About Foxfire LLC

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Matthew Caplins grew up immersed in the world of building construction, engineering and the trades. Growing up, his father built the family house and completed it largely by himself, with the help of his family. Matt’s grandfather, before retiring, was at different points in his life a bricklayer, general contractor, hardware store owner, and masonry trade school instructor. His uncle also taught HVAC and plumbing at the trade school. Starting at a young age, Matt spent most weekends helping his family with some aspect of the construction process.

After high school, Matt sailed professionally on tall ships and eventually obtained a US Coast Guard Master’s License. Although he spent most of this time as a deck officer, he also worked as a rigger, shipwright on wooden schooners, and shipboard marine engineer. After returning to shore, he obtained an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. During this time, he worked his way through university doing home improvement projects and working as an HVAC technician. 

Matt has over 15 years of experience working at an engineering consulting firm, primarily on large-scale, multi-million-dollar commercial construction projects with complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Over the years, he has also kept his hands busy providing various trade services. He is just as at home at the job site with his tool belt on as he is discussing design aspects with an engineer or sitting in a law office boardroom providing technical input as an expert. Matt holds Master HVAC, Master Plumber, and Master Gas Fitter tradesman licenses and is a full member of ASHRAE. He lives in Flint Hill in a hand-hewn log cabin he built with his wife, Iryna, their daughter, and a cat.