Renewal Construction, Inc., is a full-service residential general contractor offering turnkey solutions – from concept to move-in – for major renovations, kitchens and baths and small projects.
Peter Michelson is a fourth generation construction professional who grew up helping out with the family business in the Boston area.After graduation from the University of Michigan with a BA in history, Peter spent time working in San Francisco for various firms on a variety of construction projects from high rises to historic restorations to remodeling projects. Next came extensive travel in Asia and a position in Taiwan teaching English. Peter returned to the U.S. to earn a Masters degree in education and became a teacher at the Waldorf School of Atlanta.
In 2001 Peter "retired" from teaching, and rolled his family background, education and work experience into a new endeavor, Renewal Construction, Inc. The company continues to thrive in its new location at 124 S. Columbia Dr. in Decatur.
peter@renewalconstruction.com
Boston native David Michelson joined the Renewal Construction team as partner and operations director. Like his brother Peter, he grew up working in the family construction business established by their great grandfather in 1896.A graduate of Syracuse University, he has managed construction projects from coast to coast, in Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Boston, Bar Harbor, and Ft. Lauderdale. His experience includes restoring original millwork, stone exteriors and roof slates on historic buildings, and updating interiors for 21st century uses.
Now settled in the Atlanta area with his family, David is pleased to put his 20 years of project management and executive-level experience to work for Renewal Construction's clients.
david@renewalconstruction.com
Ron Conte, Small Projects Division
With more than 30 years of carpentry under his belt, Ron Conte has seen it all when it comes to construction and renovation. A self-described "old school" carpenter, Ron is impressed with the quality of new technology and innovations in building materials. "What never changes," says Ron, "is quality workmanship and pride in your work."
A native of New York, Ron grew up in a military family that traveled all over the world. Later, he came to Georgia to work on a family member's home renovation project and decided to settle here. His extensive experience, including several years as the owner of his own construction firm, gives him valuable insight into homeowners' needs and expectations. "Our clients expect a higher level of quality, finish and workmanship," he says. "Small construction projects are a great way to add comfort and value to a home, especially if equity is not there."
ron@renewalconstruction.com
While attending Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, Shereen came to appreciate the people and the climate of the South. She ultimately decided to leave her native Manchester, New Hampshire, and relocate to Atlanta for a change of pace.With an associate's degree in business administration and a B.S. in business finance under her belt, Shereen is currently working toward a Master's degree in a related area of concentration.
Her background in banking, bookkeeping, law and property management provide valuable insight into the best way to run a small office for a growing construction company, along with the challenge of learning about a new field. The New England connection is a happy coincidence.
shereen@renewalconstruction.com
Anna was born in Charleston, S.C., in a family that moved – and
renovated – often. Her father and brother are structural engineers
and her mother is a professional artist. “Every new house we moved
into became a family project,” she says.
She returned to her roots to attend the College of Charleston, where
she earned a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on
hospitality and tourism. Anna worked as a carpenter’s apprentice in a
millwork shop that built custom cabinetry and furniture for upscale
Charleston homes. She also worked on renovating a 200+ year-old
Charleston home for a local news publication’s office. After moving
to Atlanta in 2002, she got her real estate license to work in sales
and development. The next several years were spent renovating old
Atlanta buildings into lofts, townhomes, and condos for a local re-
developer. During this time she studied interior design at Georgia
State University. She also purchased, and is forever renovating, her
60-year-old home in the Edgewood neighborhood.
She joined Renewal initially working as a carpenter’s helper to gain
more field experience. Anna’s pre-construction position at Renewal
combines her skills and interests in design, construction and working
with people. “We focus on each client, each family, and their
renovation dreams,” she says.”
anna@renewalconstruction.com
Building new houses and improving old ones are two activities Lisa knows about firsthand. She is a construction volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and she owns – and is in the process of renovating – a 1908 “fixer-upper” in Sylvan Hills, a neighborhood in southwest Atlanta.Lisa and her family moved to Atlanta from Chicago when she was 11. She attended Berry College in Rome, Ga.
She began working for Renewal in January 2005 after seeing the company’s mission and values statement on the website. “It read as something I would want for my own business and life,” she says. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”
lisa@renewalconstruction.com
John has worked full time in the residential construction business since 1986. Before joining Renewal, he managed construction projects in the Buckhead area for 12 years.An artist with a BFA from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from the University of California, John moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta in 1990, and has lived in Decatur since 1993.
Construction and carpentry seem to run in John’s family. His brother is a carpenter in St. Louis, his father is a retired contractor, and his great-grandfather was a master carpenter from Switzerland. As for John, “I’ve worked hands-on in all phases of home building and renovating, from the foundation to the final finishes.”
john@renewalconstruction.com
Brent Potter, Preconstruction Manager Born and raised in Lansing, Mich., Brent moved to Atlanta in 2000 to work as a draftsperson at an architecture firm in Marietta. He married Michelle, a Decatur resident, and they decided to stay here “for the great sense of community – and where else could we find so many bike trails and parks for our dog?”
Brent has an associates degree in Architecture from Lansing Community College and a BS in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology Studies from Georgia State University. While in college he worked as an apprentice for a kitchen and furniture designer and also for a custom home builder.
Before joining Renewal Brent owned a design/build business in Decatur, specializing in carpentry work and small remodeling projects. Making the transition to Renewal was easy. “I enjoy belonging to a team who work together to make the built environment better for others,” he says. “I feel like I’m part of an extended family that does things well and takes pride in the work.”brent@renewalconstruction.com
Tony Miller, Project Manager
Renewal Construction welcomes Tony Miller, one of the newest additions to our team. Tony's responsibilities as Project Manager include overseeing all aspects of projects using planning, monitoring and controlling processes.
Tony brings comprehensive knowledge and expertise in all areas of home construction and residential remodeling. A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Tony attributes his work ethic to his origins as a midwestern farm boy waking at the crack of dawn to do chores before heading to school. He "grew up wearing a tool belt" working for his father's residential remodeling company.
Tony moved to Atlanta in 1983 and has called DeKalb County home ever since. He managed new home construction projects in award-winning communities across the Atlanta metro area for more than a decade.
Tony and his wife, Robin, breed Kuvasz dogs and regularly show them at American Kennel Club (AKC) events. They have bred and/or own several of the top-ranked Kuvasz dogs in the United States. See them on Tony's website, www.rebelridgekuvasz.com.
tony@renewalconstruction.com
Heather has joined Renewal Construction as a preconstruction manager. She has a design and management background and will specializie in design, layouts and project planning for Renewal. It's familiar territory for Heather, having completed work on three of her own homes in Atlanta. She continues to work on the 1920s Kirkwood bungalow she shares with her husband and daughter.
Heather’s career has included management of a custom workroom, merchandising and store planning, and interior design for residential and commercial clients. She studied at the University of Georgia, earning an M.A. in Art History and a B.A. in Art History and English Literature.
heather@renewalconstruction.com
Kelly has lived near Atlanta most of her life. Recently, she and her husband decided to move inside the city limits to make the most of what Atlanta and Decatur have to offer. They love the area’s easy accessibility and the variety of events available to enjoy.
At the University of Georgia, Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising with a minor in sociology. While in college, she gained experience in the marketing department of a major New York-based publication. She also assisted in designing advertisements for a local ad shop in the Atlanta area.
How did she end up at Renewal? “I was attracted to the company’s innovations in green building,” she says. “I was also impressed with the collaborative work environment here. Everyone consistently focuses on improving themselves and the work they do, and that’s something I admire.”
kelly@renewalconstruction.com
Our Crews Our work crews include full-time project managers, carpenters and carpenters' helpers. We carefully screen the trusted, proven subcontracting resources that are an important part of our team.
