Who We Are

Our Management Team

Turko Semmes is a licensed contractor and the General Manager of Semmes & Co., Builders Inc. He graduated from the Architecture Department of Cal Poly State University in 1978 with a degree in Construction Management. Since then he has helped make Semmes & Co. the area's leading homebuilder specializing in energy efficiency and sustainable building techniques.

He also plays the role of Sales Manager at Semmes & Co. where he will help you through the Preconstruction phase and in developing the contract. He will also be available during the project and upon completion.

In 1996 Turko co-founded the California Straw Building Association, a group of architects, engineers, builders, and activists, which has worked to promote straw bale building throughout California and to help it become acceptable practice within the Uniform Building Code.

In 2003, he teamed up with several other leaders in the sustainable building community to found SLO Green Build, an organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting green building techniques through the city and county building departments. Together, they are succeeding in bringing green building into the mainstream.

He has taught classes and workshops on sustainable building systems to community groups and to students at the elementary, secondary, and university level.

Turko loves working, living in Toro Creek and watching his trees grow. Traveling and spending time with his family and friends fill out his life.

Paul Rose, Project Manager, is the Head of Production for Semmes & Co. A native of California, Paul grew up here on the Central Coast and has been a carpenter since the 1970’s. His construction and woodworking skills have always had a bent toward energy efficiency. Paul helped found the Sustainable Building Council of San Luis Obispo County in order to promote those practices. As Project Manager, either Paul or Tom Moore will oversee your project from beginning to end. When not on a job site or at the office, Paul climbs, surfs, kayaks, and generally enjoys the out of doors.
Tom Moore is our other Project Manager and has been with Semmes & Company since 1998. He is a master carpenter and framer, concrete artist, and a gifted trainer of the next generation of crafts people. His extensive building skills and easy demeanor help him relate well to clients.As one of our two Project Managers, either he or Paul will oversee every step of your project. In his spare time, this native Californian enjoys surfing, gardening, golfing, and a good punch line.
Jessica Steely is the Senior Production Coordinator at Semmes & Co. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Construction Management with a minor in Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly, and is currently working on her Masters in Architecture. As Production Coordinators, either Jessica or Carrie will assist you in your selections process, scheduling, and coordination with subcontractors and suppliers.She will be a link between the office and your job site.
Emily Marks is our Preconstruction Coordinator.In this role, she will help you through the preconstruction phase by coordinating the multiple professionals involved in your project.She will work with you to coordinate your preliminary plans, preliminary selections, preliminary estimating and permitting.Emily pursues her long-held interest in green building, architecture, design and planning as she works on her B.S. in City and Regional Planning.
Kenny Northcote is the Estimator for Semmes & Company. He will meet with you to coordinate all the selections you have made for your home and devise the final estimate. Kenny has a degree in Agricultural Business from Cal Poly State University and several years in construction in his former home of Santa Cruz. His three young children take up all the spare time he might ever even think of having.
Carrie Cook is our second Production Coordinator, is presently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Construction Management and Interior Design. Either she or Jessica will assist you in the selections and scheduling phase of your project (see above). She looks forward tofinishing her studies and having free time to work on art and design projects, play tennis, and help her family renovate their home
Melanie Graham is our Office Manager and often the first point of contact in the office. She makes the office run smoothly and keeps us all organized while maintaining her great disposition. These skills serve her well as she completes her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and puts down roots as a newly married, first time homeowner in our community.