Shawn Schmidt

Product Support Specialist

Whether you’re the home-owner or the builder, a need to make changes to your AMDA plans means contacting Shawn Schmidt, AMDA’s product support specialist.

“Change inquiries often come from contractors in the field because of site conditions or maybe due to a misinterpretation of the plans,” Shawn explains. “Or home owners may simply want to make a change.” He adds, “Help is always here.”

Shawn has been AMDA’s go-to guy for product support since joining the company in January, 2005. He brings a solid background of experience in both the lumber industry and the building service industry to his AMDA position.

A Midwest native, Shawn grew up in rural Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. After graduation, he had been working for two years at the Des Moines Art Center when he ran into a college friend who had settled in Portland. Shawn had already decided it was time to leave Iowa. Portland sounded like an intriguing destination so he made the move in 1999.

Upon his arrival in Portland Shawn went to work for an art gallery, delivering artwork up and down the west coast. Tiring of the road, previous summer jobs with a general contractor in addition to several summers working for a lumber company attracted him to a sales position with Milwaukie Lumber Company of Portland. Working for 4-1/2 years at Milwaukie Lumber Co., Shawn gained a solid knowledge of building industry products and was soon appointed to a position responsible for “material take-offs”. In this role, sales reps brought Shawn blueprints from which he created material lists. He interpreted the plan, established the quantity of materials needed and determined their cost. He was constantly introduced to new products and became well-rounded in the lumber products industry as well as the building service industry.

Interestingly enough, Shawn had become familiar with AMDA plans while he was at Milwaukie Lumber Co. So when AMDA’s product support position became available, Shawn was interested. AMDA was too, and made him a member of the team.

“I didn’t realize how well-rounded this company was before I came here,” Shawn says. “These are bright, quality people. And there is such a cooperative, positive attitude. The progressive thinking here is great!” He is also quick to point out AMDA’s high level of quality control.

“The local jurisdictions (planning departments) like Mascord plans,” Shawn emphasizes. “The plans are laid out well, they’re well formatted, consistent, and aesthetically appealing. They know that we produce a quality product. And that sure makes my job easier.”

Shawn describes his work as a combination of knowledge about building structure and materials, the ability to communicate with the contractor about the plan, problem solving, the ability to multi-task, and organizational skills. On a busy day he receives about 25 calls concerning revisions, but is definite when he says, “we do our best to find a fix.”

Two years ago Shawn became a home-owner himself. His background in fine arts steers him toward spaces and color, and he is working with that emphasis to make his home’s interior “his own”.

When he’s not working on his house, Shawn enjoys kayaking, an activity he’s taken up since moving to Oregon, and week-end trips.

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