About Build Now
References
Our Team
Donations
Timeline
Our Team
 | William Monaghan Founder & Designer |
Every renovation horror story intensified Mr. Monaghan's conviction that the renovation of severely damaged houses is not the right answer for most New Orleanians. Quality new homes, he believes, should be an affordable option. Families have a right to move back to safe, new houses that better equip them to withstand future storms.
Forty-two years at the helm of his own construction, design, and development business have given Mr. Monaghan the experience necessary to undertake this ambitious rebuilding project. He has built more than half a million square feet of commercial and residential space and has designed hundreds of residential plans. His supervision and eye for detail ensure the homes' high quality. Further, his extensive work in the sale of residential real estate has prepared him to help buyers find financing for their Build Now homes. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Monaghan's New Orleans upbringing instilled in him the love for the city's distinct architectural style that guides his Build Now designs.
Mr. Monaghan graduated from St. Martin's Episcopal School before going on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Yale University and a Master's Degree in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
 | Tess Monaghan Executive Director |
Tess Monaghan cultivated her interest in architecture and development while visiting her father's construction sites. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, she honed her business skills as a consultant at Bain & Company in New York City. There, she developed expertise in the packaged food and beverage industry and designed a market share tracking tool for a financial services company.
Tess moved to New Orleans to become Executive Director of Build Now. She oversees Build Now's operations and acts as an advocate for New Orleans' displaced homeowners.
 | Nikki Najiola Sales Director |
What Nikki Najiola loves most about her position as Build Now's Sales Director is the opportunity to have a meaningful connection with people. Nikki is defined by her commitment to helping residents return home to rebuild and her passion to give them the quality of life that they deserve in their newly built post-Katrina homes.
Since Katrina, she has assumed several leadership roles in citizen-led initiatives designed to revitalize New Orleans' neighborhoods. She is a board member of Neighborhood Partnership Network; President of the Oak Park Civic Association; President of the Mid-City Business Association; and a founding board member of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association.
Nikki is a New Orleans native and a licensed Louisiana realtor.
 | Kim Autin Home Loan Specialist |
Kim LoCicero Autin is a 30-year veteran of the residential lending industry in South Louisiana, having owned and operated her own mortgage brokerage in New Orleans for many years.
Kim’s hands-on approach has helped thousands of homeowners receive the kind of local lending assistance that precisely fit the special needs of post-Katrina families. Her in-depth knowledge and personal approach to home loan financing uniquely qualifies her as your expert in the field.
Contact Kim today and discover how easy it is to make your family’s dream of returning home come true.
 | Ben Seymour Construction Manager |
Mr. Seymour, also a New Orleans native, directs construction for Build Now. As a graduate of the College of Engineering at Louisiana State University, he takes each project from a set of plans to the house that you will call home again. With over 10 years experience in Residential and Commercial construction, he supervises the network of sub-contractors that take pride in constructing a home that you will be proud to have on your lot and your neighbors will be happy to have in the neighborhood. He is a member of both the National and Louisiana Association of Homebuilders and has overseen a wide range of projects from small custom homes to some of the largest residential homes throughout New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and surrounding markets.
 | Jolie Bernard |
Originally from Lafayette, Jolie moved to New Orleans in 2003 to attend Dillard University.
She joined Build Now after a long-standing career in Broadcast Television. As Build Now's Project and Marketing Coordinator, she manages a wide range of marketing processes and projects.
Adopted as her second home, she is passionate about the renewal and revitalization of New Orleans, and through the efforts of Build Now, she hopes to witness the true rebirth of the Crescent City.
 | Jaclyn Hill |
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Jaclyn Hill moved to New Orleans over ten years ago to pursue her passion in property development and construction. After obtaining her law degree from Loyola University, Jaclyn practiced real estate and business law in the greater New Orleans area for five years. She currently is the Director of Operations for Build Now and serves on the Executive Council for the Urban Land Institute and as a board member for Hands On New Orleans. Personally, she has renovated and rebuilt three blighted properties in the downtown New Orleans area, including her own home in the downtown historical Treme neighborhood.
 | Robyn Bordelon |
Robyn is a New Orleans native and holds a BA from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has worked for several non-profit agencies over the last ten years and has been a Licensed Louisiana Home Inspector and IRC Code Inspector since 2006. At Build Now she inspects every facet of the building process from foundation to finish and delivers our completed homes to their proud new homeowners. She is also serves as the construction liaison for clients through each stage of construction.
