Our Team

Robert Elfers

President

Rob Elfers began his career at Ulrich, Inc. in 1981 as a member of the field staff and joined the management team in 1987; he became president in 2007.

Rob has had firsthand involvement with multiple generations of clients and their projects over the years. This unique continuity of relationships has been a tremendous benefit to our clients, deepening our corporate understanding of their needs and further shaping our mission: to focus on our clients’ interests in order to provide superior design, products, installation and service; and to return exceptional value for the investment our clients make with us.

In addition to building and maintaining so many strong client relationships, Rob has been instrumental in growing the Ulrich network of high-quality vendors, subcontractors, craftsmen and employees that create, design, deliver and install our fine products.

David Ulrich, CKD

CEO

David Ulrich has been an integral part of Ulrich, Inc. for more than 50 years. During that time, he has helped the company become one of the region’s largest and most respected premier-quality kitchen and bathroom remodeling firms.

Always with an eye toward the future well-being of the company—and of its employees—David also transitioned Ulrich, Inc. from a sole proprietorship to an ESOP; Ulrich, Inc. is now 100% owned by its employees. His vision and leadership has created an environment that offers our employees long-term career opportunities not often found in the industry.

David has received numerous NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) and manufacturer design accolades throughout his career; he is notably among the earliest to earn the designation Certified Kitchen Designer from the NKBA’s Society of Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Designers. David’s active role within the kitchen and bath industry is marked in many ways, including repeated requests to judge trade and consumer design competitions.

Aparna Vijayan

Designer

Artist and architect Aparna Vijayan applies her artistic talents and design expertise to create spaces custom tailored to her clients’ individual needs and lifestyles. Aparna’s visualization skills and formal architectural training bring a special quality to each project, blending aesthetics with practical, functional design solutions. She has always enjoyed focusing on residential design, especially kitchen and bath design, combining her knowledge of art and architecture to meet the many challenges presented by her clients.

Aparna earned an undergraduate degree in architecture and a master’s degree in urban design from Pratt Institute, where she was honored with an “Excellence in Design” award for her graduate thesis. Her architecture designs have been exhibited in several venues in New York City, and her oil paintings and etchings shown at various international art exhibits. Outside of designing, Aparna enjoys reading, oil painting, antiquing and traveling. She is also an avid foodie and enjoys cooking and entertaining.

Bonnie Hufnagel, CKD

Designer

Bonnie Hufnagel began her career designing kitchens and baths in 1986, and earned her certification as a kitchen designer in 1993. Over the years she has expanded her knowledge to include architectural woodworking, bathroom remodeling, and space planning, which affords her a broad, creative base from which to draw. This experience, combined with an understanding of her client’s individual needs, results in the distinctive approach Bonnie brings to her projects. Her design solutions are creative, practical, and each is personalized to fit the client.

Bonnie has been an active supporter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), serving the Northern New Jersey Chapter in numerous capacities, including chapter president. She also taught a kitchen design course at Bergen Community College for several years.

Bonnie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ramapo College, graduating cum laude in 2001. When she’s not designing amazing interior spaces, she enjoys spending time with family, oil painting and drawing, and dining out with good friends.

Jeannie Fulton

CKBD - Designer

Jeannie Fulton’s commitment to creativity, quality and professionalism are evidenced by her clients’ satisfaction, in large part due to her ability to truly understand a client’s needs and translate them into uniquely designed spaces. Her use of color, texture and style are among the elements she uses to create rooms of distinction.

After receiving a degree in business management and working in the corporate world, Jeannie returned to school to study interior design; she holds certifications in kitchen design and bathroom design. Her work experience, coupled with her education, inform every one of Jeannie’s projects, which deliver a high level of value, function and beauty.

Jeannie is a nationally recognized, award-winning designer.  Her work has been featured in numerous design publications including popular magazine covers such as DesignNJ.

Along with designing kitchens and baths, Jeannie enjoys designing and crafting her own jewelry, painting and cooking.

Julia Kleyman

Designer, CLIPP   https://jkleymandesign.com

Julia Kleyman’s design expertise has been cultivated by her broad experience and education as well as her genuine enthusiasm for the process of creating uniquely beautiful and functional spaces.  Julia consistently develops concepts that provide that extra “wow” factor for her clients. Additionally, she is a Certified Living in Place Professional and can ensure her clients with special needs the utmost in home accessibility, comfort and safety. 

Julia attended the Moscow Institute of Architecture before coming to New York and completing her bachelor’s degree in design at Pratt Institute. Her early career as an art director and graphic designer has given her a rich foundation as a creative leader in a team environment. Seeking to fulfill a desire for hands-on tactical creativity, Julia became a highly sought-after faux finish artist, executing projects from single walls to entire residences. In 2005, she turned her creative attention and career to space and cabinetry design with Ulrich, Inc.

In addition to being published in several design magazines and books, Julia’s creativity and technical proficiency was displayed in the stunning kitchen in a recent Designer Showhouse of NJ in Saddle River, New Jersey—just one of many examples of her exceptional design skills.

Taylor Sassaman

Designer

Taylor Sassaman brings a fresh new perspective to kitchen and bath design.  You could say her designs are highly inspired by what is trending, popular and social media driven, but that would not quite do justice to her work.  Rather, she first pats down a client’s functional needs, creates a solid layout, then uses that as a springboard for design aesthetics - doing lots of internet research, compiling collections of images, and using those inspirational details, together with her client’s input to create a fresh new take on existing styles that make her clients uniquely happy.

Taylor is a 2020 graduate of the New York School of Interior Design.  During her last year of studies, a high end kitchen and bath firm in Manhattan scooped her up as an intern, then hired her on full time.  There she got involved with all facets of interior design, gaining valuable exposure working with some of the top architects and designers in NYC.  With an eye to furthering her career and spreading her wings, Taylor joined the Ulrich design team in 2022 and quickly became a valued member of the Ulrich family.

Interior design is in Taylor’s blood.  Her Dad managed cabinet factories while she was growing up, and she took countless courses in architecture, CAD, and other design based classes starting as early as high school.  Today, in her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling, spending time on beautiful beaches – Mexico and the west coast being her faves – and even sometimes dabbling in landscape and hardscape design for family and friends.

Linda Alvino

Showroom & Marketing Manager

Linda manages the Ulrich, Inc. showroom in Ridgewood, NJ, ensuring that every detail in its stunning displays are ready each day for designer / client collaboration and creative meetings.

A Bergen County native, Linda holds bachelor’s degrees in math, Spanish and business which initially launched her into a 15-year career in international fragrance sales. As her family grew, she decided to remain local and found her niche with the Ulrich family of employee owners.

She began with Ulrich in the operations department, ensuring that all services and materials arrived at their designated job sites when needed. In 2012, the value of our customer service attracted Linda to manage the firm’s marketing and advertising efforts; as such, she organizes showroom events including professional training seminars, cooking demonstrations, charity group dinners, and employee parties. She also helps develop our advertising and publicity.

Linda enjoys most things creative, spending time with people, and above all, making them happy!

Bart Colasuono

Senior Project Manager

Bart is our Senior Project Manager responsible for Operations.  He has been with Ulrich, Inc. since 1986.  Bart began his career here as a member of our field staff.  With the expert tutelage of our master carpenters and his natural talent for the business his knowledge and expertise grew quickly.

He was soon handling complete installations, and today he employs the experience and knowledge from countless successful projects he has managed on both commercial and residential scales.

Bart’s skill and experience make him an organized catalyst between client, designer, field staff and tradespeople.  He is personally involved in each project from check measure to final punch list.  Long after the work is completed, he is available to our homeowners to insure continued satisfaction.  When not on the job, Bart enjoys skiing, classic car shows and spending time with his family.

Mike Harpster

Project Manager

Mike joined the Ulrich team in 1999 as one of our field staff. His dedication to customer satisfaction and ability to effectively balance multiple priorities propelled him to his current position as a project manager where he continues to delight his clients.

Mike creates and maintains the project schedule, coordinates field resources and trade partners, and works directly with homeowners to ensure consistent communication from demolition through final punch list… and beyond! With 23 years of carpentry experience, Mike provides thoughtful leadership and careful attention to detail on any project.

He has a B.A. in Psychology from Clemson University and, in his free time, enjoys coaching his son’s baseball team and spending time with family and friends.