Ben Welsh
After a 25-year career in finance where Ben held senior management positions at Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan and Jefferies he decided it was time for a change. A passion for real estate, and a little-known creative streak, was the impetus for starting Hawthorne Design and Development. What started as a project between him and Lana to build their dream house in Bridgehampton, NY has morphed into a vibrant real estate development business. Hawthorne Design and Development has emerged as one of the premier builders of bespoke homes in Fairfield County. The underlying philosophy is simple; never cut a corner and build every house as if it is the last house your family will ever live in.
Adhering to this simple philosophy, having a unique eye for design, and a drive to always create equity in every project has led to the development of some of the nicest homes in Greenwich. A key component of Hawthorne’s success has been a universally satisfied and happy group of homeowners (references available upon request). Ben, as the President/Owner of Hawthorne, is involved in every aspect of the design and development of a home.
Lana Welsh
Lana has always had an extremely keen eye for interior design and décor. After a 10-year career in finance at Neuberger Berman, and raising two children, she has thrown herself into being an owner operator of Hawthorne Design and Development. Lana brings a uniquely feminine perspective to the development process, which is invaluable, and she is always available to assist with interior selections and idea generation throughout the home development process.
Joseph Ziccarelli
As a new member of the Hawthorne team, Joe brings a wealth of experience as a Financial Operations and Client Relationship Specialist. Over his 30-year career on Wall Street, Joe rose to the position of COO of Sales and Trading for several prominent financial firms. He then transitioned to leading Business Development at a market infrastructure company and a financial technology start-up. Joe's interest in real estate development dates back to his college summers spent working in the field. Over the years, he has been an active partner in several commercial home development projects and a proactive private equity investor in real estate.
Dorothy Dacruz
After working in commercial insurance as a VP of sales for a prominent agency in the greater Boston area for over 30 years, Dorothy has decided to join Hawthorne Design Development on a full-time basis. The chance to work with her son Ben, and daughter in-law Lana, brought her out of her brief retirement of approximately 5 months. Dorothy is a project manager responsible for working with our clients, and vendors, to ensure the highest level of transparency and best value in all of Hawthorne’s projects. In addition, she is a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts and Connecticut and will play a role in land acquisition and sales.
Reed Whipple
Reed Head of Construction. With more than 45 years of experience in the high-end residential building industry, Reed brings a lifetime of knowledge, craftsmanship, and leadership to the Hawthorne team. Having grown up immersed in construction from a young age, Reed developed hands-on expertise in every facet of the business—from site work development, to framing and finish work details with a hands on approach. Over the course of his distinguished career, Reed has built and overseen the construction of more than 200 custom homes throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut. Reeds deep understanding of each phase of the building process allows him to anticipate challenges, maintain exceptional quality standards, and ensure that every project runs seamlessly and stays on schedule.
Paul Zeller
Paul is the in-house architect at HD and D as well as a Project Manager. Paul graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1992. Paul is a registered architect in CT and NY who brings over 30 years of experience in architecture and design to Hawthorne. Paul has previously worked with several highly regarded firms in the NY/CT region including, Wadia Associates, Granoff Architects, and Kenneth Nadler Architects. Paul’s attention to detail and ability to bring a client’s vision to reality make him an invaluable asset to HD and D and our clients.
Mark Caviola
Mark has over 40 years in the construction and excavation business. Mark formed Mark Caviola LLC in 2006 and joined HD and D and in 2020. Mark is licensed for all types of demolition and septic work in NY and CT. Mark provides invaluable insight, machinery, and labor as a strategic partner of HD and D for site work , drainage, septic, retaining walls, and major landscape renovations.
Stett Trippe
Stett is a Senior Project Manager at Hawthorne Design & Development, and is responsible for overseeing some of HDD’s most complex projects. With a multi-decade career in finance, real estate security, sustainability technology and real estate development for high net worth individuals, Stett brings a broad set of project management skills and experience to some of our most important projects. Through a family history in resort hospitality, Stett developed an early passion for luxury property development and has been exposed to commercial and residential real estate projects globally. This has provided an understanding of high end markets and client demands.
Carlos Ortiz
Carlos is the Head of Interior Finished Carpentry. With 20 years in the construction and design industry, specializing in high-end residential and commercial interiors, Carlos has proven expertise in managing full-cycle carpentry projects.
Robin Christine
Robin is an essential part of Hawthorne Design and Development in all phases regarding the interior design of a home. In addition to working extensively with HD and D, she is the owner of Robin Christine Interior Design. Robin is an expert in kitchen design, bathroom design, and custom built-ins, as well as all aspects of home building, home design, and the interior construction process. Her ability to work with clients to bring their vision to reality is an enormous asset to HD and D and our clients. She has a unique ability to act as an Interior Decorator, as well as an “Interior Project Manager.” Robin is also invaluable when it comes to working closely with a client's external interior decorators to make the implementation of our clients', and their team's, visions a reality in a Hawthorne project.
Gina Seward
Gina is the a Senior Project Manager and COO for HD and D. Gina brings limitless energy to to every project that Hawthorne undertakes. Her construction and design knowledge has been acquired over a 30 year career in the industry. Her expertise and experience is invaluable to HD and D and all of our clients. Gina’s ability to manage everything from site excavation ,to the install of a priceless piece of art , makes her an invaluable asset to her colleagues and clients.
Ryan Boylan
Ryan attended Coastal Carolina University studying Hospitality Management. After working years in a management program at a Hilton Flag hotel he developed a passion for real estate and construction. His first foray in construction was time spent as a carpenter. Ryan now works as a point person in Hawthorne’s various development projects and assists in project management. He is a key player in coordination and direction of various subcontractors in the building of bespoke homes.
Brian Collins
Brian is a Senior Project Manager at Hawthorne Design & Development, bringing more than two decades of experience in construction operations, administration, and property oversight. He has managed complex projects across public and private sectors, including construction initiatives on numerous large-scale, ultra-luxury residential estates, corporate portfolios, and throughout a 21-building municipal school portfolio. Brian has held diverse leadership roles where he specialized in data-driven project management, vendor management, safety programs, and regulatory compliance.
As a Fairfield County native, Brian has deep connections to the area and a passion for construction that began early in life. Having started his career as a carpenter, Brian combines extensive hands-on construction knowledge with executive-level project management expertise, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
Jim Roach
Born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, Jim brings over 40 years of hands-on experience in the construction industry, with a career that spans both commercial and high-end residential work.
A proud member of Carpenter’s Local 210, Jim spent six years building a foundation in commercial construction before launching a successful 28-year career as a self-employed residential contractor. His deep field experience, coupled with a strong reputation for craftsmanship and integrity, has made him a trusted name across Fairfield County and beyond.
In addition to his construction background, Jim spent six years in property management, giving him a well-rounded understanding of building operations, maintenance, and client service. He holds OSHA safety certification, Home Inspection Course certification, and is also Kemper certified—reflecting his commitment to quality, safety, and continuous professional development.
With decades of experience and local roots, Jim brings a blend of technical expertise, project oversight, and community pride to every project he undertakes.
