After more than a decade working in the building systems and performance industry, 45-year-old Garrett Husky has launched his own business.

Davenport, Washington-based Husky Consulting LLC, which does business as Husky Commissioning, is aimed at helping developers, contractors, and building owners meet state-regulated energy standards for their projects across the Inland Northwest.

Husky opened his company in March, offering specialized commissioning to both new and existing projects. He says he's focused on helping owners and operators integrate systems that are in compliance with state energy requirements. He is licensed in and serves clients in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

Husky's business ownership follows a career of over 11 years at Seattle-based McKinstry Co. LLC, which has an Inland Northwest presence, where he developed a deep interest in commissioning work. He found his niche in verifying that buildings are designed, installed, and functioning according to operational and energy performance goals.

"I am extremely grateful for what I learned at McKinstry," Husky says. "However, I wanted the opportunity to branch off and run the commissioning aspect and focus solely on that. McKinstry is huge, but commissioning is just a small part of what they do."

Commissioning is a critical component of both new and existing construction in a very active market, Husky says. As energy codes and standards become more prevalent in state legislation, there's a need for a company that works in that specific field, he contends.

"State legislation says buildings of certain sizes have to operate within specific energy guidelines," Husky says. "That's where we come in, making sure these systems are operating with both those regulations and the client's long-term goals in mind."

Husky Commissioning serves clients who operate in a variety of settings including commercial offices, health care facilities, laboratories, schools, colleges, and industrial sites. As the company grows, Husky says it might take on the occasional private client, but its core work centers on large-scale projects where compliance and system performance are closely scrutinized.

In practice, Husky says the role goes beyond simple inspection. Commissioning services also include design reviews, testing system functions, and implementing quality assurance processes through each phase, from design and construction through occupancy.

"At its core, it's a thorough quality assurance program," he says. "We're there to make sure everything works the way it is supposed to, from day one and over the life of the building."

Husky's background reflects a long-standing focus on mechanical performance and reliability. Before going to school at Eastern Washington University to get an engineering degree, he worked as a vehicle mechanic, a role he says shaped his approach to diagnosing and optimizing mechanical systems.

"I love using the vehicle analogy," Husky says. "The mindset carries over whether you are working on a car or a commercial HVAC system."

Husky's entrepreneurship journey is also supported by his community ties. A lifelong resident of Davenport, Husky bought the house he grew up in so he could stay close and reinforce the community he calls home.

"I've always had a connection to this area," he says. "Being able to support projects that will serve the surrounding communities means a lot."

Looking ahead, Husky says he hopes to add four or five employees with a goal to hire one employee each year for the next five years. He says that will allow him to push for steady but manageable expansion, and that will help him reach his financial goals.

Husky anticipates operating a $2.5 million to $3 million company within five years, he says.

"I want to make sure my growth is sustainable," he says. "It's about building a strong foundation, just like the projects we work on."

As energy efficiency continues to shape the construction industry, Husky says he sees a growing demand for commissioning services, and an opportunity to help clients deliver buildings that perform reliably for years to come.

"Our goal is to help owners and operators build the best systems possible," he says. "If we do that right, it benefits everyone who uses those spaces."