Pinnacle Building and Reconstruction in Groton celebrates 10 years in business

By Linda Competillo

When Jesse Norton asked his friend, Zane Gray, to go with him to help repair his grandmother’s home in Theresa, New York, the two could not have begun to imagine that it would be the start of a business partnership — yet here they are 10 years later, about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pinnacle Building and Reconstruction (PBR) in Groton.

Jesse grew up in Theresa with his dad, Geoff, and his grandparents, Winifred and the late Carl Norton. He also spent time with his mother and stepfather, Mary and Steve Fiaschetti, and his stepbrother, Jake.

Jesse graduated from Indian River High School in 2000. While there, he played some sports, but his main focus was taking all of the technical skills classes he could, because he enjoyed working with his hands and learning about designing and building.

“My final project was designing a floor plan for the vice principal to build a home because he asked me to, and I got an A on it,” Jesse said.

In 2004, Jesse earned his bachelor’s degree in technology management with a minor in business administration from SUNY Oswego, where he was also the community service chairperson for his fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, and its president during his senior year.

“I was also the group leader in the dining hall to help pay for my room and board,” Jesse said, “and I am very thankful for student aid. Without it, I would likely never have attended college, and I am also very grateful for my grandparents. They made me who I am.”

After college, Jesse became a quality technician at a local manufacturing company in Syracuse. During his five years there, he was promoted to quality manager and traveled extensively, both internationally and in the United States. By then, his mother had moved to Moravia, New York, and he wanted to live closer to family.

“I chose to move to Groton because it was so similar to my hometown,” Jesse said. “I started out on Lick Street and moved to the village in 2020, but I quit my job in 2010 because I was renovating my Lick Street home, and the travel was just too much. I finished the renovation in 2011, but in the meantime, my neighbors, [Zane’s parents] Colleen and Dan Gray, asked me to build them a porch.”

Jesse said building that porch was a catalyst for him to work for himself from then on because he enjoyed the freedom it provided.

“It was a path I was on anyway,” Jesse explained. “The job in Syracuse really diverted me. I enjoyed it, but this was my passion. I did work for many in Groton and surrounding areas, but my daughter, Bella, was born in the midst of it, and I needed more consistent work.” Bella is now in sixth grade at Groton Elementary School.

Jesse ended up landing a job with a local contractor based in Ithaca. He said he “learned a lot about carpentry and business” from Don Wood, who worked with him. It so happened that Zane also worked with them.

“It was about then [2015] that my grandmother’s house was in such disrepair that I asked Zane if I could hire him to help me up there in Theresa for about six months, and he did.” Jesse said. “We decided then to go into business together. We were literally sitting around talking and drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, and that’s how we came up with our name. The ‘PBR’ of the beer became Pinnacle Building and Reconstruction.”

And that brings us to the present, as PBR will celebrate 10 years in 2025. Jesse cited that the business has allowed them to purchase properties and equipment to do remodeling, build additions and more in Groton and many surrounding areas, and to hire five additional employees and summer helpers.

“We’ve done a lot of work for Chris Dempsey, recreated the library at The Benn Conger Inn from an old photo, and now we are working on the window facades in the new/old Groton Hotel,” Jesse said.

Jesse has also contributed a great deal to Groton in other ways. He was asked to join the NY Forward committee (see the December 11 edition of this column for details on that) and was also asked to help restart the Groton Community and Business Association, which Jesse says is “still in the infant stages as we try to find the right recipe for Groton and how we can best serve the community.”

“The roots of the American Dream run deep in Groton,” Jesse said. “There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s a community filled with hardworking individuals that I am proud to be a part of. I’m trying to do my part to make the community look the way it feels.”  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Reminder: Groton Community Cupboard

Groton Community Cupboard will be closed Christmas week. Please plan accordingly. It will be closed Dec. 22 through 28 and will reopen Sunday, Dec. 29.

Outstanding CTE students

Congratulations to the following Groton students, who were recognized as outstanding students of the month at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center.

In October: David Shea, Heavy Equipment. In November: Madison DeGraw, Welding; Hunter Webster, Auto Technology.

The outstanding students are chosen based on their character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and positive role models.

First Day Hike

Groton Recreation presents the fifth annual First Day Hike from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 1, stepping off from the Groton Memorial Park on Sykes Street. Open to all abilities, you can explore the Groton Trails with the group or strike out on your own. Meet up after your hike for treats, hot chocolate, campfire and s’mores! Email recreation@grotonny.org for more information.