Adam Stewart
President and Founder
Meet Adam Stewart, an experienced construction professional based in Los Angeles County. Adam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and a Masters in Business Entrepreneurship from the University of Utah, which has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the construction industry. Adam’s passion for entrepreneurship started at a young age when he launched his first company in the residential services space at just 14 years old. Over the years, he has gained a wealth of experience in the construction industry, working on various projects and honing his skills in areas such as project management, budgeting, and quality control. As the CEO of Backyard Estates, Adam brings his extensive construction experience and expertise to the table. He is known for his attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to manage projects efficiently, ensuring that every project is completed on time and within budget.
Tom Gibson
Director of Construction
Tom Gibson is an experienced construction industry professional who has been working in the field for over 50 years. He attended Eastern New Mexico University and Pierce College in California, where he studied construction and electrical work. Tom has worked in various roles throughout his career, including as an electrician and estimator at Cal-Crest Electric, where he started his career. Later, Tom led Walton Construction Inc. as it’s President, a family owned general contracting company that specializes in mixed-use Multi-Family and Senior Housing developments, collaborating with non-profit clients on new and rehabilitation projects for family, senior and special needs residents. He also founded Tom W. Gibson, Inc., where he oversaw general and electrical construction projects. Tom’s expertise in the construction field makes him a key component to all of Backyard Estate’s projects.
Serge Mayer
Head Architect
Meet Serge Mayer, a licensed architect with a passion for design and a unique background in civil engineering and surveying. Born and raised in Claremont, California, Serge discovered his love for architecture in high school and went on to graduate with a professional Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, where he ranked among the top of his class, Magna Cum Laude. Serge honed his skills under the tutelage of Steven Phillips Architect of Laguna Hills, working on some of the most extravagant private homes in Southern California. Serge is well-versed in various architectural styles, but his true passion lies in designing Craftsman-style homes. His extensive civil engineering and surveying experience make him particularly valuable on projects involving difficult site conditions. He is deeply committed to his community and is currently serving on the Upland City Planning Commission. His passion for design, dedication to sustainability, and well-rounded background make him an invaluable member of our team here at Backyard Estates.
Dusty Gravatt
Senior Construction Manager
With over 50 years of hands-on experience, Dusty is the cornerstone of our construction operations. He’s built thousands of residential units throughout his career and brings unmatched knowledge, precision, and leadership to every ADU project. From foundation to final inspection, Dusty ensures that each build meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and care. His lifelong dedication to the trade has helped countless homeowners turn their visions into reality—creating spaces that reflect their needs, values, and dreams. For Dusty, building ADUs isn’t just about construction—it’s about building lasting impact for families and communities.
Erika Ruiz
Project Engineer
Erika plays a vital role in guiding homeowners through the early stages of their ADU journey, overseeing the client experience from sign-on to design. With five years of experience in administration and project management, she specializes in client coordination, operational efficiency, and seamless cross-team communication. Erika ensures that each project gets off to a smooth start by aligning internal schedules and helping the sales team prepare accurate, transparent estimates. She believes in the power of ADUs to provide practical, affordable housing that strengthens families and communities—a mission that drives her work every day.
Jose Cervantes
Project Manager
Jose oversees the entire lifecycle of ADU projects—from permitting and finish selections to construction management and final closeout—ensuring each home is delivered with quality, efficiency, and care for the homeowner’s vision. With over 12 years of experience in the construction industry, he brings deep expertise across a variety of project types, including multi-family and single-family housing, mixed-use developments, and complex renovation work. Jose has extensive experience navigating regulatory compliance, including CASp inspections, ADA standards, and Green Building requirements, and regularly coordinates with agencies like Caltrans, Public Works, and SoCal Edison. His well-rounded background in both public and private sector projects enables him to deliver high-quality, code-compliant ADUs that meet the highest standards. Jose believes in ADUs as a way to keep families connected—offering independence, comfort, and lasting value through thoughtful design and construction.
Start your ADU journey today
Expand your income and livable space. Backyard Estates provides an all-inclusive solution that maximizes your backyard while expediting the timeline to completion.
Talk to an ADU SpecialistOr, call (818) 208-3113 to Schedule a free ADU assessment today!