The Board of Trustees have formally selected Brian Black, Co-Founder, as Harmel Academy’s first President. Brian will begin directly leading all development and operations.
Brian received his BA in Political Economics and History from Hillsdale College, where he studied under Russell Kirk and Gerhart Niemeyer. After pursuing home building and working as an electrician, he was a Product Marketing Manager for American Seating, and did contract work for Haworth and Herman Miller. Returning to the trades, Brian joined Grand River Builders as a carpenter and sheet metal worker, then added the masonry trade to the company. He was made General Manager and has led the company through 20 years of continuous growth.
He founded Historic Restoration Consulting Group in 2011. Brian has provided custom AIA continuing education coursework, and has been active in the Michigan Historic Preservation Network as a trainer and presenter. His expertise is historic building materials and methods.
Brian and his wife Diane were pioneers in the homeschooling movement, and have seven adult children; three are in religious life and two are Catholic school teachers. He currently serves on the Board of a Catholic mission that operates a trade school for young men in the horn of Africa.
