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Jeff Williams , senior editor at ImproveNet, is a veteran builder and writer. He is the author of a dozen books on all phases of home construction, from foundations to roofs. In addition to writing about construction, he has built numerous houses that range in style from rustic mountain retreats to high-end urban residences.

Nelson Behr works with Brice/Downey Architects and Builders in Columbus, Ohio, a small firm specializing in residential remodels and custom homes. He is in charge of design and helps with construction administration and field coordination on projects ranging between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Nelson relishes the challenge of finding the best design solution to a client's individual needs, whether it is a remodel or custom home. He is currently working on his own design/build guide for consumers. He earned his bachelor of science in architecture from Ohio State.

Eugene W. Brown, AIA, has been a registered architect in Raleigh, North Carolina since 1969 and in private practice since 1981, specializing mostly in custom residential design and remodeling. Gene believes strongly in a holistic approach to design and seeks to solve design problems on their own merits, taking into account what a house has to say for itself architecturally as well as what the client wants to accomplish. He believes that these two parameters are of equal importance in achieving a good remodeling solution, and takes a similar approach to designing a new house. Gene holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the School of Design at NCSU and a graduate degree in Architecture & Urban Design from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also an exhibiting painter and a skilled carpenter and cabinetmaker who designs and builds custom furniture.

New Orleans construction superintendent Ken Burk has been involved in construction since age 11, when he correctly wired and plumbed his clubhouse. He has been involved professionally with residential construction, remodeling, and renovation since the early 1980s, overseeing construction of hundreds of houses. He has a bachelor of science degree in construction from Louisiana State University.

Jackie Catto began her design career by creating efficient yet comfortable commercial computer workspaces, then expanded into home offices and residential interior design. As founder and owner of Interiors NW, she regularly hosts residential design and décor workshops. She works with do-it-yourself decorators to provide guidance and inspiration according to their skills and budget. Interiors NW provides complete management for large residential and commercial projects and works directly with the general contractors. Jackie is also a consultant for special occasion and holiday decorations. www.interiorsnw.com

David O. Crockett has 20 years of experience in construction as a designer and construction administrator, yet still prides himself on getting his hands dirty. He has owned and operated Environmental Planning & Management in Cypress, Texas, since 1986. David earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from Texas A&M, Prairie View. His expertise includes onsite wastewater disposal.

Ken Fisher has more than 10 years of experience in the hardwood flooring industry in southwest Florida. He specializes in laying hardwood flooring over concrete slabs and in high-rise buildings. You can also visit Ken online at www.hoskinghardwood.com.

Brad Heinzen, who began his career in the trades as a commercial cabinetmaker, is a project manager for Fulwiler/James, Inc., a residential general contracting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in the renovation and construction of high-end homes and estate properties. In connection with his work at Fulwiler/James, Brad enjoys working on a wide variety of projects from cutting-edge contemporary homes to full-blown restorations of period estates. He has nearly 20 years experience as a cabinetmaker and finish carpenter and has also worked as a plant manager in cabinetry and millworks companies. You can also visit Brad online at www.fulwilerjames.com. His email address is brad@fulwilerjames.com.

Fred Hueston is a syndicated columnist and home repair expert. He has written more than a dozen book on home improvement and has appeared on several TV shows. His weekly column "Around the House" can be found in several newspapers across the country. You can also visit Fred at www.ntc-stone.com.

Ron Hunsicker, P.E., is a professional engineer working with Glen-Gery Brick in Wyomissing, PA since 1983. He has answered thousands of technical questions in addition to reviewing and editing plans, details, and specifcations. He has conducted over five hundred site investigations to assess problems and suggest remedial actions. Ron has also presented almost nine hundred technical seminars to groups from two to a hundred in professionals' offices, college classrooms, and at meetings of local and state chapters of professional and industry organizations. Prior to his work with Glen-Gery, Ron worked as an estimator for a commercial general contractor, was a structural engineer with a consulting engineering firm, and provided zoning and building inspection services to municipalities. Ron is a member of ASTM Committee C-12, Mortar, ASTM Committee C-15, Masonry Units, the Masonry Standards Joint Committee, and many professional societies including ASTM, The Construction Specifications Institute, The Masonry Society, The Association for Preservation Technology, and the British Masonry Society. rhunsicker@glengerybrick.com

A former electrician and building inspector, Redwood Kardon has become one of the country’s leading experts on residential building codes. He currently instructs builders and code officials in the National Electrical Code. He is the author of the Code Check book series for Taunton Press and the www.CodeCheck.com website, which provides easy access to hundreds of common code violations.

George and Sally Kiskaddon opened their Berkeley, California, store, Builders Booksource, in 1982; they added a second store in San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square in 1996. George's background had been construction management and real estate rehabs, while Sally's was people management, education, and literature. Before opening the store they found that it was nearly impossible to find books and resources regarding the construction and design trades—whether for themselves at home or for their professional lives. Their idea was to create a central location in which to find books, reference materials, and software for home builders, architects, contractors, do-it-yourselfers, and consumers. They have succeeded admirably; their stores are memorable, well worth a trip if you live anywhere near the Bay Area and worth scheduling time for if you're visiting the area. And now you can also visit them online at www.buildersbooksite.com.

Jim Knight has more than 20 years of experience in financing, from large commercial projects to residential homes. A senior executive with Monetary Funding Group in Naugatuck, CT, his experience includes being an account executive, wholesaling mortgages to mortgage brokers across the country; as an underwriter, determining the requirements necessary to fund a mortgage loan; and as a loan officer, reviewing and compiling the information necessary to ultimately fund commercial properties and SBA loans, and mortgages on behalf of home and investment property buyers.

Evan Lauridsen is a professional consultant and inspector with more than 26 years of experience in the flooring industry, including manufacturing, retail sales, and management and installation. He is certified as a senior carpet inspector by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC) and the Academy of Textiles and Flooring. He also is certified as a resilient inspector (such as for vinyl flooring), master restorer, and master cleaner. He writes articles for industry publications including the Certified Floor Covering Installers magazine and is cochair of a Flooring Industry Hard Surface Inspection task force. Evan lives near Dallas, Texas, and provides inspection, consultation, correction, and education services for the flooring industry.

Guy Lundsten started hanging doors and windows in 1975 for a local homebuilder in Minnesota. In 1980, he turned to manufacturing custom doors and windows while continuing to install and service them. A few years later he began installing and servicing doors and hardware for a commercial supplier. In 1994, Guy went solo to install doors, windows, and hardware on his own, in both commercial and residential fields. His company, Installation Masters Inc., currently has fifteen installers who provide a wide variety of installation services for both homeowners and homebuilders, including commercial contractors. Last year, Installation Masters installed 28,345 doors and windows, filling an average of 545 “holes” per week.
www.installationmastersinc.com

Since the mid-70s, Harrison McCampbell has focused his career as an architect on water and its effects. His work as a roofing and waterproofing consultant involves investigations of residential and commercial moisture-related issues, including EIFS. His services include writing analytical reports, specifications, contracts, and interpreting code issues. He also assists architectural firms by reviewing roofing and waterproofing systems in their design development phase. He has been involved as an expert witness in more than 60 cases. Harrison is the principal author of Problems in Roofing Design (Butterworth-Heinemann) and is a coauthor of Facilities Engineering and Management Handbook for Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Buildings(McGraw-Hill). He has written articles for numerous magazines, including Architecture, Western Roofing, Progressive Architecture, Journal of Light Construction, Architectural Record, and others. His email address is mcaaia@bellsouth.net.

Elaine Mikk and her family opened their first kitchen and bath showroom in 1983, and the company, Cabinet Discounters, has since grown to six showrooms in the Washington, D.C., metro area. They also operate a DuPont Corian® fabrication facility. Cabinet Discounters has grown to be the largest independent full-service kitchen and bath dealer in the Washington area. Elaine hosts a weekly one-hour radio show on ABC-owned WMAL AM630 called “Home Innovations.” This is Washington, D.C.’s number one talk radio station and one of the country’s premier remodeling shows. You can visit her websites at www.homeinnovations.com or www.cabinetdiscounters.com.

Phil San Filippo has been involved in construction for 22 years, starting as a union carpenter in residential and light commercial construction. He was licensed as a General Contractor in 1987 and for the last several years has worked as a Building Inspector, primarily inspecting multi-million dollar school construction projects. He holds credentials as a Combination Inspector with the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and the Division of the State Architect. Phil and his family reside in San Diego, CA.

Steven E. Senger opened Senger Construction in 1975, building entry-level spec homes. Since then he has renovated historic turn-of-the-century buildings in Seattle’s Pioneer Square and completed numerous renovations and additions on hospitals and shopping centers. He has also built offices, apartments, condominiums, and developed land for residential construction. Steve received his degree in construction technology and taught residential estimating at a local college in his area. Senger Construction has spent the last few years developing clientele for its 100% “By Referral Only” upscale remodel, addition, and custom home business. The company also provides complete design/build services for its clients. Steve’s realtor wife and two daughters help round out the office team.

Karen F. Timpone began her design and decorating career doing residential interiors and now focuses exclusively on kitchen and bath designs. Her company, KFT Designs, Kitchen and Bath Designs, is a member of the NKBA and the Harrisburg Home Builder's Assn. Karen launched her kitchen design career in home supply centers. After becoming a Lowe's Certified Kitchen Designer, she was instrumental in opening Lowe's Kitchen Design Departments in Harrisburg, PA, Chesterfield, MO, and Bedford Heights, OH. Karen designs kitchens using 20/20 technology that meet her clients specific wants and needs, from the simply practical to the ultimate dream kitchen. Contact Karen at KFTDesigns@cs.com

Selva Lee Tucker worked his way through the University of South Carolina installing carpet and vinyl flooring. Now, with 27 years of experience in the flooring industry, he is a senior certified residential and commercial flooring inspector. He has additional certification from Armstrong and Mannington. He is also trained in carpet dyeing and color correction.