Our Team

Lee Kane

President, Co-Owner

Lee Kane, M. Div, Duke, with seven years working as a Project Manager with Habitat for Humanity, has wealth of experience managing diverse groups of employees, subcontractors and volunteers. Lee oversees a large and diverse portfolio of historic/green restoration projects and serves in other capacities including business development and employee training. Lee, a licensed general contractor and co-owner of Trinity Design/Build, serves as company President.

Jody Brown

President, Owner, Trinity Architecture

Jody Brown, AIA LEED AP received his architectural degree from the University of Tennessee in 1992 and has spent the last 21 years working on a variety of different projects ranging from small house additions to high-rise mixed-use developments.  Jody has a strong background in historic preservation, urban design, and sustainable design, as well as an extensive portfolio of multi-family and single-family residential design.  In 2009, Jody started his own firm (Jody Brown Architecture, pllc.) where he manages his own clients while collaborating closely with Trinity Design/Build on a wide range of projects.  Jody prides himself on his ability to successfully communicate with his clients using clear ideas, easy to understand graphics, straight-forward language, and a sense of humor. Jody is the Owner and President of Trinity Architecture (Trinity Design/Build’s sister firm).

Alan Spruyt

Co-Owner

Alan Spruyt, MSPH UNC-CH, grew up in one of North Carolina’s first generation of homes with a sealed crawlspace and solar water heating and comes from a long line of craftsmen and conservationists.  He has first-hand experience in almost every aspect of construction, design, and project management.  He studied mechanical engineering, but also has 15 years of experience in public health and economics, working and living in Latin America for much of that time.  Alan is Co-owner of Trinity Design/Build.

Steven Thomsen

Vice President

Steven Thomsen, BS in Marketing, UW La Crosse, and licensed general contractor, has a diverse background including starting a painting business while in college, working for Habitat for Humanity, and training beekeepers in Kenya.  After working as a Project Manager for Trinity Design/Build, he took a 2-year sabbatical to serve as a Project Manager at Strata Solar, overseeing the installation of large-scale solar farms in NC.  He also co-founded United Solar Initiative, a Chapel Hill-based non-profit focused on providing electricity to under-served communities around the world.  All of these experiences contribute to his abilities as Vice President at Trinity Design/Build.

Ben LoCascio

Project Manager

Ben LoCascio, MBA, CSU-Pueblo, began his career as a high school science teacher before managing athletic facilities and events for a Division II university in Colorado.  After moving to the Durham area, he joined Duke where he worked in operations first for the Center for Documentary Studies, and then for the Pratt School of Engineering providing facility management for research and administration buildings.  These experiences give Ben a wealth of knowledge in project management that he brings to each new job.

David Carter

Site Supervisor

David Carter, Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Building Analyst, and OSHA Certified has over twenty years of experience working in nearly every aspect of the construction industry including framing, trim carpentry, cabinetry, roofing, insulation, plumbing, mechanical and electrical.  He also has experience with AutoCAD design, project management, and analysis of energy efficiency of construction, most recently working in the insulation sector supervising insulation installation including spray foam.  David’s wealth of experience and passion are invaluable while serving in the role of a Site Supervisor with Trinity Design/Build.

Dan Ryan

Director of Marketing & Estimating

Dan Ryan, BS in Management, UW-Lacrosse, and NC licensed REALTOR, has used his degree in management in a wide variety of fields and projects–but having originally studied Architectural Design, he never lost his passion for residential architecture. Dan puts a high priority on building strong relationships and green construction practices. When not at work you can most likely find Dan with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors, or doing projects on his home. Dan is Director of Marketing & Estimating at Trinity Design/Build.

Jeff Sheldon

Project Management

Jeff Sheldon, MBA, Duke University, began his career as a carpenter’s apprentice in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. From there, he worked in commercial construction in Chicago and Savannah. After grad school, he led a manufacturing team for a local online retail company. Jeff’s varied experience in project management and production are great strengths in his role as Project Manager at Trinity Design/Build.
 
Jeff was born in Chapel Hill and now calls Durham home. At Trinity Design/Build, Jeff looks forward to building relationships and working with the team to bring clients’ exciting ideas to life. 

Jill Goodman

CFO

Jill Goodman, MBA, Pace University, and BS in Accounting, Penn State, has spent her career working in senior financial management positions with both multinationals and small businesses. Over the past 20 years, Jill has worked primarily with small and medium size companies in the construction and service industry. She has expertise in both operational and financial functions. Jill is a Sage 100 Certified Consultant and supports all software at Trinity. Jill is the functional CFO for Trinity Design/Build.

Matt Chvatal

Site Supervisor

Matt Chvatal draws from a wide array of diverse experiences including managing logistics operations and practicing bodywork in an Acupuncture clinic.  Matt draws upon his resourcefulness, communication skills, and curiosity to be successful in each new setting.  He brings those experiences along with a lifelong passion for learning and a passion for building to his role as a Site Supervisor at Trinity Design/Build.

Amy Lowe

Selections Coordinator

Amy Lowe, BS in Hotel/Restaurant Administration, University of Tennessee, recently moved to Durham with her family. Design and all its elements have always been a passion: Amy wants the feel of comfort and welcome to be just as present in every room as its purpose. Amy brings attention to detail and a range of experience, from sales and business development at a corporate interior design firm to starting a non-profit school for students with Autism, to her role as Selections Coordinator.  Amy feels we all have a story to tell, and being part of a community is key to hearing and sharing those stories. Building homes in a community is much like building relationships in a community: it takes time, communication, commitment, and honesty. As a member of the Trinity team, Amy looks forward to building both.

Dan Fitzgerald

Site Supervisor

Dan Fitzgerald, BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management, began his career in tourism marketing, where he discovered his skills in project management. In his free time, Dan enjoys the outdoors and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. While volunteering Dan saw the opportunity to connect his love of building with his project management skills: this unique combination of experiences and innate curiosity gives Dan the tools he needs as a Site Supervisor.

Emanuel Montano

Site Supervisor

 Emanuel Montano, commonly known as “Manny”.  Licensed General Contractor, taking CTE (Career and Technical Education) Construction Courses all throughout my career. Working different construction trades through my schooling helped diversify my knowledge and complete my interest in pursuing construction/management. In my free time, I love to be outdoors and get connected with new people. I love building strong lasting friendships and am eager to continue my role as Site Supervisor at Trinity Design/Build.  

Tim Nelson

Estimator

Tim Nelson developed an interest in building while working for a German cabinetmaker in Wilmington, NC, where he also enjoyed restoring old sailboats. In college he earned a B.S. in theology, and studied industrial design. He has broad experience in the construction industry, including fine woodworking as well as large commercial operations and projects.  
In his younger years, Tim had the opportunity to work on a ranch in Teton National Park, where he experienced world-class fly-fishing on the Snake River. As a California native, surfing has been a lifelong passion, which he now shares with his family, on trips to the Outer Banks. Tim is married to his high-school sweetheart and has four children.