Hudson Meridian Construction Group

Daniel Hooker has been a construction professional for over 30 years. Throughout that time he has served as a construction foreman, senior engineer, senior project manager, and project director. His portfolio consists of public and private sector projects from high-end residential and commercial to educational and institutional projects. He received a Master’s of Science in Material Science, Metallurgical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College.

As a Vice President for Hudson Meridian Construction Group, Daniel provides leadership and oversight for the day-to-day operations for all Construction and Project Management activities. Some of his primary duties include client maintenance, subcontractor performance issues, constructability and technical issues, risk analysis, and development and implementation of corporate policies and procedures. He also works closely with ownership lenders, consultants, and site representative to outline project controls and delivery methods.

Douglas Shaeffer has over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and management with construction and real estate development firms in Philadelphia and New York. As Controller, Mr. Shaeffer manages the financial function and cash flow, supervises project accounting, and is responsible for developing the company’s short- and long-range financial plans. Mr. Shaeffer will oversee all banking and external funding relationships for future growth and will develop and establish standard procedures for the accounting and financial processes. Mr. Shaeffer holds a BS in Accounting from Millersville University, a master’s degree in Business from the University of Baltimore and completed a Graduate Certificate in Construction Management at NYU.

Luciano Bana has over 25 years of broad-based experience in General Construction, Construction Management, Project Leadership, and Business Development. As Senior Vice President, Luciano is involved in operations, future business, and strategic planning as well as coordination and production of high-level construction projects. He also provides leadership and oversight for the day-to-day operations for construction and project management activities and assures that all OSHA, health and safety guidelines are followed for the safety of employees, subcontractors and clients. Luciano has a portfolio of successful projects ranging from commercial and retail projects to high-end residential, hospitality, technical, educational, and institutional facilities. He has served as a Senior Project Executive on multiple projects ranging from $1 million to $40 million per year.

Noel Hayes has three decades of experience in the construction industry, and with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the National University of Ireland, Mr. Hayes brings significant expertise in private sector corporate, residential, university and governmental projects. Mr. Hayes comes with a wealth of experience within the industry, having constructed over $500 million of projects in the Metropolitan New York region. In addition to managing projects, Mr. Hayes has extensive experience in constructability analysis, scheduling, estimating and purchasing which has been a significant focus in his role.

Peter Monte brings over 30 years of invaluable knowledge and expertise in the construction industry. Having joined as COO at Hudson Meridian in 2017, he oversees the ongoing operations and procedures of the firm setting comprehensive goals for performance and growth. Mr. Monte previously held the role of Senior Vice President for Toll Brothers City Living. While at the firm, Mr. Monte oversaw Toll Brothers’ design and construction activities in the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk Counties in Long Island and managed seven various stages of development in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Prior to Toll Brothers City Living, Mr. Monte held various positions at Skanska USA, finishing his career there as a Project Director, overseeing many of the company’s largest construction projects. Mr. Monte holds a degree in Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Richard Cote brings over 30 years of experience in project management, facility operations and construction including extensive expertise in project development, planning and execution. He is a seasoned construction and facilities manager with hundreds of millions in construction projects that he successfully completed over his career. As EVP, he is heading the public sector division that includes all waterfront and infrastructure projects in NYC. Mr. Cote is a retired military officer where he served in the United States Army in various capabilities since 1982 and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Retired Reserve.

With over twenty years of experience in the construction industry, Vytas Sipas has extensive knowledge on all aspects of construction and project management with emphasis on working in NYC. His experience includes healthcare, pharmaceutical, institutional facilities, cultural, core and shell, renovations, retail and residential projects. Mr. Sipas’ responsibilities include being 100% accountable for his projects, contract negotiations, cost/project controls, business development, risk management, supervision of all team members, and mentoring and training project managers.

William I. Cote has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry managing all aspects of construction services for various property management groups, developers, and institutional clients in New York City and the Tri-State Area. Mr. Cote has managed complex institutional, public, and private sector projects comprising of landmark/historic buildings, government, residential, commercial, schools, and manufacturing facilities. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College and has completed advanced courses in business management, accounting, and construction claims prevention. Prior to founding Hudson Meridian, Mr. Cote was the Chief Operating Officer of one of the nation’s Top 40 largest construction companies.

Sam Amin has over 25 years working in the tristate construction industry, where he has directly managed complex public and private projects, offering clients and partners a proven skill set from concept to completion. Prior to joining Hudson Meridian, Sam owned a general contracting firm where he worked on numerous federal, state, and city agencies such as US Army Corps, GSA, NAVY, US Coast Guard, FBP, West Point, and NYSOGS. He has also worked on stadiums; school/college renovations; HVAC design builds; laboratories; hospitals; senior centers; houses of worship; courthouses; airports; and state office buildings. Sam earned a master’s degree in Construction Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Gujarat University.

Phil Pignatelli is an accomplished, goal-driven professional with over twenty five years of executive management experience in the construction industry. He is an accomplished leader with a successful track record of managing complex large-scale residential and commercial projects and build-outs for private and public corporations. Phil was a former COO for Phoenix Associates Construction Corporation where he expanded the company’s presence into the five boroughs of New York. As former COO for Foremost Industries, Phil provided operations management, brand recognition and marketing resulting in the development of new business in both New York and New Jersey. Phil’s success is fueled by his accessibility and commitment to client satisfaction.

A seasoned professional with 30 years of experience, Ruben has been involved in construction estimating for major projects all along the east coast, particularly in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Ruben has performed estimating work for numerous clients and has an extensive portfolio of projects in hospitality, higher education and commercial projects. Ruben has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines and is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP, BD+C). He has continued his studies at NYU University for HVAC Design and attended and completed management workshop for managers at Dale Carnegie and Bergen Community College.

Brian Perlis is a hands-on, results-driven Human Resources professional with extensive experience in identifying and implementing processes and initiatives. With over twenty years’ experience in the human resources field, a majority of them leading HR departments in the Construction/Real Estate field, Brian joined Hudson Meridian in July 2019 and will oversee the Company’s recruiting, employee relations, performance management, benefits administration as well as other HR-related functions. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the State University of New York at Albany.

As Vice President and Safety Manager for Hudson Meridian, he is responsible for monitoring construction sites to ensure that Hudson Meridian complies with state and federal regulations on health and safety in the workplace. Walter visits all construction sites on a weekly basis to ensure implementation of the correct safety policies and procedures. He liaises with external parties such as government-employed inspectors to facilitate evaluation of construction sites. He reviews blueprints, evacuation plans, designs for disposal systems, lighting and ventilation, and ensures there is no danger to the health or safety of workers or site visitors.

As a representative of the company, he is involved in arranging training programs on safety measures in the workplace.  He also formulates and implements policies, procedures and programs on construction safety that comply with OSHA regulations.

Walter has his DOB suspend and supported scaffold licenses. He is also certified as an OSHA outreach trainer in construction and marine activities.  He is a Member of the New York State Associated General Contractors Safety Committee (AGC NYS).