Retaining Wall Professionals to Know 2025

Raleigh is the Founder and Partner of Crescostone, a Tennessee-based concrete contractor with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial concrete construction. Since 2002, Crescostone has completed thousands of projects ranging from decorative stamped patios and driveways to structural slabs, foundations, and complex site work. In addition to structural integrity and drainage expertise, Kay specializes in exterior concrete design—blending function with aesthetics to create cohesive outdoor spaces that enhance architecture, property value, and long-term durability. She works closely with homeowners and project managers to ensure proper grading, water management, and visual integration with the home’s overall design. Kay frequently speaks on the hidden risks of improper concrete installation, including water intrusion, foundation damage, and mold issues caused by poor slope planning and site preparation—mistakes often made when design and engineering are treated separately. Under her leadership, Crescostone has built a reputation for craftsmanship, accountability, and standing behind its work. Kay advocates for higher standards in the concrete industry and educates homeowners on how to avoid costly installation and design failures. Her expertise includes: • Residential and commercial concrete construction • Site grading and drainage planning • Exterior concrete design and architectural integration • Decorative stamped and stained concrete • Foundation and slab installation • Contractor quality control and industry standards Kay provides expert insight for media on construction quality, drainage planning, outdoor design strategy, contractor vetting, and small business operations in the skilled trades.

Josiah Stoltzfus is the 3D Design Specialist at Sauder Hardscape Supply, offering an expert eye on all things hardscape and outdoor living design. Josiah specializes in walkway and patio paver design, driveway pavers, patio walls, fire and water features, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor lighting design.

Stuart Wilkinson is a Capital Asset Planning Specialist at PropFusion with over 20 years of experience helping HOAs, condominiums, and community associations plan for the long-term maintenance and replacement of their buildings and infrastructure across all 50 states. He specializes in capital reserve planning, HOA financial health analysis, special assessment prevention, and state-by-state funding legislation - including Florida's landmark Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) requirements enacted after the Surfside condo collapse. Stuart regularly provides expert commentary on construction cost nflation, building safety and structural integrity, and the growing funding crisis facing America's aging housing stock. He is available for interviews, expert quotes, data commentary, and legislative analysis.

I Am a Landscaping Expert with extensive knowledge of lawn care, landscape design, sod installation, irrigation systems, yard maintenance, and outdoor property improvement. He helps homeowners and businesses create attractive, functional, and sustainable outdoor spaces through practical landscaping solutions. Henry regularly shares expert insights on landscaping trends, curb appeal, property maintenance, and outdoor living, providing real-world advice for media publications, homeowners, and industry professionals across the United States.

Registered, award-winning architect with 30+ years of expertise in high-end modern residential design. Specializing in complex site solutions, I navigate the steep-slope and waterfront challenges common to the Pacific Northwest. My portfolio spans custom homes, modern cabins/retreats, and sophisticated condominium loft remodels. I offer expert commentary on the intersection of modern aesthetics, site-specific constraints (ECA/permitting), and the evolving nature of client wishes and lifestyle trends. I am dedicated to a collaborative process that transforms site opportunities into a client's ideal escape. Professional high-resolution photography is available. • Founder/Owner: Eggleston Farkas Architects (Since 1999) • Registered Architect: Licensed in Washington State • Experience: 30+ years specializing in PNW residential architecture and complex site permitting (ECA/Steep Slope/Waterfront) • Featured In: Dwell, Portrait of Seattle, Seattle Magazine, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles • Former Member: Seattle Design Review Board • Project Awards & Recognition: AIA Northwest & Pacific Region: Honor Award AIA Seattle: Honor Award AIA Seattle: Citation AIA Southwest Washington: Honor Award CRSI Design Awards: Honorable Mention Excellence in Concrete Construction: Residential Structures Award Excellence in Concrete Construction: Sustainable Merit Award Northwest Design Awards: First Place Remodel ArchitecturalRecord.com: House of the Month AIA Seattle & Daily Journal of Commerce: Project of the Month Seattle Homes & Lifestyles: Home of the Year • Firm Awards & Recognition: fab40 USA: Wallpaper* Top 50 Northwest Architects: Northwest Home / Northwest Home + Garden Seattle 100: Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Design Achievement Award for Architecture: Seattle Design Center Best of Houzz: Houzz.com • Design Jury Service: AIA Seattle & DJC Project of the Month North Carolina AIA & Triangle AIA Design Awards Seattle Design Center Design Achievement Awards Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Home of the Year Drachen Foundation International Paper Kite Competition • Project Publications: Individual projects featured in many magazines and international books Full list available at https://eggfarkarch.com/recognition

I’m a construction executive, real estate developer, and entrepreneur based in North Mississippi with experience in commercial construction, residential development, and complex project management in both domestic and international environments. I founded EM Contingency Group and its residential division Hexalon Homes to deliver high-quality construction while addressing workforce housing shortages and supporting economic growth in rural communities across North Mississippi and Northwest Alabama. Before entering private development, I served in the U.S. Air Force and am a war veteran of Operation Northern Watch in Turkey during the late 1990s. Following my military service, I spent seven years in the Middle East as a contractor supporting U.S. government projects, working in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman on projects connected to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State. That experience provided firsthand exposure to international labor markets, supply chain constraints, and the logistical realities of delivering infrastructure in complex environments. Academically, I hold an MBA focused on Project Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering, and I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). I am also a licensed commercial and residential builder with multiple trade endorsements. I have also been active in civic leadership and public affairs. I previously served in elected roles within the Libertarian Party, including Regional Representative and State Chairman for Mississippi, and ran as a candidate for Mississippi State Senate. I was also elected as Commander of my American Legion Post in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and remain a Past Commander. I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and have previously participated in the Rotary Club. In my local community, I coach youth sports and founded Iuka Sports Academy, a youth athletic training facility in Iuka, Mississippi. I also organize and operate a local soccer league that serves families throughout the area. My professional work sits at the intersection of construction, housing supply, workforce development, and rural economic growth. I regularly provide commentary on topics including housing shortages, construction costs, labor availability, rural development, supply chain challenges, and infrastructure investment, drawing from hands-on experience in both government projects and private development.

My name is Brady Van Matre, and I'm the owner of Van Matre Construction. I started this company back in September of 2001, and we've been focused on one thing ever since: permanent foundation repair and drainage solutions for homeowners across Colorado's Front Range. I didn't start out in foundation work. I spent years building and remodeling homes in the Boulder area, everything from houses built in the 1870s to brand new construction. That background gave me something you can't get from a textbook. When you've taken apart and put back together homes across every era, you develop an eye for how structures behave over time and, more importantly, how they fail. I realized early on that my strengths were in the structural side of things. The foundations, the framing, the concrete. That's where I belong, and that's where I stayed. By 2013, we stopped doing general contracting altogether and committed fully to structural and drainage solutions. That decision was driven by engineers. Structural engineers we'd worked with in other capacities started sending us their toughest repair projects, and we realized this was the perfect fit for our skills and our standards. Today, we specialize in limited-access micropiles and drilled piers, which are the gold standard for foundation stabilization in Colorado soils. We don't install push piers. We don't do wall anchors. We've seen what happens when other companies use those methods here, and it's not something we're willing to put our name on. We have never had a callback from a moving pile or pier. Not one. Our team of 22 includes field estimators who have been with me for over 20 years. They made the transition from general contracting right alongside me, and that depth of experience is one of our greatest strengths. We work closely with independent structural engineers, executing their designs precisely and without shortcuts. I'm not going to tell you foundation repair is cheap or convenient. It's neither. But your home is probably your biggest investment, and it deserves the best technology available to protect it. We don't require deposits, we don't use sales pressure, and we don't cut corners. We diagnose the problem thoroughly, explain exactly what's going on, and fix it permanently so you can move on with your life. We're Front Range people. We live here, we work here, and when we see you at the grocery store, we want you to smile and shake our hand. That's the standard we hold ourselves to.

Anton grew up in a family deeply rooted in the bathroom industry, gaining early exposure to its logistics and operations. His natural interest in creativity and innovation fuel his focus on the aspects that give a product its soul: material, design, functionality, and emotion. Leveraging his extensive experience with leading architectural firms on hospitality and multi-family residential projects worldwide, Anton ensures Watrline remains a leader in the outdoor shower and bathroom industry. By collaborating with groundbreaking manufacturers, Anton and his team bring cutting-edge, bold designs to life, setting new standards and providing a platform for innovative storytelling in the market.

Lane Pace is an insulation expert and building science professional specializing in building performance, spray foam insulation, and energy-efficiency solutions across the Southern United States (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas). Lane leads Louisiana Spray Foam & Insulation, the parent company behind LUAS Insulation, where he helps residential and light-commercial properties perform better through high-impact insulation and air-sealing strategies. His expertise includes spray polyurethane foam (SPF), attic systems, subfloor insulation, and whole-home thermal envelope performance—focused on improving comfort, indoor stability, moisture control, and long-term structural protection. Through his work at LUAS Insulation, Lane has overseen projects addressing air leakage reduction, thermal bridging challenges, and HVAC efficiency support, applying climate-specific insulation strategies tailored to hot-humid and mixed-climate conditions common across the South. His approach combines real-world field experience with building science fundamentals, emphasizing clean installations, safety protocols, and consistent quality control. Lane regularly creates educational content that translates building science into clear, actionable guidance for homeowners and industry professionals—covering topics like spray foam performance characteristics, attic ventilation insights, subfloor moisture management, and installation best practices. In addition to his work in insulation and energy services, Lane also operates and advises complementary property-service ventures—applying the same operational discipline and standards across each business.

I'm David Barbera, a outdoor living and landscape design expert. I am the President of Artificial Turf Supply. I've spent years helping homeowners create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and easy to maintain.

Jeremy is the CEO of Willow Gates Home & Landscape. With over 20 years of experience, he is an expert in patio and hardscape design and installation, including outdoor kitchens, landscaping, lighting, and more!

Nicholas Riley is the owner of Driftwood Builders Roofing (https://driftwoodbuildersroofing.com), a locally owned Austin roofing and exterior company with more than 20 years of history serving Central Texas homeowners. Before acquiring Driftwood Builders Roofing, Nicholas spent nearly a decade in strategy consulting and finance, working with organizations on operations, growth, and business improvement. At Driftwood Builders Roofing, Nicholas focuses on helping homeowners make informed decisions about roof repair, roof replacement, storm damage, insurance claims, siding, windows, and exterior upgrades. His company is a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor and James Hardie Certified Siding Contractor, serving Austin neighborhoods including Westlake, Tarrytown, Circle C, South Austin, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Buda, Kyle, and surrounding areas. Nicholas is passionate about bringing transparency to the roofing industry by educating homeowners on what damage is real, when a roof can be repaired versus replaced, how insurance claims work, and how to avoid low-quality contractors. He regularly creates educational content for homeowners and is focused on building a long-term, trust-based local business rooted in craftsmanship, communication, and honest guidance. Areas of expertise include residential roofing, storm and hail damage, roof replacement costs, roof inspections, exterior remodeling, contractor selection, local Austin home services, small business ownership, and acquiring and growing a local service business.

Ricky is the founder of DoorbellMount.com, a business built around one deceptively tricky problem: getting a video doorbell to actually work where you need it. After watching countless people struggle with doorbells that film the ground, point at a brick wall, or simply won't attach to the surface by their door, he began designing and 3D-printing mounts that solve those exact problems — angle wedges, corner mounts, no-drill options for renters, and adapters for surfaces the manufacturers never accounted for. Because he designs, prints, and ships every product himself, Ricky has hands-on familiarity with the full lineup of consumer video doorbells and the installation headaches that come with each one. He can explain, in plain language, why doorbell placement matters more than most people realize, how renters can add smart-home security without damaging walls or risking a deposit, and what shoppers should look for before they buy. He's also a resource on the business side — building and running a focused, made-to-order product company in a competitive smart-home market. Ricky is available for quick email commentary, expert quotes, and product-installation insight. Sample Topics I Can Speak To : Why your video doorbell films the ground (or the sky) — and how mounting angle fixes it How renters can install a Ring or Nest doorbell without drilling or losing their deposit Mounting doorbells on "impossible" surfaces: brick, stucco, glass, and vinyl siding How to pick the right video doorbell for your specific door and entryway layout The most common video-doorbell installation mistakes — and how to avoid them Improving your doorbell camera's field of view and motion detection through better placement What it's like building a niche, made-to-order 3D-printed product business Suggested Query Categories to Follow on Connectively Technology · Home & Garden · Real Estate · Business & Finance (small business) · Lifestyle · General (home security / DIY)

Teale Hatheway is a Los Angeles–based wallpaper designer, artist, and founder of Pearl & Maude and StripedWallpaper.com. A fifth-generation Angeleno with a deep interest in historic architecture and preservation, her work is rooted in the belief that interiors should honor the past while feeling alive in the present. Hatheway’s wallpaper patterns for Pearl & Maude are derived from her paintings of historic buildings, ornament, and architectural details. These motifs are translated into richly layered wallcoverings that reference architectural traditions while remaining adaptable to contemporary interiors. All of her wallpapers are printed to order in her Los Angeles studio, allowing for careful color development, material selection, and quality control. This hands-on approach gives Hatheway a practical understanding of both the design and production sides of wallpaper, from pattern scale and color relationships to installation considerations. Hatheway later founded StripedWallpaper.com after noticing how often designers relied on stripes to balance and connect other patterns in a space, while also hearing frequent frustration about how difficult it could be to find exactly the right stripe. The platform was developed as a reliable design resource for the full spectrum of classic stripes, with both ready-to-order designs and custom options that allow designers to adapt stripes to specific palettes, textiles, and interiors. She frequently speaks about pattern mixing, the role of color in creating cohesive interiors, the historical lineage of decorative patterns, and how wallpaper can shape the experience of a room. Her perspective combines fine art, historic reference, and hands-on manufacturing with a focus on helping designers create interiors that feel intentional, personal, and enduring.

I specialize in cost estimating and quantity takeoffs for residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the U.S. With 6+ years of experience, I help contractors win more bids through accurate trade-specific estimates. Passionate about construction tech, efficiency, and project success.

I'm owner and a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1130783) with over a decade of experience in residential construction. I can speak to the housing shortage, construction labor shortages, new construction, remodeling and renovation costs, ADUs, permitting, and multigenerational housing.

Media Contact & PR Representative for Next Stage Design + Build, a premier interior design and remodeling firm in Santa Clara County. I connect journalists with industry experts on home renovation, interior design trends, space optimization, and residential build strategy. Representing: Joy Allen - Design Supervisor Shelly Yoder - Project Designer, UDCP Keith Ostendorf - Project Developer Access to high-resolution before-and-after photography for all listed topics under expertise.

I am Jake Woods, a Florida-based Lighting and Interior Designer dedicated to creating spaces that unite functionality with aesthetic balance. I work with Residence Supply, where I focus on crafting customized interiors and lighting solutions that transform residential spaces with elegance and atmosphere.

I am a skilled roofing and construction professional at Weldon Roofing & Construction, with hands-on experience in both residential and commercial projects. I focus on delivering high-quality workmanship while maintaining strong safety standards and ensuring client satisfaction. I manage projects from initial assessment through completion, By making sure timelines, budgets, and structural requirements are met. I work closely with clients to understand their needs, recommend practical solutions, and deliver durable, long-lasting results. My expertise includes roof installation, repair, inspection, and overall construction coordination. I am known for clear communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to reliable, consistent service. I take pride in building long-term relationships with clients through trust, professionalism, and dependable performance.

My name is Yoni Asulin, a licensed design-build contractor, Home Design & Remodeling Expert serving the San Francisco Bay Area. I am the Owner of ASL Remodeling. I specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodels, full-home renovations, additions, and new construction, managing design, permits, and building all in one place.