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.
Houses that Work
February 17, 2026 8:30 AM ‐ 4:30 PM
Retrofits that Work
February 18, 2026 8:30 AM ‐ 4:30 PM
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.
Mastering Contracts: Your Key to Contractor Success
February 17, 2026 7:00 AM ‐ 8:15 AM
Paul Kellner is the owner of Heritage Window and Door and a long‑time advocate for high‑performance building practices. His passion for energy-efficient design began in 1980 when he constructed a passive solar home for his family—a project that sparked a lifelong dedication to advancing building durability and energy performance.
Over the decades, Paul has become a trusted expert in identifying and supplying fenestration products that meet or exceed energy requirements for some of the coldest regions in the lower 48 states. His credentials span multiple professional organizations, and his project experience includes commercial, residential, and historic preservation work.
Paul’s commitment to quality, performance, and innovation continues to guide Heritage Window and Door’s mission to deliver exceptional building solutions in challenging climates.
Future-Proof Fenestration: High Performance Fiberglass Windows & Doors
February 18, 2026 7:00 AM ‐ 8:15 AM