Team Leads
Kara Johnston
President
Construction has always been one of Kara’s passions. While achieving her B.S. in Construction Management at Cal Poly SLO, she concurrently gained hands on experience working as a carpenter framing houses. She interned with a tenant improvement contractor during summers and went into the commercial construction field immediately after college.
Her career has had a focus in the commercial tenant improvement industry in San Francisco, Oakland, and the surrounding Bay Area for 20+ years. She is the liaison between teams during build outs, assisting the owner’s team with useful information and knowledge to make educated decisions. Her experience includes numerous projects with challenging logistics successfully managing cost control and schedules. Her vast project involvement includes countless tenant improvement projects, numerous building lobbies, a 300,000 sq ft full building renovation, fitness centers and amenity spaces. Her expertise and confidence to each project she undertakes is recognized by working with repeat clients in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
Ruben Ruiz
General Superintendent
Ruben Ruiz is a seasoned construction professional with over 20 years of experience in commercial construction. He excels at coordinating and managing diverse crews. Throughout his career, he managed projects ranging from lobby renovations to large-scale tenant relocations, demonstrating expertise in vendor management, subcontractor negotiations, and construction challenges. Ruben’s vast experience include skills in environmental remediation and compliance.
Educated at San Francisco Community College and trained with the Carpenter Union Local 22, he is a motivated problem-solver with a strong mechanical aptitude and a deep understanding of construction methods and materials.
Christina Wagenseller
Senior Project Manager
With nearly 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Christina brings deep expertise and hands-on knowledge across a wide range of project types and sectors. Her background spans commercial tenant improvements for office and retail spaces, including adaptive reuse of existing structures. She adds specialized experience in tailoring environments for corporate, automotive, and industrial tenants. She has a strong foundation in IT integration and R&D environments, ensuring that each project is built with future-ready solutions and cutting-edge precision. Her commitment to quality, efficiency, and innovation has earned a reputation for delivering projects on time, on budget, and beyond expectations.
Whether you’re transforming a newly leased space or modernizing an existing interior, Christina brings expertise and industry insight to deliver tailored tenant improvement solutions that align with your business vision.
Brandon Murphy
Project Manager
Construction management has been the foundation of Brandon’s career for 20 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. He brings broad experience in preconstruction, estimating, project management, and owner representation, managing tenant improvements, corporate interiors, sports facilities, medical spaces, and major renovations across Northern California—primarily throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Peninsula.
Brandon guides projects from early design-build planning through completion, supporting clients with strategic insight, detailed budgeting, and proactive communication. His work spans tenant improvements, high-profile corporate interiors, sports facilities, and complex renovations valued from several million dollars to over $35 million. He is known for his collaborative approach, problem‑solving skills, and consistent delivery on schedule, budget, and client expectations.
Samantha Johnston
Project Coordinator
Samantha Johnston is a recent Southern Utah University graduate, Summa Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Political Science and a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is currently working towards her J.D. at Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law.
She assists with project coordination, process management, and technology to streamline communication and improve efficiency. Samantha’s role includes maintaining accurate documentation and supporting teams so that they can do what they do best: bring high-quality projects to life. She looks forward to bridging the gap between the field and office to make collaboration easier and more effective.
Karen Ternosky
Project Coordinator
Karen is an experienced operations leader with a strong foundation in communication, logistics, and workflow optimization. With a BA in Communication and English Literature from Le Moyne College and over a decade supporting high‑performing teams, she excels at bringing clarity, structure, and efficiency to fast‑paced environments.
At Equitable Advisors, Karen served as Office Manager of Operations and earned the Edna Award for Staff of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, recognizing her leadership and commitment to excellence. Now transitioning into construction as a Project Coordinator, she’s focused on strengthening teams, streamlining processes, and construction document control that keep projects running smoothly.
Cheryl Jacobs
Office Coordinator
Cheryl Jacobs supports day-to-day operations and helps ensure the smooth coordination of projects and office processes. She brings a strong background in executive support, project coordination, and business operations, and is known for her organization, attention to detail, and ability to improve workflow efficiency. Cheryl is currently transitioning her career after leaving the environmental research field in January 2023, bringing with her a strong foundation in scientific analysis, reporting, and problem-solving. She holds an Associate of Science degree from Wake Technical Community College (2015) and has earned a Project Management Certificate from Google (2024) as well as a Study Director certification (2022).
Ramesh Babu
Estimator
Ramesh is a seasoned estimator with decades of experience, beginning his career in 1994 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology in India. He built a strong foundation in public works and hard‑bid environments, developing deep expertise in cost analysis and competitive project delivery.
As he transitioned into the private sector, Ramesh managed a wide range of negotiated projects across retail, medical office, ground‑up construction, OSHPD‑regulated work, and tenant improvements. Known for accuracy, reliability, and strong industry relationships, he consistently delivers detailed and dependable estimates across complex scopes. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf.
Shasta Black
Project Accountant
Shasta brings over 20 years of experience across construction accounting, operations, project management, and financial coordination within fast‑paced corporate environments. She has supported several general contractors as a Project Accountant, managing project financials, vendor coordination, budgeting, billing, and cost tracking with precision and consistency.
Shasta blends her strong accounting foundation with operational leadership to support projects with accuracy, organization, and a solutions‑focused mindset. She values collaboration, adaptability, and building positive working relationships that drive successful project outcomes, reflecting her commitment to effective project support.
Jaime Muller
Superintendent
Nestor Quiñones
Carpenter
Nestor Quiñones is a skilled union carpenter with more than a decade of hands‑on experience in commercial construction. Specializing in drywall, framing, and interior systems, he has played a key role in delivering high‑quality results on numerous large‑scale projects. His work is defined by precision, efficiency, and a strong commitment to jobsite safety.
As a proud member of the Local 68L Drywall Lathers Union, Nestor brings both technical expertise and field‑tested problem‑solving to every project. Coming from a long line of carpenters, he carries forward a family tradition of craftsmanship, discipline, and pride in the trade. His dedication to doing the job right the first time has earned him the trust of teams and clients across the Bay Area.
Jorge Elias
Carpenter
Jorge is an experienced commercial TI carpenter skilled in acoustical ceiling systems, metal stud framing, drywall installation, and doors, frames, and hardware installation. He excels at working on active, fast‑paced job sites while maintaining high‑quality workmanship and strict adherence to safety standards.
Jorge is proficient in reading construction drawings, coordinating with other trades, and assisting with resolving field conditions to keep projects progressing on schedule. He brings hands‑on experience with layout, framing, ceiling grid installation, backing, and detailed finish work common to TI environments. He values a strong commitment to completing work safely, efficiently, and to specification.
John Ottolini
Carpenter
John “Otto” Ottolini Jr. is a second‑generation union craftsman and proud member of Carpenters Local 9109 with nearly 30 years of experience in commercial construction. Since joining the union in 1997, he has built his career across a broad spectrum of healthcare, educational, and commercial tenant improvements throughout Northern California. His early service as a Sonoma County firefighter from 1993 to 1995 laid the foundation for the same dedication, resilience, and sense of duty that continue to define his work in the trades today.
Known for his strong work ethic, practical problem‑solving skills, and unwavering commitment to quality and safety, Otto is respected for his ability to navigate complex field conditions with professionalism and steady leadership. He brings deep field knowledge, union‑trained craftsmanship, and a collaborative mindset to the KR Johnston Construction team, strengthening project execution and reinforcing the company’s culture of excellence.
