Our Story
Thunderbird Group's Journey and Purpose
The Thunderbird Group began as my millennial dream to carve a path rooted in flexibility, authenticity, and environmental responsibility. After finding my academic calling in sustainable development at Columbia University, I yearned for the freedom to build something of my own. With encouragement from my entrepreneurial tech dad and journalist mom, I discovered and purchased an affordable, undeveloped mountaintop lot in the Catskills. Three years after the global pandemic, steep learning curves, and several versions of architectural plans, I am creating my first place where sustainability and community thrive together. More to come!
Why 'Thunderbird'?
The Thunderbird is a being of power and strength. It is often viewed as a protector, sometimes intervening on people's behalf and acting as an agent of transformation. The power of the Thunderbird Group is working towards creating a more verdant world. Our strength is sustainability. Our goal is to build beautiful developments that are eco-conscious.
The Thunderbird Group's aspiration is to provide sustainable homes, which have many benefits and positively impacts the local community, its people, the economy, its environment, and the world.
With the utmost respect, we at Thunderbird acknowledge that the Catskills region was once inhabited by members of the Lenni-Lenape tribe, who now reside in Southern New Jersey and the State of Delaware.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR
Development Process
Meet the Team!
Silbo Silberstein
Founder & Creative Director
Part designer, part dreamer, Silbo blends sustainable development and property-management know-how to create intentional, design-forward retreats. A New York Times article on container homes sparked his Columbia-era inspiration—eventually leading him to partner with Tim Steele of Steel House and develop his first Sullivan County property.
Andy Silberstein
Head of BizOps & Finance
Andy brings sharp vision, financial instinct, and dad-level optimism to every challenge—turning complexity into shared wins and making everyone feel like the plan was their idea. A cybersecurity leader with engineering roots at Johns Hopkins and an MBA from the Technion, he’s built startups—including one that went public—and jumped headfirst into this family venture.
Leah Krakinowski
Head of Story & Strategy
Leah blends big-picture strategy with a storyteller’s eye, turning sparks of ideas into projects people instantly lean into. After 20 years as a global journalist and later a messaging strategist in finance and tech, she now channels that curiosity—shaped by family adventures and hidden-gem hunting—into building something meaningful together.
Soban Bhutta
Head of Social & Content
Soban brings Thunderbird’s visual identity to life with cinematic storytelling and community-rooted design. Trained in media production and creative direction, he found his calling behind the camera while studying in Budapest. A film project in the Catskills sparked a chance connection with Leah and Andy—leading him straight into the Thunderbird story.
Tim Steele
Partner - Steele House
Tim sees the world in shapes, colors, and compositions—first as a painter, then as an interior designer, and now as a creator of container-built spaces packed with purpose and personality. Since 2009, he’s blended efficiency with artistry, designing thoughtful homes and building meaningful relationships from his barn-turned-community studio in Livingston Manor.