MEET OUR OWNERS

Brian was born and grew up in northeast Ohio and wouldn’t want to live in any other place. He has been doing home renovation, warranty, and service technician work for over 25 years. Some of the skills that Brian excels in include rough framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, finish, carpentry, roofing, and problem-solving. Brian accepts challenges and different ways to problem-solve to effectively complete projects. He also enjoys working closely with other employees and our clients. Nothing gives him greater satisfaction than knowing that the client is happy with the final outcome of a job well done. 

Close up: In his free time Brian enjoys spending it with his three children, traveling, fishing, boating, hunting, golfing, and of course, watching the Browns play football. All of Brian’s children are boys and Eagle Scouts. He has a cat that was rescued by his son. Her name is Bosco and he enjoys her company. He owns a century home in Painesville and always has projects going on. 

Minor in Business Administration from Bluffton University

Meghan has 11 years of design experience including both residential and commercial. Her aesthetic design style would be best described as Transitional. She loves blending contemporary finishes, materials, and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless look for her clients. Her favorite part about being a designer is forming relationships with her clients and being able to connect with them on a personal level. She takes pride in her communication skills and wants them to feel involved throughout the entire design process. Meghan is also engaged in finding creative ways to help budget-conscious clients design their dream space. Meghan is accredited CKBD, Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Close Up: Her first experience with residential design started in 2012 in Morehead City, NC for a small design firm. She worked as a full-time designer for four years before she and her husband Greg returned home to the Buckeye state to be closer to family.  Her, Greg, and their 3-year-old daughter Reese, enjoy exploring the outdoors together and traveling to other parts of the state to visit family.

• 30 Hour OSHA Safety

Nick joined Payne & Tompkins as a laborer in 2018, while completing his associate's degree in construction management. Growing up in Chagrin Falls, he saw the Payne & Tompkins logo around the neighborhood and knew that he wanted to eventually get to work for the company. Nick loves being a project manager because he gets to spend every day doing something a little bit different and solving a new set of challenges.

Close up: In his free time, you can find Nick outdoors golfing, on a jetski or mountain biking. Even in the winter, Nick is outside snowboarding or snowmobiling. Nick also likes to stay active by playing hockey.

Mark has been involved in construction since the age of 13 and he feels very blessed to be on such a great team. Mark’s goal is to ensure that our trade base is one of the best anywhere in the renovation business and that our clients will have a wonderful experience as we renovate their home.

Close Up: Mark enjoys living life to fullest with his wife and two sons. Mark is the owner of over thirty horses and enjoys rehabbing horses with pulled tendons, broken bones, etc. He has manufactured equine treadmills for horses and loves inventing things in the equine world.

• Member of the American Institute of Architects

• Chairman, University Heights Architectural Review Board

• Chairman, East Regional Design Review District and Opportunity Corridor, Cleveland

• Architectural Consultant, City of Painesville Downtown Historic Review District

Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1994, Mike has established himself as one of the most prominent and respected architects in all of Northeast Ohio. Before coming to Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations, Mike was a partner at City Architecture where he worked on some of the most visible and complex new construction and remodeling projects both in residential and commercial construction. His strong ability to listen and connect with people, coupled with his incredible skill and creativity, provides our clients the best design and experience. His hand-sketched plans and elevations are truly works of art.

Close Up: He currently resides in University Heights and is a member of their Architectural Review Board. He enjoys art and being active in the community. Mike likes to travel in his free time to take in new places, study the architecture and be inspired.

• NCIDQ certified, National Council for Interior Designers Qualification

• CKBD, Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer with the NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association

• BlueStar Kitchen of the Year 2017

Jill changed her career path after working in the accounting field for a few years after graduating with a BA in Finance from Ohio University. She quit her job to go back to school to pursue her dream of being an Interior Designer and received her degree from Purdue University. She started her new career path at a furniture store and a small design firm before landing in her current role as Lead Designer and Creative Director at Payne & Tompkins Renovations and Design.

Jill takes the time to get to know her clients and their design aesthetic by asking the right questions. She believes the space needs to be functional first for the client based on their needs and wants, at the same time creating a beautiful space. From the initial meeting, Jill will draw the floor plans, render it in a 3D program, and select all materials for the space. Jill is not afraid to mix styles and loves to think outside the box and create unexpected spaces that you don’t see everyday.

Since joining Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations in 2015, there has never been a day that she wasn’t excited to go to work. Being able to translate her passion into creating beautiful, functional spaces and homes for her clients to spend their lives in is a process that is beyond rewarding for her.

Close Up: Jill grew up in Chardon and now lives with her husband, Jim, and two children (Vivian and Luca) in Willoughby, OH. When Jill is not designing, she enjoys weight lifting and hanging out with her family and friends.

• B.F.A in Ceramics Northern Arizona University
• B.S.E.D Art Education Northern Arizona University

Melissa grew up in Highland Hts. and graduated from Mayfield High School in 1995. She attended Kent State and after a desire to explore outside of the Cleveland area, she moved to Flagstaff Arizona and graduated from NAU. Melissa moved back from Arizona in 2003 and met her husband Rick. They married in 2005 and had two children, Charlie (16) and Olive (13). Melissa worked as an elementary art teacher for a short bit, stayed home to be with her children and later worked with her family in their family business. She was a graduate of the 2021 Leadership Geauga Signature Adult Program, best class ever. Her desire and passion for a beautiful and intentional space lead her to her current position here at Payne & Tompkins. 

Close Up: Melissa and her family currently live in Munson. She is a proud Leadership Geauga board member and enjoys being a part of her community. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, going to concerts and being with family, friends and her four cats, Quinn, Oscar, Asher and Baby. One of her favorite quotes comes from Ted Lasso, "Be curious, not judgmental" 

Luke grew up in Garrettsville OH. He entered the manufacturing field immediately after graduating high school where he spent the next 15 years serving in many different roles. He started as a laborer and became a Union steward before transitioning to Human Resources, and then served as a Production Manager. Luke joined Payne & Tompkins in November of 2024. While Luke was a teenager, he worked with his father remodeling houses. Luke is excited about the opportunity to get back into remodeling. Luke also manages a community garden where he teaches the community the value of growing their own food.

Close-up: Luke enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, whether hiking, gardening, or homesteading. In his free time, Luke loves to play music and is an active member of his church’s worship team.

Brittany’s passion for interior design roots in her excitement for constantly learning new things. She strongly believes that in this field there is something new to be learned every day. 

Brittany takes her time and gives the attention needed to get to know her clients. She not only focuses on the design aesthetic of the client, but prioritizes how the client functions in their own home - understanding that not everyone functions the same. Her goal is to create an equally beautiful and functional home to be lived in and enjoyed every day.

Up close: When Brittany isn’t designing or being creative, she is most likely snuggled up with her dog Toby. If she is not snuggled up at home she is likely coaching basketball, camping or hiking with her husband and family. Her family has hiked 49 states so far, and hope to check Alaska off very soon.

Upon graduation from UC, Michael completed an apprenticeship with a 5th generation Danish furniture and cabinet master in Cincinnati.  He then took his skills into the corporate world to a company focused on innovating hospital room furniture where he received multiple US and Global patents. Michael and his wife Daria, both from Youngstown, decided to move back to Northeast Ohio from Indianapolis after having their first child to be closer to family.  While living in Chardon, Michael began engineering ultra high-end millwork for a company focused on custom mega-yachts, vacation mansions, and ultra-luxury penthouses and apartments.  After several years, he decided to focus his creativity in a new direction, working at a small town nano brewery where he started as an Assistant Brewer and worked his way up to Head Brewer where he oversaw all brewing activities and a staff of brewers.  At the brewery, he most enjoyed discovering new ingredients and developing new recipes to fulfill his love for creativity. That continued desire to create led Michael to his next position working for a small renovation company to build clients’ dreams into reality. Having fallen in love with that experience, Michael joins the talented team of Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations looking forward each day to assisting his colleagues and positively affecting the tangible creation of each clients dream space. 

Close up: Michael loves spending time with his family, especially his amazing wife Daria, their two wonderful kids, and three silly dogs.  As a family, they love visiting places they can explore or playing and relaxing in the sun and surf.  Michael also enjoys designing and building furniture and other small scale woodworking projects as well as hiking, kayaking, skiing, and playing around on the water. Michael is also a dedicated Cleveland sports enthusiast.

Mark Collis joined Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations as a Project Development Coordinator in October of 2021. After graduating from Solon High School, he studied Environmental Science at Cleveland State University and through Tri-C’s Corporate College, is an Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting.  He worked at a technical manufacturing firm in Bedford, OH as a CAD Designer and ISO Coordinator for 31 years and upon the sites closure, he decided to pursue his passion for woodworking and challenge himself with a new career path in the renovation industry.  His goal is to learn the ins and outs of the renovation business and is very excited to be a part of the Payne & Tompkins team.

Close Up: In his free time Mark enjoys traveling, boating and spending time with his wife Jennifer and daughter Summer.  He also runs a girls fastpitch softball organization in Aurora where he currently coaches a 14U team as his way of giving back to the community.  As a huge sports fan, Mark enjoys cheering on the local sports teams in Cleveland.

Cole joined Payne and Tompkins in November of 2022. He grew up in Newbury, Ohio and graduated from Berkshire High School in 2018. After high school he attended Kent State University where he majored in business and minored in communications. Previously Cole had worked in finance. He has always had an interest in residential construction and is excited to grow within a company where he can learn more every day.

In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities, golfing, playing with his dog, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Nick is stoked to join the Payne & Tompkins team pursuing his love for residential design. Trained as an Architect at Ball State University, Nick has spent the last 10 years in Chicago in commercial and industrial design-build construction. He recently relocated to Northeast Ohio with his wife and two children. Nick enjoys tackling new hobbies, creating with his hands, spending time outdoors with mother nature, and Op art. In his spare time, Nick is living out his dream of being a wind junkie: kiteboarding the Great Lakes and beyond.

• Certificate in Business Management and Accounting

Christy grew up in the small town of Irwin, Pennsylvania where she attended College for Graphic Design and Business Management. After graduation, Christy established her own graphic design business focusing on album design and marketing material. Christy used her creativity and graphic design background to produce marketing material and custom photo albums for clients.

In 2011, Christy relocated to Ohio with her husband who accepted a job transfer within his company. Since arriving in Ohio, Christy has held Office Management and Accountant positions. Christy has also served as president of Vikings Gymnastics, a non-profit organization for 6 years. Christy joined Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations in 2018 to further pursue her business career.

Close Up: Outside of work, Christy enjoys being outdoors with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Christy can be found canoeing the Allegheny River, snowboarding, or following other outdoor pursuits.

Stephen graduated from Manchester High School with the class of 2014 in New Franklin, Ohio. Upon graduating, he immediately entered service with the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Infantry. After service, he joined the workforce taking on various leadership positions while working part time with his father to remodel houses for his business.

Remodeling houses gave him a lot of construction remodeling knowledge and helped him succeed in the commercial renovation sector. Stephen came to Payne & Tompkins from commercial multi-family remodeling and is excited to use his project management skills to best serve our clients!

Close Up: Stephen loves listening to and playing music, reading, writing, traveling & getting outside to hike with his wife & dogs! He also enjoys working on cars, woodworking and taking any opportunity to learn a new skill!

James has spent nearly 20 years working in architectural sales and business development with an additional focus on branding and marketing. During this time he traversed the country for various opportunities while completing degrees in kinesiology and nutrition. James approaches his personal and professional life with gratitude, kindness, and understanding above all else and wishes to spread joy and levity in all situations regardless of their difficulty.

Close-up: When James isn’t working or writing bios in the third person he enjoys a very active lifestyle which includes working out, yoga, cooking, hosting parties, birdwatching, and most of all spending time with his wonderful family and friends.

Jeff started with Payne & Tompkins in September 2020 as a Project Manager after spending his first four years out of college working as an engineer in the energy industry. He grew up in Perry, Ohio and attended Perry High School, afterwards obtaining his civil engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati. Jeff performed several diverse internships while at college, which gained him valuable work experience and also enabled him to learn the German language and work abroad in Germany for 8 months.

Growing up, Jeff spent most of his time outside school working alongside his father for their family residential plumbing company plumbing new construction homes. This is what sparked his interest in residential construction, and ever since he was young that has been Jeff’s absolute passion. Since high school, Jeff has completed five home builds and renovations personally, but it wasn’t until he joined Payne & Tompkins that he decided to work in the construction field full-time. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Ragan, traveling, working on construction projects with friends and family, and looking for opportunities to one day start flying again with his private pilot’s license. He is very excited to be a part of the Payne & Tompkins team and looks forward to seeing how far the company can grow with the great team we have in place.

David is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio. He graduated from Geneva High School / Ashtabula County Vocational School where he studied carpentry. After graduation, he worked for a general contractor building houses from start to finish. After that phase of his career, he worked for himself doing everything from small remodeling projects to custom kitchens, master suites, and basement bar buildouts as a sub-contractor. He comes to Payne & Tompkins with 28 years of experience and is excited about the next phase of his career here. 

David currently lives outside of Geneva on a small farm with his wife Michelle and son Travis. He has 3 horses, Mick, Lilly, and Nelson; 2 dogs, Bruno and Benson. David loves spending time outdoors with his wife, being a soccer dad, and listening to music at all the local wineries in the area.  

Julia is a seasoned professional in the field of interior design, with over 15 years of experience. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program with a degree in Architecture, she embarked on a fulfilling career that blends her expertise in design with her passion for residential architecture. During her college years she lived in Taos, New Mexico, where she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, further nurturing her commitment to giving back to communities and creating meaningful spaces. She continues to volunteer with Habitat today. 

Close Up: When she's not busy transforming interiors, Julia can be found exploring new destinations, drawing inspiration from the cultures, diverse landscapes, and architectural styles found around the country.

Brett has been immersed in the construction industry for as long as he can remember. Growing up, his father, a professional home builder, introduced him to the world of construction at the age of 4, and Brett quickly became an eager and skilled helper. After graduating, Brett began his professional journey with Window Nation, where he honed his skills in installing replacement vinyl windows. Over the years, he's gained a broad range of experience in construction, from residential to commercial projects, with his most recent work being in commercial framing. Now, Brett is excited to return to his roots in residential framing, combining his lifelong passion for building with his extensive experience in the field.

Close Up: In his free time, Brett enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including photography, golfing, fishing, and hunting. He values spending time in nature and often shares these experiences with friends, making the most of his time away from work.

Tom was raised in Madison, Ohio and graduated from Madison High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Melissa. They have one son, Joshua. Prior to working at Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations, Tom worked at a hotel, starting out cashiering in the dining room, Night Audit at the front desk, then to accounting in various positions, eventually becoming controller.

Tom enjoys working at Payne & Tompkins as the bookkeeper, using the various skills he has learned over the years, but with a new twist in a new field. It’s exciting working with a lively group of professionals that are dedicated to doing a great job and have fun in the process.

Close Up: Tom’s family are all involved in music, each playing saxophone in the local community band, Madison Jazz Project. They also enjoy being part of a horn line that plays, when space allows, with a local rock band. Tom and Melissa are active in their church and are also part of the church Handbell Choir.

Kyle grew up in Chesterland, Ohio and graduated from West Geauga High School in 2016. He has been in the construction business ever since he could remember, tagging along with his dads painting company. Kyle is one of six, with four older sisters and one younger brother. He was proud to once be a part of a team that prepared a meal for the Madam President of Croatia. When he is not working, Kyle has a strong ambition for working out. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, and he loves anything and everything Cleveland sports.

Jason is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and has been working in the building industry for nearly 14 years. After graduating from Kenston High School, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to pursue a degree in Industrial Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Upon finishing his degree, Jason worked at The Legacy Companies, where he excelled in the research, development, and design of commercial and residential kitchen equipment. After almost six years in Florida, Jason was called back to Cleveland, Ohio where he joined Choice Cabinet in a sales and business development capacity. While at Choice Cabinet, he wore many different hats and managed several sales channels including distribution, residential, and large-scale multi-family.

Jason joined Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations in 2023 as a Project Advisor to further pursue his passion in sales and business development within the building industry. He’s drawn to finding the perfect balance of form vs. function and enjoys the challenges of planning, forecasting, and budgeting required to be successful in the remodeling market.

Close Up: In his free time, Jason loves spending time with his wife, Samantha, and their two children, Tristan and Audriana. He enjoys cooking, working with his hands, and believes in trying everything at least once. Whenever possible, Jason likes to spend time outdoors and traveling, preferably somewhere warm and on a beach!

• AS in Entrepreneurship from Owens Community College
• LEED AP, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional

Shelby has been working in the design industry for nearly 8+ years. Becoming an interior designer has been a dream of hers since she was young. Growing up with parents who built and designed their own home, it impacted and shaped Shelby’s future. Trained in both residential and commercial design, Shelby prefers residential; this is because it is a more personal experience, and she loves to connect and design for each of her clients needs. Her personal style would be defined as modern Boehme with a traditional twist. She is a risk taker with color splash and enjoys mixing old and new styles for a comfortable, relaxed look. Her favorite aspect of design is to create spaces that give purpose and are aesthetically pleasing – dual functionality is key!

Shelby and her fiancé, Riley, moved to Cleveland from Port Clinton and Fayette, OH. They met in college while studying interior design and architecture. They have two large fur babies named Otis and Merle. Otis is a great Dane and Merle is a bloodhound. During the pandemic, Shelby achieved her YTT-200 level yoga certification; she can now teach others the tools to calm the mind and feel aligned. Shelby is currently working on achieving her real estate license, as she is obsessed with all aspects of homes and design. Lastly, you can catch Shelby exploring or traveling outdoors, or snuggled up on the couch with a good book in hand.

Blaine was born and raised in the greater Chagrin Falls area and graduated from Kent State University. In high school and college, he worked in various capacities as a general laborer, installing hardwood floors and remodeling real estate offices. The exposure to real estate stuck and he earned his real estate license during college. After graduation, he worked for a local real estate company called Smythe Cramer. After working as a real estate agent, commissions department supervisor and branch manager, Blaine needed a change of scenery. Fascinated by how things work, he pursued a career in manufacturing where he spent the next 14 years managing different aspects of several manufacturing companies. With real estate and construction still in his blood, Blaine decided to seek a career in construction and renovation and is now affiliated with Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations, where he is happy to call home performing business development and marketing activities.

Close Up: Outside of work, Blaine enjoys feeding birds, gardening, and cooking meals for family and friends. While the results are limited, he also enjoys exercising and time spent outside.

• 30 Hour OSHA Safety

• LEED Green Associate

Lou was born and raised in Chardon where he began working in the construction industry throughout high school. Upon his graduation from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Lou studied at The Ohio State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Systems Management. Lou joined Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations as a Project Manager in October of 2020. He brings a deep passion for the residential building industry and strives to pour every ounce of this passion into making each customer experience special. Lou takes great pride in being able to work with the most skilled men and women in the area!

Close Up: Lou comes from a strong Italian heritage that values family time and traditions. He enjoys carrying on the traditions and values instilled in him by previous generations.  In his free time, Lou enjoys spending time outdoors and is a fan of anything OSU Buckeyes and Cleveland Sports.

Robert was born and raised in the Parkman, Ohio. He started working in the construction business when he was 14 years old. He enjoys his job and feels lucky to be a part of the team. He also likes knowing the team is making lives better.

Close Up: In his free time, he likes spending time with his family and friends. He also likes fishing and most outdoor activities. He is a big fan of the Cleveland Browns and enjoys playing sports.

Steve was born and raised in the Middlefield Ohio area. He has been in the construction business for 20 + years. He loves to create better spaces for clients while making it an enjoyable experience for them.

Close Up: Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with family, camping, and hanging out with friends. 

Before coming to Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations, Matt lived in Wyoming and worked as a geologist in the uranium mining industry. Upon his move to Ohio, Matt created and ran his own residential remodeling business for 8 years gaining him the knowledge and experience he now brings to the PTDR team. What he most enjoys about his work is interacting with the client while guiding them through the remodeling process and into a beautifully crafted space.

Close Up: Matt is an avid traveler, always seeking new adventures. He loves playing sports with his family and exploring the outdoors. In his free time, Matt can most likely be found on his mountain bike or competing in endurance sports like triathlon and gravel bike racing.

• Ohio State Scholar-Athlete

Sarah joined the Renovations team after taking time out of the workforce to be home with her young children. She has worked in both residential and commercial real estate and loves the constant energy and creativity found in renovations. She and her husband, Dave, have built or renovated four homes since their marriage in 2000, and she takes pride in helping a home reach its fullest potential.

Close Up: Sarah enjoys time in the mountains or on the water, family adventures in their Airstream, skiing, hiking, and creating art (and also repurposing old things into new things that Dave actually appreciates having in the house!) but mostly time spent with Dave, her three daughters, two dogs, family and good friends.

Joe grew up in Mentor, Ohio and graduated from Mentor High School in 2014. After high school, Joe immediately entered the construction industry as a bricklayer with Local 16 Bricklayers & Allied Craft Workers. It was with Local 16 where Joe was able to gain valuable insight into the building and remodeling process. Working in the field as a bricklayer allowed Joe to take a hands-on role in the building process from the ground up. After several years and a career change from construction to Area Sales Manager, Joe was called back to the construction industry, this time as an Owner Operator of a landscape construction company. Joe joined the Payne & Tompkins team in September 2022, only a few short months before he and his wife Lea welcomed their first baby into the family.

Joe enjoys spending time with his family, his two golden retrievers, and cooking out with friends. In his free time, Joe often finds himself working on his to-do list around the house or helping friends and family with their projects.

Since 2007, Don has been a valued Payne Tompkins team member. When he joined the team, he brought over 3 decades of diverse experience and background in residential construction. Don has done everything from concrete work to trim carpentry to supervising multimillion-dollar projects and everything in between.

Don’s building philosophy is: “People put a lot of thought and passion into improving their home and I think it’s important not only to give them the result that they envisioned but allow them to enjoy the road getting there.” Don uses his many years of experience and wide range of skills to reduce the stress on the homeowner so they can enjoy the process.

Close Up: Don and his wife, Debbie, grew up and created their life together in Northeast Ohio. They raised two wonderful daughters and are now first-time grandparents. Don enjoys many hobbies including woodworking, welding, and photography, but his favorite pastime is enjoying summer days on his patio with his family and friends.

BS in Engineering from Gannon University

Andrew grew up in Chardon, OH and graduated from Chardon High School (Go Hilltoppers!) in 2011. After graduating from college in 2015, Andrew’s career path involved working in engineering, manufacturing, and commercial construction, excitingly leading to the residential renovation sector with Payne & Tompkins. Through working at Payne & Tompkins, Andrew is continuing to pursue his lifelong dream of producing meaningful work and making people’s lives better.

Close up: Andrew currently resides in Painesville, OH with his wife Brianna and their two dogs, Vinny and Kenny. In Andrew’s free time, he enjoys hiking, watching sports, and spending time with Brianna and their two dogs. Andrew and Brianna have a lifegoal of hiking every National Park in the United States.

• Past President NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association

• Numerous Design Awards, 2003-2018

• Numerous Cabinetry and Appliance Training Courses, 2009-2019

With more than twenty years of experience in the interior design and construction field, Leslie offers extensive knowledge in creating interior spaces that are timeless, well thought out and beautiful. She has won numerous design awards, sat on various industry-related boards and is the past president of the Ohio State NKBA—National Kitchen and Bath Association. Leslie’s unique design approach continually strives to create friendly and cohesive interior spaces that her clients invariably love. She has a special affinity for design and order, taking on the renovation process with the simple approach of “design can be like a puzzle, you start with one attribute you love, (i.e. backsplash, tile, piece of art) and build out from there.”

Priding herself on the connections and friendships created with her clients over a long career, Leslie’s greatest satisfaction comes from their happiness in their newly designed spaces.

Close up: Originally from Pittsburgh, Leslie often frequents home visiting her family and friends. On the weekends she enjoys dining at one of the many locally owned restaurants and wine bars with her husband Justin and friends. As for leisure, you can usually find Leslie curled up by the fire reading a good book or challenging herself on the Peleton bike—undoubtedly with either one of her dogs, Biggie or Finn, competing for the best spot to curl up next to her. Leslie also appreciates the time she can spend with her daughters either planning vacations on sunny beaches or perusing the summer markets of Cleveland Flea. Leslie is an avid board gamer and undisputed champion in Boggle and Scrabble.

Deb joined Payne & Tompkins in November 2024. Originally from Mayfield Heights, OH, now she resides in Harpersfield Township with her husband and two children, ages 21 and 20. Before joining Payne & Tompkins, Deb dedicated 40 years to the mortgage and title industry.

In addition to her role at Payne & Tompkins, Deb works part-time as a financial secretary for a church in Painesville and has been a volunteer treasurer for a non-profit organization for 12 years.

Close-up: When not working, Deb enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and three dogs. She enjoys attending local band performances, traveling, cruises, and relaxing on a deck with an ocean view, immersed in a good book.

Maggie has spent several years in the design world after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. With her experience ranging widely in urban planning and architecture, she is excited to hone in on the intricacies of interior design. Designing a person’s home is a great responsibility that takes focus and passion. From renovating her own home, she can understand the excitement and sense of ownership that comes with creating a space that is beautiful, functional, and timeless.

Tabitha joined Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations in February of 2022. She is a resident of Madison, Ohio, where she was born and raised. After attending college in upstate New York, Tabitha moved to the Metro Detroit area. There she gained experience in administrative and training coordination in corporate and non-profit sectors.

Close Up: After moving back to Ohio to be closer to her “HUGE” family, Tabitha met her now husband, Justin. They enjoy spending time in the outdoors with their son, Brandon. Tabitha also volunteers as a bible study leader where she enjoys engaging, equipping, and encouraging women in her community.

BS in Business Administration Major Finance from The Ohio State University

Lara returned to the workforce after taking a break to be a stay-at-home mom to three wonderful boys. After college Lara initially moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she worked in the Marketing and Franchise departments for Steak-n-Shake corporate. Upon returning to Columbus, OH Lara worked in accounting and finance until after she and her husband Dean moved to Cleveland and started their family. What Lara likes most about working for Payne & Tompkins is being able to help out wherever it is needed most.

Close Up: Lara enjoys planning trips, traveling, hiking, playing games, reading, and hanging out with her dogs, friends, and family.

Marty has been in residential construction since I was 15 years old . He had his own business for a few years in construction before he met with Mark and Payne -Tompkins. He then worked with PTDR for 4 years as a subcontractor. He is now very excited to work with this amazing team, always ensuring the clients have the best renovation experiences possible!

Close Up: When at home, Marty enjoys being a hobby farmer. Spring time is his favorite part of the year, with baby foals arriving, and making fresh hay for the horses!

• AA in Liberal Arts from University of Hawaii

Daniel is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and after graduating high school he moved to Maui, Hawaii. While there, he enjoyed all that the island has to offer while working in the hospitality industry and finishing his Associate Degree from the University of Hawaii. After spending 10 years in Hawaii and meeting his wife there, they decided they were ready for their next adventure and moved to Denver, Colorado where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Project Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver. While completing his degree, he worked for the City and County of Denver as a Construction Engineer Intern. Daniel returned to Ohio to join Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations as a Project Development Coordinator and get the opportunity to continue pursuing his passion in project management and grow in his role while learning the ins and outs of residential renovations and remodels. His attention to detail and work ethic are unparalleled and he prides himself in going the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction.

Close Up: In his free time, Daniel loves to spend time hiking with his wife, Magali, and dog, Duncan as well as traveling to new places. They are expecting a new addition to the family with a baby boy on the way coming in March 2021 and are thrilled to embark on this new adventure!

Rylan grew up in Chardon, Ohio, graduated from Auburn Career Center where he studied Architecture Project Management, and graduated from Chardon High School in 2023. He first started as an intern back in November of 2022 before joining Payne & Tompkins as a full-time laborer. He is excited to be part of the Payne and Tompkins team full-time and looks to keep learning and growing from the best. In his free time, Rylan enjoys fishing, playing all sports, hanging out with friends and family, and being on the water. He also loves watching the Cavs, Browns, and Guardians.