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Welcome New Certified Builders
from March 2022 Building Insight
by BIAW
Welcome new Certified Builders
by Bailee WicksCommunications Manager
March is National Designation Month. As we celebrate, BIAW is excited to announce its most prestigious designation: Certified Builder.
What is a Certified Builder?
BIAW created the designation to bridge the communication gap and offer more transparency between builders and home buyers. Being a Certified Builder shows clients that builders are completely vetted. This creates a sense of trust in knowing Certified Builders go beyond what is asked of them from the state.
For more information on how to become a Certified Builder, visit BIAWCertifiedBuilder.com or contact BIAW Education at education@biaw.com.
Welcome new Certified Builders
Congratulations to the following tradesmen and tradeswomen who took the step to get their certification.
Kai Fyrst
Kai Fyrst
Kai Fyrst, an Olympia Master Builders member, started as a contractor over 20 years ago before founding First Finishers with his brother Tim in 2005.
As a founder and owner of First Finishers, he runs the operations and customer engagement aspects of the business. He is a highly effective business ambassador and ensures his customers receive an experience and result that meet the highest available standards of workmanship and quality.
He is also in charge of professional development, providing ample autonomy and encouraging members of his crew to take initiative on the job. This level of individual project ownership and accountability creates a work atmosphere based on trust, in which everyone strives to go the extra mile for customers while contributing to company growth.
Jennifer VanderBeken
Jennifer VanderBeken
Jennifer VanderBeken of VanderBeken Remodel grew up immersed in the building industry with both her father and grandfather being Seattle area home builders. Whether it was collecting recyclable soda cans or scrap lumber around the jobsites and then later in high school working in the company office, the ins and outs of the day to day, the challenges and the successes of building became well known.
After college, she spent the next several years teaching elementary school. Then while taking time off to be at home with her young children, an opportunity came about for Jennifer and her husband, Ron, to start their own business in 2007. With their combined experience in building and remodeling and the desire and vision to run their very own business, Ron and Jennifer had a perfect partnership.
As a member of the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), VanderBeken holds both CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) and CGP (Certified Green Professional) designations from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Jennifer served as MBAKS Remodelers Council chair in 2021 and won the 2021 MBAKS Remodeler of the Year award.
Ron VanderBeken
Ron VanderBeken
Ron VanderBeken of VanderBeken Remodel from MBAKS started out as an educator following his graduation from Seattle Pacific University. He first entered the construction industry as a project manager in 1999.
In 2007, he stepped out on his own and established VanderBeken Remodel with his wife Jennifer. He specializes in working with and educating clients in the best way to make their homes an even better place to live.
One of the ways VanderBeken balances his work/life is by teaching a weekly art class at a small classical school in Marysville his children previously attended. He also holds a CAPS designation.
Matt Willard
Matt Willard
Town & Country Homes is a third-generation home building company in Kittitas County. Matt and Tristen Willard founded Town & Country Homes based on their belief that providing shelter for families is still one of the most important businesses in the 21st century. Town & Country has a large portfolio of projects from a small guest room fireplace mantle installation to a 7000 sq. ft. custom home in Suncadia and everything in between. Members of the Central Washington Home Builders Association, the Williards are proud of their many accomplishments over the years.
