The team behind every project

Born into an entire family of contractors, Seth got his start at an early age. “The hardest, but best lesson I ever received was when I proudly walked over to my dad thinking I had done a great job building this redwood bench for a customer, only to find out that he thought it was horrible and I needed to tear it out and redo it. I was about 13 at the time and that lesson stuck with me ever since.”

That was some time ago, but the ageless wisdom passed down by his father, as well as his older brothers who are both successful contractors in San Diego, is baked into the fabric of the company that Seth has built. Seth has two children together with his wife Marianna, and they love to do “weekend getaway” trips together.

Marianna's career began in customer service and quickly expanded to running her own small business in the cosmetology industry. The demand to work directly with Marianna soared to where she couldn't keep up! After having her first child, she slowed that business down, which was perfect timing to line up with the rapid growth experienced at Stel Builders. She worked full time in the office through the birth of her second child, a daughter.

The ability to trust others inside the Stel Builders family has allowed her to move out of the day to day and only come in to help with office projects. Her free time is spent in her elementary school kids' classrooms and school, which they both love and hate at the same time.

At an early age, Frank became fascinated with architecture as he would often help his father work on their historic home in Milwaukee. Following high school, Frank decided to pursue a growing interest in architecture and design at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After working for a short time in the commercial sector, Frank quickly shifted into residential design and hasn't looked back since.

Throughout his professional career Frank has chosen to specifically practice in the design-build remodeling field. He feels strongly that design-build is one of the most effective delivery methods for our clients. From an architectural perspective, it allows drawing on all resources in-house to create a buildable, cost-effective, true to form design.

“Form follows function—that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.” –Frank Lloyd Wright

From a young age, Jason always had a passion for design. His dream took him to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he majored in Architecture. His background in architecture has provided Jason a unique skill set that helps ensure the best design. As more and more clients expect to be able to see and feel the project prior to demolition, Jason stays technologically cutting-edge through the use of 3-D software and even virtual reality, which are just some of the tools provided by Stel Builders.

As Project Designer, it is his job to be your “tour guide” through this process. He is here to be your advocate and to help guide you through all the decisions needed to bring your dream to a reality. He will interpret your wants and needs, turning them into a home that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

In Jason's free time, he enjoys hanging out with his family and golfing.

Cory's career in architecture and construction started at Point Loma Nazarene University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Interior Design with an emphasis in Construction Technology. He is constantly honing his skills on residential renovations and managing teams of architects, designers, and engineers. He develops close relationships with our trade partners and is equally comfortable with both traditional and modern designs.

Cory has worked for general contractors and homeowners on a number of commercial and high-end residential projects. His past positions include: Design and Construction Manager for Westberg + White, Inc. Architects and Planners, a dynamic architectural practice that strives to be on the pioneering edge of creativity, technology, service, and uniqueness, and Project Manager and Sales Executive for Crown, a leading manufacturer and builder. In pursuit of his passion for sustainability, Cory also started VinCore Architectural Reclaimed Materials, which prides itself in preserving the authentic heritage of old structures and vintage barns by dismantling and giving them new life in modern construction projects.

An experienced team leader with strong communication and building skills, Cory has a history of providing excellent service, which as a result, has led to continued client satisfaction and long-term relationships. He balances his professional life with family, travel, surfing, fishing, snowboarding, and skiing. His extensive national and international travel experiences have combined many of these elements into unforgettable moments over the years.

Ivette is a passionate interior designer with over 10 years of experience, driven by a deep love for design and architecture. From a young age, she embraced creativity and individuality, believing that every person has something unique to offer. This belief continues to guide her work today. Ivette earned her Bachelor of Science in interior design from The Art Institute of San Diego, where she began her professional journey. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of collaborating with diverse clients to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional and uplifting. Ivette's approach is client centered: she listens carefully to their needs and translates their vision into reality. To her, design is more than just aesthetics — it's a visual story that communicates emotions and personal expressions in a way that words alone cannot.

Since the very beginning, Brian has been in the residential remodeling industry. He was trained in the old school, with customer service and quality at the forefront. After moving out of the field and into a project management role years ago, Brian was able to take his hands-on field knowledge and use it to benefit his clients. Having a great relationship with each of the nearly 25 different trades that a normal project requires gives Brian an edge over other project managers.

His free time is spent with his daughter and French bulldog, Remington.