President

Every day for me starts with educating my fantastic group of home inspectors, picking a topic we focus our study on for that particular day. As the President, most days are full of normal business operations, whether training, building new CE classes, answering questions, developing our products to be the best in the market, working on marketing, planning business functions, or basic accounting. Each day ends with reviews of inspection reports prepared by our inspectors as a final review before they are sent to our clients and realtors. One of our corporate goals is to raise the standards of the industry. Many of my days are full of teaching proper standards of practice, ethics, and correct inspection techniques to future professional home inspectors across the nation.

I have so many hobbies that I genuinely love! In the past, I have been an avid hiker, hiking Pikes Peak over 40 times and hiking the Manitou Incline more times than I can count. I spent many years in the saddle of my mountain bike, primarily on the trails of Palmer Park, but I even rode my bike up Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak. I have always loved the beautiful Colorado outdoors since I was blessed to spend endless hours camping with my father as I earned my Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. I spent 14 years blessed to study karate with some fantastic martial artists! Under my instructor, Professor Johnson and Universal Kempo Karate, I earned my third-degree black belt and am so blessed to have helped many others on their journey. My Kempo Ohana is a very important part of me, and it’s even more amazing to work alongside Joe Gardino, Walter Kruger, Tina Stephens, and Hannah Sanchez, who I call part of my Kempo family as we trained together for many years. The feeling of family is so important to me and extends to each of my brothers and sisters in Ground Floor (even those who didn't hit me on the karate floor). 

Many years ago, I started playing the clarinet and loved creating music. I became a classically trained clarinetist and started as a music major at the University of Northern Colorado. After a couple of years, I changed my major to business; however, I retained my love for music. It was music where I met and fell in love with my wife. We moved to Portland, where we played as principal flute (my wife's instrument) and clarinet in the Portland Chamber Orchestra. We played many orchestras for pay and fun and even coffee shops for tips. A highlight of my time in Portland was playing Artie Shaw's Concerto for Clarinet at the downtown Portland Performing Arts Center. It was always fun to play in anything we could. We moved back to Colorado and started playing for the Little London Winds in Colorado Springs, and now we play in the Woodland Park Wind Symphony and other smaller groups.

In the late '90s, I purchased my first digital camera. It was a combination of a Leica/Fuji camera. I fell in love with digital imaging immediately! I quickly learned that the initial photo was just the start and started learning numerous software's (Lightroom and Photoshop, among others) to help make the images the art I believed they should be. I started shooting pictures of everything I could and, in a short time, started taking senior portraits and weddings.

My love for photography grew immensely when I started capturing theater for various local theater performances. I loved the challenge of the lighting environment changing constantly! Like all hobbies, the more time spent, the better one gets. I remember spending five nights on the top of Palmer Park, capturing the events of the Waldo Canyon fire from a distance. It was a defining moment as I watched the horrific event unfold. After finishing the images, I heard from a friend that the Pioneer Museum was conducting a contest of images captured during the fire. I entered and was chosen with two other photographers in the state to display my art in the museum. Those photos have now become part of the state's permanent archives. Shortly after that, Treese and I went to Santa Fe, where I captured many pictures of the beautiful city. We spent time going to the galleries and talking to the gallery owners. One gallery owner looked at my images from there and suggested I compete in a statewide contest. I didn't think I'd stand a chance and won in my category. I was hooked!

I have always been very interested in the stars, and when I realized I could image them, I found another focus for my love for photography. I started with my Nikon DSLR (D800e) with a tripod. The stars quickly became imaging the moon and then the nebula. In a short time, I started adding specialized cameras and telescopes. Capturing the images was very difficult to do correctly, and knowing what to do with them was a higher level of expertise. After years, I have learned how to capture images better and process the amazing beauty God has placed in the sky for all of us. And I'm now showing my photography in Woodland Park at "Reserve Our Gallery," and I feel blessed to be in a gallery with such talented artists. The stars are indeed the limit in this hobby, and I can't wait to keep growing and getting better.

Life is a blessing, and we choose our path. I feel so very blessed to find the path placed in front of me. What's next? We'll see where the path leads!

Executive Admin, CO State Licensed Radon Measurement Professional

I'm part-time; I answer the phones and schedule inspections when our other two schedulers aren't "on", answer the difficult questions, respond to website and other emails, and perform licensed radon testing in Teller, Park, and Fremont Counties. 

I'm also a part-time band director/instrumental music instructor (grades 6-10 this year) at Merit Academy in Woodland Park, run a private music lesson studio, and perform flute, guitar, and ukulele in many ensembles up here. This is my other "job," not really a hobby, as I am a degreed music educator. Real hobbies include hula-hooping, knitting, and jeeping around with Chris. 

Marketing Specialist, Vice President, CO State Licensed Radon Measurement Professional

In a typical day, I will be answering phone calls and scheduling inspections. I also drive around the state doing radons from Denver, to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Teller County. But my favorite thing is getting to build and create relationships with others in the real estate industry.

I am currently a first-degree black belt in Universal Kempo Karate. I am currently training for my 2nd-degree belt! I have been training since I was 5 years old so the others there have all become family. Today, my 5-year-old is training alongside me! 

Senior Professional Home Inspector, Vice President, CO State Licensed Radon Measurement Professional

On a typical inspection day I will meet the REALTOR and clients on site, ask questions to understand any particular concerns, explain the process, perform a thorough home inspection and give a summary of important items I may have found. Afterwards I usually have a good meal and enjoy some time with family before editing the inspection report. Additionally, I like to answer questions and help train our new inspectors.

My main hobby, outside of work, is martial arts. I’ve been training appropriately for 20 years. We started attending karate as a family, after my son joined. We love the relationships we’ve built and leadership we’ve learned while staying fit. The best part however is that I met and made lifelong friends in Joe Gardino and Chris Kjeldsen. I admire their commitment to excellence in all that they do, both personally and professionally.

Senior Professional Home Inspector, Vice President, CO State Licensed Radon Measurement Professional

My inspections start with educating the home buyers on the goals of the inspection. As I evaluate the home I spend time familiarizing the new homeowners with their potential new home. After the inspection, I spend a few hours putting together the report for the buyers and their agent.

I teach a Universal Kempo Karate school. I love helping people of all ages become stronger and more confident. I started martial arts as a teenager; I was very small and timid as a kid. Martial arts helped to develop confidence. I started helping instruct the kids at my instructor's school in 1986 and found that I loved teaching. I have been teaching ever since. I play guitar as well and I love making music. Starting out, I tried to learn how to play on my own, but I was not very good. My lovely wife, Marty, bought me lessons and a new guitar when I turned 35 yrs old. Looking back, I think that was a wise gift for both of us.

Professional Home Inspector, CO State Licensed Radon Measurement Professional

I start my workday by reviewing the educational topic for the day that is sent out by Chris, the owner of Ground Floor Home Inspection. I then review any other information that is sent out regarding Radon, Marketing Events, topics involving what the inspectors may have experienced out in the field, etc. I perform inspections, participate in marketing events or volunteer opportunities, visit real estate agents at open houses, etc. The day can vary from one day to the next, or even on the same day we can have added inspections. Never a dull moment!

I am very much into the outdoors and my wife and I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and exploring the world for new adventures. I experienced a greater love for these things after meeting my wife and discovering her love for them, as well. I love to hike a trail and see what's around the bend. Smoking cigars is also a favorite hobby of mine. I got into them after quitting cigarettes and I wanted to try something with a little more complexity for my palate. I love this hobby because it forces me to be still for a couple of hours and just be. I love the cigar community and the camaraderie we share. I am a big reader and will venture into nearly every genre. I was given The Hobbit by my dad when I was a kid and have read ever since. I love this hobby because there is always something to learn from someone else and apply to my own life, and then there are books that I read to just relax. I would say music is a hobby but it's more of a lifestyle! Music is and always has been an integral part of my life. To explain how I got into it or what I love about it is like explaining why I like being able to breathe—no explanation necessary.

Professional Home inspector 

I like to study the house that I’ll be inspecting so that I’m ready to help the client the best I can. I will spend 3 to 3.5 hours inspecting a house. Afterward, I'll go home to finish the report on my computer and send it out for peer review, and once any adjustments needed are made the report is then sent to the client.

I love being outside with my kids and wife. We are crazy Colorado sports fans. We love our Broncos, Nuggets, and Avalanche! 

Professional Home Inspector

I generally prepare for the inspection ahead of time so I know what to expect at the house I’ll be inspecting. I will spend 3 to 3.5 hours inspecting a home. When I get home that day, I'll put together a detailed report and send it for review. After review we send it to the client.

My hobby outside work is going to the gym. I started going to the gym with my older brother and it's been routine ever since. I love working out because it keeps me in shape both physically and mentally; if I can physically push myself to failure at the beginning of the day it puts my mind in a great position to tackle the rest of the day's challenges. 

Professional Home inspector

Before an inspection, I make sure to load up my car with all my tools. If it’s a morning inspection, I go straight to the inspection and spend 3-4 hours (depending on the property size) thoroughly assessing the house and taking photos. If it’s an afternoon inspection, I like to spend time in the morning learning and educating myself to make me a better inspector. When I come home from the inspections, I edit and review my report before sending it to the client.

I love to ski and learned on a school trip in Austria 18 years ago. I now ski a couple of times a year in the Rockies. I play football (soccer) with friends in the evening and play golf once a week at different courses around Colorado. I also enjoy hiking with my wife around Estes Park.

Professional Home Inspector

My day usually starts the day before, preparing for my inspection by making sure I have everything I need and finding out as much as I can about the house I will be inspecting. After meeting my clients and their real estate agent, I get to work inspecting the home outside in and top to bottom. I finish up with a quick summary of concerns, if any, with my clients and then head home to put my findings into a report that my clients can use to make an informed buying decision.

I have always enjoyed train watching since I was a kid growing up near a railroad. Their sheer size and power have always captivated me.

Office Assistant

I usually start my day by asking Treese or Hannah if there are any "stuffs" that I need to follow up on. Throughout the day, I answer calls whether they are to schedule a home inspection or answer a question a client/real estate agent might have and answer online inspection inquiries. We also contract with Blue Ribbon Home Warranty. When I receive the orders from them, I contact the clients and schedule the home warranty inspection with one of our inspectors. I also take care of some of the radon accesses for our certified Radon Technicians; I write "thank you" cards; and I handle miscellaneous requests from Chris, Treese, and Hannah.

I love sending all types of greeting cards via snail mail. The hobby started in Jr. High School with a pen pal in Iowa. I enjoy, hopefully, making someone smile or feeling like they are thought of. It makes my heart happy. I also love to crochet. I was taught by an older co-worker approximately 40 years ago. The thought of taking a string and making something that will last a lifetime still amazes me. I loved teaching crocheting to my daughters. I enjoy giving blankets or other projects away whether as gifts or if someone happens to say they like something, I will just hand it to them and say "it's yours!" 

Vice President, Business Coach

I get to work with Chris and his entire Ground Floor team. In a way, I'm Chris's 'second brain.' I help him find solutions to strategically grow his business and team. I bring 14 years' of experience with me so I'm looking around corners he can't quite see yet. I also coach and train him on how to develop and maintain his culture while the company grows. When I work with his team, I serve as a communications coach and trainer, helping them work from their strengths, appreciate their differences, and work better together to get the best possible results.

I'm a mom and wife, so my hobbies include many activities with my family like white water rafting, travel, volleyball, ninja courses, movies, and golf. My parents put me in city recreation programs for all kinds of sports when I was a kid to see what fit best. Tennis, basketball, and softball stuck with me through high school. After that, I received a scholarship to play tennis in college. So, when possible, you'll find me on the courts. I love the mind-body connection of tennis and the internal competition. It makes me feel fully present and alive when my mental and physical games are being challenged to find solutions at the same time.