Rapid Response 866.630.5157 | Office 877.708.5501


Meet Our Leadership

President/Owner
CRESTON LEIFRIED
Creston Leifried brings over two decades of hands-on and executive experience to the construction and restoration industry. Having worked in every facet of the business—from field labor to estimating, sales, and now organizational leadership—he understands what it takes to deliver high-quality work with integrity and consistency. As a third-generation owner of Coastal Reconstruction Group, Creston leads a mission-driven team known for excellence in commercial remodeling and insurance restoration. Under his guidance, Coastal’s footprint reaches across the Southeastern U.S., with contractor licenses in more than 32 states. Creston’s vision extends beyond project execution—he is deeply invested in building a culture of ownership, accountability, and leadership at every level of the organization. By mentoring future leaders and empowering his team to take initiative, he ensures the long-term success of both the company and its people.

Executive & Board Member
SHEL HART
Shel Hart is a seasoned executive and current Board Member where he helps guide strategic direction, fiscal oversight, leadership development, technology integration, and long-term growth planning. With over 30 years of leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies, private equity ventures, and middle-market firms, Shel brings a unique blend of strategic clarity, operational discipline, and value creation to the team. Throughout his career, he has specialized in scaling operations, organizational growth, financial optimization, technology and automation, and leadership development. Shel has served as CEO of multiple companies and has led high-impact initiatives across diverse industries including construction, healthcare, distribution, manufacturing, and financial services. Shel began his career in management consulting with a focus on business process reengineering, lean management, and total quality management. A graduate of Le Moyne College with a degree in Industrial Relations and Finance, he remains active on civic and professional boards and is deeply committed to community development, youth coaching, and advancing responsible leadership.

VP of Finance, IT & HR
CANDACE AUSTIN
Since joining Coastal Reconstruction Group, Candace has seen the company through a great deal of growth and development. Her prior experience with closed-loop ERP systems made Coastal Reconstruction Group’s transition to one seamless. She has a proven track-record for exceeding budgetary, debt pay-down, and DSO/DPO goals through her management efforts. Candace enjoys a “hands-on” approach to ensure nothing is missed and has worked on Capex Accounting for many years, running projects that vary from a few thousand up to $75 million with durations lasting up to 3 years. Her ability to effectively manage cash flow, vendor payments and relationships, customer collections and relationships at both the project and company level has helped transition Coastal Reconstruction Group, Inc. into the strong financial position they are in today. Coming from a consulting background, Candace has 20 years of Accounting experience in a huge variety of industries. Outside of being dedicated to her
career, Candace is an elder of her church, a licensed foster parent, and an active member of DeLand Lion’s Club. She currently resides in DeLand, FL with her ever-changing family.

VP of Construction
GREG FUTCH
Greg Futch brings 15 years of experience in the Construction Industry, most of it being directly on a job site. He has worked almost every facet of the construction industry – from framing and site work laborer, to superintendent and project management, to now – overseeing and managing the field production of Coastal Reconstruction Group. Greg knows how to get the job done, all the while exceeding client and customer expectations. He has helped to build a team of individuals who work hard to represent Coastal Reconstruction Group with high integrity and remarkable workmanship. Greg has proven loyalty and commitment to uphold the family business’ core values, and make every job one for all parties to be proud of. He brings an ambiance of professionalism that is unheard of within the construction industry.

VP of Business Development
GREG NEWSOME
Greg has over 30 years in the Construction industry. From the days of working with his grandfather in the HVAC industry until now, Greg has experienced nearly every facet of construction in residential, multi-family and commercial. After a 4 year service in the US Navy aboard the USS Spruance during Desert Storm, he was hired by his apartment complex to assist in unit turns and a complete revamp of 5 properties, he began working in residential construction performing warranty, then advancing to Project Management and later in Land Development. Following the economic downturn of construction in 2009, he opened his own construction consulting firm. After quickly realizing business ownership was not as great as it sounded, he secured a position within Coastal as a Project Manager. Later heading up the Rapid Response team and eventually becoming the VP of Construction. He currently serves as the Director of Preconstruction ensuring all parameters are met and standards maintained from client relation to estimation, purchasing and permitting until job start.

Estimating Manager
DEREK KEY
Derek has a contribution of 20+ years in the residential and commercial construction industry - combined from field labor, site supervision, project management and 13 years of estimating. As a licensed residential contractor, Derek has completed all types of construction from ground-up construction to existing renovations. Currently overseeing a team of 4 estimators estimating $150 million annually in renovation work. Derek has mentored several estimators, with minimal knowledge of construction, who are now capable of generating profitable estimates for substantial projects. Derek shares the same family values as all Coastal employees and enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children - typically boating during summer weekends and riding dirt bikes in the fall/winter season.

Construction Coordinator
SKYLAR BUGARA
Skylar Bugara has been working with Coastal for a little over eight years now. During College she worked as an intern, while studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management with a specialization in Commercial Project Management. As an intern she was able to gain experience in all roles here at Coastal Reconstruction Group, all while still managing to graduate Cum Laude. She started off working with the estimating department and has found her place working with both the preconstruction and production team to help procure and maintain successful projects. She works directly with our vendors, designers/architects and clients to ensure their visions are brought to life.

Chairman
SCOTT MCCURDY
With more than 40 years of construction experience, Scott McCurdy has accumulated extensive industry knowledge - particularly in the area of property Renovation, Reconstruction and Remodeling. As Founder of Coastal Reconstruction Group, Inc., a general contractor and disaster restoration firm, he is active in more than 19 trade associations. Scott's vast experience positions him as an expert resource on disaster recovery and commercial building restoration. He regularly leads educational seminars for industry professionals on topics such as insurance mitigation, disaster preparedness and remediation from wind, water, mold, fire and termite damage. Scott turned his life over to Jesus 32 years ago and credits that decision to saving his life, his marriage, his family and his business. Scott, by the Grace of God has been married to his wife Evelyn for 47 years with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Scott serves his clients and employees from Coastal' s corporate office in Longwood, Florida.

Remediation Manager
JAMES WARD
James Ward is a dedicated Remediation Manager with over a decade of experience in property restoration and disaster recovery. Specializing in water, fire, and mold damage mitigation, James combines technical expertise with a strong commitment to client satisfaction and project efficiency. Known for his leadership in coordinating field teams and his deep knowledge of industry standards, he ensures each project is completed safely, on time, and within budget. James is IICRC-certified and passionate about helping property owners restore their spaces to pre-loss condition with integrity and care.