Who we are

Acorn Inc.’s roots reach back to 1945, when Italian stone carver Constantino Ricciardi opened a granite company with his sons. The firm later expanded its services to include on-site masonry restoration, specializing in historic buildings, and worked on many significant projects including the Quincy Market buildings in Boston.

The company evolved into a well-respected development group under the leadership of Constantino’s son Paul and an extended family of employees, including siblings, sons, and grandchildren.

Through its development projects, Acorn established a reputation for becoming an ally of the communities in which it operated, using local subcontractors, engineers and attorneys to represent the firm.

In recent years, Constantino’s grandson, Stephen, grew the company and successfully completed many projects, including the historic renovation of several mill buildings in New Bedford, Massachusetts, into luxury loft residences. One of these conversions was the former headquarters of the Wamsutta Mills, the 150 year-old company famous for producing the finest cotton percale sheets.

Today, under the leadership of family members and experienced staff, Acorn continues to develop, construct and manage properties throughout New England. We bring our personal and professional approach to the whole of the development process, with an emphasis on local relationships.

Staff Bios

Acorn Inc. employs over 30 dedicated staff who develop and maintain our properties.

Quentin Ricciardi

Chief Executive Officer

Quentin was appointed CEO of Acorn in 2015. He has worked at the company for more than a decade and has experience in every aspect of its work, including leading construction teams, assisting in project selection, managing delicate zoning and permitting processes, overseeing complex financing, and introducing and managing Acorn’s successful solar installations. Quentin served as Vice President of Development for several years. A graduate of Milton Academy, Quentin earned a BA from Franklin and Marshall College. He is a graduate of Harvard’s Advanced Management and Development Program.

Rick Griffiths

Chief Financial Officer

Rick joined Acorn as CFO in 2014. He brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in banking and real estate accounting through leadership positions at Citizens Bank, BNY Mellon and, most recently, eight years as Chief Accounting Officer at DSF Advisors. Rick holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Kristina Carter

Regional Manager

Kristina joined Acorn in 2010 as a leasing agent. She was promoted to the position of Regional Manager in 2016. Before joining Acorn, Kristina worked as a MA Real Estate Sales Associate and Broker’s Assistant. Kristina has a vast knowledge of the real estate world and customer/client relations. Kristina graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management and minors in both International Business and Economics.

Our Advisors

Our experienced, knowledgeable team is driven to help you achieve your goals

Anthony R. Sapienza is the President of the Board of Directors of the New Bedford Economic Development Council in which capacity he has served for 15 years. In 2018 he retired from his position as the President of JA Apparel Corp., the parent corporation of the Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation

Sean Kenealy is president and owner of Key Realty, a family-run commercial real estate firm founded in 1974. The Quincy-based company offers commercial real-estate sales, leasing, and consulting services on the South Shore and in greater Boston.

John DeVillars is a clean energy and environmental professional with substantial leadership experience that includes service as Secretary of the Environment for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Chair of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

Edward Riekstins has over 30 years of commercial finance and real estate experience. Prior to selling his firm to Northmarq in 20122, he was a partner in Q10/New England Realty Resources, LLC where he oversaw all commercial loan production and served as President and Chief Operating Officer.