After studying community development in Germany, Walter came to Vermont in 1997 to attend Goddard's Institute for Social Ecology.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a background in environmental policy, regional planning and sustainable development, he wanted to know how to build sustainably at the boots-on-the-ground end of the business, and started working with friends on their own housing projects.

He teamed with Malcolm Gray on several projects before co-founding Montpelier Construction in 1998.

The values of collaboration, inclusion and sustainability inform Walter's work with clients, partners, and all his colleagues in the trades.