FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Keep Craft Alive

Anna Heath, Lead Carpenter

This project manager is commited to shifting the building landscape by constructing quality homes and creating a more inclusive environment for builders.

By Rob Yagid Issue 299 - June 2021

“The thing that sustains me is that I get to be part of the community outreach and I get to be part of changing what the industry looks like. I really like being a part of that and being a different example”

–Anna Heath, Lead Carpenter, Norway, Maine

Anna Heath’s engagement in the building community belies her tenure in the construction industry. She’s young, but her experiences have been intensive.

Anna got her start as a carpenter just a few years ago working under Jesper Kruse at Maine Passive House, a firm whose philosophy is grounded in mastering traditional craftsmanship, having a thorough understanding of building science, and meticulously executing every phase of a project. It’s an environment primed for growth and learning, and Anna is a product of its process. She is now a lead carpenter and project manager for the company, as well as a Certified Passive House Consultant involved in the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Passive House Accelerator, and the local building-science community. She somehow also manages to spearhead building programs at the Center for Ecology Based Economy that are tailored to diminish the barriers to entry in the trades and create a more inclusive environment for those wanting to work with their hands.

Despite her enthusiastic embrace of the building scene, Anna wasn’t always intent on a career in construction. That may come as a surprise when you consider her family history­— they have been building in Maine for the last 100 years. “I never even considered it as an option,” she says now. “That probably reflects a bigger cultural thing that’s going on, because it didn’t even occur to me. I also grew up in a generation, I think, where everyone was pushed really hard to go to college after high school—really hard.” As is the case with many young people, Anna felt that college was the only real option on the table at the time.

In talking to Anna, you quickly realize her commitment to shifting the building landscape—not only in the performance, caliber, and quality of the homes that she helps construct, but in terms of who is building them and from what backgrounds they come.

—Rob Yagid, executive director, Keep Craft Alive

 Photo: courtesy of Maine Passive House

From Fine Homebuilding #299


RELATED LINKS

  • Keep Craft Alive: Ben Bogie, Building Production Manager
  • Advice for People Entering the Trades

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Keep Craft Alive

View All
  • Alison Croney Moses, Artist and Educator
  • John Stephany, Remodeling and Construction Instructor
  • Beth Pointer, Owner, Done Construction
  • Tom Bodett, Co-Founder, HatchSpace
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Insulating a Roof: Getting Higher R-Value

An expert weights in on how to boost performance without ruining the look.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 533: Member’s only Aftershow — Training for Tradework
  • Editorial Note: Building New is Easy
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
  • Podcast 529: Member’s-only Aftershow—How Good is Good Enough?

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
  • Podcast 524: PRO TALK With Design Department Manager Candice Rania
  • Balancing Design and High-Performance Construction
  • Podcast 509: Members-only Aftershow
View All

Business

View All Business Articles
  • An illustration of a woman and a man in hard hats looking at drawings on a job site
    7 Things Your Home-Building Contractor Wishes You Knew
  • Design-Build Meeting
    The Many Benefits of Design-Build
  • Mel Baiser addressing a group
    Mel Baiser, Co-Founder of Helm Construction Solutions
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 20, Ian Schwandt, TDS Custom Construction
View All Business Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in