darone
Project Supervisor
Nick has spent his entire life in the homebuilding industry. As soon as he could walk, he started pushing a broom for his father’s home building company. As he got older he worked for as many trades as possible, learning as much as he could, including excavating, masonry, framing, roofing, siding, electrical, drywall, and finish carpentry. Eventually Nick went to work as a carpenter and project manager for two high end residential construction companies before joining the Payne and Payne team in 2016.
Nick lives in Chardon with his wife, daughter, and 5 boys! With an active family, Nick’s free time is spent enjoying the activities the kids are involved in: volleyball, football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and ATV motocross. Nick also enjoys the people he works with. “The selfless drive for improvement and success (at Payne and Payne) is contagious. I have never experienced anything like it.”
Nick Darone
Bob Williams
Project Supervisor
Bob was born and raised in Geauga County and is a Chardon Hilltopper Alumni. In addition to managing homes in the field he also spent some time in the industrial world, ran his own business, and went to flight school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In his spare time he and his wife attend their kids' events which include football, baseball, gymnastics, and cheerleading! Also, Bob actually built a home with Payne and Payne back in 2002!
“Working at Payne & Payne, I have experienced what makes this such a successful company: Teamwork, kindness, organization and plenty of help and support. I’m honored to be a part of building such beautiful homes that our customers will enjoy for a very long time.”
Bob Williams
Ray Hutchinson
Project Supervisor
Ray, along with his 6 siblings, grew up in Hudson and has been in construction management in Northeast Ohio since 1992. In addition to building homes, Ray also spent some time facilities managing in the grocery business. His vast experience enables him to think outside of the box for his clients and bring excellent problem solving skills to any project.
Ray lives in Burton with his wife and 2 kids. He enjoys spending time camping, fishing, and attending his kids activities which include volleyball, competitive shooting, and showing cattle. Ray's great passion in life is flying helicopters. He has been a pilot since 2008. Ray joined the Payne & Payne team in 2020.
"Payne & Payne is a company that treats everyone like family and they genuinely care."
Ray Hutchinson
Our People
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It appears we've stumbled upon a glitch in the matrix, but fear not, our team of tech-savvy architects and designers are on the case! Rest assured, this temporary digital detour won't dampen the opulence that awaits you in our world of high-end homes.
Beyond the glitch, we're passionate about crafting extraordinary residences that transcend expectations. Interested in where we build our custom homes?
Jason Bokal
Our People
Page not found
we are sorry, that page is not available
It appears we've stumbled upon a glitch in the matrix, but fear not, our team of tech-savvy architects and designers are on the case! Rest assured, this temporary digital detour won't dampen the opulence that awaits you in our world of high-end homes.
Beyond the glitch, we're passionate about crafting extraordinary residences that transcend expectations. Interested in where we build our custom homes?
Jack Teranova
Administration
Our Administration team supports the entire team and provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our clients. They’re experts at managing business operations, ensuring we operate as a first-class organization for our clients and associates.
Shelli Kocis
Assistant Project Manager
I joined the Payne & Payne team in 2014 after spending 18 years out of the work force while raising my son, Dale. I love my job as office manager because every day is different. I am able to interact with our clients, trade and supplier partners and teammates at Payne & Payne. I truly enjoy seeing the process of building a home – taking ideas and dreams, transforming something abstract into plans and drawings and then from those plans constructing something tangible that will house a family for many years to come.
Shelli Kocis
Our People
Page not found
we are sorry, that page is not available
It appears we've stumbled upon a glitch in the matrix, but fear not, our team of tech-savvy architects and designers are on the case! Rest assured, this temporary digital detour won't dampen the opulence that awaits you in our world of high-end homes.
Beyond the glitch, we're passionate about crafting extraordinary residences that transcend expectations. Interested in where we build our custom homes?
Thomas Times
Linda Friel
Chief Financial Officer
Kent State University
Linda is responsible for all financial and tax aspects of our business. She was a partner with the accounting firm of Friel & Associates and worked in public accounting for 35 years. Having spent most of her career working with closely held family businesses (including Payne & Payne Builders), joining this team was natural transition for her. Being in the private sector has presented new challenges which she enjoys along with being an integral part of the team.
She has two daughters Rachael & Alissa and lives in Newbury with her dog Sophia. She enjoys sports, gardening, cooking, travelling, and “babysitting” her grandson Santino. In her free time, she can be found almost anywhere outside or in the kitchen.
Linda Friel
Sadie Lane
Media Manager
Meet Sadie, our Office Administrator! She's the friendly face behind so much of what we do. From keeping our social media buzzing and website looking sharp, to heading out in the field to gather content. You might find her snapping photos on jobsites, greeting you at the front desk, or working her magic on our Instagram and Facebook. She's a real team player and keeps things running smoothly - we're so lucky to have her!
Sadie Lane
