About Us

Jim Caffes' experience in construction and renovation ranges almost four decades. In 1974, Jim began his career working for Mid-South Building Supply as a window installer’s helper. After seven years, Jim joined his colleague Larry Steele at Steele Contracting, which soon thereafter became Caffes-Steele Contracting. Caffes-Steele Inc. has been headquartered in Beltsville, MD ever since.

Jim currently resides in Ellicott City, MD with his wife Sandra, their three boys - Jonathan, Jamie and Alex - and their cat Fenwick. Jon and Jamie work for Caffes-Steele during their summers home from college; Alex at 13, is working on his baseball and basketball skills.

Chris Wassel has been in the construction industry for over 30 years - the last 20 of which have been in the window industry. After receiving a B.S. in General Business Management from the University of Maryland, he was hired by a leading east coast window manufacturer (Rollyson) to establish and oversee an installation department specializing in renovation projects. This is where he first met Jim Caffes who had done work for Rollyson Windows in the past. After Rollyson, Chris worked at Glazing Contractors, a commercial glass and storefront company for several years as head of field operations. In the early 1990’s, Chris re-established communication with Jim and was employed by Caffes-Steele as a Sr. Project Foreman. He works out of the Hampton VA branch, which he helped establish in 1999. Chris is currently the Chief Operations Officer for Caffes-Steele Inc.

Chris now resides with wife Lisa, daughter’s Brynne and Reilly and his son Killian in Newport News, Virginia.