Rory Hoffmann didn’t plan on making weatherization his career. In 1979, he joined a weatherization crew in North Dakota, drawn to carpentry and hands-on work. At the time, it felt like a job—an opportunity to learn and earn through what was essentially on-the-job training, much like the mentorship and apprenticeship programs offered today.

Forty-six years later, Rory is the Weatherization Program Manager for the state of North Dakota, overseeing a program that has helped thousands of families live in safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient homes.

A Job with Purpose

When asked what’s kept him in weatherization for nearly five decades, Rory’s answer is simple:
“At the end of the day, you actually make a difference in a person’s life. Grandma’s house is safer. A single mom has a better place for her kids. I helped a family save money and be comfortable.”
It’s work that leaves a mark—not just on homes, but on the lives of the people inside them.

The Challenges—and Why It’s Worth It

Weatherization is not easy work. Rory recalls crawling through attics in 110-degree heat and under trailer homes when it’s 30 below zero. It’s not something people will do unless they care about what they’re doing. “You can pay someone 50 bucks an hour, and they’re still not going to crawl under that trailer house in the cold unless they want to do a good job for that homeowner.”

Beyond the physical challenges, there’s also the hard part of explaining to homeowners why their requests—like new windows—don’t always make sense. People often focus on what they see: windows, doors, and quick fixes. But Rory has always been committed to showing the value of building science—explaining how insulation, furnace tune-ups, and air sealing save far more energy and money over time.

Some of the hardest days in weatherization come when homes are simply too damaged to work on. In the past, North Dakota had to walk away from houses that didn’t meet readiness standards. With Weatherization Readiness Funds, that’s changing. “We’ve been able to weatherize 50-plus homes in just two years because of that funding. Before, those homes wouldn’t have been touched. It’s a win for families, for communities, and for the crews who get to see the difference their work makes.

Stories That Stick

For Rory, the connections with people are what he remembers most. He tells the story of an older couple in Lair, North Dakota, whose home he weatherized years ago: “She’d send me home with pies and baked goods every time I stopped by. When we later worked on her daughter’s house, she sent something for me again— ‘Here, give Rory this pie.’ You make these connections with people. You don’t forget them, and they don’t forget you.”

Weatherization work may not always be visible, but its impact is. It’s a safer home for an older couple. It’s a warm, dry place for a family with kids. It’s a lower utility bill for someone struggling to make ends meet.

Why It Matters

Rory started weatherization as a job, but it became a career with meaning. It’s work that requires skill, science, and a real commitment to helping others. It’s about more than energy efficiency; it’s about improving lives. Looking back, Rory sums it up perfectly:

“You’re crawling in an attic, and it’s 110 degrees. You’re thinking, ‘What am I doing? I could be fishing.’ But at the end of the day, you’re helping someone. And I think it’s good to help people. That’s why we’re here.”
For anyone considering weatherization work, Rory’s 46 years prove that it’s not just a job, it’s a way to build a career that matters.

Watch Rory’s interview below!