Presenter Bio
Aaron Smith is the CEO of the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) which represents a community of over 50,000 builders and their stakeholders across North America that are truly the early adopters and innovators in driving sustainable transformation of the homebuilding industry.
Aaron has over 25 years of experience in home construction, building products, sustainability and non-profit board leadership. He has worked for companies including Kohler, Uponor and ASSA ABLOY as well as startups in Silicon Valley and his own building and remodeling company. Aaron previously served on non-profit Boards for Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC), CT Sustainable Business Council, and co-founded the CT Collaborative - Living Building Challenge.
Aaron completed his undergraduate studies at West Point and St. Cloud State University and is a 2016 graduate of the Yale University MBA program with a focus on Sustainability. He loves green building and sustainability as well as hockey, hiking, skiing, gardening and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, 3 boys and 4 cats and chickens at their home in Minneapolis.
How to Build a Zero Energy Ready Home
February 18, 2025 8:30 a.m.‐4:30 p.m.
ENERGY STAR® NextGen Certification Program
February 19, 2025 10:00 a.m.‐4:00 p.m.
Jim Rich was a general building contractor for over 15 years, and has been a Certified Building Official since 1994. He retired as the Building Official from the City of Hermantown two years ago and continues to work for the cities of Proctor, Rice Lake, Silver Bay, Beaver Bay and Two Harbors. Additionally, he has served as a contract inspector on MN State special projects such as schools and hospitals. He has recently taken on the role of Zoning Administrator for Lakewood Township. Jim has a deep understanding of the building codes and enjoys working within the industry helping contractors and homeowners achieve their vision.
Education:- BA - Business Administration – College of St. Scholastica
- AA - Building Inspection and Technology – Inver Grove Technical College
- AA - Accounting – Lake Superior College
- MN Certified Building official
- International Code Council – ICC
- BOCA – Property Maintenance
- Served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Arrowhead Chapter of ICC Building Officials (NE Region of MN) 1992 – Present
- MN Department of Labor and Education Committee – 8 years
- St. Louis County Community Block Grant Board– Past member
MN Residential Energy Code Changes
February 19, 2025 7:00‐8:15 a.m.
Bill Gschwind is the founder of Minnesota Construction Law Services and currently serves as the Principal Attorney. Bill attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for undergrad then went on to graduate from the University of St. Thomas with an MBA while working in sales management. Later, Bill opened a general rental equipment store and bought a construction equipment rental franchise. After a successful 25-year career, Bill graduated from William Mitchell College of Law, passed the Minnesota Bar in 2010, and two years later opened Minnesota Construction Law Services.
Bill’s determination lays the foundation of Minnesota Construction Law Services’ dedication to not only build a successful construction law firm but to become a valued business partner for clients. His vast experience with small businesses allows Bill to advise clients on business operations that go beyond just the law. Bill listens to your goals and what you define as success then he creates a plan to get you there.
Bill’s dissatisfaction with the way the legal system works for business owners motivated him to not just seek out a better option, but to create the best option. An option that redefines the preconception of ‘lawyer’ to be someone who treats you like a partner.
Employee Misclassification Law
February 19, 2025 8:30‐9:30 a.m.