Our Team

The Build Smart team is Committed to Building the Foundation for Construction Professionals

Our team's experience in the construction industry and workforce development is only part of what they bring to their roles. They also bring a passion for helping people gain the skills they need to reach their employment goals.

Leadership Team

Michelle Ramaker
President

Michelle Ramaker became President of Build Smart Institute in January 2025 following her start in November 2022 as Director of Development and promotion to Vice President in 2024. In this capacity, Michelle is instrumental in building connections with industry partners to develop cutting-edge training programs tailored for the construction industry.

One of Michelle’s notable achievements at Build Smart includes spearheading a collaboration with Ferrum College to launch a program for an Associate Degree in Construction Management, which debuted in Fall 2024.

Before joining Build Smart, Michelle co-owned M&M Services of SML with her husband, Mitch. As a Class A Contractor, their company specialized in a wide range of renovation projects, from small-scale to large-scale endeavors.

Michelle is a New River Valley Home Builders Association member and serves on the Workforce Committee and a member of the Roanoke County School Board Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee. She was recently appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Apprenticeship Council of Virginia. Michelle also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Roanoke Chapter. Additionally, she’s a member of the Expo Committee for the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association.

Passionate about changing perceptions of the construction industry, Michelle is dedicated to showcasing it as a lucrative field and highly rewarding field.

Michelle’s professional journey began in law enforcement, where she served as a Sheriff’s Deputy for six years before shifting her focus to raising her family, which includes four children aged 8 to 16.

Stephanie Höer
Director of Operations

Stephanie Höer is committed to delivering high-quality, effective training programs for those entering the construction industry and for professionals looking to advance their skills. Through strategic partnerships at Build Smart, Stephanie has expanded access to career training for in-demand trades, ensuring that aspiring construction professionals are set up for success.

With over 20 years of experience in workforce development, Stephanie has consistently worked to eliminate barriers to employment for people seeking employment. Prior to joining Build Smart, she served on the executive team of a large regional non-profit. She led teams in strategic planning, partnership development, fiscal management, and innovative service delivery, aimed at fostering self-
sufficiency and independence.

Stephanie is an experienced spokesperson who has represented local, state, and national organizations. Her deep commitment to serving others is reflected in her belief that equipping individuals with the right skills and training leads to collective success.

Stephanie holds Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts degrees. She has served on the Employment Services Organization Steering Committee for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. She currently serves as a board member for the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and Renovation Alliance, is a member of the Roanoke City Public Schools Career and Technical Education Advisory Council and Treasurer for the Roanoke Valley SPCA Board of Directors.

Stephanie and her husband, James, a retired business owner, live in Cave Spring, VA, with their dog, Lido.

Instructors

Charlie Smith

Charlie has over 40 years of experience in construction, design, electrical engineering, and project management. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, he advanced from an electrical apprenticeship (gaining his Master Electrician license) to senior-level facility management, primarily in hospital systems.

In addition to designing and overseeing large-scale construction projects, his responsibilities in hospital facility management included daily supervision, management, and employee training. While working full-time, he also started and managed a successful electrical company. Before coming to Build Smart Institute, his teaching experience included professional development courses, crisis intervention, safety management, and emergency management for hospital employees at all levels.

Charlie has always enjoyed sharing his skills and life experiences with others, especially being a mentor for those interested in electrical and construction project management. His trainees appreciate his emphasis on positive reinforcement and his mentoring approach in teaching them new skills and building their confidence.

Curtis West

Curtis brings over four decades of diverse experience in the construction industry to the classroom. As a Lead Foreman, he honed his skills in estimating materials, supervising crews, and performing hands-on work with shingle, metal, and built-up roofing installations. During his career, Curtis specialized in metal framing, acoustical ceilings, insulation, drywall, and flooring installation, later becoming a supervisor overseeing these trades.

Curtis spent more than 15 years as Superintendent for a large general contractor that saw him manage remodels and new builds over $25 million. They encompassed all construction phases, including demolition, concrete work, framing, and finishing tasks, such as installing windows, doors, cabinetry, flooring, roofing, insulation, and landscaping for residential and commercial projects.

As the Owner/Installer at W&S Contractors Inc., he specialized in Division 8 (doors and hardware) and Division 10 (toilet partitions, accessories, lockers, and wall protection). His comprehensive expertise in estimating, crew supervision, hands-on construction, and project management makes him a highly knowledgeable and practical instructor.

Jim Wissler

Jim’s introduction to construction began as a teenager when he assisted his father in remodeling their basement and completed framing, electrical, plumbing, painting, and concrete work.

While serving in the Navy, Jim was a Construction Electrician assigned to the Plumbing shop. He worked on oil-fired boilers and space heaters, completing electrical and plumbing work. Following graduation from college, Jim began a career as Project Engineer with Dupont and then Invista.

During his 40+ year career with these companies, Jim led the Electrical Maintenance Team, and managed the Manufacturing Area. In these roles, he completed design work for site projects including electrical infrastructure and installation. He was responsible for the management of projects from inception to design including construction management. Examples of projects under Jim's leadership included, water intake screen replacement and fiber optic system installation.

Jim gives back to his community through volunteerism including his work with nonprofit organizations doing repairs on residential property. Jim holds a Journeyman’s Card and Master Electrician License in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Administrative Team

Heather Thurman

Heather launched her career at Advance Auto Parts’ corporate office, starting in an entry-level position but quickly advancing to the role of Training Coordinator. In this capacity, she designed and delivered comprehensive training programs for new employees across eight departments and provided continuous professional development for existing staff. Her ability to create engaging, effective training content and her knack for understanding diverse learning needs laid a strong foundation for her expertise in instructional design.

Seeking new challenges, Heather joined a large general contractor as the Residential Construction Coordinator. There, she deepened her knowledge of residential construction by managing projects from conception to completion and collaborating closely with Project Managers to ensure quality and efficiency.

Leveraging her extensive experience in training and development, Heather began with Build Smart Institute, initially as the Administrative Coordinator. Her background in designing and implementing training programs became invaluable as she moved into her current role, where she develops eLearning
curricula for trainees worldwide. These programs, which are also eligible for college credit, reflect her commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education that meets diverse learning needs.

In her personal time, Heather enjoys training her puppy, Toby, hosting game nights with family and friends, and frequenting the beach. A graduate of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Roanoke Valley Program in 2023, she continued her engagement by serving as a Program Consultant for the 2024 class.

Barbara DeMarco

Barbara grew up in a military family, which instilled in her a strong sense of adaptability, discipline, and resilience. These qualities have been the foundation of her successful career journey, enabling her to excel in diverse roles and environments.

After earning a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting from Hawaii Pacific University, Barbara launched her career with Hilton Hotels Corporation. She began her career in Hawaii, before relocating to New Jersey as an Assistant Director of Finance. Her dedication and expertise led to a
promotion to Director of Finance just 18 months later, a position she held for 15 years in New Jersey and New York.

In August 2023, Barbara joined Build Smart Institute as a student in the CORE Fundamentals of Construction program, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in the construction industry. Her exceptional performance and commitment to learning caught the attention of Build Smart's leadership team. After completing the CORE program, Barbara was hired as the Administrative Assistant.

She now plays a vital role in supporting students as they embark on their construction careers, offering guidance, assistance, administrative support, and contributes to the financial operations of the organization. In her personal life, Barbara enjoys spending time with her husband, their twin teenage daughters, and the many furry friends that have become part of their family.

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