Meet the Team
Pioneers in the construction education industry, Blake and Tim Wentz set out to create and deliver training solutions that address common challenges on job sites, which can impact success. For more than 15 years, their training courses have been sought after by associations and companies across the world.
Blake Wentz
Blake Wentz, PhD, CPC, LEED®-AP has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Nebraska. In 2013, he obtained his PhD from Indiana State University. He owned and operated his family’s mechanical contracting business, Wentz Plumbing and Heating, in Lincoln, NE for five years before becoming a college professor, leading multiple, large-scale and complex projects throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas.
He spent 15 years at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) serving as the Director of the Construction Management Program for five years. In 2013, Blake assumed the role of Owners Representative and managed a portfolio of construction projects for the campus including: Grohmann Tower, Renovations to MSOE Campus Center, Dwight & Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall, Raider Baseball Stadium, and Viets Memorial Tower. In 2014, he was promoted to Chair of the Civil, Architectural Engineering & Construction Management Department where he served until leaving the university in 2020. Blake relocated to Chico, CA in 2020 where he accepted the position of Dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science & Construction Management at California State University, Chico.
Blake was the faculty advisor for the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Student Chapter at MSOE, where his competition teams qualified for the national finals eight times. His team won the National Title in 2011, 2013, and 2019. He was named National Educator of the Year for the MCAA in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2018. Blake currently serves as the President of the Associated Schools of Construction, an international organization of over 160 universities across the world that focus on the advancement of construction education. He is also involved in consulting activities, has been an expert witness for construction legal disputes, and is a co-author of the textbook “Construction Law for Design Professionals, Construction Managers and Contractors.”
In his spare time, Blake is an avid tennis player, where he was a member of the varsity tennis team at the University of Nebraska from 1995-1999. He is also a car enthusiast who enjoys working on cars but also heading to the track to race them as well. He’s a proud owner of a 2018 Ford Shelby GT 350, and a pair of “firing boots,” (you’ll have to ask him about the backstory of the boots sometime).
Tim Wentz
Tim Wentz, P.E., HBDP. LEED®-AP graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is a registered professional engineer in Nebraska. Additionally, he holds both Master Heating Contractor and Master Plumbing Contractor licenses, is a LEED® - Accredited Professional (AP-BD&C) and holds an ASHRAE certification as a High-performance Building Design Professional (HBDP).
Upon graduation from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Tim went to work for his family’s mechanical contracting firm where he developed an expertise in design/build contracting, estimating and project management on a wide range of commercial projects across the Midwest. Since entering academia in 1994, Tim has received numerous awards and honors for his teaching and service to the HVAC industry. In 2000, ASHRAE awarded Tim the E. K. Campbell Award of Merit for outstanding service and achievement in teaching. The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has named Tim their national “Educator of the Year” award on three occasions, 2000, 2002 and 2004. In March of 2009, the MCAA awarded Tim its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award and in 2015 ASHRAE awarded Tim the Exceptional Service Award. In recognition of his service to industry, in 2018 the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska awarded Tim its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tim served on the Construction Management faculty in the College of Engineering for 25 years until being named an Emeritus Professor in 2018. He is also a very active volunteer within ASHRAE, where he has served as the Nebraska Chapter President for 1997-1998. He also served as Director and Regional Chair for Region IX of ASHRAE and was inducted into the Region IX Hall of Honor in 2005. ASHRAE also elected Tim a Fellow of the Society in 2005. Tim recently served as Society President in 2016-2017 and launched the Society theme for that year ‘Adapt Today to Shape Tomorrow’.
Let’s Work Together
If you’re interested in scheduling a training course, please reach out! We’d love to connect and discuss your needs.