Growing up on a 12-acre property in Alaska with a father who had no limits to his creative ingenuity profoundly shaped my problem-solving skills and hands-on abilities. From metal fabrication to fine woodworking, plumbing to electrical work, I was exposed to a wide range of trades. Alongside my siblings and parents, I spent my childhood living a semi-subsistence lifestyle north of Fairbanks, where the extreme cold—often plunging to minus 40 degrees—made energy efficiency and weatherization crucial. With some of the highest energy costs in the country, these concerns were more than just practical; they were essential for survival.

During high school and college summers, I worked for home builders, which sparked my interest in renewable energy. I witnessed a spectrum of building practices in this harsh climate, from cutting-edge net-zero Passive Haus homes to poorly insulated 2x4 walls in 3,000-square-foot homes, even into the early 2000s. The inadequacies of these structures often led to issues like cracked water pipes and extensive mold growth, with energy costs frequently exceeding mortgage payments.

Driven by the need to address these challenges, I majored in political science with a focus on renewable energy policy. My studies included courses at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at UAF in Fairbanks, where I developed a deep interest in building science, particularly in achieving healthy indoor air quality while conserving energy. Since relocating to Portland in 2009, I have worked in the solar and wind power industries, continuing to pursue innovative solutions for sustainable energy practices. I look forward to bringing this awareness and knowledge to future projects, where I aim to create impactful, sustainable solutions that not only meet but exceed industry standards.