Crafting Excellence Through Collaboration.
Collaboration Built on Trust
At The Hill Group, the architects, designers, and vendors we partner with are an essential part of our team. For over 40 years, we’ve built strong relationships founded on trust, communication, and shared goals. Together, we bring client visions to life with precision and care, ensuring every detail reflects creative intent. By fostering seamless collaboration and mutual respect, we deliver homes that showcase your talent and exceed client expectations.
Meet the Leaders Behind the Legacy
The Hill Group’s success stems from the expertise and passion of our team. Led by experienced professionals, we bring a collaborative and client-focused approach to every project. With decades of custom homebuilding experience, our leadership ensures every detail is executed with precision, making us a trusted partner in crafting homes that inspire and endure.
Chris Hill, President & Safety Director
Chris Hill’s passion for construction runs deep. Growing up immersed in The Hill Group, founded by his father Toby Hill, Chris spent his early years learning the craft on construction sites and in the office. These early experiences shaped his lifelong dedication to purposeful craftsmanship, client satisfaction, and collaborative partnerships.
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida in 2005, Chris honed his skills working for leading commercial construction firms in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. His positive mindset and drive for continuous learning earned him national recognition at The Weitz Company, where he deepened his understanding of each trade by working hands-on with subcontractors.
Since returning to The Hill Group in 2014, Chris has carried forward his father’s legacy, fostering partnerships with architects, designers, vendors, and clients. He leads with a perspective that values every collaboration, ensuring that each project is approached with care, precision, and an enduring commitment to excellence.
Chris also shares his father’s philanthropic spirit. Recognized for his philanthropic efforts early in his career, he continues to support causes in Vero Beach, including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, the Environmental Learning Center, and Vero Classical School.
– Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida
– LEED Accredited
Community Involvement:
– Habitat for Humanity – helped oversee company’s volunteer work for new Habitat Restore building.
– United Way of Indian River County Workplace Partner
– Volunteer for Jackie Robinson Celebration Baseball Games, benefitting United Way.
– Environmental Learning Center
Bill Brady, Jr., Project Manager, Maintenance Division
Bruce Gardner, Project Manager, Maintenance Division
Bruce Gardner began his construction career in 1999, quickly developing a strong interest in high-end custom homes. He joined The Hill Group in 2001 as an apprentice carpenter, gaining hands-on experience while working with some of the finest craftsmen in the area. Over the next 18 years, Bruce advanced through the rands from apprentice to carpenter to superintendent, guided by the mentorship of both Toby and Chris Hill.
In 2019, Bruce temporarily left The Hill Group to share his knowledge and skills with the next generation, teaching shop classes in Saint Lucie Public Schools. In 2022, he returned home to The Hill Group as a Project Manager in the Maintenance Division.
Today, Bruce leads a dedicated team, providing exceptional service to clients with a wide range of maintenance needs, from routine inspections to small- and large-scale renovations. His experience and commitment to craftsmanship continue to uphold The Hill Group’s reputation for quality and care.
Caleb Esparza, Project Manager, Residential Division
With early roots in custom craftsmanship and leadership refined through a decade in the U.S. Navy, Caleb Esparza became part of The Hill Group team in 2021. Raised in New Smyrna Beach, Caleb was immersed in fine custom homes and craftsmanship from an early age, learning the trade under his father, a Master Carpenter and General Contractor. His first jobs were spent in his father’s mill shop and as an apprentice carpenter in the field, where he developed a foundation in high-level carpentry.
After his freshman year at Florida International University, Caleb enlisted in the Navy, serving from 2010 to 2020. His career included both humanitarian and defense operations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with assignments in Bahrain, Qatar, mainland Japan, and other strategic locations. He concluded his service as an instructor at a Naval Special Warfare school, training partner nation forces in advanced disciplines.
Since joining The Hill Group, Caleb has become a valued leader, promoted to Project Manager in 2024 for both the Maintenance and Residential Divisions. His expertise spans residential project management, inspections, and facilities oversight. Caleb also holds a USCG 100-Ton Master’s License, is a certified Professional Locksmith, and applies a range of technical skills including drone operations and home maintenance.
His diverse experiences and commitment to quality craftsmanship reflect The Hill Group’s dedication to delivering exceptional homes and service.
– Florida State Certified General Contractor
– Owner, residential & commercial construction business in Indian River County, 1997-2014
– U.S. Coast Guard, 1993-2001, including Reserve time
– Supporter of Military Veteran-related causes
Ryan Hill, Project Manager, Maintenance Division
Ryan Hill brings a broad range of construction experience to his role as Project Manager in The Hill Group’s Maintenance Division. Raised in Winter Springs, Florida, he was introduced to the trade early by his father, a General Contractor with more than 35 years of experience. From hands-on work in carpentry and tile to leadership in large-scale developments and restoration projects, Ryan has built his career on a foundation of both technical skill and practical insight.
Before joining The Hill Group, Ryan spent nearly a decade managing residential and commercial projects across Florida, developing the ability to lead teams through complex construction challenges with clarity and care. His focus on quality, problem-solving, and client service aligns seamlessly with the values that define The Hill Group.
Whether handling routine maintenance, inspections, or complex renovations, Ryan is committed to delivering dependable service and lasting results—ensuring every home he touches continues to reflect the excellence it was built with.
George Casares, Estimator
George Casares brings over a decade of construction expertise to his role as The Hill Group’s Estimator. Since 2021, he has applied his skills to key areas such as project scheduling, budgeting, and contract administration, ensuring projects align with drawings and specifications.
George’s passion for construction began at a young age, working for his grandfather’s residential construction company, where he rose from laborer to Carpenter Foreman. His career later advanced with Long Island’s largest general contractor, where he served as both Assistant Superintendent and Project Manager, overseeing complex renovation and new construction projects up to 167,000 square feet.
A graduate of the State of New York College at Oneonta with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, George deepened his construction expertise through continued education. He earned a Construction Project Management Certificate from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate in 2013, a Project Manager Development Certificate from AGC of New York State in 2014, and a Cost Estimating Certificate from Fordham University in 2020.
At The Hill Group, George leverages his hands-on field experience and specialized training to provide precise cost forecasting and project management strategies, ensuring each project is set up for success. His dedication to detail and efficiency aligns with The Hill Group’s commitment to craftsmanship and excellence.
– Bachelor of Science in Geography from State University of New York College at Oneonta
– Construction Project Management Certificate from New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate
– Project Manager Development Certificate- AGC of New York State
– Cost Estimating Certificate – Fordham University