Direct and provide educational opportunities for the staff of the Montana Weatherization Program.

My Weatherization career started in 2004 as an Energy Auditor. One unique aspect of Weatherization is that all employees receive ongoing training in building science and construction. This training plus ongoing collaboration with some of the best in weatherization really fueled my interest in construction and helping people in my community. The weatherization industry is a team of like-minded individuals that have helped countless people be safer and more comfortable in their homes. It has been super rewarding to be part of this home performance industry.After starting my own home inspection business in 2009, I continued weatherization work as an Energy Auditor, General Contractor and Quality Control inspector. Through home inspections I developed my interest and passion for explaining the technical aspects of energy efficiency, ventilation heating and structural components to customers with little understanding of building systems. After working in the field and attending almost every training related to building science and home inspecting, I took the Building Science Instructor position at the Montana Weatherization Training Center because it “just felt natural” to be sharing what I’ve learned.Here at the training center, I am so lucky to be working with the smartest and most talented people in home performance. It is a humbling but rewarding environment where we truly help people become weatherization and home performance leaders.

Although I did not realize it at the time my home inspection career really started many years ago while working in the construction trades. Because of my varied experience I became well versed in all aspects of home construction. This formed a foundation for becoming a home inspector. Because of my construction experience and personal interest in energy conservation I became an energy auditor for the Montana Weatherization Program which provided me with extensive formal training on home performance, thousands of hours in the field inspecting homes, and countless hours brainstorming with a small team of auditors about solutions to problems within homes. This type of work naturally lead me to the home inspection venue including radon testing, water testing, lead testing, mold, thermal imaging, combustion analysis, heat duct and home air tightness testing, energy star rating, and home energy auditing.Throughout these many years looking at homes one common thread has woven itself throughout the fabric of my work. This thread is the human thread. It has never ceased to amaze me that just as there are always new and challenging problems in homes there are also a never ending variety of interesting and new people to meet. The human story along the way is one that has slowly become more important than the houses. When people let you into their home they let you into a private space. It is humbling when people extend their trust on the place they live or want to live. Be it a long or short conversation there is always a human connection that makes my job worthwhile and rewarding. I would love the chance to hear your story and help you on your way with your next home purchase, remodel, or energy retrofit because its "not just a house its a home".