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With combined construction, design and engineering experience of over 160 years, the program instructors for A-B Tech Construction Science program (Asheville’s Green Building School) offer students instruction in all aspects of green building.
“[The A-B Tech Construction Science program is] a community resource that is being utilized well by folks with diverse interests. …The instructors provide a platform for everyone to grasp the fundamentals of building science and carpentry trades." - program graduate Dave Fortner
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 Ken Czarnomski has been a licensed architect, builder and construction manager since 1972. He is currently Department Chair for Construction Management Technologies (a part of A-B Tech Construction Science) at Asheville Buncombe Technical College. Their programs include carpentry, cabinet making and construction management curriculums.
He was the owner/operator of his own architectural design-build company and has previously worked for national and international architectural engineering firms as a senior program manager and vice-president of operations. Ken is in the process of writing a book about green renovation. He is available at
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or at his blog .
"The education and support from everyone in the program, headed by Ken Czarnomski, is excellent." - program graduate Sami Forrest
 B. Heath Moody (pictured here with his children, Ava and Greyson) has a B.S. degree in Anthropology with a minor in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University (1997). His interest in sustainable development led him into the Technology Dept. at ASU where he received a M.S. degree in Industrial Technology , concentrating on Appropriate Technology (1999). This was the only masters program in the country that incorporated hands-on experience with sustainable technologies such as photovoltaic (solar electric), wind power, and micro-hydro.
Having just bought some land outside of Boone, NC, Heath took a building technology course and started plans for a small solar cabin. The cabin was to be the first straw-bale hybrid building to go through the building codes in Watauga Co., NC. After graduation, Heath started working in the construction field and teaching as an adjunct at Appalachian State University. After working with a carpentry crew for more than four years, Heath freelanced to design and build another small passive solar home. Heath came to AB-Tech as a 9-month full-time instructor in the Fall Semester of 2005, where he incorporates his knowledge of building science and sustainability into Carpentry & CMT classes. Heath can be reached at
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or 828-254-1921 ext. 349.
 Mike McCracken is an instructor in the Construction Management Technologies Department (a part of A-B Tech Construction Science) specializing in the cabinet and woodworking areas. He is a 1978 graduate of Western Carolina University with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. In 1980, he was employed with Baker Furniture and helped make the dining room furniture for President Reagan. Next, he went to the US Virgin Islands and worked on private and personal yachts refurbishing all wood components.
Mike got tired of the eternal summer and moved back to the States and went to work for Singer Furniture. He has since worked for Ethan Allen Custom Education Furniture, Hickory Chair, Hickory White, and most recently Ron Simon Industrial, manufacturer of custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Mike loves teaching students the joys of woodworking. You’ll learn from Mike how to make high-end products in a cost-controlled manner.
 Glen Massengill currently resides in Polk County, NC with his wife and son. He holds an Associate’s degree in Construction Management from AB-Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Western Carolina University. He worked for Honeywell’s MICRO SWITCH division for 20 years as a Senior Design Engineer and is currently an adjunct professor of Technical Blueprint Reading at AB-Tech.
Clarence "Clay" Estep is a 32-year construction professional, Licensed General Contractor and Real Estate Broker. He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and currently employed by Cooper Construction of Hendersonville, NC as a Project Manager/ Estimator. Clay and his wife, Kelly, reside in Pisgah Forest, NC with their daughters Audrey and Julie. Clay’s construction experience includes work on projects with the US Army Corp of Engineers, Street Construction and Trammell Crowe Development.
 Cliff Odom was born and raised in the Carolinas but spent most of his life in California. After getting out of the Navy, he finished his AA degree and became a carpenter. After going through four years of carpentry apprenticeship school through the carpenter’s union, he became a general contractor in California. He also graduated from a class at UC Berkeley for vocational teaching and became a carpenter’s apprentice teacher. He has been in this industry for about forty years and has worked in residential, light and heavy commercial construction. He came back to raise his children in North Carolina and has been here for ten years.
"All of my instructors were incredibly patient storehouses of knowledge. I am thankful that they applied their talents to empower me.” - program graduate Sam Pedisich
Interested in our program? Find out if you're a fit for Asheville's Green Building School by filling out our Enrollment Questionnaire.
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