Staff - Kavin Construction, Inc.

Kavin Construction would not be where it is today without our dedicated team of project managers, construction managers and office personnel. Each member of our team is a specialist in their field and offers a unique set of skills and expertise. With an in-depth bank of knowledge, our team is able to tackle the most complex projects while meeting all deadlines and budgets.

Get to know our team members by clicking on their names. We are here for you if you have questions or need to make decisions about your upcoming home improvement project.

Michael Kavin

Owner and President
Danny Herrington

General Construction Manager
Jimmy Martinez

Assistant Construction Manager
Steve De Luna

Project Manager
Brian Laas

Project Manager
Hugo Filho

Project Manager
Maurice Ideses

Assistant Project Manager
Jay Nunez

Lead Estimator
Gustavo Deugarte Jr.

Office Manager
Jerry Walpert

Assistant Office Manager

What's New?Blog & News

November 1, 2024

Small Renovations You Can Make Before the Holidays

With the holiday season around the corner, many California homeowners are preparing to welcome friends and family into their...
Read More
October 15, 2024

Clever Ways to Use the Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets

If you have empty space above your kitchen cabinets, you might be missing out on a valuable storage opportunity....
Read More
September 30, 2024

Tips for Enhancing Your Mudroom and Laundry Room

Your mudroom and laundry room are two of the hardest-working spaces in your home. With a little attention to...
Read More

Accreditations & Memberships

Michael Kavin

Owner and President

Owner and President Michael Kavin established Kavin Construction in 1975 to serve clients in Southern California. In retrospect, construction was the furthest thing from Michael Kavin’s mind while he was growing up in Los Angeles. But things changed when he went away to attend the University of California at Davis as a Biological Sciences and Physics major. He worked weekends at a local lumber company which led to a summer job at Anawalt Lumber Company in Los Angeles. In 1975, while still working at Anawalt, Michael established his own carpentry service which later evolved into Kavin Construction. To this day, Michael maintains a strong working relationship with Anawalt. In 1978, Michael became a licensed contractor with the State of California in three building classifications: General Building (B), Fencing (C-13), and Painting & Decoration (C-33). His level of expertise became well respected within the construction industry. He was frequently invited to participate as an expert witness for the State Contractor’s License Board in the resolution of construction disputes.

Michael prides himself on his cutting-edge knowledge of computers and technology. He introduced a revolutionary computer system to Kavin Construction in the late 1970’s and has personally upgraded all hardware and software systems ever since. Michael also personally writes all of the company’s computer programs, including Kavin Construction’s proprietary “Job Costing” program – an application that compares the actual expenses against the projected expenses, thereby providing clients with the most accurate budgetary reports.

Today, Michael relies on a staff of over thirty professionals to provide excellent customer service and quality craftsmanship to his clients, yet he continues to manage all of Kavin Construction’s bidding, job costing, projected budget control, contract preparation, and quality control responsibilities. He is personally involved with every proposal and vigorously oversees all projects to ensure his clients’ satisfaction. “Clients can reach me anytime of the day by phone or email,” Michael says. “It’s a small way of instilling confidence and letting clients know that I am on top of their projects.”

Danny Herrington

General Construction Manager

Danny Herrington is the General Construction Manager for Kavin Construction, overseeing all projects in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Of his 30+ years working in the construction industry, the last twenty-five years have been with Kavin Construction. Danny’s job entails overseeing and coordinating the home construction process from start to finish; his responsibilities as “field boss” include interfacing with homeowners, architects, and sub-contractors. Danny is adept at handling unanticipated problems, and his easy-going, fair, and diplomatic demeanor keeps all of Kavin Construction’s projects running smoothly and on schedule.

Jimmy Martinez

Assistant Construction Manager

Jimmy Martinez has over 12 years of onsite construction experience and is a results-oriented, performance-driven Project Manager who possesses exceptional leadership skills. Jimmy has been with Kavin for seven years. He has extensive knowledge of all phases of construction from excavation through building finishes. He is responsible for handling the day-to-day on-site operations, including implementing and coordinating the schedule, inspections, and duties that enable the project to be completed on time and on budget. Driving the pursuit of excellence on every construction project he touches is the fact that he simply loves construction.

Steve De Luna

Project Manager

Steve De Luna brings thirty years experience to his position as Project Manager. He has been a licensed general contractor for twenty-seven years, twenty-two years of which have been with Kavin Construction. Steve’s attention to detail, his ability to coordinate all the tradespeople, and his foresight in planning make him stand out as one of the most exceptional Project Managers in the community. The sub-contractors love to work on Steve’s jobs because he puts everything into place so they can do their jobs, thereby eliminating downtime and saving money. Clients appreciate the financial benefit as well.

Brian Laas

Project Manager

Brian Laas is a construction industry veteran of over thirty years, from hands-on to managing and oversight of projects. Brian has been with Kavin for five years. With this insight and experience, Brian aims to provide world-class service to his future clients. As project manager, Brian oversees numerous construction ventures and provides related services to our valued customers. Always a clutch player, Brian prides himself on staying calm under pressure from pre-construction to the finished product. In this industry, communication is dire, and Brian always makes himself available, removing stress from clients and keeping the schedule tight and on budget. In his spare time, Brian enjoys the experience of motocross competition with his son, working as a mechanic with the team’s pit crew.

Hugo Filho

Project Manager

Hugo has been in the construction industry since 1992. He started as a hands on framer in custom homes and through the years he has climbed the ranks to a project management position.

Hugo in the last 28 years operated in many aspects of the construction trade, including residential, commercial and industrial. Hugo has been with Kavin for four years. His extensive and broad experience in all phases of construction, along with an analytical disposition lends itself nicely to problem solving in challenging projects.

Even in his spare time, construction does not wander very far from him, as one of his hobbies is to build one of a kind furniture pieces using reclaimed exotic woods. Hugo is also an avid bicycle rider who raced for 25 years. That determination translates into a great asset in the construction business motivating all under his leadership.

Maurice Ideses

Assistant Project Manager

Maurice Ideses has been with Kavin Construction for twenty years, assisting all Project Managers. Maurice had worked in clothing production most of his life, deciding to change his career into the world of construction. He is a great asset to all projects, working hand in hand with our Project Managers to order and pick up materials, monitor construction as a second pair of eyes, and handle time consuming tasks to free up our staff.

Jay Nunez

Lead Estimator

Jay Nunez has been in the construction industry for over 16 years. He has worked in both commercial and residential settings. After traveling for 7 years opening commercial projects. Jay’s attention to detail and design make him an unparalleled asset to the Kavin Construction team. From estimating to closing projects, there is no stone unturned when it comes to the level of attention that is placed on each project. As lead estimator Jay takes the clients dreams and helps make them a reality. His positive attitude and high energy allow him to easily connect with clients and make the construction process enjoyable from day one.

Gustavo Deugarte Jr.

Office Manager

Gustavo Deugarte Jr. joined Kavin Construction ten years ago as Office Manager. His responsibilities include handling the day-to-day operations of a busy office, managing accounts receivables and payables, and payroll duties. Since moving to Los Angeles, Gustavo has brought his skills in office administration and management to companies in various fields and is proud to have joined the Kavin Construction team.

Jerry Walpert

Assistant Office Manager

Assistant Office Manager Jerry Walpert is responsible for the general duties associated with running a busy construction office, including scheduling projects, coordinating meetings, maintaining client files and insurance policies, ordering supplies and managing the staff’s cellular service. After twenty-seven years experience as a production manager at a furniture company, the previously retired Jerry came out of retirement eighteen years ago to help his friend of twenty-six years; Jerry is a true testament to Michael Kavin.