Whisper Creek Homes Hamilton, Montana

Mikel Vandegenachte-Ochs has been building since childhood, learning the craft alongside her father and turning that early passion into a career of innovation and leadership. As owner and leader of Whisper Creek by 1978 LLC and Montana Log & Timber, she has helped to pioneer offsite, sustainable, precision building systems that merge timber craftsmanship with cutting-edge panelized building technology. Her companies have earned numerous NAHB Awards, including recognition for excellence in home design, marketing, and as the Off-Site Construction Manufacturer of the Year. Mikel’s experience spans multifamily, development, and residential projects, as well as collaborations with commercial clients such as Bass Pro Shops, Disney, and Fire & Ice Productions, where her team provided panelized walls, siding, log railing, and log materials for the set of the television series Yellowstone. A longtime industry advocate, Mikel has spent more than 15 years contributing to the NAHB Building Systems Councils, leading educational sessions, panel discussions, and “Shop Talks” that promote innovation, collaboration, and profitability in the building industry. From her home base in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, where her family’s ranching roots stretch back more than five generations, Mikel continues to mentor builders, developers, and manufacturers across the country. She carries forward the Western spirit of grit, grace, and determination, blending craftsmanship with innovation in off-site construction, log and timber systems, and panelized design. Her mission remains simple: to help builders work smarter, build faster, and create homes that stand the test of time.