Uniting Our Team & Customers to Build The Future.
Exceeding
Expectations. Building Trust. Creating Value.
Uniting our team and customers to build
the future.
Franjo Employees Are Persistent, Ambitious,
& Confident
Franjo’s Foundation
Franjo Construction was founded in 1997 by brothers Frank and Joe Leonello, but the foundation was built long before that through hands-on construction experience and a family-driven approach to building.
From the beginning, the standard was simple: do the work the right way, take ownership of outcomes, and build relationships that last longer than any single project.
That mindset shaped early growth through repeat clients and word-of-mouth trust—earned through consistency, accountability, and follow-through, not marketing.
Franjo’s Foundation
As projects grew in size and complexity, Franjo Construction Corporation expanded its operational structure to match. During this period, the company established a strong presence in the public construction sector, particularly K-12 and institutional work, where disciplined scheduling, coordination, and field execution became core strengths.
Franjo built a reputation for delivering successfully in highly regulated and schedule-sensitive environments, often working within occupied facilities and phased construction conditions. The company’s ability to self-perform key scopes, maintain accountability in the field, and consistently deliver quality work helped drive continued growth through repeat public-sector clients and referrals.
At the same time, Franjo began expanding into more relationship-driven private commercial opportunities, laying the groundwork for future growth across multifamily, retail, hospitality, office, and adaptive reuse markets.
Rather than chasing volume, the focus remained on execution, building stronger field leadership, improving operational coordination, and establishing the foundation that would support the company’s long-term expansion into more complex private-sector work.
Franjo’s Foundation
Franjo entered a period of major expansion across markets, including automotive, retail, office, hospitality, and adaptive reuse.
To support that growth, the company strengthened its self-performed capabilities and field execution model. By controlling key scopes in-house, Franjo improved schedule reliability, enhanced quality control, and reduced coordination gaps between trades.
This era also established long-term partnerships with national and repeat clients, including multi-location programs and complex, phased construction environments.
The work became larger, but the standard remained the same: deliver with precision, communicate directly, and own the outcome.
Franjo’s Foundation
Today, Franjo operates as a fully integrated construction organization with the ability to execute complex projects across multiple markets and delivery methods.
From adaptive reuse projects like large-scale office conversions and hospitality redevelopments, to high-volume programs such as 150+ ALDI stores and multi-site tenant rollouts, Franjo is trusted in environments where sequencing, coordination, and timing are critical.
Recent work—including award-winning adaptive reuse projects and multi-tenant redevelopment—reflects a continued focus on transformation, precision, and execution under pressure.
The approach is simple: align early, build smart, and deliver without compromise.
One Company,
Multiple Solutions
Franjo Leadership
Frank Leonello
Chief Executive Officer
Frank represents the “Fran” in Franjo and has helped shape the company from its earliest foundation into a regional general contracting organization. Since 1997, he has guided growth across estimating, business development, and project oversight, helping evolve a family business into a multi-company platform.
Today, Frank focuses on strategic direction and long-term client relationships, ensuring alignment across teams, markets, and delivery partners. His leadership continues to anchor Franjo’s approach to collaboration, execution, and sustained growth across multiple commercial sectors.
Frank represents the “Fran” in Franjo and has helped shape the company from its earliest foundation into a regional general contracting organization. Since 1997, he has guided growth across estimating, business development, and project oversight, helping evolve a family business into a multi-company platform.
Today, Frank focuses on strategic direction and long-term client relationships, ensuring alignment across teams, markets, and delivery partners. His leadership continues to anchor Franjo’s approach to collaboration, execution, and sustained growth across multiple commercial sectors.
Joseph Leonello Jr.
President
Joe represents the “Jo” in Franjo and has been central to building the operational foundation of the company since its formation in 1997. He has led the organization through decades of growth, scaling project delivery while maintaining consistency across teams, clients, and field operations.
He oversees day-to-day execution across the organization, keeping projects moving and ensuring alignment between office and field operations. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Franjo into a multi-company construction group with deep roots in repeat client work and long-standing industry relationships.
Joe represents the “Jo” in Franjo and has been central to building the operational foundation of the company since its formation in 1997. He has led the organization through decades of growth, scaling project delivery while maintaining consistency across teams, clients, and field operations.
He oversees day-to-day execution across the organization, keeping projects moving and ensuring alignment between office and field operations. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Franjo into a multi-company construction group with deep roots in repeat client work and long-standing industry relationships.
Anthony Trapuzzano
Vice President of Business Development & Marketing
Anthony’s work in business development is grounded in years of hands-on project experience across residential, commercial, and institutional construction. After joining Franjo in 2006, he spent time in both project engineering and project management roles, building a strong understanding of how work is delivered in the field.
That operational background informs how he approaches client relationships today. He leads business development efforts across the Pittsburgh and Florida offices, working closely with owners, partners, and internal teams to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and support long-term growth across the organization.
Anthony’s work in business development is grounded in years of hands-on project experience across residential, commercial, and institutional construction. After joining Franjo in 2006, he spent time in both project engineering and project management roles, building a strong understanding of how work is delivered in the field.
That operational background informs how he approaches client relationships today. He leads business development efforts across the Pittsburgh and Florida offices, working closely with owners, partners, and internal teams to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and support long-term growth across the organization.
Brendan Gallagher
Executive Vice President of Operations
Brendan joined Franjo’s executive team in 2022 and brings more than 16 years of experience in construction. He oversees operations across projects, working with teams to coordinate logistics, support field execution, and keep work progressing as planned. His role focuses on maintaining consistency across projects and supporting teams in the field.
Outside of work, Brendan lives in the North Hills with his fiancée and daughters. He spends much of his time with family, staying involved in their activities, including horseback riding, soccer, basketball, cheer, violin, and golf.
Brendan joined Franjo’s executive team in 2022 and brings more than 16 years of experience in construction. He oversees operations across projects, working with teams to coordinate logistics, support field execution, and keep work progressing as planned. His role focuses on maintaining consistency across projects and supporting teams in the field.
Outside of work, Brendan lives in the North Hills with his fiancée and daughters. He spends much of his time with family, staying involved in their activities, including horseback riding, soccer, basketball, cheer, violin, and golf.
Edward Blank
Executive Vice President of Estimating
Since joining Franjo in 2005, Ed has become a central figure in shaping the company’s estimating approach across a wide range of commercial work. Over the course of more than 26 years in the industry, he has supported both preconstruction and project management efforts, helping guide projects from early concepts into executable plans.
Estimating leadership spans budget development, schedule input, and design-phase collaboration with project teams to evaluate options and refine scope. Early involvement in the process helps establish clarity around cost and intent, giving teams a stronger foundation as projects move into construction.
Since joining Franjo in 2005, Ed has become a central figure in shaping the company’s estimating approach across a wide range of commercial work. Over the course of more than 26 years in the industry, he has supported both preconstruction and project management efforts, helping guide projects from early concepts into executable plans.
Estimating leadership spans budget development, schedule input, and design-phase collaboration with project teams to evaluate options and refine scope. Early involvement in the process helps establish clarity around cost and intent, giving teams a stronger foundation as projects move into construction.
Frank Vacek
Director of Field Superintendents
Frank joined Franjo in 2003 as one of the company’s earliest employees and brings more than 26 years of construction experience. His background includes time in the field as a carpenter and superintendent, as well as roles in project management, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how projects come together.
He now leads field operations across projects, working closely with superintendents and project teams to keep work moving, maintain quality, and support coordination in the field. His experience across multiple roles helps keep projects organized and aligned from start to finish.
Frank joined Franjo in 2003 as one of the company’s earliest employees and brings more than 26 years of construction experience. His background includes time in the field as a carpenter and superintendent, as well as roles in project management, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how projects come together.
He now leads field operations across projects, working closely with superintendents and project teams to keep work moving, maintain quality, and support coordination in the field. His experience across multiple roles helps keep projects organized and aligned from start to finish.
Jason Bates
Senior Project Executive
Jason joined Franjo in 2015 and brings more than 24 years of experience in the construction industry. His background includes managing a range of commercial projects, with oversight on work totaling more than $100 million.
He stays closely involved with project teams, helping coordinate day-to-day efforts, address challenges as they come up, and keep work progressing through each stage of construction.
Jason joined Franjo in 2015 and brings more than 24 years of experience in the construction industry. His background includes managing a range of commercial projects, with oversight on work totaling more than $100 million.
He stays closely involved with project teams, helping coordinate day-to-day efforts, address challenges as they come up, and keep work progressing through each stage of construction.
Jay Celaschi
Safety Director
Jay joined Franjo in 2016 and brings more than 20 years of experience in construction safety. He leads the company’s safety program, working with field teams and leadership to establish clear expectations, provide training, and support safe work practices across all projects.
As an OSHA instructor, Jay provides ongoing training, including new employee orientation, fall protection, equipment operation, and hazard communication. His approach focuses on building a strong safety culture where accountability is shared and safety remains a consistent part of daily work.
Jay joined Franjo in 2016 and brings more than 20 years of experience in construction safety. He leads the company’s safety program, working with field teams and leadership to establish clear expectations, provide training, and support safe work practices across all projects.
As an OSHA instructor, Jay provides ongoing training, including new employee orientation, fall protection, equipment operation, and hazard communication. His approach focuses on building a strong safety culture where accountability is shared and safety remains a consistent part of daily work.
Joe W. Leonello
Self-Perform Analyst / Project Engineer
Joe joined Franjo in 2019 as a project engineer and has continued to grow within the organization. His work now focuses on supporting self-perform operations, with an emphasis on tracking productivity, improving efficiency, and helping field teams stay aligned with project goals.
He works closely with both field and project teams, using data and day-to-day coordination to support consistent performance across projects.
Joe joined Franjo in 2019 as a project engineer and has continued to grow within the organization. His work now focuses on supporting self-perform operations, with an emphasis on tracking productivity, improving efficiency, and helping field teams stay aligned with project goals.
He works closely with both field and project teams, using data and day-to-day coordination to support consistent performance across projects.
Joshua Wells
Vice President of Procurement
Procurement strategy at Franjo is built through close coordination between project teams, trade partners, and real-time field conditions. With more than 18 years of experience spanning estimating, operations, and project delivery, Josh brings a practical, build-focused perspective to early decision-making.
Experience across both field execution and preconstruction informs a practical approach to cost control, sequencing, and trade coordination as projects progress. Pricing and constructability are evaluated together, helping teams anticipate challenges early and align procurement decisions with overall project goals.
Procurement strategy at Franjo is built through close coordination between project teams, trade partners, and real-time field conditions. With more than 18 years of experience spanning estimating, operations, and project delivery, Josh brings a practical, build-focused perspective to early decision-making.
Experience across both field execution and preconstruction informs a practical approach to cost control, sequencing, and trade coordination as projects progress. Pricing and constructability are evaluated together, helping teams anticipate challenges early and align procurement decisions with overall project goals.
Marco Carlini
Project Executive
Marco has been in the construction industry since 1999, with experience in both field and office roles across architecture and construction. That background gives him a practical understanding of how projects are designed, coordinated, and built.
He has supported multi-location retail programs and works with teams to keep coordination clear, address issues early, and maintain progress throughout construction.
Marco has been in the construction industry since 1999, with experience in both field and office roles across architecture and construction. That background gives him a practical understanding of how projects are designed, coordinated, and built.
He has supported multi-location retail programs and works with teams to keep coordination clear, address issues early, and maintain progress throughout construction.
Michael Guciardo
Division Manager
Mike joined Franjo in 2006 and brings more than 17 years of experience in the construction industry. His background includes roles in estimating, project engineering, and project management across a range of project types.
He now leads operations within Franjo Specialty Group, working with teams to coordinate work, maintain quality, and keep projects moving efficiently from start to finish.
Mike joined Franjo in 2006 and brings more than 17 years of experience in the construction industry. His background includes roles in estimating, project engineering, and project management across a range of project types.
He now leads operations within Franjo Specialty Group, working with teams to coordinate work, maintain quality, and keep projects moving efficiently from start to finish.
Michael Stetson
Chief Financial Officer
Michael joined Franjo in 2023 and brings more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, with a focus on supporting construction companies. His background includes both compliance and consulting work, giving him a strong understanding of the financial side of construction operations.
As CFO, he oversees finance, insurance, IT, and HR, working closely with leadership to support day-to-day operations and long-term planning. Michael is a member of the AICPA and PICPA and is involved in industry initiatives, including leadership roles supporting construction-focused programs.
Michael joined Franjo in 2023 and brings more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, with a focus on supporting construction companies. His background includes both compliance and consulting work, giving him a strong understanding of the financial side of construction operations.
As CFO, he oversees finance, insurance, IT, and HR, working closely with leadership to support day-to-day operations and long-term planning. Michael is a member of the AICPA and PICPA and is involved in industry initiatives, including leadership roles supporting construction-focused programs.
Nick Leonello
Chief Strategy Officer
Nick plays a key role in guiding Franjo’s strategic direction, with a background that spans both project management and estimating. He began working with the company during his college years and has grown through roles in the field and preconstruction, building a strong understanding of how projects come together.
His experience across multiple areas of the business supports long-term planning, cost insight, and overall project alignment. Nick works closely with leadership and project teams to help guide decisions and support continued growth across the organization.
Nick plays a key role in guiding Franjo’s strategic direction, with a background that spans both project management and estimating. He began working with the company during his college years and has grown through roles in the field and preconstruction, building a strong understanding of how projects come together.
His experience across multiple areas of the business supports long-term planning, cost insight, and overall project alignment. Nick works closely with leadership and project teams to help guide decisions and support continued growth across the organization.
Zachery Sybo, MBA
Controller
Zach joined Franjo in 2018 as an accountant and has grown into his role as Controller. He oversees accounting, human resources, and information technology across the organization, supporting both the Pittsburgh and Fort Lauderdale offices. His work helps keep day-to-day operations organized and aligned across teams.
Zach lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh with his fiancée and two children. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, following Pittsburgh sports, and collecting sports memorabilia.
Zach joined Franjo in 2018 as an accountant and has grown into his role as Controller. He oversees accounting, human resources, and information technology across the organization, supporting both the Pittsburgh and Fort Lauderdale offices. His work helps keep day-to-day operations organized and aligned across teams.
Zach lives in the North Hills of Pittsburgh with his fiancée and two children. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, following Pittsburgh sports, and collecting sports memorabilia.
Awards & Recognitions
Build Your Future
With Us
Franjo is built for people who take ownership, solve problems quickly, and perform in high-accountability environments, working in fast-moving, complex jobsite conditions where execution matters every day, not just sometimes. If you want to grow in a place where your work is visible and your impact is immediate, Franjo is that opportunity.