Book a Speaker at Your School
The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains Speakers Bureau is a collection of BABRM members who are available to speak at local schools and events about their area of specialty. This resource connects a variety of professionals within the building industry with students in schools across Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, and Transylvania counties.
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Find a Speaker
Find a Speaker
Explore the benefits of hiring a Builders Association speaker for your next event or school program. Our speakers bring valuable expertise, motivation, networking opportunities, career guidance, and industry updates to the world of construction. Benefits:
Expertise and Industry Insights
Inspiration and Motivation
Networking Opportunities
Career Guidance
Community Engagement
If you’re ready to request a speaker or specific topic, simply fill out our Request a Speaker form below. Otherwise, feel free to browse through our list of expert speakers to find the right fit for your needs.
If you’re a BABRM member looking to join the speakers bureau, complete your application here to start the process.
Jenny Brunet of Cool Mountain Realty & Construction
Jenny has been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years. She loves the building process. She helps with scheduling jobs and bookkeeping. She also sells and buys real estate.
Jenny has been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years. She loves the building process. She helps with scheduling jobs and bookkeeping. She also sells and buys real estate.
Trade/Skill Area: Real Estate & Construction
Educational Background: Jenny has hands-on learning from being involved in every aspect of construction in addition to taking several classes through the years in construction. She’s the broker-in-charge for Cool Mountain Realty, and she went to school to become an agent and then a Broker-in-Charge.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Jenny, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Smith McAulay of WSM Craft
Smith McAulay is the owner and president of WSM Craft, a Design-Build company that brings a creative artisan approach to new construction and large-scale remodel projects. The WSM Custom Shop manufactures custom cabinetry and specialty trim elements for use in our new and enhanced home projects.
Smith is a North Carolina native with 20 years in the Asheville building industry. He was inspired by the artisan legacy of WNC to design and create one-of-a-kind homes. He’s a musician, homesteader, and historian.
Trade/Skill Area: Carpenter, Designer, General Contractor
Educational Background: Smith has a Liberal Arts degree (B.A. in religion, studio art, art history). He learned carpentry after school for hands-on employable skills. He began designing and started his company. He became a Licensed General Contractor in 2012.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Smith, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Kensley Hendrix of Christie’s Lighting Gallery
Over the past two years, Kensley immersed herself in the world of business development within the construction industry. Despite her relatively short tenure, she’s quickly established herself and nurtured numerous valuable relationships that have contributed to her growth in this field.
In her dual roles at Christie’s Lighting Gallery and Silver Fox Gallery, she’s had the privilege of gaining hands-on experience and insights into the intricacies of our industry. Her primary focus has been cultivating meaningful connections, understanding client needs, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Trade/Skill Area: Business Development
Educational Background: Drawing on her inherent curiosity and drive to succeed, she immersed herself in the intricacies of business development, learning on the job and seeking out opportunities for growth and advancement. Despite not having a formal education in business or construction, she’s leveraged her diverse experiences and skills to excel in her roles at Christie’s Lighting Gallery and the Silver Fox Gallery.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Kensley, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Jeff Ehrhardt, of The Sherwin-Williams Company
Jeff Ehrhardt has been in the construction industry since childhood and is an expert in paint and coatings with over 23 years of experience. he has had success as a training store manager, sales representative, and now as an account executive focusing on the new residential market in Asheville and Western North Carolina. He hopes to utilize his knowledge and experience to aid in the development and advancement of the future workforce in the construction industry.
Trade/Skill Area: Wholesale Sales/Management
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from The Pennsylvania State University.
To request Jeff, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Melissa McKinney Gough of Turnwright Construction LLC
Melissa McKinney Gough is a licensed GC and owns a boutique residential construction company specializing in custom renovation, historic preservation, and structural repair. She has lived and worked in the Asheville area since 1984 and currently is building a tiny semi off-grid ‘pre-retirement’ home in Marshall.
Trade/Skill Area: GC Historic Preservation, Remodel, Structural Repair
Educational Background: Melissa was raised in the trades as a fifth generation builder. She received a BS in psychology/sociology. After college, she served as the administrative staff for her family construction business. She took various classes at ABTech while growing in the business as a sales representative and CAD designer. She took and passed the NASCLA exam in 2017 and has served as the company GC since that time.
To request Melissa, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
To request Melissa, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Gina Taterus of Red Tree Builders
Gina has been in the interior design field for 20 years. She has worked for residential custom home builders as well as owned her own design firm working in remodeling. She is currently the lead Interior Designer at Red Tree Builders and RT Designs. She holds a NCIDQ certificate and is also licensed through North Carolina and Florida as a professional interior designer.
Trade/Skill Area: Interior Design
Educational Background: She holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts with a Specialty in Interior Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology. She attended the University of Nebraska interior design program for 2 years before completing her bachelor’s degree.
Tangible Work Examples
To request Gina, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Max DeHoll of Modern Mountain Builders
Max brings over a decade of experience in building to Western North Carolina (WNC). Starting his journey as an intern with prominent companies, he later established his own company. Currently serving as the Commercial Production Manager, Max focuses on constructing schools, businesses, and community spaces, leveraging his expertise to enhance the local landscape.
Trade/Skill Area: Project Management/Business Owner/Carpenter
Educational Background: Max chose to dive into the construction industry after high school instead of pursuing a traditional four-year university education. Through dedication and hard work, he gained valuable experience by interning with various companies, immersing himself in the trade, and honing his skills.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Max, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Beth Lemmel of ActionCOACH
Beth is a master of career readiness and acquisition. With 13 years experience coaching job-seekers in the Asheville Area and all over country, she has worked with 100’s of people on the topics of resume-building, networking, interviewing, and more…but most importantly on the process of deciding what job to go for and how to find it!
Trade/Skill Area: Employment/Networking
Educational Background: Beth got her first job at age 12. She has a BA in Health and Wellness Promotion, eleven years working with Mental Health Community, and three years with ActionCOACH and Lemmel Employment Coaching.
Tangable Work Examples
To request Beth, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Stan Ezquerro of Sugar Hollow Solar
Stan Ezquerro originally moved down to the WNC area from New York to work in mental health and outdoor recreation. He eventually decided that he did not want to work in healthcare and began looking for a new career. After weighing some options, he enrolled in and completed AB Tech’s Solar PV certificate program. Following the completion of this program, he started installing solar with Sugar Hollow Solar and eventually made his way into a site surveyor position. This lead him to pursue his Part 107 License to incorporate drones into his work.
Trade/Skill Area: Solar Drone Surveying
Educational Background: ABTech Solar PV certificate program,
Pilot Institute Part 107 training course.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Stan, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Skip Brewer of AMB, CGP of Walnut Cove Builders, LLC
Skip Brewer has been a longstanding member of the AHBA and is a current Board Member and Past President of the AHBA. He has also chaired various AHBA Committees. He has a degree in Industrial Management and has held a North Carolina and South Carolina Building License for over 20 years. He teaches various AHBA Advanced Contractor Education (ACE) Classes. He has been awarded the AHBA Builder of the Year Award and is also an AHBA Parade of Homes Silver Winner. Most of his building career has been spent building large custom homes in the Asheville Area.
Trade/Skill Area: Custom Residential Building
Educational Background: Industrial Management Engineer, NC and SC General Contractors License, NC Builder Institute Accredited Master Builder; National Association of Home Builders Certified Green Professional.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Skip, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Ashley Kepley-Steward of Red Tree Builders
Ashley Kepley-Steward is the Director of Operations of Red Tree Builders. With a wealth of experience in optimizing operations within the construction industry, she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to efficiency, quality, and team empowerment.
Trade/Skill Area: Custom Home Builder – Director of Operations
Educational Background: Prior to obtaining a Construction Management A.A.S. & Construction Management Certificate from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Ashley was a personal trainer and co-owner of a painting company. When she found the Construction Management program at A-B Tech she decided to combine her management skills and love of construction to create a career that she could be passionate about.
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
To request Ashley, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Katie Starr of Modern Mountain Builders
Katie Starr is a seasoned speaker and office manager with 11 years of experience in high school education before transitioning into the building industry. Currently employed with a company specializing in luxury custom homes and inspiring commercial spaces, Katie leverages her diverse background to mentor students and guide them in exploring career opportunities.
Trade/Skill Area: Project Management/Business Owner/Carpenter
Educational Background: Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts, Spanish
Master of Arts, and K-12 Education degree. She taught high school Spanish for eleven years and has one year in the WNC building industry.
For more information contact: Katie Starr (828) 484-6213
Bradford Currin of WNC FCI Floors
Brad Currin graduated from William & Mary’s MBA Program and began a thirst for entrepreneurship after working in healthcare for over 15 years. Brad owns three businesses in the WNC market and is working on his fourth venture.
Trade/Skill Area: Construction Industry
On-Site Demos and Tangible Work Examples
Educational Background: Military, Under Grad, MBA (William & Mary)
To request Brandford, please fill out our Request a Speaker Form below.
Request a Speaker
To request a speaker or suggest a new topic, please complete the form below, and we’ll help connect you with the right expert for your needs.
