IN THE MEDIA

KONNER METZ 

June 27, 2025

EASTON — Olde School Builders, a local home construction and improvement company, welcomed its first ever apprentice last week.

Kimberly Escalante-Garcia, a rising senior at North Caroline High School, signed on as an apprentice on June 16, joining the business that focuses on reconstructing historic buildings in the area.

Olde School Builders and school leaders said Escalante-Garcia joining the team was a display of impressive initiative from the 17-year-old.

Eric Cook, coordinator of career readiness for Caroline County Public Schools, said it was the easiest apprenticeship he's ever connected because Escalante-Garcia was the only one to pursue it after a Junior Achievement Fair attended by hundreds of fellow students.

"That's absolutely a kudos and a show of what kind of student and what kind of future employee Kim is, because it is one of 600 in terms of reaching out afterwards to the business," Cook said.

Olde School Builders President Craig Postlewait said Escalante-Garcia will be involved with all aspects of the company, from helping with construction labor to business operations. He noted that during interviews, she indicated interest in owning her own business one day.

The apprenticeship comes at a time when he says the company is on a mission to get girls and young women involved in the construction and building industry and empower them to go after job opportunities in similar fields.

Olde School Builders has recently partnered with Easton Middle School to run a Girls Who Build club. Postlewait said this past spring, the students who joined were hesitant at first but left feeling more confident and comfortable.

On June 16, Postlewait expressed excitement to welcome Escalante-Garcia on board for the summer and following school year. He said he wants people and young girls to gain that confidence in areas that may, at times, not be considered by most high schoolers.

"We're so happy to have her with us," Postlewait said

By Debbie Bowden

June 17, 2025

Kim Escalante-Garcia became the latest Youth Apprentice from Caroline County Public Schools in a signing ceremony on June 16. Escalante-Garcia will start her Youth Apprenticeship on June 18 with Olde School Builders, LLC, in Easton, MD.

Escalante-Garcia is a rising senior at North Caroline High School.

A field trip to the Junior Achievement’s Inspire event in March 2025 led Escalante-Garcia to this point. The owner of Olde School Builders, Craig Postlewait, spoke at the event, and inspired the then high school junior to contact him about a potential job.

In a serendipitous chain of events, the Youth Apprentice coordinator for Talbot County High Schools connected with Eric Cook, Coordinator of Career Readiness with Caroline County Public Schools to match Escalante-Garcia and Olde School Builders. Cook shared that the process to get to this Youth Apprenticeship signing day was the least complicated he’s ever had.

Escalante-Garcia will work in all areas of the construction firm: labor, planning, front office, and perhaps even get insight into how to run a construction company. Her interest in this path comes from, “being hands-on,” she said, “we have chickens, and I’ve helped build the pens for them.”

Dennis Hall, Teacher of the Construction Technology CTE Program, Caroline County Public Schools, said of his student, “It was wonderful to see Kim sign her Apprenticeship agreement.  I know she will do well.”

As Escalante-Garcia and her family sat around the conference table to sign the formal Apprenticeship agreements, Cook explained some of the duties that she was limited to perform due to her age. He asked when she turns 18 years old. She replied, “June 16,” and the room was silent as everyone mentally the current date. Almost at once, everyone asked her to clarify if she was turning 18 years old today. She chuckled and said no, in 2026, and the room burst into a spontaneous chorus of Happy Birthday.

The Caroline County Public School Apprenticeship Program (#EarnandLearn) provides students with paid, mentored, real-world learning opportunities. The program is open to Juniors and Seniors ages 16+.

The Apprenticeship Program includes one credit of relevant classroom education and a minimum of 450 hours of PAID work experience. The sponsoring business works with the school system to match qualifying students with work experiences, and agrees to terms of the Youth Apprenticeship program.

VERONICA FERNANDEZ-ALVARADO valvarado@chespub.com 

Jul 20, 2024

EASTON — Abandoned historic buildings across Maryland are getting a second chance through Olde School Builders, a home reconstruction and improvement business reforming historic structures across Maryland and Pennsylvania.

A ribbon cutting for a newly turned apartment building was held on July 11. The former abandoned doctor’s office in Easton has been renovated into two apartment units with modern appliances.

Craig Postlewait, president of Olde School Builders, said he is passionate about reconstructing old buildings and giving them new purpose.

Postlewait said his business has the goal to reconstruct and improve historic buildings while maintaining their integrity.

When choosing buildings to renovate, he says he seeks out buildings that other people feel are “too much to do.” Though he purchases the building for renovation, he sees himself as more of steward than an owner.

“I’m the steward of the building,” Postlewait said. “I take care of the building, and to me, that’s the part that keeps me doing what I do. There’s a lot of other jobs that I probably could have made a lot more money doing other things, but I found something that I love doing, and that’s what keeps me in it.”

For over 40 years, Postlewait has committed himself to the reconstruction of historic buildings. The former doctor’s office now blends modern amenities while attempting to keep “the charm of Easton’s historic architecture,” according to Postlewait.

Amy Kreiner of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce said Postlewait is dedicated to preserving buildings’ histories.

“He understands that homes are more than just structures; they are reflections of their owners,” Kreiner said. “Through their standards of excellence and unwavering dedication, they create spaces that not only enrich our community’s character but also bolster our local economy.”

Postlewait said he feels proud of all his finished projects.

“It’s pretty amazing to be able to say not only did I do that, but I was a piece of the history,” Postlewait said. “I was never a big history buff, but I found that I’m actually now a part of history being made because somebody’s kids or grandchildren are going to live in those buildings someday.”