EmpireCore

As Empire Core Group’s Chief of Staff, Amber Hewko’s primary role is to direct all administrative, and operational activities within the organization.  With over 8 years of experience in sales and management, Ms. Hewko works towards improving the coordination and production between departments through various means.  Prioritizing critical issues, gathering information for decision making, and time management are at the center of Ms. Hewko’s role. In addition, she manages office workflow, manages our Information Technology and construction management software, interoffice communications, and special projects.

Ms. Hewko attended Kean University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematical Sciences.

For more than 20 years, Florim Lajqi has been leading New York City construction projects across multiple asset classes. He is an expert in construction management and oversees an array of projects including major capital improvements, new developments, utility projects, roadwork and renovations.

Mr. Lajqi founded his general contracting business in 2010, and in 2014 he rebranded the company EmpireCore, to provide a new level of service and include construction management.

As Founder and CEO of EmpireCore, Mr. Lajqi ensures client needs are exceeded on each project. Mr. Lajqi partners closely with new and existing clients, making sure their projects are executed as promised. Under his leadership, EmpireCore has experienced tremendous growth and has been awarded notable contracts, including Blackstone and Greystar, the largest real estate investment firm and largest property management company in the world, respectively.

Prior to this role, Mr. Lajqi served as the director of capital projects at The Dermot Company, where he managed over $100 million in capital improvement projects. Before that, he was at Dafna Construction, where he was the sole project manager for the development of 32 multifamily housing projects in Brooklyn and Queens, valued at over $40 million.

Mr. Lajqi attended the Elliot School at George Washington University, pursuing his graduate degree in International Affairs, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. He also earned a certificate in project management from New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

As a Senior Project Manager for Empire Core, Harib Khalid, PE, brings a distinctive skillset to our team through his varying experience of construction projects in Commercial and Residential Construction.  Mr. Khalid has Construction Management experience ranging from Engineering and Design to Residential and Commercial fit-outs. His ability to manage the sequencing of a project, coupled with strong client relationships, makes him an essential member of the EmpireCore team.

Mr. Khalid excels in managing projects from the early stage of conceptual design through planning and implementation while working in conjunction with clients to design, coordinate, and execute projects skillfully and timely.  While at EmpireCore, he was responsible for managing $40 million dollars worth of capital projects at Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town, which is the largest multi-family complex in the United States totaling 11,000 units spread across 110 buildings.

Harib Khalid is a Professional Engineer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, both from New York Institute of Technology.

As a Senior Project Manager for Empire Core, Harib Khalid, PE, brings a distinctive skillset to our team through his varying experience of construction projects in Commercial and Residential Construction.  Mr. Khalid has Construction Management experience ranging from Engineering and Design to Residential and Commercial fit-outs. His ability to manage the sequencing of a project, coupled with strong client relationships, makes him an essential member of the EmpireCore team.

Mr. Khalid excels in managing projects from the early stage of conceptual design through planning and implementation while working in conjunction with clients to design, coordinate, and execute projects skillfully and timely.  While at EmpireCore, he was responsible for managing $40 million dollars worth of capital projects at Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town, which is the largest multi-family complex in the United States totaling 11,000 units spread across 110 buildings.

Harib Khalid is a Professional Engineer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, both from New York Institute of Technology.

As Senior Vice President of EmpireCore, Thomas Costello brings nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, overseeing national projects and operations. Mr. Costello specializes in coordinating projects in feasibility, design and estimating, as well as pre-construction through development phases. He communicates closely with new and prospective clients, guiding them through the process of working with Empire Core on future project spaces.

Mr. Costello oversees multiple national projects with EmpireCore. Mr. Costello has a strong background in MEP’s and infrastructure specializing across different asset classes from residential, commercial, academic, institutional, data centers, hospitality and special needs.

Mr. Costello previously worked at Pizzarotti as Senior Project Manager where he handled all construction related work at 228 East 19th Street, a $480,000,000 project to convert a hospital complex into 223 luxury residential condominiums featuring five-star amenities.

Mr. Costello has also directed various capital improvement and renovation projects, with a focus on occupied and operational buildings, including residential and commercial spaces located in Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town.

Veton Boga has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry with extensive Institutional and Healthcare project portfolios as well as experience managing large, complex multi-use development projects. He began his career as an Assistant Project Manager and evolved into positions including Head of Procurement, Project Executive, and notably Director of Development.

Mr. Boga has a vast understanding of construction projects with a proven track-record to bring projects to completion ahead of schedule, by way of efficient and streamlined project management.

In his prior role as Project Executive, Mr. Boga developed an environment of teamwork and ensured that strategy is clearly defined while overseeing performance and maintaining client expectations. His strong communication and client service skills enhance Empire Core’s process-driven management approach. Recently, as Director of Development, Mr. Boga has expanded EmpireCore’s portfolio, successfully finalizing a public works project with the Chappaqua Central School District as well as setting the groundwork for operations in Florida.

Mr. Boga, has worked as Senior Project Manager at large scale residential redevelopment projects in the NYC area such as Peter Cooper Village & Stuyvesant Town, Kips Bay Court, Riverton Square, and Spring Creek.

Mr. Boga graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Berkeley College, USF Deans List 2011. He has continued his education in the industry at NYC College of Technology, having been certified in Cost Estimating/Advanced Blueprint Reading as well as a minoring in Building Materials and Methods.

Fran Ula brings to EmpireCore an effective, integrative approach to risk management and assessment. His understanding of company goals and on-site project work results in improved processes and standards of insurance and contract reviews, thus ensuring a high level of risk control with due consideration to project timelines.

As Risk Manager, Mr. Ula operates from a multi-faceted platform of risk mitigation coordinating with the executive team, project teams, and insurance professionals. He has also successfully handled an array of operational and compliance aspects related to EmpireCore’s diversified portfolio including prevailing wage procedures, staff restructuring, subcontractor assessment & quality control, and new market expansion. Notably, Mr. Ula worked closely with the CEO in outlining a dynamic plan of action to navigate the 2020 Covid pandemic. As part of an expanded role into human resource management, he has also revamped internal human resource practices to increase company efficiency and transparency.

Mr. Ula holds a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages & Literatures from The University of Chicago, a Master of Arts in Italian from University of Virginia and a Master of Arts in American & English Literature from The University of the South. He is a certified Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS).

As COO of Empire Core, John Dimaras, in conjunction with Senior Leadership, manages the operations of the company and leads the construction team. Throughout his fifteen years of industry experience, John has consistently delivered projects within both time and cost constraints, approaching challenges in every phase with an innovative mindset that drives effective solutions. John brings a diverse experience of projects types having led and delivered complex projects in New York City, Australia, and Asia. Prior to joining Empire Core, John was a Project Executive and Head of the Residential and Commercial group of DBI Projects, a real estate advisory and project management consulting firm.

Previous projects include pre-construction and early construction phases for the ground-up development of the 43-story, 50-unit ultra luxury condominium building 45 Park Place in Tribeca. Delivered the development of 255 Columbia Street, a 13-unit, 7-story condominium building containing over 23,000-sf. Constructed using the principals of Passive House design. In partnership with The Collective, John managed the ground up development of an assembled site in Williamsburg into a 100,000-sf dual-purpose co-living and student housing project.

John holds a Master of Science, Real Estate Development and Finance from New York University, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Monash University in Australia.

Tony Catanzaro is an accomplished design and construction management executive with nearly three decades of construction experience. Mr. Catanzaro serves as the Director of Construction, overseeing the execution of all the various projects in the firm’s portfolio including redevelopment and development projects across different asset classes nationally. 

Mr. Catanzaro previously worked at Turner Construction and Pizzarotti, where he managed large scale development projects including the redevelopment of the Mutual of America building in NYC, a 500,000sf new medical facility for Montefiore Children’s Hospital, and the overhaul of the Central Terminal Building at Laguardia Airport.

Mr. Catanzaro attended Rutgers University obtaining a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Mr. Catanzaro has also taught courses at NYU’s School of Professional Studies Program.

As CFO of EmpireCore, Justin Kerker manages all financial activities of the organization. Mr. Kerker has streamlined accounting processes and implemented updated financial reporting internally and externally.

Mr. Kerker manages and prepares financial forecasting, budgeting, cash flow projections, and oversees the preparation of client financial reporting and billings. He also manages the accounting department consisting of project accountants and accounting managers. Mr. Kerker’s uncanny problem-solving abilities and grasp of macro-level processes, has resulted in enhanced standards of practice with a view to maximizing profitability.

Prior to joining EmpireCore, Mr. Kerker was the Controller and CCO of BMDC Construction developing a comprehensive plan for future growth and new market ventures. Prior to BMDC, he was the COO/CFO/CCO of a $3B Hedge Fund at Seminole Capital, where he managed everything from monthly financial reporting to daily trade reconciliations as well as launching new funds. These experiences provide him with an in-depth understanding and management of company financials.

Mr. Kerker holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

With over 9 years of experience in accounting, Samantha Wong serves as EmpireCore’s Senior Accounting Manager. Her professional background includes financial reporting, financial forecasting, cash management as well as the management of internal departments. Her experience touches many industries including architecture, real estate and construction.

As Senior Accounting Manager, Ms. Wong performs ongoing analysis of operating results to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement, manages the processes for financial forecasting and budgets, oversees all financial reporting in addition to managing the daily operations and accounting department. Ms. Wong establishes and maintains banking, legal, tax and insurance relationships to support operational and strategic objectives. Ms. Wong leverages her knowledge of project management and skills in financial forecasting, processes and budgeting to guide and execute the objectives of executive level management.

Samantha Wong holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Baruch College.