This past summer, we took time to shine a spotlight on a few of the incredible people who make Gramercy. From decades of experience in demolition to the passion and dedication that drive our projects forward, these team members remind us that our strength is in our people. Here’s a look back at the stories we shared.

John Montalvo, Demolition Superintendent

John Montalvo, one of our demolition superintendents here at Gramercy Group.

John has been with Gramercy for just over a year, but his demolition career spans an incredible 46 years!

Out of six siblings, he was the only one who chose construction, jumping straight into the industry right after high school—and he’s never looked back.

Known around here as “Johnny Demo” (a nickname given to him by fellow superintendent Mark Schwab that stuck!), John truly lives and breathes demolition.

His philosophy? “Demolition is a tough business, and the most important thing is to be safe.” That’s the advice he passes along to anyone new to the trade.

What John loves most about the work is the variety—no two days and no two jobs are ever the same. Beyond the jobsite, he’s deeply rooted in family and community. He’s married to his wife, a retired police officer with 27 years of service, and together they have three children and five grandchildren.

In his spare time, John serves as a Deacon at his church, enjoys cooking, and treasures time with family.

We’re grateful to have John as part of the Gramercy team—his decades of experience, dedication to safety, and passion for the work embody what makes our company strong.

Joshua Finkelstein, Project Cost Specialist

Meet Joshua Finkelstein, who joined the Gramercy Group team four months ago as our Project Cost Specialist.

Joshua grew up in Smithtown, Long Island and is the oldest of four siblings (three boys and one girl). He’s always had a strong drive to succeed. After high school, he attended Johnson & Wales University, where, thanks to a packed schedule of high school business and financial analysis classes, he earned his bachelor’s degree in just two years, followed by a master’s in financial planning.

Originally drawn to international finance because of his passion for languages (he’s fluent in Spanish, Italian, and a little German), Joshua soon discovered a deeper interest in accounting. That led him into a financial development program at a construction company, where he combined his love of numbers with a newfound appreciation for the construction industry.

After five years in the field, Joshua joined Gramercy, where he’s become an integral part of our team. He says he enjoys this work because “numbers talk.” He loves seeing how financials interact and impact one another, and believes that finance and accounting are skills that can carry across any industry. While construction was new to him, he quickly adapted and learned the ropes by digging into the numbers behind every project.

Outside of work, Josh is engaged to Stephanie, a cost analyst in healthcare. Together, they recently adopted a whoodle named Loki, and enjoy spending time at concerts, watching movies, listening to rock music, and playing video games.

Thank you, Joshua, for helping us keep our numbers in order and contributing your sharp financial mind to our team. We’re lucky to have you!

James York, Ace Tool Sales Representative

James has been with our sister company, Ace Tool, since February 2023.

James joined the team after spotting a help wanted ad on Indeed. At the time, he had just sold a gourmet chocolate business he co-owned with a friend. Looking for a sweet change (pun intended!), he found his next adventure in the world of tools — something he’s always had a passion for.

James thrives in sales because he genuinely enjoys solving problems for our customers and building trust. He loves when him and his customer can become a team. When a client calls and says, “Just take my card and order the part,” he knows he’s earned that trust — and that’s what drives him. His tool knowledge runs deep, and while he won’t pick a favorite brand, he believes each one brings something unique to the table depending on the trade.

So, why shop at Ace? James says it best:

➡️ We’ve got the inventory

➡️ We’ve got the expertise

➡️ And we’ll beat any price!

Outside of work, James recently married his wonderful wife Natalie. The two love adventure — from quad riding in the Catskills to beach days with family and friends, and traveling whenever they can.

Thank you, James, for your knowledge, passion, and commitment to the Ace Tool team. We’re lucky to have you!

Check out more of our Ace Tool team here!