Executive Team
Jeff Pellegrino President & CEO, Peris Construction
“We are part of a process that fulfills our client’s vision. Getting them there is exciting, and very gratifying.”
Education:
B.S., Business Management, University of Virginia (Echols Scholar) Advanced Degree, Harvard Business School – Owners/Presidents Program
Biography:
Jeff Pellegrino graduated from the University of Virginia in 1985 as an Echols Scholar. He has an advanced degree from Harvard Business School in the Owners/Presidents Program (OPM). Jeff is on the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington DC and has played a leadership role for the Arlington Pediatric Center (Virginia Hospital Center). He’s an avid golfer, fisherman, and auto enthusiast. Jeff is married to Sharon Pellegrino and has two children. Anne is a graduate student at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies in Monterey California. Charlie is a freshman at the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona.
Experience:
Jeff Pellegrino has had an extensive career as a leader in the Washington DC Construction Industry. He grew up in the DC area and has deep ties to the community over his thirty-year professional career.
Jeff started has a project engineer with Glen Construction in 1985. His first project was the Electronic Data Systems (EDS) data warehouse in Dulles, Virginia. The first of its kind in the area, this data center comprised over 100,0000 square feet of raised floor and sophisticated electrical and mechanical work to support hundreds of main frame computers. Upon completion of the project in 1987, Jeff continued at Glen Construction as a project manager in the nascent interiors construction division, building high-end office space from Dulles, Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland. Jeff left Glen in 1989 to form Triad Construction Services, specializing in portfolio build-outs for a Bethesda development firm. He left Triad in 1991 to start his second start up. Peris Companies, Inc. was formed in 1991 at Pellegrino’s kitchen dining table in Alexandria, Virginia. His vision of the company was to build on his relationships with the subcontractor and developer communities and to create a boutique interiors firm, working in the Northern Virginia and Downtown Washington, DC market of high-end office space. Peris focused on the law firms, consulting firms and architects who valued precision and beautiful end products.
Gary Starr Vice President of Construction, Peris Construction
“Construction is about more than just building. It is about being a team player from design inception to punch-list completion, and creating a trusting relationship that lasts well into a client’s future.”
Education:
B.S., Accounting, West Virginia University
Biography:
Gary Starr is the proud father of twin daughters and a son. Gary grew up in Texas, Virginia and Europe of an Army colonel dad and CPA/property management mom. He has been with Peris Companies almost twenty years and has extensive experience in all aspects of construction management. He assigns each team and manages all project execution. His family is very focused on athletics.
Experience:
Gary Starr has a strong construction services background, which he developed as a property manager for a large Washington, DC developer. For 6 years prior to joining Peris, Gary was manager on several large properties and in this capacity coordinated numerous life-safety, common area renovations, and tenant fit-outs. His experiences bring great sensitivity to property management and building engineering concerns during the construction process. He is very adept at pricing and managing large commercial interior projects as well as multiple service projects for large building owners and architectural firms. Gary is responsible for the daily operations with a focus on project quality, schedule and budget performance.
Project Managers
Debajit Pal Project Executive
“There is nothing like putting your signature on the clean, new space you build.”
Education:
B.S., Building Construction – Minor Real Estate, Virginia Tech
Biography:
Debajit (“Deb”) Pal was born in the United States of East Indian parents who had a traditional Hindu marriage, and, after forty years are happier than ever. Deb grew up spending extended summer in India, traveling to every part of the country. He opted to major in Building Construction at Virginia Tech where he also studied Real Estate, graduating in 2010. When he is not working hard at Peris, he enjoys spending time with his family and the outdoors.
Experience:
Debajit Pal has over ten years of construction experience, focusing on base building and interior construction. Deb has exceptional managerial and construction related skills including estimating, scheduling, and maintaining client relationships. His knowledge of the construction industry exceeds that of his peers and is reflected through the care and diligence he provides on all projects under his management.
Jessica Link Senior Estimator
“I have been honored to be trusted with everything from major government projects to fragile archeological sites.”
Education:
Graduate Certificate, Nutrition, George Mason University B.S., Education, The Pennsylvania State University
Biography:
Jessica grew up in central Pennsylvania in a large extended family. Her dad was her fishing buddy and an electrical mine inspector for the state. Her mom also worked for the state of Pennsylvania and has always been one of her biggest supporters and role models. Jessica was an athlete from an early age focusing on gymnastics and softball. She is a national figure competitor and studied Nutrition at George Mason University. Along with her husband, Brock, she remains devoted to fitness for all. Jessica has been a construction management professional for well over a decade. She was drawn to project management, and construction in particular, by her drive to bring order and sequencing to the most complex of projects.
Experience:
Jessica Link came to project management early after her graduation from The Pennsylvania State University. Jessica began as a Project Controls Engineer at Nortel/AT&T/Cingular and went on to be a Project Controls Scheduler for a $350M power plant project. She has managed a wide variety of projects such as a $14M casino renovation, a $24M SF high school renovation, and an $8.5M testing facility for TSA. Jessica also worked on a number of high security projects in the District of Columbia. She has also managed projects involving a complex set of stakeholders such as the Historic Huntley Site owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority, where she coordinated the relationships between archaeologists, historians, designers, engineers, architects, county inspectors, and homeowners. Jessica joined Peris Construction in 2015.
Carolina Charry Senior Project Manager
“I have applied my skills as a computer engineer to construction engineering. I take pride in providing excellent service to our clients.”
Education:
B.S., Computer Engineering Technology, Northeastern University
Biography:
Carolina Charry was born in Colombia, South America of a national police officer and a mother whose family immigrated to Colombia from Jerusalem. As a result of her multicultural background and extensive travel, Carolina has had broad exposure to a variety of cultures and speaks two languages. She followed her siblings to Boston where she studied information technology and graduated as a computer engineer. Following graduation, she spent several years in electrical construction engineering. In 2007, she moved to Washington, DC and joined Peris where she is a commercial construction project manager.
Experience:
Carolina Charry, with her engineering and construction background, brings a concise management style across two languages. Carolina has a strong combination of project management experience. She brings her engineering background and construction related skills, including estimating, scheduling, and client relationship management, to every project. She is known for her ability to coordinate in two languages and her concise management style assures complete coordination between all members of the project group and timely completion of all outstanding issues.
Joe McWilliams Project Manager
“Agonizing over small details doesn’t feel like work, when you make a client’s vision become a reality.”
Education:
Building Construction, Virginia Tech
Biography:
Joe McWilliams was born and raised in Purcellville, VA. Growing up, he was always his dad’s right-hand man on projects around the house and developed a knack for being able to figure out how things work. That led to a wood working hobby in his teenage years where Joe produced pieces of furniture still enjoyed in his family home today. Joe attended Virginia Tech, where he studied Engineering and Geophysics, and recently became engaged to his girlfriend of 6 years. In his free time Joe enjoys playing golf and doing what woodworking he can in the small footprint of his townhouse back yard.
Experience:
After college, Joe went to work, completing home renovations and additions, for a family friend who was a General Contractor. Joe’s father taught AutoCAD at the high school level, and with the background knowledge in AutoCAD Joe gained from that, Joe taught himself how to create construction drawings and bring that in house for the company. Before coming to Peris in 2019, Joe worked as a Service Division Director and Project Manager for a residential pool company, overseeing contracts, field staff and managing pool construction projects.
Education:
Civil Engineering, University of the District of Columbia
Biography:
Douglas Umana was born and raised in Northern Virginia … and one could say that construction has been in his blood since birth. Douglas’s father, a foreman for a prominent contracting company, would take him, as a youngster, to construction sites to watch and sometimes help. Douglas looked up to his father a great deal and knew that this was what he wanted to do when he grew up. In high school Douglas was able to pursue college level engineering courses and his interests peaked in civil engineering and architecture. When not on construction sites, Douglas can be found hitting the gym, working on cars, spending time with friends and family, and traveling the country.
Experience:
Douglas Umana first began working at a structural architectural engineering firm and worked his way up the ranks, ending as an associate engineer. His main focus was structural engineering on custom luxury residential homes, renovations, and solar racking systems. He later moved on to the public sector in the heavy underground utilities/infrastructure industry, where he worked for BF Joy on the WMATA Purple Line project in Prince Georges County with BF Joy. There he was responsible on coordinating manpower, in house schedule and administrative document control. Before coming to Peris, Douglas held a Project Manager position with a local residential contractor, focused on all aspects of a project from design development to estimating, bidding, construction, and closeout. Douglas has managed up to 20-25 subcontractors at a time, focusing on quality control and client satisfaction.
Hannah Dize Assistant Project Manager
“My family has been involved in construction and real estate my whole life. I am excited to start my career in construction and carry on our family tradition!”
Biography:
Hannah Dize was born and raised in Ashburn, Virginia. She graduated from Stone Bridge High school, then studied Intelligence Analysis and Political Science at James Madison University. Hannah grew up around the construction industry. Her grandfather, Frank Rowland, owned and operated a residential construction company. Hannah now lives in Tysons Corner and enjoys fitness, hiking, and being outdoors as much as possible. On rainy days, you can usually find her inside, curled up with a good book.
Construction Staff
Sarah J. Snowdon Controller
“I bring to Peris the same commitment to excellence and detail to the running of our office that our teams in the field bring to every project we service.”
Education:
B.S., Finance, Virginia Tech
Biography:
Sarah Snowdon is the quintessential Northern Virginia hometown girl. One of six children, Sarah was born and raised in Vienna. After graduating high school she went on to Virginia Tech, where she majored in finance. Leaving college she began working in the construction industry as an accountant, where she found her home with Peris Companies. Sarah is married and is most proud of her 21-year old son, a student at James Madison University, who she says is brilliant and should be working at Peris. Sarah loves the outdoors and spends much of her weekends working on her garden, boating, and reading on her patio.
Experience:
Sarah Snowdon brings to Peris more than 25 years of accounting experience in the construction industry. Before coming to Peris, Sarah handled the finances for the Capital Expansion Group in Tysons Corner, McArty Electric in Sterling, the architecture firm of Settles Associates in Arlington, and EMF Electric, Inc. in Chantilly, VA. Sarah has experience with several different accounting software systems and is always looking for the best programs to meet Peris’ financial and project management needs.
Superintendents
Mike Meehan Senior Superintendent
“I love construction management because it keeps my mind keen and there is nothing like the fruit of the labor: a beautiful new workspace and so many people happy when we are done.”
Biography:
Mike Meehan was born and raised in Panama. His family moved to the United States when he was 14 and they settled in Maryland. Before completing his carpenter’s apprenticeship, Mike studied business administration in San Diego. He joined Peris in 2001, and the parts of construction management he loves the most are the long associations and friendships in the industry. He has strong bonds with many subcontractors from years in the industry. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Experience:
Mike Meehans’ experience includes over 30 years in the construction industry. Having been with Peris companies, Inc. for the past ten years, Mike has been a major contributor in day-to-day field operations. He has worked on a majority of our high-end projects. He is responsible for subcontractor coordination, schedule implementation, building engineer liaison, on site phasing coordination, RFI’s, progress meetings, site safety, quality control and punch lists.
Ribhi Abdulghani Superintendent
“I really enjoy seeing an empty space and then taking it through all the stages to an excellent completion.”
Education:
B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Maryland
Biography:
Ribhi Abdulghani was born and raised in Kuwait and moved to the United States with his family as a young man. Ribhi has a business degree and studied civil engineering at Oxford, England and the University of Maryland. Construction management is a second career for Ribhi, who has already achieved a well-established career in complex logistical management. He speaks English, Arabic and Spanish.
Experience:
Ribhi Abdulghani has over 8 years of experience in construction and construction related projects. In 2012, Ribhi came to Peris, where he’s worked as a superintendent on both larger construction and smaller construction services projects. Prior to joining Peris, Ribhi worked for the Zumot Real Estate Management firm in McLean, Virginia. There he worked as a project manager for base building and interior construction work.
Mike Allwine Superintendent
“I am driven by my family legacy. We’ve always believed in the highest standards of quality from every member of the team.”
Biography:
Mike Allwine is a local boy who grew up in Arlington, Virginia. Mike comes by his construction skills naturally. His great grandfather was the supervisor of the major kiln operations that supplied bricks to the City of Washington. His grandfather and father were also both in the construction industry so their local family legacy spans four generations. Mike’s grandfather took him under his wing when he was only 14 to teach him how to repair construction equipment. Eventually he learned all aspects of any operation, and has maintained his commitment to the highest quality possible in producing a project. Mike enjoys hunting and fishing with his two sons.
Experience:
Mike Allwine, with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, brings a strong and diverse background to field management. He has had involvement with several of our large and “Class A” projects this year. He has worked on tenant interior projects and base building lobby renovations and completed numerous fast track renovations. He is responsible for subcontractor and building coordination as well as schedule adherence and overall quality. He dedicates himself to the successful completion of every project he is involved with.
Brett Crabtree Superintendent
“I grew up with a simple work ethic: do the best job I can, get along with others, be accessible, and eliminate chaos.”
Biography:
Brett Crabtree grew up in Eugene, Oregon, the son of a nurse and professional football player turned sports gear salesman. He began his career in Phoenix, Arizona where he learned all aspects of the building trades. He also worked on construction projects in California, before moving to the Greater DC area, where he has continued to supervise a variety of projects. Brett is the father of three and when he is not supervising construction projects and parenting, he enjoys coaching and golf.
Experience:
Brett Crabtree’s construction experience began in Phoenix, Arizona where he became a site development manager for a retail builder. He was responsible for taking projects from location scouting to completion at many sites around the country. Brett then launched his own company with a specialty in building out full store displays for retailers such as North Face, Champion and DKNY nationwide. Brett returned to his construction roots and recently joined Peris Construction where he is managing major projects for the company.