Aaron grew up on an organic dairy farm in Chelsea, Vermont. “I can’t say I always dreamed of being a builder,” Aaron says. “It wasn’t until I was four years old, and I was given two carpenter kits. Those first three years I wasn’t nearly as focused.” When high school ended, Aaron worked every job he could, saved every penny, and finally used everything he had to buy a piece of land in Tunbridge. There he built a house: he harvested wood from the land, had a sawyer mill the timber, and hired an extra set of hands to help with the big stuff. “I bought the land when I was 21 and spent that spring and summer clearing the house site. I started building the following spring.”

When that first house sold, Aaron started his own business. “I realized pretty quickly that if I wanted to keep up with the jobs coming my way, I needed to hire someone.” One person quickly grew to two, and then three. “Having a dependable, reliable crew allows me to spend more time puzzling out solutions to the unique problems each job presents.” says Aaron. The process of taking a client’s initial thoughts and ideas and then working with that client to create plans and finally a completed project is an exciting, challenging, and inspiring process for him. Partnering with a client in the design process is a great journey, “but it does take me away from what drew me to building in the first place.” Aaron still loves to swing a hammer.

“Although my tool belt can wreak havoc on my hips, I am most comfortable talking with people with my belt on. When I recently learned I was to make a toast at my brother’s wedding, Jyles Yates, a member of my crew, said—only half jokingly–that I should wear my belt when I stood to speak.”

Now with many years and many happy customers “under his belt,” Aaron and his team have the experience to make any project a success. “I realize that more and more clients want environmentally friendly homes, made from sustainable materials and incorporating energy-efficient systems. People are aware and invested in making homes that are at once environmentally sound and exceedingly livable. This is what I love to do.”

Aaron and his partner Jill live in a refurbished camp in the wilds of Waterbury with their two young children, two dogs and several chickens.