Ashley Patterson, Founder, President is a graduate of Yale University with an emphasis in Environmental Studies and received an MS in Environmental Health from the University of Washington. She is a certified Home Energy Rater, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a graduate of Solar Energy International’s Natural Home Building, Photo Voltaic Design and Installation, Wind Power, and Solar Hot Water courses. She helped to build the straw bale greenhouse for Wasatch Community Gardens and has installed several grid tied photo-voltaic systems in the Salt Lake City area. Ashley serves on the board of directors of Wasatch Community Gardens and the Advisory Board of the Utah House, a green building demonstration project located in Kaysville, Utah.

Ashley was selected as one of Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch for 2005 and one of Salt Lake Magazine’s Ten Women Sure to Change Utah in 2004. She started The Green Building Center in Salt Lake City in October of 2003 following the sale of two previous start-ups. Ashley lives with her partner Tom in a 1942 home that is slowly becoming greener.

Eric Anderson, Vice President of Operations, has been both a user and advocate of environmentally friendly products and techniques for 20 years. Eric was born and raised in the Northwest. When he wasn’t in school, he was camping with his parents and brother or helping his father with the apple orchard. Eric earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing/Public Relations. After working in Supply Chain Management (logistics) for a local Northwest transportation company, he came to Utah for its quality of life, mountain biking, and skiing.

In Utah, Eric was a General Manager for a national company, focused on sales and distribution. As the The Green Building Center developed, there came the need for greater sales and operations management. Eric was excited to join the The Green Building Center in 2006 to fulfill this need.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Kate Ferguson, Director Of Marketing, assisted with the organization of the 2007 Green Home Tour and enjoyed it so much, she decided to stay on and help with promotion at The Green Building Center. Kate has a medical background and worked as a Registered Nurse at the University of Utah Medical Center specializing in Newborn Intensive Care. Feeling drawn to conservation of open space and resources, she worked for the Open Space Initiative in 2004 as the volunteer coordinator.

Working for The Green Building Center is a natural fit. She graduated from Boston University and the University of Utah and likes to spend time with her husband and three kids skiing.

Mike Heidinger, Flooring and Finishes Manager, became a member of The Green Building Center team in February 2008. Growing up in Oregon, when Mike wasn’t hanging out in wineries, he was spending his time building cedar-strip canoes and sailboats. Now in Utah, Mike keeps himself busy with organic gardening and slowly remodeling the circa 1941 house that he shares with his wife Andrea and their two standard poodles. He is also owner of The Vintner’s Palate, wine education. Mike’s love for the outdoors and all things organic made him a natural fit for The Green Building Center where he can work towards positive change in our environment.

Once … in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were forced to live on nothing but food and water for days”
-W.C. Fields