In the Fall of 1972, I walked onto my first construction site in the metropolitan D.C. area and asked for a job. Shortages of trades people gave me the opportunity to enter this man's world, first as a laborer, then as a carpenter's helper, and finally as a journeywoman carpenter.

I worked my way through the ranks learning from the many mentors I met along the way. After ten year of pounding nails, I became a Seattle building inspector, my equivalent of a four year college education. Ten years of building other developers projects followed and became my advanced degree work. For the last twenty years, I have developed and built my own projects for the spec market. My interest in math and science spurred me to learn about building science and to implement techniques into the homes I build to make them very comfortable and healthy with low operating costs.

Currently, I am a member of Skagit and Island County Builders (SICBA), and have been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 2001. I sit on the Skagit County Planning Commission and have strong interests in rain water harvesting, low impact development and constructing with deep green building techniques, including resilience.

My oldest son, Silas Maddox, the blacksmith, owns Forge and Nail in Sedro-Woolley and when he isn't forging metal, can sometimes be found helping me build. My other son, Leo, is still dancing, but has helped with the deconstruction when we want to save the lumber from a tear down.

For a glimpse into my world as a female in the construction industry, watch for my book, Martha's Wall which brings the reader onto the construction site and into the world of the industry I love so much. I hope to find a publisher in 2018.