Courtesy Adirondack Customs
By Carol Ann Conover
In the heart of the Adirondack Park, where the rugged landscape demands as much resilience from its structures as its people, Adirondack Customs LLC has spent nearly two decades turning regional character into craftsmanship. Founded in 2007, the Riparius-based custom home builder has evolved from a hands-on startup into a multifaceted family venture that manages everything from timber frame construction to complex permitting. According to Jaki Rainsberger, who recently joined the team to support the company’s growing operations, the firm’s identity is inextricably linked to the land it builds upon. The company’s mission statement emphasizes their local roots, noting that they do not just work in the Adirondacks—they live there—and that this local knowledge shapes every structural decision.
The business operates as a true family venture under the umbrella of 6K Holdings, a name that represents the family members who keep the engine running. This structural synergy is further strengthened by their sister company, Bison Facilities Management Services (FMS). While Adirondack Customs focuses on the artistry and physical construction of regional homes, Bison FMS acts as a core strategic partner, allowing the family to offer a more comprehensive suite of services. Ken Stonitsch, a partner who has been with the company for 10 years, serves as the primary man on site for the construction side. Known for his old-school work ethic, Stonitsch handles the heavy lifting of estimating, drafting and subcontractor management, often utilizing Chief Architect software to bring client visions to life.
This hands-on approach extends far beyond the job site; the team frequently acts as a vital bridge between out-of-state clients and local government, personally attending city planning board or zoning meetings to advocate for projects and ensure municipalities are fully informed of the vision. The family involvement extends deep into the community and across both business entities, with Kevin Stonitsch and his wife, Kimberly, overseeing the broader strategy and partnerships for the 6K Holdings portfolio. Ken Stonitsch manages the day-to-day site operations and permitting relationships with local code offices, while Kyle Stonitsch, a lieutenant in the local fire department, provides additional support. Joelle Stonitsch, the sister of the founders, assists with the administrative and operational needs that keep the multifaceted business organized.
Adirondack Customs specializes in a variety of regional styles, including handcrafted log cabins, traditional stick-built houses and precision-crafted timber frames. While the company has grown, it maintains a foundational philosophy that the person talking about the numbers should be the same person putting in the sweat equity on site. Their approach is designed for the perfect client—someone seeking a builder to oversee every facet of a project, from initial planning to the final nail. This end-to-end management is particularly vital in the Adirondacks, where navigating the regulatory landscape of the Park can be as challenging as the geography itself.
Beyond the structures they build, the company’s expansion has had a profound human impact. As the business has grown, it has become a significant local employer, providing what Rainsberger describes as life-changing opportunities for its staff. By offering stable, meaningful careers in a rural region, the company is not just building homes; it is sustaining the local economy and the families within it.
Despite the shift toward automated systems and digital drafting, Adirondack Customs remains anchored by four core values: trustworthiness, old-school work ethic, self-accountability and teamwork. Their guiding principle is to never make someone else’s job harder tomorrow with the decisions made today—a philosophy that has earned them high marks for communication and conscientiousness from local residents. As the company looks toward the future, the integration of new team members like Rainsberger and the continued involvement of the next generation of Stonitschs suggest that Adirondack Customs and Bison FMS will remain fixtures of the Southern Adirondack Park business community for years to come.