Presenters

Kathy Gips is the Consulting ADA Technical Specialist at the Institute for Human Centered Design, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the experiences of people of all ages, abilities, and cultures through excellence in design. For more than 20 years Kathy directed training and technical assistance at the New England ADA Center. Kathy has developed national web courses, training curriculum, websites and technical guidance on all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She is also an expert in the federal Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Prior to work at the ADA Center, she was Assistant Director for Community Services at the Massachusetts Office on Disability where she worked with municipalities to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities.

Caitlin Corkins has been Tax Credits & Grants Coordinator, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, since 2012. Caitlin has managed Vermont’s Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit program, the Downtown and Village Center Tax Credit program and the Division for Historic Preservation’s Historic Preservation and Barn Preservation Grant programs.

Steve Spatz is a Residential Energy Consultant and Account Manager with VEIC specializing in both Residential New Construction and Existing Homes programs and managing the EEN contractor network in Vermont. Previously Steve owned and operated Redbarn Design and Build Inc, a residential construction and building energy contracting company. Steve is a BPI certified Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, and Healthy Home Evaluator, as well as a Resnet certified HERS rater. 

Alex Tolstoi owns Hunger Valley Construction, specializing in historic preservation and rehabilitation, as well as Vermont Property Preservation Consultants. Alex formerly worked with the Preservation Trust of Vermont.  He manages residential and small commercial projects throughout central Vermont.

Landon Wheeler is the regional manager of DFS Springfield District. Trained as a Pro Board instructor 1 and 2, Inspector 1 and 2, NFPA Certified inspector and NFPA Certified Plans Examiner, Landon joined DFS in 2006 and has worked in the life safety and fire prevention industry for 26 years. Landon is a frequent instructor at DFS for overview of new codes, cannabis, ADA, principals of fire prevention, plan review and inspection.