It’s with pride that we say “best wishes” to our incredible Crew Supervisor, Stephen Berkey, who will be transitioning into a new role as the Building Value Construction Training Program Instructor at the Easterseals Redwood main office in Walnut Hills. Starting this month, Stephen will be providing one-on-one instruction to new cohorts entering the construction training program—offering hands-on lessons in power tools, construction basics, and the life skills needed for success in the trades.
Stephen’s journey to Building Value is as inspiring as his impact here. He served in the U.S. Navy as a construction worker and electrician, building outposts and maintaining facilities overseas. Later in his military career, he stepped into recruiting and training, discovering a passion for mentorship that still fuels his work today.
When asked what he loved most about his time at Building Value, Stephen didn’t hesitate: “Being able to utilize the skills I learned in the Navy to give back to my community.”
Those skills? A powerful combination of interpersonal communication, leadership, construction expertise, and even a little salesmanship—skills he passed on to countless program participants during his time leading our deconstruction crews.
One surprise of the job?
“Learning how to assess the value of certain items,” he said. “I’d walk through properties and point out what could be salvaged. I even learned the difference between glass and crystal.”
Call it an unexpected side effect of working at Building Value: becoming an “appraiser-in-training.” But what Stephen will miss most is the camaraderie.
“Laughing and chatting with customers, my coworkers, and new cohorts—that feeling I got training new crew members reminded me of what it was like training new recruits in the Navy.”
Stephen’s dedication to helping others discover their passion is what makes him such a natural fit for his new role.
“If someone wants to become an electrician, an HVAC specialist, or whatever it is in the trades—having worked at Building Value really prepares me to mentor people and help them find their path.”
We’re proud to see Stephen continue his mission at the Building Value Construction Training Program—guiding new trainees with the same compassion, strength, and purpose that made him such a vital part of Building Value’s retail store and work hardening program.
Thank you, Stephen, for your service, your mentorship, and your unwavering commitment to building a stronger community. We’re going to miss you at the shop and thrilled to know you’re still part of the Building Value family!
