Our Team.
Strong from top to bottom.
It is said that being a leader means “defining and exhibiting moral and ethical courage and setting an example for everyone in the company”. The Hill Group’s management team certainly personifies that definition, initially led by Founder Toby Hill and now with his son, Chris Hill, who continues The Hill Group legacy.
With nearly 170 years of collective experience in the construction industry, the management team brings experience in every facet of the industry to the table. But what sets the team apart is a culture that encourages creativity and problem solving from all employees.
Our Management Team.
Chris Hill, President & Safety Director
The son of Toby Hill, Chris Hill practically grew up on the construction site, working summers during high school in the field, and in the office during college for The Hill Group. One could say that the construction business was in his blood. Like his father, Chris attended the University of Florida from which he received his Bachelor of Science in Building Construction in 2005. He began his professional career also working in project engineering estimating and project management for nearly 10 years for two large commercial construction firms in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. LEED Accredited, Chris distinguished himself while working for The Weitz Company in Ft. Lauderdale by being the first employee to be chosen nationally for the “Better Builder’s Club”, spending six weeks with each trade/subcontractor on a particular project to further enhance his knowledge of each subcontractor’s scope of work. The combined training Chris received during his summer work at The Hill Group, his formal education, training, and responsibilities during his tenure in the commercial construction world allowed for a smooth transition when he joined his father at The Hill Group in 2014. Chris is also philanthropically-minded like his father, being recognized early on in his career for his work for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, being named one of “Ft. Lauderdale’s Finest” in 2009. He has brought his passion for the work of nonprofits back home to the Vero Beach community, as well.
– 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
Jay Krieger, Maintenance Division Manager
Born and raised in Vero Beach, Jay Krieger joined The Hill Group in 2014 as a Project Manager in the Maintenance Division and was promoted to Manager in 2016. A State Certified General Contractor who previously owned and operated his own residential and commercial construction business, Jay began his career in the construction industry in 1997, after serving four years of active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Machinery Technician/Federal Law Enforcement Officer. In his role, Jay handles home inspections and maintenance needs, from small to large, including renovations. A firm believer in The Hill Group tenant that a quality home deserves quality maintenance to enhance its value, his goal is to consistently provide the best maintenance to Vero Beach’s homeowners. With a team of talented craftsmen who enjoy their work and ten fully-equipped vans, it’s not hard to meet that goal.
– 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
Bruce Gardner, Project Manager, Maintenance Division
Bruce Gardner’s construction career began in 1999, and he quickly found a passion for building fine high-end custom homes. In 2001, he found his home with The Hill Group as an apprentice carpenter, gaining valuable experience working alongside the finest craftsmen in the area. For 18 years he worked his way through the ranks from apprentice, carpenter, and superintendent, benefiting from the support and encouragement of The Hill Group Founder Toby Hill, as well as Christopher Hill. In 2019, Bruce stepped away from the company for three years to share his knowledge and experience with youth by teaching shop classes at Saint Lucie Public Schools but found his way back home to The Hill Group as a Project Manager in the Maintenance Division in 2022. Bruce and his team strive to provide unsurpassed service to our valued clients, handling a variety of maintenance needs and small to larger renovations.
Caleb Esparza, Project Manager, Residential Division
Caleb Esparza joined The Hill Group in 2021, after returning to Florida following his service in the Navy from 2010 to 2020. He assumed the role of Project Manager in 2024 in both the Maintenance and Residential Divisions. Raised in New Smyrna Beach, Caleb grew up with a father who was a Master Carpenter and General Contractor, exposing him to high level carpentry and fine custom homes at a very young age. In fact, his first jobs were working in his father’s mill shop or under his father in the field as an apprentice carpenter. Following his freshman year of college at Florida International University, he served in the Navy from 2010 – 2020, traveling across the United States, as well as Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His Naval experiences are vast, including being part of both humanitarian and sensitive defense projects in Bahrain, Qatar, Okinawa, and mainland Japan, as well as military installations across California. He concluded his time on active duty working as an instructor at a Naval Special Warfare schoolhouse that exclusively trains partner nation forces in a myriad of disciplines. He holds a USCG 100-Ton Master’s license, in addition to being a certified Professional Locksmith, and he is well-versed in facilities management and residential maintenance, residential home inspections, and drone operations. The combination of Caleb’s experience of being mentored by a Master Carpenter at an early age, and his diverse range of experiences while serving in the Navy, have coalesced into Caleb becoming a valuable member of The Hill Group’s Leadership Team.
– 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
George Casares, Estimator
The Hill Group’s Estimator, George Casares, joined the team in May 2021. A 2011 graduate of the State University of New York College at Oneonta with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, George brings with him over 10 years of experience coordinating project execution in conformity with drawings and specifications, collaborating with owners/architects/liaisons, project scheduling, purchasing materials, contract administration, budgeting, expediting materials and general construction administration. He began his career in construction as a laborer for his grandfather’s residential construction company and quickly moved up the ranks to Carpenter Foreman. He then held a position with Long Island’s largest General Contractor as an Assistant Superintendent and as a Project Manager. During his tenure there, he oversaw renovation and new construction projects that included multiple stories and site development, with sizes up to 167,00 square feet. After college, George continued his education in construction at the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, receiving his Construction Project Management Certificate in 2013, going on to receive his Project Manager Development Certificate at AGC of New York State in 2014, and then his Cost Estimating Certificate from Fordham University in 2020. George’s hands-on experience in the field, paired with his education in construction management/estimating, give him the edge to efficiently forecast and manage project success.
– 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