Craig Plescia is a commercial construction executive, entrepreneur, and growth-minded business leader with more than 20 years of experience building companies, leading complex projects, and delivering results across some of the most competitive markets in the country. As the Chief Executive Officer of Plescia Construction & Development, he has led the company’s expansion from startup to more than $40 million in annual volume, growing from a New Jersey base into the New York City metro market and extending operations into Florida and Texas. His work spans commercial construction, construction management, general contracting, tenant improvements, office interiors, hospitality construction, retail construction, industrial facilities, mixed-use development, and ground-up projects.
Craig’s career has been built on a rare combination of executive leadership and hands-on operational expertise. Before leading his own company, he held senior roles including President/Partner, Managing Director, Director of Operations, Senior Project Manager, Superintendent, and Cost Control Estimator, giving him a full-spectrum understanding of the construction business from the field to the boardroom. Over the years, he has overseen growth initiatives, opened new offices, developed internal systems, managed estimating and procurement, negotiated contracts, led field operations, and built strong client relationships across a wide range of sectors including commercial interiors, life sciences, data centers, hospitality, retail, industrial, medical facilities, and high-end office space.
Earlier in his leadership journey, Craig helped scale major construction organizations through periods of accelerated growth. In prior executive roles, he contributed to the expansion of annual company volume from $32 million to approximately $150 million within 18 months, opened offices in multiple states, and led operational, financial, estimating, purchasing, accounting, marketing, and field functions. He also played a key role in building and leading a major New Jersey office for a prominent New York-based contractor, managing substantial annual volume while overseeing client development, staffing, bid strategy, contract negotiations, and overall construction operations. Across these roles, he worked with notable brands and organizations in finance, retail, media, technology, healthcare, and luxury sectors, further strengthening his reputation as a trusted leader in commercial construction and development.
His professional background is reinforced by a strong academic and executive-development foundation. Craig earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island, where he studied Political Science with a concentration in Constitutional Law, along with a minor in General Business focused on Management and Marketing. He later continued his leadership development through Harvard Business School’s Presidents Program, an executive program centered on advanced strategy, decision-making, and organizational growth for industry leaders. He also holds industry credentials including LEED-AP, OSHA-30, and New York City Licensed Superintendent, along with additional certifications and technical fluency across leading construction, project management, and estimating platforms.
What sets Craig apart is not only his experience scaling businesses and leading construction teams, but the way he approaches leadership itself. His profile reflects a leader who values discipline, performance, preparation, and accountability. Those traits show up in business, where he is known for creating structure, driving execution, and building organizations that can grow with intention across multiple regions. They also show up in the way he lives outside of work. Craig is deeply involved in leadership and community organizations, including the Young Presidents Organization, where he has served in multiple roles, and he has also given back through planning board service, youth coaching, and prior EMT service.
Outside the office, Craig lives the same intensity and commitment that define his professional career. He is a dedicated mountaineer, rock and ice climber, private pilot, rugby player, youth rugby coach, skydiver, outdoorsman, and adventurer. His resume includes summiting three of the world’s Seven Summits — Mount Everest, Aconcagua, and Kilimanjaro — along with ascents of Mount Rainier, Adirondack High Peaks, and various Himalayan peaks. He is also listed as a licensed mountain guide in rock and ice, a licensed skydiver, and a pilot working toward additional ratings. These pursuits reinforce a personal brand built around resilience, precision, courage, and endurance — qualities that also translate directly into his leadership in commercial construction and development.
At home, Craig is equally proud of his role as a father and family man. He is the proud father of three children — Craig, otherwise known as CP3, Elizabeth, and Drew — and is excited to be welcoming a fourth child on the way with his partner, Brielle.