In 1975, John co-founded South Mountain Company (SMCo) on Martha’s Vineyard. Fifty years later, this 40-person worker co-op is among the world’s highest-scoring B-Corps. SMCo is a design-build firm that practices integrated architecture, building, and solar-energy design. On Dec 31, 2022, John relinquished his company ownership and co-founded Abrams+Angell, providing guidance to small businesses hoping to achieve social, environmental, and financial goals. John is a co-founder, facilitator, and steering committee member of Building Energy Bottom Lines; he engages in a variety of forms of community activism mostly involving affordable housing and serves on the steering committee and executive committee of The Coalition to Create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank. John is the author of Companies We Keep: Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place, and From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership, released this June. You can find John at abramsangell.com.
In 1975, John co-founded South Mountain Company (SMCo) on Martha’s Vineyard. Fifty years later, this 40-person worker co-op is among the world’s highest-scoring B-Corps. SMCo is a design-build firm that practices integrated architecture, building, and solar-energy design. On Dec 31, 2022, John relinquished his company ownership and co-founded Abrams+Angell, providing guidance to small businesses hoping to achieve social, environmental, and financial goals. John is a co-founder, facilitator, and steering committee member of Building Energy Bottom Lines; he engages in a variety of forms of community activism mostly involving affordable housing and serves on the steering committee and executive committee of The Coalition to Create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank. John is the author of Companies We Keep: Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place, and From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership, released this June. You can find John at abramsangell.com.
Tyler is the owner/operator of TRG Home Concepts, a boutique remodeling company that specializes in detailed renovations of older homes. Focusing on smaller projects allows them the necessary time and budget for thoughtful design, thorough site protection, quality installations, comprehensive processes, and the ability to self-perform various trades. Tyler believes this hands-on approach and tight control over projects are key to delivering an exceptional product and client experience. You can find Tyler at trghomeconcepts.com.
Tyler is the owner/operator of TRG Home Concepts, a boutique remodeling company that specializes in detailed renovations of older homes. Focusing on smaller projects allows them the necessary time and budget for thoughtful design, thorough site protection, quality installations, comprehensive processes, and the ability to self-perform various trades. Tyler believes this hands-on approach and tight control over projects are key to delivering an exceptional product and client experience. You can find Tyler at trghomeconcepts.com.
Jesse is the co-founder and principal of Kaplan Thompson Architects and Brightbuilt Home, a design-build company that specializes in zero-energy and zero-energy-ready modular homes. Jesse is an AIA Fellow, a board member of the Portland Society of Architecture, and a founding member of Passivhaus Maine. Jesse’s experience includes single-family homes, multifamily buildings, educational buildings, and on-site and off-site construction methods. You can find Jesse at kaplanthompson.com.
Jesse is the co-founder and principal of Kaplan Thompson Architects and Brightbuilt Home, a design-build company that specializes in zero-energy and zero-energy-ready modular homes. Jesse is an AIA Fellow, a board member of the Portland Society of Architecture, and a founding member of Passivhaus Maine. Jesse’s experience includes single-family homes, multifamily buildings, educational buildings, and on-site and off-site construction methods. You can find Jesse at kaplanthompson.com.
Emily is the founder and principal of Mottram Architecture, a Maine-based practice specializing in new homes and renovations that are beautiful, functional, comfortable, healthy, and durable. Emily regularly teaches building science and sustainable design at local colleges and event across the country. She is a co-author of the Pretty Good House book, hosts the E3: Energy and Efficiency with Emily podcast, and co-hosts the BS* + Beer Show. You can find Emily at Mottramarch.com.
Emily is the founder and principal of Mottram Architecture, a Maine-based practice specializing in new homes and renovations that are beautiful, functional, comfortable, healthy, and durable. Emily regularly teaches building science and sustainable design at local colleges and event across the country. She is a co-author of the Pretty Good House book, hosts the E3: Energy and Efficiency with Emily podcast, and co-hosts the BS* + Beer Show. You can find Emily at Mottramarch.com.
David K. Warfel is a lighting designer, author, and educator focused on improving lives through the essential medium of light. He practices at the convergence of architectural lighting and live performance, illuminating a variety of projects and events—from homes to the Las Vegas Strip to New York’s Carnegie Hall. You can find David at Lightcanhelpyou.com
David K. Warfel is a lighting designer, author, and educator focused on improving lives through the essential medium of light. He practices at the convergence of architectural lighting and live performance, illuminating a variety of projects and events—from homes to the Las Vegas Strip to New York’s Carnegie Hall. You can find David at Lightcanhelpyou.com
Kate is a partner at HELM Construction Solutions, an experienced leader in the fields of green building, professional education, sustainability, and business management. She’s worked with established and emerging businesses to develop business systems and plan for a resilient future. Kate is also a Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program and a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, and she serves on the boards of NESEA and the Studio for High Performance Design and Construction. She is a regular contributor to Fine Homebuilding’s Building Business column. You can find Kate at buildhelm.com.
Kate is a partner at HELM Construction Solutions, an experienced leader in the fields of green building, professional education, sustainability, and business management. She’s worked with established and emerging businesses to develop business systems and plan for a resilient future. Kate is also a Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program and a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, and she serves on the boards of NESEA and the Studio for High Performance Design and Construction. She is a regular contributor to Fine Homebuilding’s Building Business column. You can find Kate at buildhelm.com.
A well-known high-performance builder, a Fine Homebuilding and Green Building Advisor author, a member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, a host of the BS* and Beer Show, and a regular speaker at building industry events, Ben is known for his depth of knowledge on all things building, from carpentry to building science to business. He’s a third-generation builder who started in the trades at age 16 and is currently the Director of Outreach & Education and Production Manager at BPC Green Builders in Ridgefield, CT. You can find Ben at bpcgreenbuilders.com.
A well-known high-performance builder, a Fine Homebuilding and Green Building Advisor author, a member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, a host of the BS* and Beer Show, and a regular speaker at building industry events, Ben is known for his depth of knowledge on all things building, from carpentry to building science to business. He’s a third-generation builder who started in the trades at age 16 and is currently the Director of Outreach & Education and Production Manager at BPC Green Builders in Ridgefield, CT. You can find Ben at bpcgreenbuilders.com.
You may know Allison from his popular Energy Vanguard Blog, or his building science and HVAC design company of the same name. You may know him from his writing in Fine Homebuilding, on Green Building Advisor, or in his book, A House Needs to Breathe… or Does it? Allison is a sought-after speaker and educator on all things building science. You can find Allison at energyvanguard.com
You may know Allison from his popular Energy Vanguard Blog, or his building science and HVAC design company of the same name. You may know him from his writing in Fine Homebuilding, on Green Building Advisor, or in his book, A House Needs to Breathe… or Does it? Allison is a sought-after speaker and educator on all things building science. You can find Allison at energyvanguard.com
Rachel is an architect and green building expert with 30 years of experience in residential design, systems thinking and education. She began her career designing community-built playgrounds with an emphasis on stakeholder participation. In private practice she specialized in custom resource-efficient, solar-optimized homes. She is the founder and principal of Just Housing, a firm that creates green housing solutions and trains the workforce to build them.
Rachel is an architect and green building expert with 30 years of experience in residential design, systems thinking and education. She began her career designing community-built playgrounds with an emphasis on stakeholder participation. In private practice she specialized in custom resource-efficient, solar-optimized homes. She is the founder and principal of Just Housing, a firm that creates green housing solutions and trains the workforce to build them.
Despite growing up in a quintessential 1970s contemporary house, Justin Fink later found himself gravitating toward the style and stories of old houses. In 2020, inspired by the birth of his son, Avery, Justin started Fink and Son in his honor, with the goal of passing along craftsmanship—and especially the nuances of old houses—to the next generation. Justin is also the author of The Restorationist, Fine Homebuilding’s column dedicated to the craft of restoring historic homes. You can find Justin at finkandson.com.
Despite growing up in a quintessential 1970s contemporary house, Justin Fink later found himself gravitating toward the style and stories of old houses. In 2020, inspired by the birth of his son, Avery, Justin started Fink and Son in his honor, with the goal of passing along craftsmanship—and especially the nuances of old houses—to the next generation. Justin is also the author of The Restorationist, Fine Homebuilding’s column dedicated to the craft of restoring historic homes. You can find Justin at finkandson.com.
Joshua Salinger is founder and president of Birdsmouth Design-Build in Portland, OR. Birdsmouth is a residential Design-Build firm focused on addressing climate change through the built environment through zero energy new homes and deep energy retrofits. He is an instructor for both Earth Advantage’s Sustainable Homes Professional program and Phius’ Certified Passive House Builder certification program. He is vice president of Passive House Northwest and also sits on the technical committee of Zero Energy Ready Oregon. Additionally, he is an ‘Expert Member’ on Green Building Advisor and contributes content to Fine Homebuilding magazine.
Joshua Salinger is founder and president of Birdsmouth Design-Build in Portland, OR. Birdsmouth is a residential Design-Build firm focused on addressing climate change through the built environment through zero energy new homes and deep energy retrofits. He is an instructor for both Earth Advantage’s Sustainable Homes Professional program and Phius’ Certified Passive House Builder certification program. He is vice president of Passive House Northwest and also sits on the technical committee of Zero Energy Ready Oregon. Additionally, he is an ‘Expert Member’ on Green Building Advisor and contributes content to Fine Homebuilding magazine.