Ryan Van Patten

What’s the best part about your job at LEAP? 

The fact that I have an impact on my community and the environment.  I never stop learning from my co-workers and community members about ways to reduce our overall environmental impact.  Whether it is improving the efficiency of a home or learning about new community initiatives, there is always something going on.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I like to learn to create, make and build things; such as electronic gadgets, woodworking, new food recipes, gardening, etc. If I’m not home, I’m usually hanging out with friends and family or playing soccer or basketball.

Tell us about your house. 

I bought my home in 2012, and have been slowly fixing and making it more efficient.  Since I’ve been here, I have air sealed and insulated the attic, air sealed duct work, retrofitted some bad windows, installed efficient washer/dryer, built a patio and other basic energy saving measures.  Improvements never stop.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I remember wanting to be a professional soccer goalie, the feeling of blocking a penalty kick to win the World Cup would be amazing!

Then, I wanted to be a professional musician for a while.  And then I wanted to just be a world traveler helping people and volunteering to build, protect and improve communities and their surrounding environment.