CUESTA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent Read Bio
Alex Hernandez started with Cuesta Construction in 2008.
Alex started working in the construction industry at 18 years old and now has over 15 years of construction experience.
Since joining Cuesta, he has assisted in a wide variety of projects that include tenant improvements, commercial ground ups, commercial improvements, ADU's, hotel and resort renovations, and more. Alex has been involved with high profile projects at The Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island, Pelican Hills, Newport Center Drive, as well as many others.
He is married with two kids. In his off time, he is either with his family or spending time helping friends and family with various construction projects.
Andy Keif - Founder, President
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- President
- Construction Is a Product of Our Collective Team of Outstanding, Dedicated Employees
- President and Co - Founder of Cuesta Construction
Cuesta Construction is a product of our collective team of outstanding, dedicated employees.
Andy is President and Co-Founder of Cuesta Construction. Since its inception in 1988, he has led the company's project management, preconstruction, sales, and marketing functions.
His efforts have resulted in Cuesta Construction's successful completion of over 1,200 projects totaling over $2.0 billion in project value. The company projects have included both ground up and renovation construction in a wide range of product types: retail, office/mixed use, resort & hospitality, and structural/seismic.
Prior to forming the company, Andy worked as a licensed CPA at Price Waterhouse in Century City. He received his undergraduate degree in Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his MBA degree from UCLA.
Andy is a Board Trustee of St. Mary's School and is a Founding Advisory Council Member of the Cal Poly SLO Real Estate Initiative.
He has two children, and enjoys cycling and golf in his free time.
Job Titles:
- Senior Account Manager
- Senior Account Manager Read Bio
Angelica joined the Cuesta Construction team in 2001.
She oversees all accounting functions for the company, including financial statements, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
Outside of work, she loves going on vacation and spending time with her family. She has three boys and six grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Senior Project Superintendent
- Senior Project Superintendent Read Bio
Brandon joined Cuesta Construction in 2016.
Since joining the Cuesta team, Brandon has been involved with projects at University Center, Park Place as well as multiple projects at Irvine Spectrum Center.
Brandon has been in the construction industry for over 16 years. His experiences are spread among residential finish carpentry, confined space entry/rescue, corrosion assessment and infrastructure remediation within multiple public entities throughout California.
Off the clock he enjoys time spent with his family and their 3 dogs, camping and relaxing at his vacation house in Arizona.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent Read Bio
Cody joined Cuesta Construction in 2018.
Since joining the Cuesta team, Cody has been involved with projects at Fashion Island, Newport Center Drive, as well as multiple apartment communities throughout Newport Beach and Irvine.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Vice President
- Vice President & Co - Founder Read Bio
Dave is Vice President and Co-Founder of Cuesta Construction. In addition to running large projects, Dave also oversees all financial and administrative aspects of the business.
With over 27 years of experience, Dave has run or overseen the project management of approximately 300 projects, including both ground up and renovation construction, along a wide variety of project types.
Prior to forming the company, Dave worked as a licensed CPA in the tax department at Price Waterhouse. He received his degree in Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Married with two sons, Dave enjoys golf and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent Read Bio
David joined Cuesta Construction in 2017.
Since joining Cuesta Construction, David has been an integral team member involved in many of our high-end projects at properties such as Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum. David entered the construction industry in the masonry trades and quickly established himself in a leadership position within the hardscape industry. Through the years, David has honed his expertise in various aspects of construction, including project management, site supervision, and quality control.
When he is not busy managing construction projects, you can find David exploring scenic routes or exploring new destinations on his motorcycle with his wife, and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Project Manager Read Bio
Jake joined Cuesta Construction in 2019.
Since joining Cuesta, Jake has gained experience managing reinvestment projects for building exterior repairs, common area refresh, amenities upgrades and unit renovations. He also has experience with retail, including work at Fashion Island and the Pendry Hotel. Jake is the lead estimator at Cuesta, helping with project buyouts and budgets.
Jake is originally from Lake Oswego, Oregon and moved to California shortly before joining the Cuesta team.
Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Project Superintendent
- Senior Project Superintendent Read Bio
Johnathan joined Cuesta Construction in 2017.
He has a great deal of experience in residential development accompanied by retail and office work. He has been involved in a number of our high-end projects including Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum.
Prior to joining Cuesta he worked as a superintendent in the development of several master planned communities throughout Orange County in Irvine, Tustin and Anaheim. He entered the construction industry at an early age in the plumbing and pipe fitting trades and has grown his carer as an accomplished superintendent with construction experience in multiple product types.
Outside of work he enjoys camping and the outdoors with his wife and son, along with hobbyist building in his workshop.
Job Titles:
- Contracts & Insurance Administrator
- Contracts & Insurance Administrator Read Bio
Kathy joined Cuesta Construction in 2017.
She oversees the contracts and insurance functions for the company.
Prior to joining Cuesta Construction, Kathy worked in the Business Development Department at Michael Baker International (formerly RBF Consulting).
Kathy is married, has three kids, two stepkids, and three grandchildren. She enjoys running, getting together with family and friends, and spending lots of time with her grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent Read Bio
Kolbe joined the Cuesta team in 2021.
While working for Cuesta, his primary focus has been large multi-family reinvestment projects.
Kolbe has worked in the construction industry for 13 years. He entered the industry in the plumbing trade and then moved into public works road construction, where he operated heavy equipment. Prior to working for Cuesta, he worked as an established superintendent for a general contractor specializing in medical construction. His management experience in the field ranges across medical, office, and multi-family reinvestment.
Outside of work, he enjoys surfing and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Job Titles:
- Project Engineer
- Project Engineer Read Bio
Michael joined Cuesta Construction in 2023.
Since joining the Cuesta team, his experience has spanned across retail, apartment ADUs, and reinvestment property work, including high-end projects such as those at Fashion Island.
Prior to joining the team, he initially became involved in the industry as a project coordinator for another General Contractor, which led to him working for an electrical contractor in the public works sector.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with friends and family. His hobbies include cars, snowboarding, and playing the guitar.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Vice President
- Vice President & Partner Read Bio
Mike has been an essential member of the Cuesta team since 2008.
In addition to being a lead project manager on large projects for the company, he plays a key role in sales and preconstruction, and is also lead technical member on CAD, Bluebeam, and related project assist tools.
Mike has run over 120 projects, totaling over $70 million, during his time at the company. These projects include both ground up and renovation work in retail, seismic and office project types.
Prior to joining the company, Mike worked as a Project Manager in the surveying department of Stantec Engineering.
Mike is originally from Rome, New York. His life experiences include living in the Philippines with his wife for two years in the early 2000s. He is married with three kids and graduated from Spirit Life Bible College.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Vice President
- Vice President & Partner Read Bio
Mike joined the Cuesta Construction team in 2008 and quickly moved his way up to Project Superintendent.
His experience in the field spans across retail, office and reinvestment
work, including Fashion Island in Newport Beach. He has worked on many high profile projects
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent Read Bio
Peter joined Cuesta Construction in 2017.
He graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University and was inspired to pursue a career in construction after working for his uncle's company building custom homes.
His 20 years experience includes single and multi-family residential construction, ground up medical office buildings, and retail centers.
Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, spending time at the beach and camping in the mountains with his wife and daughter.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent Read Bio
Rafael joined Cuesta Construction in 2014.
Since joining the Cuesta team, Rafael has been involved with projects at Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine Apartment Communities, Irvine Office Centers, as well as hotels, including Pelican Hill Resort and Pendry Hotel.
Rafael has been in the construction industry for over 14 years. His experiences are spread among residential finish carpentry, retail centers, common areas, offices spaces, core shell fireproofing, as well as water intrusion remediation.
Rafael is married and has two children. Off the clock, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, and off-roading, as well coaching in his son's baseball little league.
Job Titles:
- Project Engineer
- Project Engineer Read Bio
Raul joined Cuesta Construction in December 2021.
Since joining the Cuesta team, Raul has been involved with multiple Irvine Company reinvestment projects, both building exterior repairs and common area refresh.
Raul has been in the construction industry for the past 2 years. His previous work experience includes over 10 years in administration, customer service and support while working in the public sector. He earned his Associate Degree, majoring in both Construction Management and Construction Inspection from Santiago Canyon Community College.
Off the clock, he enjoys time spent with his family and friends, camping, taking trips, and participating in his kids' after school activities.