Our Staff
With hundreds of years of collective practical experience, our staff's industry knowledge is matched only by their dedication to customer advocacy and superior service.
We offer diverse expertise covering all components of roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope consultancy.
Read on to learn more about our highly qualified (and universally friendly) team.
Wendell Finken
President
Wendell has 30 years of experience in the assessment and construction of building envelopes.
The early years were in the field working for a roofing contractor starting as a laborer, and working up to a crew leader, and eventually a project supervisor.
Since coming to AMBE LTD. In 2002 he has received numerous certifications including RRO (Registered Roofing Observer) and RRC (Registered Roof Consultant) from IIBEC (International Institute of Building Envelope Consultants), and a Certified Building Commissioning Agent from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Wendell has established himself as one of the top building consultants in the Twin Cities area, and throughout the country.
Wendell became the sole owner of AMBE LTD. in January of 2020 and is continuing on as the President and Senior Consultant.
Contact: wendell@ambeltd.com
Continuing Education, Accreditations, and Affiliations
- Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) — RCI
- Registered Roof Observer (RRO) — RCI
- Local 96 Apprenticeship
- Haag Certified Roof Inspection (HCRI) — Haag Engineering
- Registered Roof Consultant Review and Update — RCI
- Advanced Thermal and Moisture — RCI
- Wind and Drainage — RCI
- Roof Technology and Science I — RCI
- Roof Technology and Science II — RCI
- Rooftop Quality Assurance — RCI
- Member — RCI
- Member — Roofers Local Union 96 (1991 - 2002)
Michael P. Fastner
Senior Consultant
Mike brings 18 years of experience in the roofing and waterproofing industry to the AMBE LTD team, 13 of those years as a Building Envelope Consultant. He holds an RRO (Registered Roof Observer) certification from IIBEC (International Institute of Building Envelope Consultants) and continues to develop his technical knowledge through a robust program of CE seminars and courses.
Since joining AMBE LTD in 2007, Mike has overseen a myriad of successful high profile and challenging projects at major hospitals, airports, government facilities, skyscrapers, and prominent retail outlets. He is currently AMBE’s lead consultant on national accounts, and has been serving clients in all 50 states and Puerto Rico since 2015.
Contact: mike@ambeltd.com
Education
St. John's University
Continuing Education, Accreditations, and Affiliations
- Registered Roof Observers (RRO) — RCI
- Haag Certified Roof Inspection (HCRI) — Haag Engineering
- Water Entry Prevention and Moisture Control — University of Wisconsin College of Engineering
- Below-Grade and Plaza Deck Waterproofing — University of Wisconsin College of Engineering
- Symposium on Building Envelope Technology — RCI
- Advanced Thermal and Moisture — RCI
- Roof Asset Management — RCI
- Roof Technology and Science I — RCI
- Roof Technology and Science II — RCI
- Rooftop Quality Assurance — RCI
Ryan Wagner
Senior Consultant
Ryan has 14 years of experience as a Project Manager/Estimator in the commercial roofing and architectural sheet metal industry.
He has expertise in AutoCAD architectural drafting as well as experience in the entire project lifecycle.
Contact: ryan@ambeltd.com
Education
University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Continuing Education, Construction Management
Anoka Ramsey Community College
Continuing Education, Accreditations, and Affiliations
- AutoCAD Essentials Course — IMAGINIT Technologies
- Plan Reading Course, Level I — Dunwoody Institute
- Custom CAD Training — CAD Technology Center
- LiveRoof Installer Certification — LiveRoof LLC
Don Wagner
Senior Consultant
Don has over 40 years of experience as an Estimator/Project Manager in the commercial roofing and architectural sheet metal industry.
He has worked with energy utility companies, hospitals, private, state, and national clients. His experience includes all facets of the project life cycle, from project negotiation and bid process to ongoing observation and quality assurance.
Education
University of Minnesota
Accreditations and Affiliations
- National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Quality Assurance Program
- Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) Future Management Training
- Asbestos Site Supervisor (Minnesota)
- OHSA 500 Qualified
- Past Member — NRCA Safety Manual Committee
- Past Member — NRCA Safety/Health Committee
- Past Director — St. Paul Building Exchange
Jamie I. LaVanier
Senior CAD Specialist
Jamie has over 20 years of experience in the industry, including drafting, design, construction observation, field investigation, and testing.
Jamie has extensive project experience designing for roofing, masonry restoration, and waterproofing for both public and private clients.
Education
Minneapolis Drafting School
Continuing Education
Infrared Certification — Infraspection Institute
Alex Desy
Office Manager
Alex is the cooliest
Alex has extensive experience in microsoft office applications
Dane Johnston
Building Envelope Consultant
Dane has been working as a building envelope consultant at AMBE Ltd for 6 years.
Over his time at AMBE. He has been involved in a wide range of building envelope projects and inspections such as roof replacement, window glazing, below grade waterproofing throughout the country spanning various climate regions including Puerto Rico.
Dane is the lead surveyor at AMBE and conducts annual building condition assessments on over 200 properties each year.
He has been a member of IIBEC for over 5 years and has completed over 65 hours of continuing education courses. He is currently working to obtain his RRO (Registered Roofing Observer) certification.
Michael Keran
Building Envelope Consultant
Mike graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2014 and has since been working in the commercial construction industry.
He has 5 years of experience in commercial construction working with local and national contractors. Mike’s experience focuses on single-ply membrane, asphalt roof system installations, wall inspections along with project management and aerial equipment. He also recently completed Drone Pilot Ground School and is heading up AMBE LTD’s drone inspection initiative.
Sarah Finken
Building Envelope Consultant
Sarah graduated from the University of Colorado - Boulder with a degree in Environmental Design. She has a background in Building Systems and Construction Processes.
