How did you get started in the Industry? 

I started carrying mortar for bricklayers in high school, 1966, and occasionally I still get do that! After a couple years in college during the late sixties (I do remember… some of the sixties) I started officially in the trades as an electrician. I moved into project management for several companies, finally as senior project manager for a large general contractor in the Washington, D.C. area, completing about $60M in large government contracts in my five years prior to moving to Colorado and becoming a professional remodeler.

Has there been someone along that way that you credit with helping you to get where you are? And why?

There are so many who have helped me in my journey to this point. My Dad taught me that you can do anything. My peers along the way have taught me so many skills and values. My wife of 25 years who has supported my addiction to the home building/remodeling industry and my daughter who once said, “It (life) is an adventure”.

What do you love about the Industry and why? 

I love the home building industry because it allows me to be creative and at the end of the day my clients are happy and that makes me feel good, not to mention meeting and working with some amazing folks in the industry who really care about their work, their clients and their fellow workers.

Tell us three things about you that people do not know! 

I was offered a Presidential appointment in 1990, overseeing our nation’s public housing. Instead, I married a Colorado girl and moved with my young daughter to Evergreen, Colorado, where we still live.

I am a professional musician and entertainer, playing regularly in four diverse bands.

With my wife as the beautiful Mrs. Claus and me as Santa (could you guess!) we have brought smiles to over 100,000 faces in over two decades of visits and parades.

Anything else you would like to share? 

Here are a few of my professional accomplishments:

Named Remodeler of the Year (twice) by the Metro Denver HBA.

Named Outstanding Remodeler Council Chairperson, out of 160 national NAHB councils. 

Produced and hosted an industry live radio talk show for 2-1/2 years, with 40,000 listeners. 

Served two years (early 1990’s) as full time Executive Director of the of the Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity. 

I hold seven national professional designations, all of those initials behind my name.

Licensed by the NAHB to produce all of the NAHB courses and approved to instruct over a dozen individual classes.

I am professionally in front of a live audience over 100 times a year as an educator, speaker, author, master of ceremonies, and entertainer.

Co-Founder of the Living In Place Institute, which develops and provides professional education and national certifications (classes in Oct and Nov, more info at www.LivingInPlace Institute.org) to help make all homes accessible, comfortable and safe for everyone.