Building Back America's Trades

Ken Myers

Ken Myers is the Director of Construction and Industrial Trades at Coconino Community College (CCC) in Flagstaff, AZ. Born and raised in Flagstaff, Ken has been an instructor at CCC for 15 years and worked in the local construction industry for decades prior to teaching. He was the Faculty of the Year at CCC in 2018 and Arizona’s Post-Secondary Educator of the Year in 2020.

Dianna Vasquez

Dianna Vasquez grew up around the skilled trades, helping out wherever she could in her father’s construction business. Dianna now has well over a decade of professional experience in the industry, from hands-on labor to administrative roles. She lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and three children.

Andrea Jackson

A mother of four, Andrea Jackson has spent decades working in the health care industry as a nurse’s assistant. She participated in the Fall 2024 She Built This City pre-apprentice program in Charlotte, NC, and is currently seeking a sustainable career that will suit her interest in entrepreneurship and other strengths while enabling her to serve her community.

Grace Johnson

Grace Johnson is a student at Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University, both in Flagstaff, AZ. The daughter of a contractor, Grace hopes to enter the skilled trades upon her graduation in 2026 as a site superintendent. From a leadership position in the industry, she is interested in making construction more accessible for women.

James Dotson

James Dotson is an Army veteran and graduate of Columbus Technical College (CTC), where he studied carpentry and cabinetmaking under Gordon Unrein, Program Director of Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, and Masonry at CTC. James won the silver medal in carpentry at the 2024 SkillsUSA Georgia championships and, in 2025, returned to win the gold medal in cabinetmaking. James is currently pursuing his residential contractor’s license.

William Franks

William Franks is a retired Air Force veteran and graduate of the cabinetmaking program at Columbus Technical College (CTC). Taught and mentored by Gordon Unrein, Program Director of Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, and Masonry at CTC. William was the 2023 SkillsUSA gold medal winner in cabinetmaking for the state of Georgia. He’s the co-founder of Wood Haven Workshop in Columbus, GA, where he lives with his wife, Nikki.

Denisha Harris

Denisha Harris is a young woman looking for an occupation she feels passionate about; a career in which she can grow, not just a job. This drive led her to enroll in the She Built This City (SBTC) pre-apprentice program, from which she graduated in Fall 2024. Denisha was initially drawn to the electrical field; however, after the SBTC career fair, she got a job with a Charlotte, NC, utility company, where she has expanded her interests to include plumbing.

Cleveland Roberts

Cleveland Roberts graduated from the Carpentry & Cabinetry program at Columbus Technical College (CTC) while working a full-time job in another industry. Under the mentorship of Gordon Unrein, Program Director of Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, and Masonry at CTC. Cleveland won the gold medal in cabinetmaking for the state of Georgia at the 2024 SkillsUSA competition. Cleveland saw the skilled trades as an avenue to greater professional opportunity and satisfaction and currently runs his own carpentry company, CR Woodworx, in Columbus, GA.

LaToya Faustin

Latoya Faustin is the CEO of the Charlotte, NC-based She Built this City (SBTC), a nonprofit founded around the idea that youth, women, and underrepresented communities deserve real access to high-paying, high-demand careers in the skilled trades. Under LaToya’s leadership, SBTC has grown into a workforce development organization delivering hands-on training, job placement pathways, and barrier-breaking support for more than 500 pre-apprenticeship graduates as of March 2026 in the Charlotte-Metro and Piedmont Regions of North Carolina.  

Vance Peterson

Vance Peterson is a faculty member in Coconino Community College's Construction Technology and Management program, where he teaches a variety of courses. As an instructor and a mentor, Vance embraces this opportunity to pass on his knowledge and aims not only to instruct but also to inspire his students to grow the construction industry in professionalism, sustainability, and innovation. He has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years, as a contractor, a municipal building plans examiner, and more. He is also a certified Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) Mountain Bike Skills instructor and a veteran. Vance holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biochemistry from Northern Arizona University and is a dedicated father.

Aaron Hall

Aaron Hall is a successful lawyer, husband, and father of two who, in his 40s, found himself profoundly unhappy with his career. After taking a few classes, he decided he wanted to enter the skilled trades and become an electrician, a long-held interest. Aaron pursued the certificate offered by Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, AZ, juggling his legal case load as he went to school. He graduated in 2025 and is working part time as an apprentice electrician while continuing to practice law. He plans on fully transitioning into the skilled trades and will begin working as a full-time electrician in May 2026. He will continue working towards earning his journeyman electrician’s status and hopes to eventually become a licensed electrician.

Lakisha Williams

LaKisha Williams is an entrepreneur based in Charlotte, NC, with expertise in training and development and is the owner of Sky 3 General Contracting and Consulting. She has a passion for coaching and mentorship, which she put into practice as the Business & Career Development Manager for She Built This City, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing women with access to careers in the skilled trades. The sudden passing of her husband of 16 years spurred LaKisha to pivot their construction business to address industry staffing needs, allowing her to serve her community by helping people tap into careers in the skilled trades.

Gordon Unrein

Gordon Unrein is the Program Director of Carpentry, Cabinetmaking, and Masonry at Columbus Technical College (CTC). A proud United States Marine Corps and U.S. Army veteran, Gordon brings a lifetime of diverse military and professional experience into the classroom, enriching the learning environment for every student he teaches.

With 25 years of dedicated service as an instructor at CTC, he has played a vital role in preparing students for successful careers in the skilled trades. His leadership, industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence have helped shape the next generation of carpenters, cabinetmakers, and masons. Known for his hands-on approach and passion for craftsmanship, Gordon remains deeply committed to student success and workforce development and has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.