While Joey Appleton is the CEO and Owner of Shift Construction and Consulting, at his core he is an adventure-seeking family man and entrepreneur.

Having grown up in the heart of the Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, New York, Joey's love for extreme sports and experience in carpentry and construction began there. He spent many summers in his youth working alongside his father, learning the artistry of fine carpentry, homebuilding, and the ins and outs of running a business. His love for the backcountry, whether on foot, snowboard, or mountain bike, fueled that adventurous spirit within him, and still today, boards and bikes are among his favorite hobbies to share with his family. 

Joey's pursuit of a career in construction and engineering has taken him all over the world, allowing him to work on a wide range of projects and with people from many different cultures. He spent his early career studying and working in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, earning a degree in Civil Engineering and kicking off his professional career in the construction industry.  From 2012 to 2016, he and his new wife, Amy, had the opportunity to live and work in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, supporting some of the world's largest projects.

While his adventurous spirit took him to these places, Joey's personal commitments of maintaining a strong work ethic, fostering good communication in the workplace, and delivering quality work were what allowed him to be successful and grow to become a valued employee and partner with all those he has worked with. As the visionary of Shift Construction, Joey remains committed to these same pillars in order to grow as a company that partners with others for the safety and prosperity of the local and global communities; from tiny homes to hospitals, airports to railways, tunnels to bridges, and more.  

Joey and his wife, Amy, currently reside in South Burlington, Vermont, with their two daughters Zoey and Mia.

James was born and raised in rural Vermont. He was introduced to hard work and motivation at an early age while learning skillful trades from his parents. James spent summers working for his father and family in Manchester, Vermont. Building a strong work ethic and providing quality service to each customer is key for James. Being observant, James learned quality skills, leading him to participate in the professional building trades.

After high school, James attended Castleton University and received a BA in Social Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice. The additional discipline and ethics that James earned throughout his college career are what helped develop his leadership and problem-solving skills.

Before joining Shift, James honed his skills at the top Insurance Restoration Company in Chittenden County for five years. He began as a hands-on worker, restoring homes that had suffered fire and water damage. Over time, he transitioned to a full-time estimator role, while also supporting project managers. This journey showcases James's adaptability and ambition in the professional sphere.

James is always up for a challenge and enjoys furthering his knowledge. His attention to detail, social skills, and positive attitude bring quality services to the team.  When James is not at work, he can be found spending time with his wife Emily, their new son Bennett, and their dog Bambi.  Beyond family time, James enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, shooting hoops at the park, and working on his classic car.

Alex was born with a passion for the outdoors, adventure, and learning new things. As she grew up, she learned to love the outdoors, from mountain biking to snowboarding, and everything in between. She moved to Vermont at 17 years old to pursue a degree at Northern Vermont University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in mountain recreation management with a minor in criminal justice.  Along the way, her desire to be challenged and learn new things eventually led her to Shift, where she thrives learning more each day, meeting new members of the community, and enjoying a hands-on work environment. In her free time, she’s enjoying the outdoors with her pup Layton and seeking out new adventures around the world!  

Jack was born in Massachusetts, spending his time playing hockey and baseball where he learned the value of hard work and coming together as a team to accomplish a goal. Towards the end of his high school career, he began to develop a larger passion for the outdoors, particularly rock climbing.  This fueled him to pursue a BS in Adventure Education at Green Mountain College in Vermont. Jack immediately knew that Vermont was his new home and pursued his love for adventure sports. Along the way, he was introduced to fire service as a volunteer initially and then as a career firefighter in Burlington. He learned an incredible amount from his time there, understanding the importance of communication, critical thinking, and an overall compassion for the community he would respond to.

In addition to Jack’s adventurous spirit, he has a natural ability to build, no matter the type of material. 

 While not at work, Jack can be found in the Cambridge Notch trying to find untouched powder or perfectly icy conditions with his wife Alex and his dog Layton.

Growing up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Jonathan learned early the value of hard work, clear communication, and showing up for the people around him — qualities that would shape his path in the construction and energy sectors. His interest in civil engineering started with small projects with his father, growing to become an interest in how large‑scale projects come together, and he built his career by taking on roles that demanded both technical precision and strong collaboration. 

Throughout Jonathan’s professional journey he gained experience on large projects such as the Muskrat Falls Hydro Electric Dam in Labrador and the West White Rose CGS Platform and Topside for offshore Atlantic Canada,  after earning his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland, he gained early exposure to major industrial work on the Site C Hydro Electric Dam in British Columbia, one of Canada’s largest infrastructure developments, progressing through field engineering, contract administration, procurement, and coordination roles. Whether supervising structural and mechanical installations, managing budgets, or navigating contractual communications, he developed a reputation for being steady under pressure and meticulous in his approach. His experience has strengthened his ability to work seamlessly with trades, subcontractors, and project owners — always with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. 

He continued to expand his expertise by earning his PMP certification and BC Mine Supervisor designation, further grounding his technical and leadership capabilities. Jonathan later joined Aspin Kemp & Associates in Prince Edward Island as a Project Manager, implementing microgrids and hybrid power systems, overseeing budgets, forecasting, change management, vendor coordination, and schedule updates. He brings a balanced perspective to every challenge, combining field‑level understanding with strategic planning and clear, respectful communication. 

Committed to continuous growth, Jonathan is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration through the Australian Institute of Business, deepening his financial and managerial expertise and broadening the value he brings to every project team. 

Outside of work, Jonathan stays connected to the things that keep him grounded — whether that’s time with family, exploring the outdoors, working out, or trying new foods. He brings the same steady, thoughtful presence to his personal life that he brings to every job site.

Rafa comes to Shift with a professional background that includes serving Vermont families as a senior home health aide and care coordinator, where she developed a strong commitment to helping older adults age in place with dignity and support. Rafa also worked with Cultural Care as a Local Childcare Consultant, supporting host families and au pairs throughout New England.

Rafa moved to the United States from Brazil at age 19, an experience that shaped her independence and passion for cross-cultural connection. She pursued Health Sciences at Vermont State University while expanding her skill set across multiple industries. She believes curiosity and persistence are the foundation of growth, and that no challenge is too complex when approached with the right questions, patience, and a willingness to learn.

In 2025, she completed the Vermont Works for Women trades training program, interning with construction companies across Vermont. This experience strengthened her understanding of hands-on problem-solving, teamwork, and the value of practical trade skills.

At the core of Rafa’s work is a passion for connecting people, building stronger homes and communities, and creating thoughtful solutions to real-world challenges, particularly in the areas of aging, health, and family support. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, reading, and being with her two dogs.