Our Team
Meet the faces behind Elm Builders, our team is stacked with individuals who have experience in every facet of construction, from new builds to complex conversions. We are dedicated to doing quality work and building lasting relationships with our clients through creative problem solving and transparent communication.
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Ryan Bono
DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION
Elm Builders is thrilled to announce Ryan Bono as our new Director of Construction. Ryan's leadership and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with the core values of our company, and we are excited to have him spearheading our construction team. His proficiency and dedication will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of Elm Builders.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ryan as he takes on this pivotal role within our organization. We look forward to achieving new milestones and delivering exceptional construction projects under his guidance.We first met Ryan at one of our real estate meetups in Wilmington. His passion for construction and dedication to delivering high-quality work stood out to us immediately. Since joining Elm Builders, Ryan has already made a significant impact on our team. He has been instrumental in ensuring that our construction projects are on track, on budget, and he exemplifies the “whatever it takes” attitude.
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Nicholas Keniston
PROJECT MANAGER
Drawing on eight years of infantry experience in the Marine Corps, Nick is a results-oriented professional with a track record in leadership and client relations. After his military service, he earned a Personal Training certification and worked as a trainer while attending the University of Massachusetts Boston. Transitioning into the sales sector, Nick excelled as a Sales Manager for a solar company.
Ultimately, his passion for construction and a desire to return to his roots led him back to his hometown Wilmington, North Carolina where he and his wife currently live. While pursuing a degree in Construction Management and gaining practical experience with a local restoration company, Nick discovered Elm Builders. He is dedicated to building a long-term career with the company, inspired by its significant growth opportunities and future potential. -

Dave Magnusen
SITE SUPERINTENDENT
David Magnusen is a dedicated and accomplished Jobsite Superintendent with a wealth of experience in project management and construction, cultivated over decades of service in both military and civilian capacities. His career began with 5 years of service in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he honed his skills in engineering and project execution.Then he entered the self storage industry where he established himself as a key player in the field, eventually founding his own business successfully overseeing extensive storage unit installation projects. Following the events of September 11, 2001, David re-enlisted, this time in the U.S. Air Force Reserves Civil Engineering Squadron from which he retired after 17 years as a Master Sergeant, a role in which he earned the nickname "Diamond Dave" for his resourcefulness and ability to procure essential materials and solutions swiftly. After retirement, he took on the role of project manager in the self-storage industry. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in guiding complex projects from inception to completion, applying his extensive knowledge of the self-storage sector to ensure that all phases are executed seamlessly. His hands-on management style and proactive approach enabled him to drive productivity and efficiency on jobsites. He is known for his ability to coordinate schedules and meet deadlines, consistently pushing projects forward with a strategic mindset. David's military background has instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. David represents a rare blend of experience, dedication, and leadership, making him a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of construction and project management in the self-storage industry. David cherishes his time at home in Ohio with his wife of 33 years. He enjoys golfing, camping, and is an avid Ohio buckeye fan from baseball to basketball, and yes- even football.
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Jeff Light
LEAD ESTIMATOR/ PROJECT MANAGER
Originally from Hershey, PA, Jeff began his career in Baltimore, MD, where he spent five years honing his project management skills at Whiting-Turner. He later transferred to the firm's Wilmington, NC office, overseeing several large-scale new construction projects at Camp Lejeune over a three-year period.
While Jeff built a strong foundation in construction management, he was always interested in real estate development. After connecting with Director of Construction Ryan Bono at a local real estate meetup, Jeff was inspired by the Elm team’s unique integration with Nomad Capital and their "developer mindset." He officially joined the team in the fall of 2025, and is eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of Elm Builders and Nomad Capital.
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Kyle Quittschreiber
FINANCE MANAGER
Kyle Quittschreiber works in the financial department under the department head Drew Lewis. He started working for Nomad Capital in early Dec 2022. Kyle also manages the company's insurance operations and finds fulfillment in the amazing work environment and growth opportunities it offers. Before joining Nomad Capital, Kyle spent five years in the construction industry. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and playing basketball on the weekends.
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Donald Bullard
SITE SUPERVISOR
With a career spanning 25 years, Donald brings a deep, multi-disciplinary understanding of both residential and commercial construction. His professional journey began with three years of service in the U.S. Army, he then transitioned to a laborer where he gained experience in every facet of construction. For the past 15 years he has been a Field Project Manager, overseeing complex builds from inception to completion. He is a great addition to our team and we are excited to have him on board.
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Erik Hemingway
OWNER
Erik Hemingway, Founder of Nomad Capital and Elm Builders, has nearly 22 years of experience in all aspects of the construction and self-storage industry. He has been a part of over $100 million dollars of commercial real estate transactions and $60 million in residential real estate since 2006. He built his first self-storage facility from the ground up in 2006, guided that facility through the Great Recession, and has since built a personal portfolio of 4 self-storage facilities using the value-add strategy. He founded Elm Builders sister company, Nomad Capital, to help others achieve their dream of nomadic freedom and having the ability to do whatever they want, whenever they want by way of investing passively.
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Levi Hemingway
OWNER
Levi Hemingway, has been a general contractor for 9 years and has overseen the renovation and ground-up development of over 500,000 square feet of commercial construction. Levi is also our integrator as he oversees all of the day-to-day operations for our sister company Nomad Capital including due diligence, closing process, capital markets and asset management. Levi is married and has 4 kids under the age of 6! Levi and his family love spending time on their boat, or exploring the great outdoors. In his free time he does stage acting and is always trying to make the team at Elm laugh!

