US Hemp Building Association Board Elections 2024
Election Timeline
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DEC. 1 Voting Begins. Ballots sent to active membership via Google Forms. You must be an active, paid member to vote.
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DEC. 15 Voting ends, results reported via newsletter and website
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JAN. 8 New members sworn in at monthly board meeting
Maria (Ria) Maddock
Candidates
President 2-Year Term - Vote for 1
BIO: I am a LEED Certified Architect, with a strong interest in healthy buildings, and desire to advance contemporary natural buildings overall, and specifically hemp-lime construction in the US. I am also a current USHBA Board Member ( Director-At-Large ) who has spent the last two years helping to advance the organization and build relationships across the industry.
I think my personal experience dealing with black mold and my professional Architectural experience make me a strong candidate to help strengthen and lead the organization.
What I Can Contribute: Drive for excellence and professionalism, professional standing as an AIA member, fluency in the USHBA organization and a desire to see hemp flourish in the US.
BIO: Executive Director since 2016 for a licensed Agricultural Process Manufacturer with dual licenses in the State of Washington to grow, process and distribute for fiber while serving on the states Hemp Commodity Commission Task Force. I have prioritized working with state stakeholders for environmental justice via Community Based Organizations to bring awareness to healthy materials for communities inclusively while leveraging b2b and b2c opportunities for economic development. Having a formal Bachelor of Science in Solution Design & Industrial Design, Business Management Certification from University of Washington Foster School of Business, Healthy Materials and Building Certification from Parsons School of Design (New School), Certified Scrum Master and PMP Project Management Certification I dedicate my time to helping to assure we can usher in a better inclusive future for all. You + Me = We
My goal is to bring diversity, business prowess and project activations
What I Can Contribute: I can offer collaboration, leadership, professionalism, strategy and inclusion
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BIO: I am the Director of Operations at US Heritage Group, one of the oldest lime based construction product suppliers in the country. My background is in civil engineering and material manufacturing, and i have been working with hempcrete since 2011 and participated in hempcrete builds across the country.
I want to help with the continued development of technical and educational programs to boost the acceptance of hempcrete in the larger construction industry. I have seen the steps taken by the organization over the past two years and want to see it continue to grow and provide value to its members.
What I Can Contribute: I have almost 15 years of experience with hempcrete construction, and a strong understanding of the material standards and specification process in the commercial construction industry. I have been a member of the ASTM for over 5 years, and am very familiar with their process of specification development and approval.
Vice President 1-Year Term - Vote for 1
BIO: I’m the CEO of Renewal Revolution a Green Building Construction social enterprise. We are general contractors and a regenerative building consultant. With many green builds under our belts several include hemp and the number of developments continues to rise as I drive hemp building into the local public spaces through collaborative efforts to ensure perfect practices for permitting with building and safety departments. I’ve served on the Central Coast Green Building Council for 6 years, I’m the USHBA’s Region 2 Leader and have been for 2 years now. I’m a member of my local women in business organizations and I have extensive experience with helping build organizations across the spectrum from for profits, to corporations with social responsibilities, to non-profits. I have impeccable team building skills and an uncanny ability to bring people and personalities together for one common goal. I work in education and workforce development and I know what needs to be done to get funding for such programs. As well as my years of personal relationships made through common ground with individuals in big government sectors looking to fund the right ideas. I’m committed to a fault and flexible in my approach to trail blazing. And I’m always looking for solutions to serve the bigger picture. A healthy built environment for our families and communities is a must.
I’m already doing so much for this industry, I think it’s time to put my capacity for change onto a larger playing field. I think way more can be done and I have the time and experience to share with the board.
What I Can Contribute: I can contribute 10-40 hours a month of my time. I can fund myself for the majority of any USHBA required events. I can keep myself from the propensity of any and all conflicts of interest because I understand the priorities and principles that are required of me to help govern a non-profit. I can share my contacts and help get things funded. I can fix what has not been working right for a very long time on the board. I’m really good at holding individuals and myself, accountable. I can help manage the supply chain and distribution needs in the nation. I can help get workforce development and education programs off the ground. I can be teachable, and I communicate succinctly. I’m an excellent source of advocacy.
BIO: Passionate builder and creative in Bishop CA. I have a degree I business and take a lot of consideration for careful planning and budgeting. I am team minded and hope to collaborate with a strong team to reach our shared goals. Currently building a fully permitted adu with 16 inch thick spray applied walls.
I want to help make the ushba the most effective resource for other builders and everyone involved in the industry’s
What I Can Contribute: Careful planning, collaboration, and integrity. I don’t let details slip through the cracks.
Treasurer 1 -Year Term - Vote for 1
BIO: I serve as the current secretary for USHBA and am running for another 1-year term. I'm an award-winning investigative and international business journalist, who started writing about hempcrete in 2019. Since 2021 I have published www.hempbuildmag.com, an online trade journal for the hemp building industry with more than 150 news articles which receives up to 77K page views per month. I publish a yearly hemp building directory with more than 700 companies listed. I designed curriculum for- and administered an online hemp building school that brought knowledge and hands-on skills to about 40 students last year.
With my experience as a board member, I've discovered it's important for USHBA to show US builders and design professionals that hemp building on a large and significant scale is possible and profitable. I have spearheaded the effort to plan a series of webinars with EU and US architects to bridge the knowledge gap for US hemp builders. This industry is remarkably collaborative. It's important to encourage newcomers and give them the tools to succeed so the industry can grow.
What I Can Contribute: I can contribute more marketing and strategy success for USHBA, as my track record shows. I have maintained momentum in growing our corporate memberships from 16 two years ago to an all-time high of 46. I have been able to snag highly visible participation on the National Mall and at SXSW to help bring the industry into the public eye.
Secretary 1-Year Term - Vote for 1
BIO: Health Education, Permaculture, Community Garden Director, Hem,p Enthusiast, Interior Design Student.
I want to bring my life experince to help further along the Hemp Build Industry.
What I Can Contribute: My skills and knowledge in community engagment and health education background to promote toxic free homes.
BIO: My background includes currently running Hempstone who has done many of the first hempcrete projects in the northeast and consulting and training around the country. In addition, I have a background in real estate acquisition, affordable housing development, building performance contracting, commercial appraisal and home inspection.
It is time to take the USHBA to the next level. We need to stabilize and grow the organization and integrate more with complementary organizations as well as the movers and shakers who are leading the natural and decarbonization efforts around the country. I am involved in the Bio-Based Materials Collective and have associations with the International Hemp Building Association, US Green Building Council (USGBC), Passive House (PHIUS), Living Building Challenge (LBC) / WELL, Natural Building Alliance, and NESEA (Lifetime member) It is time to level up and solidify and grow our resources and expand the value and offerings to members. I want to work with other passionate professionals to make the USBA thrive!
What I Can Contribute: I have run several organizations, have an MBA, and can be a resource and reality check for financial issues, education, workforce development, astm, ICC and other standards development, membership expansion, grant sourcing, and event planning.
Director at Large 2-Year Term - Vote for 2
BIO: Alex is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hemp Hollow Processing, a mobile trimming and bucking service for smokable hemp and cannabis flower that serves as a trusted partner to clients in Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. He also serves as the Director of Hemp Development at Escher Design, a regional leader of the US Hemp Building Association, (USHBA) where Alex spearheads the firm’s initiative to drive the implementation and utilization of hempcrete as a mainstream material in the US construction sector, while working with the USHBA on developing the ASTM testing standards. Alex and the firm received national attention by building the first permitted hempcrete structure in Denver, Colorado. An established veteran in the cannabis industry, Alex draws on his substantial experience working on the cutting edge of the hemp sector to develop an innovative, cost-efficient trimming and bucking process while also accelerating the growth and acceptance of the industry. In addition to his numerous roles, Alex speaks nationally to advocate hemp’s impact on bio-regional economics at business expos and universities which include the NOCO Hemp Expo, the University of Vermont Extension, Rutgers University, and Yestermorrow Design/Build School.
I have been a long time and active member of the USHBA since the organizations inception, and feel I can be of unique service in helping achieve the present and future goals moving forward.
What I Can Contribute: As A member of the board I can bring a portfolio of skills and connections to the table including: -Building a USHBA hempcrete certification course that can be deployed throughout the country. -Expanding the organizations membership growth through speaking engagements and university outreach. -Deepen connections with partner organizations such as the ASTM and Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance. - Bring 5 years of business and marketing experience building multiple companies in the hemp space. -Assisting and managing the organizations effort to get the ICC codes adopted by each state.
BIO: Decade of involvement in domestic hemp fiber supply chain development. Lead builder on HempLime projects and previous board member of USHBA.
Add value to member benefits and continue to spread awareness and education around hemp building materials. Currently working with major domestic hemp processor to develop value add production of hemp construction products and provide materials to Hemp to other builders and projects.
Expertise of processing and domestic supply chain development. Public speaking and event organization. My time to furthering organizational goals and initiatives.