Rob Wickenkamp
Owner, Project Manager

A lifelong carpenter, Rob is driven by a passion for seeing his projects come to life and the relationships he forms along the way. With forty-five years’ experience and having built four of his own homes from the ground up, nothing surprises him anymore. Rob has seen it all, and he loves driving around the north shore admiring the results of his work. He is a devoted father of 3 and grandfather of 7. He and his wife, Pam, established Elmshire Builders in 1986. Rob enjoys volunteering at his church, golfing, fishing, and spending time with his grandkids — and he’s always working on a project on his own home in northern Illinois.

Eric Wickenkamp
Business Manager

Eric has been helping Rob since he was 10 years old, working side-by-side with his dad during summers between school. After earning a degree in Construction Management from Illinois State University, Eric formally joined the company in 2003 to manage the growing business. Eric’s enthusiasm for innovation and customer relationships has transformed the company through new technologies and business processes that make the entire construction experience more enjoyable. He is a father of three and a dedicated husband who enjoys coaching his kids’ little league teams, dinner dates with his wife Jodi, and camping with his family — when he’s not trying to get a free moment for mountain biking.

eric@elmshire.com
(847) 748-2048

Jeff Marciniak
Project Manager

Jeff worked for Elmshire Builders through the summers while he was attending Clemson University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications. Jeff’s genuine passion for carpentry compelled him to leave his corporate career in 2006 and re-join Rob and Eric as a carpenter’s apprentice; he quickly became Rob’s right-hand man, a true master of carpentry and project management. He derives great satisfaction from guiding a homeowner from their initial concept to a fully realized vision. A husband and father of three, Jeff still manages to coach his kids’ sports teams, create his own home projects and — of course — get in a few rounds of golf.

Kevin Freund
Licensed Electrician / Carpenter

Kevin has been Elmshire’s trusted electrician since 2002. He brings thirty years’ experience to the company, having cultivated a distinct level of expertise in both carpentry and electrical work. “I love seeing the finished product,” says Kevin. “I love designing the electrical system and knowing that when I hang the fixtures and flip the switch, everything is going to work the way it’s supposed to.” A husband and father of two, Kevin’s hobbies include fishing, hunting — basically anything you can do in camo.

Joe Zabinski
Carpenter

Hired by Elmshire in 2012 as our detail-work guru, Joe brings fifteen years’ experience in fine carpentry to the team. While it’s fair to say our entire team is detail-oriented, Joe takes it to a whole other level. Whether he’s putting the finishing touches on the slightest piece of trim or meticulously resolving the smallest punch-list items, for Joe the satisfaction is all in the details. He and his wife are the proud parents of a baby boy, and he loves playing guitar and helping his dad with home rehab projects. Oh, and Joe is an unfailing Chicago sports fan, despite the fact that it’s not always easy to root for Chicago sports teams.