As the founder and president of La Placa Development, Gaetano truly built La Placa Development from the ground up. In 1973, Gaetano immigrated from Italy to the United States. In the early years, he swept floors, painted, and assisted on construction sites.
Over the years, Gaetano acquired expert skills and knowledge as a craftsman, designer, and project manager. In 1984, Gaetano founded La Placa Development and transformed his expertise into a full-service firm. La Placa
Development earned a reputation for integrity, knowledge, and high-quality custom builds. After being incorporated in 1999, the company continued to grow. In 2014, the company transitioned its focus from building to project management and moved the La Placa Development office to Orange County. Today, La Placa Development is a full-service, family-run general contractor.
Gaetano is still in the field, assisted by his sons Giovanni and Francis, his wife Sheri, and a full-scale professional staff. His expertise, attention to detail, pursuit of perfection, and advocacy for clients still serve as the foundation of the company.
Sheri La Placa is Gaetano’s loving wife and co-founder of La Placa Development. Sheri has many roles within the office, including overseeing the company’s daily accounting operations and handling the office’s administrative duties. She truly is the glue that holds everything together at La Placa Development.
Sheri and Gaetano have been married for 40 wonderful years and have, quite literally, built up the business from nothing. Their inseparable bond and commitment to one another have contributed to La Placa Development’s flourishing success.
Giovanni La Placa is the eldest son of the La Placa family and a founding partner of La Placa Group. In 2024, he became CEO, bringing more than two decades of hands-on experience, leadership, and entrepreneurial drive to the role.
Having worked in Southern California real estate and development since the age of 20, Gio has played a critical role in the company’s evolution—overseeing negotiations, budgeting, purchasing, and strategic growth. His leadership is grounded in discipline, deep industry knowledge, and a long-term vision for value creation.
Giovanni previously served his Southern California community as a full-time firefighter and paramedic, a role that shaped his work ethic and community-oriented mindset. He holds an Associate of Science degree from Mt. San Antonio College and graduated from the Daniel Freeman Paramedic Program at UCLA in 2002.
Whether leading staff, projects, or outreach to investors, Gio’s work is rooted in legacy, integrity, and the belief that strong values build a strong business.
Francis La Placa is Chief Operating Officer and a founding partner of La Placa Group, where he plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence across the company’s real estate investment, construction development, and home sales divisions.
With a foundation in construction a sharp instinct for design, Francis ensures that every project—whether a ground-up development or a strategic acquisition—is executed efficiently, on budget, and to the highest standard. His leadership spans operations, construction oversight, and the optimization of processes that directly impact investor returns.
Francis began his career working alongside his father, Gaetano, gaining deep knowledge of the construction process from the ground up. Over the years, he has grown into a key strategic leader within the firm, helping align day-to-day execution with the company’s broader investment goals.
As COO, Francis is instrumental in translating The La Placa Group’s vision into results—creating real estate assets that perform, endure, and generate long-term value for investors.
Gabe Gonzales is a Partner at The La Placa Group and has played a key role in the company’s evolution from a custom homebuilding business into a vertically integrated real estate investment firm. Since joining over four years ago, he has worked closely with the La Placa family to establish the company’s investment and brokerage divisions, as well as a separate affiliate focused on sourcing off-market residential opportunities across Southern California.
With a background in corporate real estate, a B.S. in Finance from Azusa Pacific University, and an MBA from Concordia University Irvine, Gabe applied his institutional knowledge and structured approach to help guide the firm’s strategic growth. Gabe has led the development of La Placa’s acquisition and investment platform, with a focus on expanding the company’s long-term rental portfolio and repositioning underutilized assets. Gabe is also the Broker of Record for the company overseeing a team of agents and managing the real estate sales side of the business.
His efforts have been grounded in collaboration, discipline, and a long-term commitment to building a resilient and enduring real estate organization.
Jen holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Advertising from Cal State Fullerton. Jen holds a tenure of over a decade in residential real estate in Newport Beach and is currently a licensed realtor. Previous to joining La Placa, Jen worked as an assistant designer for an Orange County interior design firm, crafting and honing an eye for detail, and cultivating an untraditional modern coastal style.
Furthermore, Jen exemplifies her background in advertising and marketing while working closely with our marketing director to ensure the most effective strategies for success. In addition to her work with La Placa Development, Jen enjoys giving back to the community and is actively involved with Special Olympics Southern California, and the Surfrider Foundation.
Julia is an interior designer born and raised in South Orange County. Coming from a multi-generational family of general contractors—and with a mother who has a natural eye for design—her path into the world of real estate and design felt almost inevitable.
She began exploring interior design during college, driven by a desire to turn what once felt like a “dream job” into a reality. After completing Saddleback College’s Interior Design Certificate Program, Julia went on to work in the high-end residential market throughout South Orange County, gaining valuable experience in some of California’s most sought-after coastal communities, including Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente.
With a strong foundation and a clear vision, Julia eventually launched her own firm, Genoway Interiors.
At Genoway Interiors, “elevate and refine” are more than just words—they define her design philosophy. Julia is passionate about creating spaces that feel both deeply personal and thoughtfully curated, blending comfort with a distinctive, custom aesthetic.
Carolyn Kipper is a San Clemente–based real estate professional with a deep-rooted passion for community, historic preservation, and client care. A graduate of the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, she brings 18 years of experience in client relations, photography, marketing, and real estate operations—including assisting in over $40 million in transactions. Carolyn serves on the board of the San Clemente Historical Society and lives in a 1929 Ole Hanson home (her third historic fixer upper), giving her firsthand knowledge of the Mills Act and the complexities of restoring functionally obsolescent properties. A mother of four and avid runner, she brings energy and dedication to every project. Her strategic eye, artistic approach, and tenacity make her a trusted guide through even the most complex real estate decisions.
Carolyn is passionate about building lasting relationships and delivering results that align with her clients’ goals, ensuring every transaction is handled with care, integrity, and a high standard of service.
Brandon is a licensed general contractor based in Monrovia, California. With a strong foundation in residential construction and remodeling, Brandon specializes in delivering high-quality kitchen and bathroom renovations, home additions, and full-scale remodels.
As a California-licensed contractor, Brandon brings a hands-on approach to every project, combining technical expertise with a commitment to craftsmanship and detail.
Brandon has earned a solid reputation for reliability and professionalism, reflected in its verified license status and strong industry standing, ranking in the top tier of licensed contractors in the state.
Brandon is dedicated to guiding clients through each phase of the construction process—from initial planning to final execution—ensuring that every project aligns with their vision while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. His work emphasizes thoughtful design, functional spaces, and lasting value for homeowners.
Mark is a Real Estate Agent and acquisition specialist with REI Acquisitions, bringing over eight years of industry experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Azusa Pacific University and is a graduate of Damien High School.
Mark began his career in sales and management before transitioning into real estate, where he initially focused on brand marketing for local brokerages. His exposure to the industry led him to pursue his real estate license and join a top-producing team in the Inland Empire. He later expanded into the Orange County market, joining The La Placa Group, where he has continued to grow his expertise. Through his involvement with La Placa Construction, Mark developed a strong foundation in the fix-and-flip and investment space.
Today, Mark specializes in sourcing and acquiring off-market properties, playing a key role in driving investment opportunities while continuing to serve clients as a licensed agent.
Mark is passionate about helping people find their forever homes and believes real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about connection, lifestyle, and long-term value. He has a deep appreciation for architecture, both historical and modern, and is especially inspired by mid-century design, homes with character, and properties that tell a story and evoke emotion.
A dedicated student of the industry, Mark is constantly learning and aims to be a trusted resource by sharing valuable insights with those curious about real estate, whether they are buyers, sellers, or investors.
Kelsey is a dedicated Realtor® with the La Placa Group, serving clients throughout Orange County and the greater Southern California market. As part of a second-generation, family-led real estate firm known for its integrity and full-service approach, Kelsey brings a client-first mindset and a commitment to delivering a seamless real estate experience.
With a focus on clear communication, attention to detail, and thoughtful guidance, Kelsey helps buyers and sellers navigate every stage of the process with confidence. Whether assisting clients in finding the right home, positioning a property for sale, or exploring investment opportunities, she is known for her responsiveness, professionalism, and ability to simplify complex transactions.
Backed by a team that integrates real estate sales, development, and investment under one roof, Kelsey offers her clients a strategic advantage—combining market insight with a broader understanding of value and long-term potential.
