Passionate Builders. Process-Driven Projects.
For over 30 years, our leaders have worked together and developed many award-winning projects. Our reliability, reputation and enduring commitment to our clients is the foundation for our continued success.
Creative Strategies.
Integrated Solutions.
Proven Results.
Kinzie Builders is a construction company that specializes in the planning, designing and building of both residential and commercial real estate developments. Over the past five years, our business has grown three-fold. We now employ over 50 people across two Chicagoland locations and manage millions in construction activity throughout Illinois.
Our Story
We believe that the construction process should be one built on creativity and relationships. And when done right, the results should be stellar. At Kinzie Builders, our team strives to complete each project on time and on budget. This is the ultimate solution our clients are looking for. Delivering on this is our utmost priority.
This is the Kinzie way. We live by our mantra of Creative Strategies, Integrated Solutions, and Proven Results. Our team knows that our reliability, reputation, and enduring commitment to our clients is the foundation for our success and it’s what we have built our business around.
Meet Our Team
We are a passionate team of planners, builders, engineers, designers and industry leaders.
Steve Spinell
Principal
Debbie Hansen
Principal & CFO
John Lifka
Principal & General Manager
Matthew Shepard
Vice President of Construction
Ted Flis
Senior Project Manager
Fernando Diaz
Project Manager
Kyle Jennings
Project Manager
Steve Spinell
Principal
Steve Spinell oversees operations and strategic decision making. He spearheads business development and directs the planning and management of our company’s development services. Steve has over 33 years of real estate development and contracting experience totaling over $1 billion in value.
Notable Projects
The Oaks of Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, IL
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Waterbury Place
Buffalo Grove, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Asbury Place
Bartlett, IL
Fox Meadow
Northfield, IL
Glenview Naval Air Station
Glenview, IL
Uptown Park Ridge
Park Ridge, IL
Heatherfield
Glenview, IL
Residences of Orland Park
Orland Park, IL
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
Certifications
Real Estate Broker
Debbie Hansen
Principal & CFO
With over 40 years of experience, Debbie Hansen brings a plethora of knowledge to the leadership team at Kinzie. With a background in financial and asset performance management, Debbie oversees our accounting and HR department and is responsible for the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets, forecasts, and project pro-formas. In addition, she also executes strategic financial planning, risk management and tracking companywide financial goals.
Notable Projects
The Oaks of Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, IL
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Waterbury Place
Buffalo Grove, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Asbury Place
Bartlett, IL
Fox Meadow
Northfield, IL
Glenview Naval Air Station
Glenview, IL
Uptown Park Ridge
Park Ridge, IL
Heatherfield
Glenview, IL
Residences of Orland Park
Orland Park, IL
Education
B.S. Accounting
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY
John Lifka
Principal & General Manager
With nearly 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, John Lifka oversees the management and execution of our general contracting and custom home business lines. John manages initial due diligence, staffing, and strategic planning. He works closely with staff, owners, consultants, and municipalities to implement award-winning development communities as well as custom homes.
Notable Projects
The Oaks of Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, IL
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Enclave of Heritage Estates
Lake Barrington, IL
Residences of Orland Park
Orland Park, IL
Uptown Park Ridge
Park Ridge, IL
Southgate on the Glen
Glenview, IL
Fox Meadow
Northfield, IL
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Certifications
Professional Engineer, Illinois
Matthew Shepard
Vice President of Construction
With a background in industrial engineering, Matt brings an operations research approach to his role. His responsibilities include creating takeoffs, estimating, and compiling budgets for prospective projects, as well as consulting with professionals to determine the correct scope of work. Matt has taken a leadership role in the bidding process, working onsite to ensure projects are completed on time. He also analyzes soil reports, conducts Value Engineering practices, and creates cost benefit analyses.
Notable Projects
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Noyes Street
Evanston, IL
10 North Main
Mount Prospect, IL
444 Social
Lincolnshire, IL
Avere on Duane
Glen Ellyn, IL
Education
B.S. Industrial and Systems Engineering
Ohio University
Athens, OH
Certifications
LEED AP BD+C
Anthony Martorano
Senior Project Manager
Anthony Martorano has over 25 years of hands-on experience in the real estate and construction management industries. In his role, he provides valuable insight to clients by developing and executing strategies to prepare assets for optimal disposition. Anthony has managed over 600 assets, ranging from large scale apartment projects to custom single family homes. He performs reliable cost-to-complete and sworn statement analyses, helping clients make informed, strategic decisions in an effort to maximize asset values.
Notable Projects
10 North Main
Mount Prospect, IL
Noyes Street
Evanston, IL
Diversey Manor
Chicago, IL
Education
A.A. Business Management
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
Apprentice Training Program
Chicago District Council of Carpenters
Elk Grove, IL
Certifications
Real Estate Broker, Illinois and Indiana
Ted Flis
Senior Project Manager
Ted manages several large projects in the Chicagoland area. He is responsible for both managing costs and keeping within budget. Other responsibilities include product development, construction coordination, and managing the construction team. Prior to joining Kinzie Builders in early 2016, Ted worked as an Architect since he graduated from architecture school in 1988.
Notable Projects
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Education
Bachelor of Architecture
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Certifications
Certified Architect, Illinois
Claims Service Adjuster
Fernando Diaz
Project Manager
With a strong background in civil engineering, Fernando plays a pivotal role in the bidding and buyout process. He performs takeoffs, requests and revises proposals per specs, and writes contracts. Fernando also manages the land development process and oversees erosion control inspections and reports.
Notable Projects
The Oaks of Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, IL
Residences of Orland Park Crossing
Orland Park, IL
Northgate Crossing
Wheeling, IL
Deer Park Crossing
Deer Park, IL
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering
University of Illinois
Chicago, IL
M.S. Civil Engineering
University of Illinois
Chicago, IL
Certifications
Professional Engineer, Illinois
Kyle Jennings
Project Manager
Kyle brings diversity of experience to his role as an assistant project manager; prior to joining Kinzie, he worked as a project engineer on a variety of industrial projects. At Kinzie, Kyle coordinates on-site construction with the management team by relaying schedule, submittal, and RFI information.
Notable Projects
444 Social
Lincolnshire, IL
AEP Rockport SCR Unit 1
Rockport, IL
NIPSCO CCR Compliance Remote Ash Conveyor
Michigan City, IN
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Certifications
OSHA 30-Hour
Advanced Process Controls
Process Safety Management
30 Years of Industry Experience
We are experienced…
We are passionate…
We are reliable…
We are Kinzie Builders.