Lead Instructor & Curriculum Developer
Owner, Accessory Dwelling Strategies LLC
Founder, AccessoryDwellings.org
Author, Backdoor Revolution
Kol is the owner of Accessory Dwelling Strategies LLC, a company dedicated to ADU-related education, advocacy and consulting. He edits and manages accessorydwellings.org, a website that addresses ADU policy issues and features an array of ADU projects. Kol also wrote the book on ADUs, Backdoor Revolution: The Definitive Guide to ADU Development, runs Portland’s city-wide ADU tour, offers homeowner-focused ADU courses, and delivers ADU education, speaking and consulting for a variety of audiences.
Kol is the lead instructor & curriculum developer of the ADU Specialist training and accreditation program.
DIRECTOR
Kol Peterson
Jared is a Licensed Architect, and the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Casita Coalition, a non profit organization focused on ADU and small housing policy. Jared founded his design firm, Basis Studio, in late 2016 to respond to the initial ADU legislation that went into effect in 2017. His initial projects in early 2017 were some of the first ADU approvals in southern California demonstrated the need for substantial advocacy on the regional level. Jared has designed and permitted over 200 ADUs in 30+ jurisdictions across California, ranging in size from a 168 sf studio up to 1,200 sf 3 bedroom ADUs, for a variety of client types.
DESIGN
Jared Basler
Stephanie Gutierrez is a distinguished realtor with over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, having worked in the dynamic markets of Orange County, Los Angeles County, Palm Springs and Miami. She started working in Real Estate in 2011 and was licensed in 2016. Her expertise is prominently centered around ADUs, and she's helped numerous homeowners buy and build these valuable property additions.
She leads a dedicated team of real estate professionals who share her ADU specialization, sold over 500 homes and has helped clients with over 40 ADU projects between 2017 to 2023. She runs ADU Meetup events, fostering a community of real estate professionals in Los Angeles and Orange County & San Diego who share her enthusiasm. Over the course of her career, Stephanie has successfully helped over forty homeowners and investors in building ADUs, positively impacting their property value and rental income.
In addition to her ADU advocacy, Stephanie has also played a pivotal role in guiding clients through the process of buying or selling properties with existing ADUs, leveraging her in-depth knowledge of this niche. Her involvement in various investments and construction projects further showcases her dedication to this market.
REAL ESTATE
Stephanie Gutierrez
Meredith Munger is a loan officer at CrossCountry Mortgage and the lead loan officer at ADUloans.net with a focus on helping families buy, build, renovate and refinance property. She’s worked in mortgage for 12 years and specialized in ADU financing since 2017. She is also a specialist in construction and Renovation loans, including the FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation, Construction HELOCs and privately funded construction bridge loans. Meredith is a certified lender for the California Housing Finance Authority, and is licensed in California, Oregon and Arizona.
As a founding member of the ADU Coalition and Casita Coalition, she also advocates for attainable housing from the financing perspective. She consults with local housing and HUD counseling agencies including Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, HPP Cares, Housing El Dorado and the San Diego Housing Commission. She is regularly featured in ADU articles written by the Los Angeles Times and other publications and is a regular featured speaker at the California Association of Realtors
FINANCE & APPRAISAL
Meredith Munger
Gabe Alvarez is a professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in the architectural and construction industry. This began with a 13-year stint as an AutoCAD designer in Orange County. Gabe transitioned into the construction sector over a decade ago. In 2010, he founded GA Design Build, Inc., based in Downey, CA. Under his leadership, GA Design Build has emerged as one of the premier ADU contractors in the greater Los Angeles area.
Gabe's company distinguishes itself by offering comprehensive services, encompassing the entire spectrum of design and construction for ADUs. Since 2017, GA Design Build has designed and built over 50 ADUs. This includes garage conversions, junior ADUs and ground up detached new construction. The majority of these ADU have been built in the greater Los Angeles Area, Downey, Long Beach and areas of Orange County.
GA Design Build provides clients with a seamless experience from conceptualization to the final construction phase. Gabe's commitment to quality, innovation, and client satisfaction has established his design & build firm as a trusted partner in the construction industry.
BUILD
Gabe Alvarez
PLENARY
Jonathan Palley
Jonathan of Clever Tiny Homes invented multiple advanced technology products and brought them to millions of customers. His products have been trusted by Apple to be featured in their stores globally and by medical doctors to help save lives. Jonathan is also a master carpenter. Clever Tiny Homes allows him to combine his passions for carpentry and engineering world-class products.
Jonathan will be speaking in the afternoon plenary session about the interrelationship between tiny homes on wheels and and modular ADUs. He’ll speak to how his business, Clever Tiny homes is working to blend the two in a systemizated processes as a builder and manufacturer of low cost, high performance modular ADUs in different US markets.