Jaga developed a passion for building and working with his hands as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, where he performed carpentry and electrical work on equipment like lighthouses and buoys. After retiring from the Coast Guard in 2005, Jaga’s wife got a job in Asheville, and Jaga joined a carpentry crew, having been in the trade ever since. His experience has included work on framing, siding, and interior trim, in addition to fabrication of concrete countertops and cabinetry and millwork production. In 2016, Jaga joined the JAG team as a project manager. He has enjoyed working with his JAG colleagues to hone his knowledge of and expertise in green building techniques. 

In his free time, Jaga enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. When he’s on his own, Jaga is likely running through the mountain trails of WNC or looking for arrowheads in our many forests.