Andrew Brabaw is a writer of quality articles for QST, he has worked in the construction field in one way or another since 1987. He began his career as a union apprentice, attending the Southeastern Michigan Carpenters Apprenticeship Program in Ferndale, Michigan, while working in the field. Roughly 6 years after becoming a journeyman carpenter, he became a crew leader/layout man, followed by starting his own company. While earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology, he worked as a Quality Engineer and managed construction projects for a manufacturing facility. Another important aspect of his work at this facility was leading the crew in charge of problem-solving and repairing safety issues, which played an instrumental part in the plant achieving OSHA Gold Star Status. He still enjoys carpentry/woodworking and regularly works on projects in his house, garage, and barn.