About Craft Design + Build

Derek Filosi

Director of Operations: Derek Filosi's path into the building trades began at the College of Charleston, where he studied Architectural Historic Preservation. Immersed in one of America's most architecturally rich cities, he developed a deep appreciation for historic craft and construction, working alongside local builders throughout his studies and falling in love with the traditions of vernacular architecture in the process.

A Connecticut native at heart, Derek eventually returned to New England, drawn back to the regional building traditions that had always resonated most with him. He spent years training as a carpenter's apprentice, steadily honing his craft before going on to manage a local cabinet shop. That hands-on foundation, built from the ground up, shapes everything he does today.

Driven by curiosity and a commitment to continuous growth, Derek founded Craft Design + Build with a clear purpose: to address the shortcomings he had witnessed firsthand across the industry and to build a company held to a higher standard of quality, communication, and craft.

That same passion extends well beyond the jobsite. Derek has built three wooden boats by hand, which he sails to Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut River. When he's not on the water, he enjoys exploring New England's walkable towns alongside his wife, Dana, and daughter, Lucille.

John Lombardi

Director of Construction: As a third-generation craftsman, John Lombardi brings a lifetime of custom design/ build experience to Craft’s group of experts. Since the 1970’s, John has been engaged in residential, commercial, institutional and historic preservation projects around the United States, with a concentration in New York State and communities along the New England coastline.

Formally apprenticed in carpentry and architectural design, John’s career advanced into delivering project development, craft skill and construction management education as a faculty member at four unique universities while continuing to practice in the field.

During his time at New England Institute of Technology, John integrated modules in kitchen design and installation into the Building Construction and Cabinetmaking program. At Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, he developed a lab-based construction technology degree pathway, evaluated emerging energy applications for the built environment and functioned to accredit workforce curriculum for the United Brotherhood of Carpenter and Joiners. At State University of New York, John commissioned a newly dedicated construction technology building, launching degree and certificate programs with an emphasis on Preservation Carpentry.

Never far from an actual job site, John’s extensive project list continues to include plenty of private residential homes along the New England coastline. His more visible work has encompassed several Newport mansions,  award-winning exterior preservation of the Redwood Library and Touro Synagogue, and the initial development of Sail Newport’s educational complex.

On days away from work, John can be found sportfishing the waters of Narragansett Bay and the Block Island Sound.

Corey Adams

Project Manager: Corey Adams has been building since he was 15 years old, and that early start shows. Apprenticed in carpentry along Connecticut's shoreline, his handiwork can be found in homes up and down the coastline, and the reputation he has built along the way is just as strong as the work itself. In 2021 Corey joined forces with Derek to continue the mission that Craft is now known for - excellence in communication, craftsmanship, and above all else integrity. Clients have a way of putting it simply: when Corey is on site, you know things are done right.

As a Project Manager, Corey takes genuine satisfaction in the logistical challenges of keeping a project moving - coordinating the right people, anticipating problems before they surface, and maintaining the calm, steady presence that complex builds require. His teammates know him as the team's grounding force, the person who brings steadiness to even the most demanding moments on a job.

Away from the jobsites, the tools don't go far. On weekends, Corey can be found working on projects at home and for others, because for him, carpentry has never just been a career. He also enjoys all that New England has to offer from snowboarding to fishing and boating with his family.

Danielle Ramos

Project Lead: Working with Danielle Ramos, clients quickly discover that the design-build process doesn't have to be stressful. It can actually be enjoyable.

Danielle brings an uncommon background to her role as Project Lead. Before entering the building industry, she earned her Masters in Nursing and worked as a pediatric nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a profession that demanded precision, calm under pressure, and an ability to earn trust in high-stakes situations. Those same qualities define how she leads projects today. She listens carefully, communicates clearly, and ensures that clients always know where things stand and what comes next.

Since transitioning into residential construction, Danielle has guided countless homeowners through every phase of the design-build process, earning a reputation for the kind of attentiveness that makes a complicated undertaking feel manageable. Her clients consistently describe working with her as genuinely engaging.

At the heart of her approach is a belief that a home should be beautiful, functional, and deeply personal. As someone who values travel, family life, and the way a well-designed space can bring people together, she brings real empathy to the work of understanding what a client's home needs to feel like.

If you're looking for someone who will champion your project, protect your interests, and make the experience as rewarding as the result, Danielle is that person.

Sarah Johnson

Architect: Sarah Johnson is a licensed architect specializing in residential design, known for a thoughtful, detail-driven approach to projects ranging from interior renovations to ground-up custom homes. Her work is grounded in a deep appreciation for architectural history and the traditional character of New England, and in a genuine interest in how proportion, materiality, and place have shaped residential architecture over time and continue to inform the work being done today.

That perspective is personal as much as professional. Sarah grew up in a historic home and is currently undertaking the renovation of her own 1806 residence in Guilford, Connecticut, an experience that continually deepens her sensitivity to preservation, adaptation, and the layering of old and new.

Sarah holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Lafayette College. Her undergraduate thesis examined the adaptive reuse of historic architecture, an early expression of a commitment she has carried throughout her career: extending the life of existing buildings through careful, considered intervention. She has worked across both residential and institutional practice and was recognized as one of Metropolis Magazine's Future 100, a distinction honoring emerging leaders in architecture and design.

Alex Todd

Project Manager: Alexander Todd's career in construction began in 2010, building homes along the Connecticut shoreline, an environment that instilled in him a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, proportion, and the integrity of how things are put together. Over the years, he has had the privilege of working alongside builders with backgrounds in timber framing, millwork, boatbuilding, and Danish furniture making, and those experiences continue to inform how he approaches every project.

Alexander holds a BS in Business Management from Southern Connecticut State University, and he brings that foundation to bear in how he thinks about the work: exceptional results, in his view, come from alignment between people, process, and execution. There is nothing more satisfying to him than assembling a group of talented, passionate tradespeople and watching something beautiful take shape.

A Branford native, Alexander and his wife settled in Essex in 2018 and have been raising their family in the Connecticut River Valley ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid reader with a particular interest in architecture, building, and business. When he steps away from the desk, you're likely to find him hiking, snowboarding, or coaching soccer.

Danielle St. Pierre

Interior Designer: Danielle St. Pierre brings nearly a decade of experience across residential and hospitality design. Her portfolio spans New York City apartments, custom new builds, and large-scale hotel renovations nationwide, a range that has sharpened her ability to design thoughtfully across very different scales and contexts.

Danielle holds a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her professional experience includes work with Magnolia on a range of residential projects, as well as firms specializing in high-end residential and transformative hospitality design.

Her aesthetic is grounded in tradition, balancing old and new through layered materials, thoughtful details, and well-considered function. She is especially drawn to kitchens and baths, where she believes the smaller decisions carry the most weight: the right hardware, the right lighting, the details that give a space its character and warmth.

Outside of work, Danielle enjoys exploring new restaurants, finding hiking trails with her dog, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Jenna Bugbee

Interior Designer:  Jenna Bugbee brings a thoughtful balance of creativity, precision, and genuine care to every project. With several years of experience at an award-winning architectural practice, she has developed a strong intuition for how people live in their spaces and how to design environments that are both beautiful and highly functional. Prior to joining the team, Jenna refined her skills at notable firms throughout New England, building a well-rounded perspective rooted in both style and practicality.

She values close collaboration with clients and builders alike, working to translate ideas into spaces that feel personal and enduring. Jenna thrives in a creative, team-driven environment where thoughtful design and strong relationships go hand in hand.

Outside the studio, Jenna is drawn to the coastal beauty and architectural character of the Connecticut shoreline. Whether she's out on the water, cooking at home, or spending time with her husband, her son Rhodes, and the people she loves, she embraces the moments that inspire both her life and her work.

Amy Sage deMik

Project Lead: Amy Sage deMik brings a rare combination of creative vision and analytical rigor to every project she leads. Her design education spans Rosemont College, where she earned a BA in English with minors in Studio Art and Business Administration, followed by Design and Architectural Studies at Parsons School of Design and LEED Green studies through Duke University. That foundation, paired with over two decades of experience across interior and exterior, residential and commercial, and product design, informs an approach that is as structured as it is thoughtful.

Before fully committing to a design career, Amy worked as a Business Analyst with NASA, specializing in budget analysis, program alignment, and high-level reporting. It is a background that might seem unexpected, but it explains a great deal about how she works. She brings the same discipline and clarity to managing a complex renovation as she once brought to navigating the demands of a federal program, keeping projects on time, on budget, and aligned with what clients actually want.

For Amy, great design is ultimately about relationship. She guides clients through every phase of a project, from early concept and space planning through execution, with a focus on creating spaces that are beautiful, functional, and built to last. Our favorite fun fact about Amy is that she

Rooted in the Connecticut River Valley and Shoreline communities, Amy enjoys spending time with her family close to home. Those who know her well may also recognize her from her time as a design segment host on local television news, a role that speaks to both her expertise and her natural ability to connect with people.

Michael Bransfield

Carpenter:  Michael Bransfield's connection to woodworking and construction began in his teenage years, and it never let go. With a project always underway and a natural instinct for the craft, a career in carpentry was a fitting path.

As a finish carpenter with over four decades of experience, Michael has worked on beautiful homes throughout the Connecticut River Valley and the surrounding shoreline, including building his own family's home in East Haddam. That breadth of work speaks to a level of skill and dedication that has earned him the respect of everyone he works alongside, though don't call him a master. Michael is quick to point out that no one ever stops learning, and that philosophy has kept his standards high and his curiosity sharp throughout a career that spans more than forty years.

Outside of work, Michael can be found on the trails, the slopes, or the golf course depending on the season, and enjoys traveling with his family whenever the opportunity arises.