News & Events
Jack McKernon Officially Retires From The McKernon Group
Jack McKernon, founder of The McKernon Group Inc., is retiring from his long time position as owner/CEO of the Brandon-based business. The McKernon Group is an environmentally responsible design/build company that specializes in a wide variety of construction. With retirement in mind for the last 10 years, he comments that the time is right to pass the business along to his long time business partner, Kevin Birchmore. Jack will be working on some of his own projects and will no longer be affiliated directly with the company.
Kevin Birchmore, President and Jack’s partner for 25 years has acquired Jack’s ownership position of the company, and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron who is the newly appointed Vice President.
At a company meeting held on August 4th, it was announced that the transaction had taken place. A commemorative plaque was presented to Mr. McKernon and it was a time for recognition of an owner who has built a successful company by investing skill, vision and single-minded commitment in order to build energy efficient quality homes. In turn, Jack passed on the official “McKernon hard hat” to the new owners. The meeting was followed by a company picnic.
Kevin states that “in the current economy, diversity is very important”. He plans to involve the company in small jobs as well as building the client’s “home of choice”. In addition to design/build, the company offers the services of its subsidiaries: UFO, ( urethane spray foam insulation); Gee, (renewable energy); Vermont Woodland Cabinets (kitchen/bath cabinets, millwork and furniture). Kevin says they will make good use of the company’s strengths in order to “build better for less”. It is his intent to make renovations and new-construction more affordable through efficiency and streamlining company overhead. The expansion of the energy efficient building systems will be a strong focus.
Justus Cameron has been with The McKernon Group for 4 years. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and has a degree in Construction Management. He is experienced in all aspects of the company and has excelled in project management. His commitment to becoming a shareholder stems from his own positive experiences and his observations of the skillful work force at The McKernon Group. His vision for the company is to push the limits in order to allow clients to expect the best. “With responsiveness, flexibility, and open communication, McKernon will continue to be dedicated to creating strong, lifelong relationships with our clients and partners”.
It was confirmed by the new owners that The McKernon Group will continue to maintain the high quality that is associated with the McKernon name. The outlook for the company looks strong and projects are lined up for the months ahead. Kevin also stated that The McKernon Group will be hiring in order to take on the additional work load.
Kevin Birchmore from the McKernon Group WVTK
Click for audio.Greetings!
More than 3 years after we participated in the Extreme Makeover Home Edition project, we are still asked about the family and the experience. We hope that you will enjoy this update on the family.
Louie Jr.'s Progress
Louie Jr. was the reason that Sara and Lou Vitale applied to the Extreme Makeover Home Edition program. They purchased a small hunting camp years ago with the intent of renovating it. But two children later, that had not happened. Louie Jr was born with many health issues and the home they were living in was deteriorating around them. Today, Louie Jr. is thriving and, as seen in the photo above, celebrated his 5th birthday in September.
So much has changed for Louie Jr since the makeover. Perhaps the most noticeable change is that Louie Jr. is now talking just like any other five year old. Something that the family was told was not possible. The biggest and best change in Louie Jr. is his overall health. The new home is equipped with medical-grade central air purification, humidity control, and in-wall central suction for Louie's tracheotomy. These three things in combination with having a warm, clean environment is what has kept Louie Jr. healthy. In the three years since being in the new home, Louie Jr. has only had pneumonia twice and both times recovered quickly. In the old home, Louie would get pneumonia several times a year and would suffer for weeks on end.
Louie Jr. was able to get a powered wheelchair within weeks of moving into the new home. This was not possible in the old home due to structural issues. Louie also has a walker and is able to use his hoyer lift to take a bath by himself! Louie is able to experience true freedom.
Kane's Story
Kane, seen in the photo right with Louie Jr., has also benefited from the new home. Kane was not able to have friends visit in the hold home due to space, medical equipment and issues with the home, particularly in winter. Kane is now able to have friends over regardless of the weather because there is room for everyone. Kane has developed a much closer bond with his little brother because of the new home as well. It may seem strange that a house can foster a brotherly bond, but consider this: In the old home there was no way to allow the boys to play together without supervision, and creating a safe play-space was nearly impossible as well. Now, in the new home, Kane and Louie Jr. are able to play together. Louie Jr. has his wheelchair and plenty of room to move around. The entire house is safe for both boys; therefore they are able to interact the way typical brothers would with less intense supervision.
Louie Has Fun
So what does a 5 year old do for fun besides enjoy his new playspace, cruise around in his power wheelchair and play with big brother Kane? Well, he goes horseback riding, of course. Louie is in a program for children with disabilities at Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center in Newfane, Vermont. As you can tell from the smile on his face, in the photo on the left, he is enjoying this ride.
Louie is shown, on right, in the playroom, that was designed for the boys to enjoy together, with his big brother, Kane. Louie will be entering Kindergarten in Fall 2011.
Angel Boy Art
Angel Boy Art is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 because of a special young artist named Louis Angelo Vitale, Jr. When Louie was ten months old he began painting as part of his physical therapy. It soon became clear that the painting was not only good physical therapy, but also a means of communication and building confidence. Louie's mother, an artist herself, founded Angel Boy Art after seeing the immense benefits art brought her son.
Even Angel Boy Art has taken off because of the new home. There is space to store all of the art and supplies, work from a home office, and host events that are always 100% accessible to all clients regardless of their particular special needs.
Sara Vitale shares a word to all of us:
Hello to all our friends at McKernon! We wanted to let you know how much our lives have changed since you donated this amazing home to our family. We know you have a good idea of how much this home means to us, but we have to express to you again that this home means so much more than just a safe place to live - this home has literally saved our son's life and our family. Without this home Louie Jr. may still be living in a hospital. In any case he would not be thriving the way he is; for example, he would not have been able to use a power wheelchair, a walker, or even have a bath. The unbelievable strain on our family would have become more and more unbearable, and we can't imagine how on earth we would have ever gotten free of it without a miracle. Luckily, you gave us the miracle we needed and had prayed for.
How can we find words to adequately thank you for such a gift? We thank you again with all our hearts.
The old saying goes, "There are angels among us." We know this to be true. Every single person whose hands and hearts touched this project are our angels on earth. You must be angels because you have performed miracles. We are forever deeply grateful in a way that can hardly be articulated.
With much love and respect,
Lou, Sara, Kane, and Louie Vitale
Kris Charles
The McKernon Group Inc