Blake Hackerson

Principal

Blake started swinging a hammer at the age of 16 for a friend’s father while in high school. Mastering this trade has been his singleness of purpose ever since. Blake graduated high school early and immersed himself fully in Vermont’s residential construction industry. In the early 2000’s, Blake capitalized on professional opportunities in Western Massachusetts. In addition to refining his craft, while in Massachusetts he also passed the challenging Construction Supervisor’s Exam and secured his unrestricted building license at the age of 22. He remains one of the youngest builders to achieve this certification in Massachusetts.

In keeping with the theme of continued development, Blake returned to Vermont for a project management opportunity with a large spec home contracting company. The experience gained in those years, and the mounting passion for quality workmanship, motivated Blake to return to his roots in the highly demanding and rewarding field of custom home building and remodeling. Newschool Builders was born. Blake has played an active roll from the beginning of Newschool Builders. It’s not uncommon to see him on site working through an issue with an architect or subcontractor, or mentoring a member of his highly skilled team. Blake is deeply engaged in each project, from beginning to completion, which insures the client’s experience and his team’s workmanship holds true to his rigorous standards.

Blake spends most of his free time outdoors. He has chased fish with a fly rod extensively in the US as well as internationally. In the fall you can usually find him in a tree stand, tucked away in a remote part of the New England whitetail woods, or chasing elk across Montana’s vast wilderness. In the snowy winter months, Blake has been known to declare the occasional company powder day.

Nate Thomas

Operations

Nate’s background is in engineering with a concentration on process development and data driven decision making. Before work with Newschool Builders, he managed large manufacturing facility build outs and new commercial construction projects. Blake and Nate have worked closely together for years in the active development of the Newschool Builders organization. Many of the processes and systems we employ today are a result of Blake and Nate’s work together. This dedication to process improvement has resulted in our organization’s industry leading client experience and tightly managed project execution. When not working with our organization, Nate is either training with his military unit or riding his horse.

Pat McHugh

Site Manager and Lead Carpenter

Pat Has been in the building trades since 2003 and had the privilege of working with some of the best craftsmen in the Mad River Valley. His experience in all aspects of fine homebuilding allows for a comprehensive understanding of a wide variety of projects. You’ll see this in his framing as much as his trim work. Pat has become a great leader for our team.

Pat was born and raised in the Mad River Valley. After attending Endicott College in Beverly, MA, he moved back to Vermont to start his family. Pat has a more broad base of experience than most carpenters, and brings a well rounded knowledge base to our team. Pat is our go to team member when it comes to complex framing challenges. He is also uniquely capable of handling fringe discipline work such as audio, video, and low voltage lighting systems.

In 2001, Pat was ordained as a minister. He has a passion for serving his community and has traveled extensively using his talents to benefit others both domestically and abroad. In his free time Pat can be found playing/writing music with his wife Alison or coaching his children’s sports teams.

Andrew Nelson

Site Manager and Lead Carpenter

Andrew was born and raised in Chittenden County where he has been immersed in high-end residential remodeling since he was 15, learning the trade from his father during summers and school breaks. After an education in the Humanities at the University of Vermont, Andrew devoted himself to the trades full-time, including spending a number of years in San Francisco doing construction management and historical preservation work before settling back down in Vermont.

While a remodelers skill set must be wide-ranging Andrew excels as a finish carpenter, where equal demands of quality, efficiency, and professionalism bring out his best work. He thrives working in an atmosphere where more is expected of the building trades and 'high-performance' applies not just to a building's envelope but also to the labor of building it. Newschool Builders was a natural fit.

When not at work Andrew can reliably be found mountain biking, snowboarding, or reading literature in translation.

Tanner Revoir

Site Manager and Lead Carpenter

From an early age, Tanner began appreciating the fruits of hard work. He was raised in a home built by his father and remembers watching the process unfold around him. This experience had a lasting impression on him; a theme that would return in 2012 in the form of a carpentry career with Newschool Builders.

After spending several years in Alaska and earning his college degree, Tanner and his fiancé headed back home to the east coast to start their family together. After returning from Alaska, Tanner joined the Newschool Builders team as a carpenter. Growing in knowledge and experience, he decided to GC his own personal timber frame home construction in Moretown, VT. This experience opened a door for Tanner with our company, and since, he has proven himself to be one of our most productive site managers. In his free time, Tanner enjoys the pursuit of fine woodworking in his personal shop.

Robert Flemings

Project Manager

Robert is a native Vermonter. Having grown up in the Champlain Valley, Robert has a deep appreciation and love for this beautiful state. Robert has spent most of his career in the building trades. He ran his own construction company for several years before the recession hit. During that tumultuous time in the industry, Robert switched paths and moved into the corporate world, working in management for a large Home Improvement Center. During that time he was trained to be a leader and to multi task with a high degree of efficiency. After gaining invaluable experience working in that environment he longed to get back in to the building trades, and moved to North Carolina to accept a position as a Project Manager for a large Custom Homebuilding Contractor.

In 2018 Robert moved back to Vermont with his wife to be closer to their children. We were fortunate enough to hire Robert on, and he has proved to be a valuable resource and is mostly used a a designated project manager helping to close out projects, manage trailing work and help facilitate mobilizing new projects Robert is an avid outdoorsmen and spends a lot of time in the woods of Vermont and Maine. He is also an experienced cedar strip canoe builder and loves to work on various woodworking projects in his free time.

Tom Anger

Lead Carpenter

Tom is a highly regarded career carpenter. He has been the Lead Carpenter on highly revered projects in Chittenden County and the surrounding area. Tom brings his impressive skill set and wealth of experience from his extensive career as a custom home builder. Tom's knowledge of building systems and experience in the highly demanding high-end custom home building field make him an invaluable member of the NewSchool Team. We are truly honored to have such an experienced, all-around great guy in our ranks.

When he isn't working, Tom enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with his family.

Mark Austin

Lead Carpenter

Mark is a seventh generation Vermonter who has worn many hats over the years. After stints as a record store manager, professional fly tier and bicycle mechanic/repair shop owner, Mark decided to give carpentry a try.

Twenty-seven years later he still enjoys the challenges that building custom homes presents. "From small renovations to grand new homes, each project has its own intricacies. That’s the most interesting part for me." Says Mark. We are extremely grateful to have such a master craftsman amongst our ranks.

When not swinging a hammer, Mark enjoys attending concerts with his wife Jackie. He also collects and listens to vinyl LPs and has recently started building guitars.

Justin Hart

Lead Carpenter

Justin brings a diverse background to our team. Originally from Moretown, Vermont - Justin attended the prestigious Green Mountain Valley School and raced competitively for many years. He went on to become an All American ski racer at the University of Vermont.

Justin has been in the custom residential building business for the past 20 years. Taking breaks intermittently to travel West, Justin instructed ski racing and worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska, before moving to Jackson Hole to work on large residential build outs.

He has returned home with a renewed interest in building and creating. We are very pleased to have him on our team.

In his free time Justin is a woodturner, bluegrass banjo player and general creative. Being a natural athlete, he is also an avid skier, mountain biker, and explorer.

Kurt Reinecke

Lead Carpenter

Kurt is a one in a million find. A career carpenter with a wealth of knowledge and an understanding gleaned through years of experience, as well as just being a fantastic all around great person. He grew up in Montpelier, always pulling things apart to see what makes them tick. Most of the time they got put back together.

Kurt got his first taste of carpentry in high school, helping to build a post and beam barn. After attending UVM, he decided to take some time for skiing and construction was a natural fit the rest of the year. Years went by instructing, and patrolling and working with various construction outfits.

Thirty some-odd years later (“already?!” says Kurt) Kurt bumped into Blake, and was immediately intrigued by Newschool Builder’s approach and Philosophy. We are lucky and excited to have Kurt as a part of our team.

Geoff Wade

Lead Carpenter

Geoff was first introduced to woodworking while in high school. Since that time he has either held a position as a carpenter, or worked in a wood shop. Geoff worked for a prominent custom home builder in the Mad River Valley for well over a decade both working in the field and running a custom millwork shop. Geoff brings an unparalleled skillset forged through years of experience working on highly detailed projects as a career carpenter and master craftsman. We are very excited to have Geoff working with NSB. Geoff spends most of his time when not working either coaching nordic skiing, mountain biking or ripping turns up at one of our awesome mountains.

Ian Bowmer

Carpenter

As a kid born and raised in rural Vermont you have to be creative when it comes to entertainment. From an early age building seemed to be a part of Ian’s life, whether it was building bike jumps, tree forts or helping his father build several boats and a small cabin, working with his hands has been a constant. Throughout the years carpentry has been a way for Ian to support himself both financially and creatively. After graduating from Montana State college and traveling throughout much of the states, Ian returned to live in Vermont and take up a full time career in the trades. Apart from work, Ian spends most of his free time in the mountains and waters of Vermont.

Tom Grady

Carpenter

Tom grew up in the central Vermont, where working hard was a way of life. From an early age he would work with his father during summer vacations, who at the time was a Foreman for a high end residential construction company out of Woodstock Vermont. Tom started off pushing a broom and cleaning at age 10. He observed carpenters and got a feel of how a jobsite operated. Tom progressively starting doing more the longer he stuck around. After finishing high school, Tom went to work for a commercial construction company where he gained a lot of valuable skills and was exposed to varying construction methods.

Aside from work, Tom loves to be outdoors, fishing, hiking, rocking climbing and of course, riding his dirtbike.

Chris Nowinski

Carpenter

Chris grew up in NW Connecticut and started working with his father who taught him the fundamentals of building. From age 13, Chris worked with him on and off in Greenwich CT and all around Litchfield county working on high end renovations and carpentry projects.

In addition to honing in his carpentry skills, over the years Chris has worked in various fields such as skate/snowboard/bike tech and instructor, furniture building, and at a local newspaper.

Chris moved back to Vermont in 2012 because he knew it was where he wanted to establish a permanent life/career. We are fortunate enough to have him on our crew and you will be hard pressed to find anyone with a better attitude and a constant smile.

When Chris isn’t working he actively participates in ; Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Hiking , Playing music, Woodworking and Photography.

Doug Brown

Lead Carpenter

Doug began his career in carpentry at the young age of seventeen. Honing his skills across the trades, from framing to cabinet making, Doug’s vast skill set along with his passion for building and his strong work ethic, make him an invaluable member of the NewSchool team.

Doug's passion for building reaches across the trades into visual and structural art. He enjoys using his talent and creativity to produce Visual/Structural pieces that he incorporates lighting into his projects to create stunning reflections and lighting effects.

In his free time, Doug enjoys gardening and spending time with his family.

Ethan Lakota

Carpenter

Ethan was born and raised in NYC. He first appreciated fine craftsmanship while working as a stonemason for a close family friend's Landscape Architecture firm in the Hudson Valley. While attending SUNY Cobleskill, where he studied Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science, he first picked up a hammer and explored carpentry which immediately resonated with his creative side.

Longing for new experiences, Ethan made the pilgrimage to the West Coast, where he refined his craft as a Carpenter. Working in the Pacific Heights region of San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, Ethan was exposed to many building techniques and continued on his journey as a craftsman.

After several years out west, Ethan landed back on the East coast, working his way from Lake Placid, to Vermont where we were fortunate enough to join our team. Ethan is an experienced Carpenter who truly cares about his craft, evident in everything he does.

When not working, or even before work at times, you can find Ethan skinning up a mountain, hiking, and generally experiencing all the great outdoor opportunities our beautiful state has to offer.

Jaime Craig

Carpenter

Jaime grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. His interest in carpentry was sparked during woodworking projects with his dad as a kid. Junior year of high school, he assisted his dad with a condo renovation, which proved to be a particularly formative experience in Jaime's career.

After graduating from Colby College in 2017 with a degree in biology, Jaime worked for a carpentry company based in Boston. In 2019 he moved north to Mad River Valley to be closer to his sister. After working on his parents' house in Fayston and his sister's house in Winooski, Jaime joined the Newschool team.

In his spare time, Jaime can be found adventuring with his coonhound Melo, playing soccer and tennis, making music in his bedroom studio, and watching sports.

Jeff Lathrop

Carpenter

Jeff came to NewSchool as a seasoned carpenter with 20 years of experience in the high-end residential building community. He started building as a family tradition and found a great career in the process. He has spent most of his career building custom homes, frame to finish throughout Chittenden County and the surrounding area.

In his free time, Jeff enjoys hunting and working on projects around the house.

Michael Bishop

Carpenter

Mike spent many years in the music industry as the tour manager for several bands. After several years on the road, Mike was ready to settle into family life and took on becoming a carpenter. Mike has been in the trade for four years and has grown his skill set by leaps and bounds. His attitude, work ethic, and eagerness to master this trade have positioned him well to assimilate into the NewSchool crew.

Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two recently adopted children.

Steve Corliss

Carpenter

Steve's drive and hunger for new challenges have led him through many positions within the industry. As a Waterbury native and carpenter's son, he has always had his hands in building projects. His interest in carpentry came from a short introduction to woodworking and his love for mechanics, where Steve discovered the more creative side of carpentry and began perfecting his craft. Homebuilding has given Steve the ability to refine his skill set, means, and methods, along with the platform to execute his natural talents.

Aside from wearing a toolbelt and building exceptional homes, Steve enjoys chairlift rides, fresh tracks, and playing league soccer on the weekends. His busy schedule accompanied by adventures with his children often leaves fastening hardware installed in various locations around the house. He believes there can never be enough nails in one place!

Rebecca Davis

Bookkeeper

Rebecca was born and raised just outside of Schenectady, NY. Shortly after graduating high school, frequent visits to Vermont's Mad River Valley to visit her sister helped Rebecca fall in love with the Green Mountain State.

Rebecca keeps things humming along and organized with her fastidious in-house bookkeeping skills and payroll services.

When not crunching numbers, Rebecca enjoys fishing (on open water and ice!), Gardening and landscaping, playing baseball with her two sons, cooking and baking, and listening to great music.