Board of Directors

Charles Paonessa, President

Charles is our resident guru for deconstruction sites, having attended classes in California for deconstruction, and deconstructed homes. Charles has been in the construction business since 1972 and owns Dura Construction Company, which specializes in site-improvement construction—everything from simple home improvement projects to sophisticated underground work. The company also sells pavers, bricks, mulch, sand, gravel and other landscape supplies. Charles holds an associates degree in civil engineering from Hartford State Technical College and numerous professional licenses. On a personal note, a major portion of his own home is built from previously used building materials.

Tim Parola, Treasurer

Tim is a retired Mechanical Engineer who has spent most of his career working for automotive and aerospace suppliers. He was the past president of a local neighborhood organization (WHVision), participated in the West Hartford CTFastrak Transit Oriented Development Planning Committee and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Tim is an experienced motorcycle rider, an MSF/CONREP motorcycle instructor, president of his BMW motorcycle club and a member of the AMA and BMWMOA. As a homeowner, Tim has used his engineering background to work on almost every aspect of home construction.

Chad Thompson, Secretary

Chad Thompson has served on the ReCONNstruction Center’s Board of Directors since February, 2009. Additionally, he serves his community as a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public while also an active community member of West Hartford where he resides. Chad is a self-employed technology consultant and volunteers his knowledge and time regularly for ReCONN. Technology has been Chad’s passion since childhood and continues to be the focus of his career today.

Rebecca Dubuc, Director

Rebecca is a Social Studies teacher for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System at Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University with an Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and UConn with a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology. She has been coaching high school softball at various schools since 2009. She is an avid animal lover with a very special place in her heart for her two rescue cats – Little Cat and Stevie Nicks. She has been involved with The ReCONNstruction Center since 2022.

Russell Rubinow, Director

Russell Rubinow has an extensive 30+ year career in the construction industry covering numerous aspects and specialties. He has developed affordable housing in Connecticut for over two decades, holds a Carpentry degree from Vinal Tech and is a Master Carpenter. Russell comes from a large Connecticut family and as an all sports enthusiast, when he’s not working you might find him motorcycling, snowmobiling, cycling, exercising, golfing, or spending time listening to music with his lovely wife and beautiful daughter.