Joey O’Brien
TREC #20959
Owner/Inspector/New Construction Specialist
Joey was born in Austin and raised in Round Rock, Texas. He has lived in this great state his entire life. He has been in the business for 18 years and knows the Austin area well. During his career, he has had the privilege of working for some of Austin’s Premier builders. This background enabled him to gain extensive knowledge and expertise of the construction process. Joey is attentive to detail and produces easy to interpret reports for all of his clients. He guarantees same day reports and often has them within hours of completing the inspection. He is licensed by the Texas Agricultural Commission for wood destroying insects, NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Transporters), and holds a Professional Home Inspector license by the Texas Real Estate Commission. In addition to playing a big role in today’s real estate market here in the Austin area, Joey is also an OEF veteran. Through both his construction and military backgrounds, Joey provides a wealth of knowledge allowing him to tackle any job with utmost respect and integrity. If you would like to read reviews about Joey and his team, please click the link below.
Kenneth Cook
TREC #23265
Lead Inspector
A sixth generation Texan, Kenneth was born in Dallas and moved to Austin during his high school years. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, who was a Marine aviator with the infamous Black sheep Squadron in WWII, Kenneth knew becoming a marine was his calling. After his service in the Marine Corps, he worked as an automotive mechanic for many years, which included time as a state of Texas safety and emissions inspector. In recent years he was drawn to an opportunity to work for one of Austin’s premier luxury home builders, which provided a dynamic experience and expertise in all stages of the construction process. The detailed nature of home inspections and the team structure of Inspect It Austin combined with his interest in real estate is why Kenneth decided to study and become a licensed home inspector. Kenneth is licensed with the TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) and NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Transporters).
Ben McCue
TREC #23628
Lead Inspector
Ben was born in Houston and raised in Lubbock, and later moved to Round Rock with his family during his high school years and has resided here in the Austin area ever since. Ben is a Licensed Professional Home Inspectors through TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) and is proud to be a part of the amazing team of Inspectors at Inspect It Austin. Not only has Ben acquired his license as a Professional Home Inspector, he has also founded a CrossFit gym and has successfully operated that business with his wife for the past 9 years. In his experience as a coach and business professional, Ben has developed various skills that enhance his proficiency with home inspections such as awareness to detail, personability, and communication with customers. When Ben is not inspecting homes or coaching CrossFit at his family’s gym, he enjoys spending time camping with his wife, their two daughters, and three dogs.
Steven Short
TREC #23461
Inspector/New Construction Specialist
Steven is proud to be a member of a multi-generation native Texan family. Born in Austin, Steven spent his formative years splitting time between the Texas Hill Country and the foothills of Colorado.
While in high school, Steven spent his time outside of class working as an apprentice electrician under his father, while simultaneously honing his skills in the family construction business. After graduating from LBJ High School in Johnson City, Steven chose to follow the example set by his father, and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served 5 years as an Automotive Maintainer & Technician. During his time in service to the country, Steven was privileged to employ his skills maintaining an assortment of vehicles including HUMMVE and MRAPs while serving in stateside, and multiple combat deployed locations.
Upon completing his time in service, Steven moved home to Texas and married his wife Casey. They have been blessed with two beautiful children, a girl McKenna, and boy Steven Michael. While completing his Bachelors’s degree in Business from Texas Tech University, Steven worked jobs in Ranch Management, Metal Fabrication, and Stucco application for some of Central Texas’ premier homes.
While his time in service impressed on him the importance of honor and integrity in all aspects of life; his history in construction, has taught him that success comes from being detail-oriented and treating every aspect of the job as being the most important.
Steven is licensed with the Texas Real Estate Commission and the Texas Department of Agriculture.
When he isn’t working Steven loves camping, bow fishing, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family.
Darin Morgan
TREC #25253
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
Darin was born in San Diego and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California. After High School he was inspired to join the U.S. Army after seeing the events unfold in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. He joined the Army as a Field Artilleryman and served in the units of the 10th Mountain, 2d Infantry, 82d Airborne and 1st Cavalry Divisions. A veteran of three combat tours in Iraq with the 82d Airborne, he retired with over 20 years of service. He settled down in Leander with his wife Liz who is a native Texan and also an Army retiree with over 22 years of service. After retirement, he built production homes for 5 years with one of Austins top builders and is well versed in all phases of residential construction.
Darin holds a Professional Real Estate Inspector license through the Texas Real Estate Commission and is also licensed by the Texas Agricultural Commission for wood destroying insects. He joined the Inspect It Austin team to provide a critical service to the residents of Central Texas, while replicating the camaraderie he enjoyed in the Army with his team mates here. His service enabled him to hone attributes such as competence, technical proficiency, leading by example and focus on detail.
While he isn’t working, Darin values his time with his wife Liz and their two dogs, Daisy and Lola. He also spends time riding his Harley, enjoys shooting sports and is an avid movie buff.
Jorge Fuentes
TREC #24946
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
Jorge was born and raised in South Florida, spending his adolescent years in both Miami and Key Largo. While growing up on the coast, Jorge nurtured an early love for all things fishing and developed a passion for auto mechanics and architectural drawing. These early interests in being outdoors and finding unique answers to solving problems were a harbinger of what would be a consistent theme spanning a majority of Jorges early life.
Shortly after graduation, Jorge’s future became clear. Growing up the son of immigrants, who had fled communism, he found his gratitude and appreciation for the United States compelled him to enlist in the US Army as an Infantry man. During his enlistment, Jorge was honored to serve his country, subsequently spending some time in Texas, as well as multiple combat deployments.
After his time in the Army, Jorge returned to Florida, only to realize he missed Texas, eventually finding his way back a year later. Initially settling in Corpus Christi, Jorge’s passion for being outdoors and finding answers to problems made him a natural fit for the state’s abundant oilfields. Over the next 20 years Jorge flourished, becoming a Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer out of Laredo where he would transition into a role lending his expertise as an industry consultant. Jorge has worked for several major oil and natural gas companies throughout the US and Mexico.
Closing the oilfield chapter of his life, Jorge moved to the Austin area in search of a new career in which to channel his efforts. This search initially led him to residential construction, where he built homes with one of Austin’s largest builders, and then to the team here at Inspect It Austin. Jorge is licensed by the Texas Agricultural Commission for wood destroying insects and holds a Professional home inspector license through TREC.
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Servicio en español disponible. Pregunte por Jorge
Clay Mundell
TREC #24457
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
Born and raised in San Angelo, Clay spent his early years enjoying the outdoors, and spending long hours on the tennis courts. His tennis prowess eventually took him to the collegiate level before he received a degree in Biology and Chemistry from Angelo State University.
Clay spent his summers in college teaching tennis, and working at a construction masonry company. It was this construction experience that helped Clay to realize his preference for a career that would keep him working outdoors.
Being raised in a family of realtors, Clay decided to pursue a career in the real estate arena, but found a career in home inspections to be a better fit for his interests. His initial start in the field brought Clay and his family (wife Lauren and daughter Audrey) to San Antonio, where he found success working for a competitor before joining the Inspect it Austin team.
Clay is licensed through The Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector, the Texas Department of Agriculture for wood destroying insects, and holds a septic certification through InterNACHI, which has also led to him becoming highly proficient in performing Sewer Camera Inspections.
Chloe Bush
TREC # 25707
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
Chloe’s interest in construction developed early as her parents involved her in home remodeling projects, welding, fencing, etc. Born and raised in Central Texas, Chloe’s love for all things construction led her to join Belton High School’s advanced construction program where she and her team won Texas’ first National title in the Skills USA “Teamworks Construction Build.” While still in school, Chloe started working as an intern in the electrical design department of a commercial electrical company, later moving into the field with her apprentice electrician’s license. After graduation, Chloe was recognized as the first ever congressional award recipient for “Outstanding CTE Student” from Congressman John Carter for her achievements in many different extracurriculars such as welding, construction, photography, volleyball, track and forensic science. After her time as a student, Chloe continued to stay involved with the Skills USA program training TSTC’s collegiate and Belton HS teamworks construction teams served as a district level competition judge, and was subsequently named as assistant coach to Belton HS team helping lead them to both a State and National Championship. During this time, Chloe attained her EMT certification and began serving as a First Responder in the Brazos Valley for three and a half years before returning to her first love, construction, working as a Superintendent building homes in the north Austin, Leander area. After working with many inspectors throughout the process of her builds, Chloe was intrigued by the detailed, technical side of inspections and decided to go back to school to become a licensed inspector through TREC and join the Inspect It Austin family. Chloe finds her work as an inspector fulfilling, as it gives her an opportunity to exercise her eye for detail and her deep knowledge of the build process.
When she isn’t working, Chloe enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, riding horses, hunting, camping and fishing.
Justin Whittaker
TREC #23110
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
A born and bred Austinite, Justin has called the Austin area home his entire life, and has a love and familiarity with the city beyond reproach.
A McCallum High School graduate, Justin initially worked in the construction industry, honing his skills in a variety of roles. These early years taught him the value of hard work, and the perseverance it takes to master a trade. After the arrival of his daughter, Justin searched for additional stability, and committed to becoming a fireman with Austin Fire Department. Having served his community for nine years as a fireman, and welcoming their fifth child, Justin and his wife desired a job where he had the chance to be home every night, and spend more time with his family.
Justin has been a licensed Texas Home Inspector in Austin and the surrounding area since 2018, having over 2000 inspections on his résumé. He takes great pride in being a thorough and efficient inspector. He finds value in the work, and is dedicated to offering clarity, and peace of mind to all of his clients.
Justin currently resides in the Austin area with his wife, their five children, and multitude of pets. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, grilling on the weekends and tucking his kiddos in bed each night.
Emmanuel Arroyo
TREC #25852
Inspector/ New Construction Specialist
Emmanuel “Manny” Arroyo, a detail-oriented and dedicated professional, was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Smithville, TN. His unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service to clients has been a consistent theme throughout his diverse career.
Following high school, Manny joined the US Marine Corps, where he served two tours in Afghanistan as a Radio Operator, honing his meticulous attention to detail in critical situations. Transitioning to the civilian sector, he ventured into the oil industry in West Texas, starting as a Coil Tubing Helper and working his way up to become a skilled Completion Specialist.
Manny’s dedication extended to the realm of logistics, where he excelled as a City Driver for renowned LTL freight companies, including FedEx, UPS, and Saia. Operating various tractor-trailer combinations, he consistently delivered exceptional service to clients, leaving a lasting impression.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Manny possesses excellent communication skills that enable him to connect with a diverse range of clients. His ability to understand their unique needs and provide tailored solutions sets him apart.
Driven by a desire for a fulfilling work-life balance, Manny made a transition into the real estate industry as a Home Inspector. To further enhance his expertise, he apprenticed underneath Joey O’Brien, one of Austin’s most reputable and well-respected professional inspectors. This invaluable experience allowed Manny to refine his skills and learn from a seasoned expert in the field.
Joining Inspect It Austin was a natural choice for Manny, as the company shares his unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled quality and service to clients.
Outside of work, Manny cherishes his role as a husband and father to three boys. He finds solace in spending quality time with his family and enjoys exploring the outdoors, embracing the beauty of nature.
In summary, Emmanuel “Manny” Arroyo is a meticulous professional with a strong dedication to client satisfaction. His diverse background, combined with his apprenticeship under Joey O’Brien, one of Austin’s most reputable inspectors, make him an invaluable asset in delivering exceptional service in the real estate industry.
Hablo Español
Servicio en español disponible. Pregunte por Manny
Brandi O’Brien
Director of Marketing
Brandi is a native Texan, growing up in Round Rock as well. She attended Texas State University in San Marcos and received a degree in Marketing. After college, she was a 7th grade Math teacher but decided to stay home after having her youngest daughter, Harper. As well as being the wife of Inspect It owner, Joey O’Brien, she is also mother to their 3 children, Maddie, Brooklyn, and Harper. Through Joey’s inspection success and the ongoing request for his services, they have decided to expand the business and have her fill the spot of Marketing Director for Inspect It Austin. She loves cooking, Crossfit and hanging out with her loving family.
Wendy Kough
Office Manager
Wendy was born in California and has lived in many places all over the U.S. She came to Texas 14 years ago and has raised her two children in Cypress, San Antonio, and Liberty Hill. She graduated from Northeast Missouri State University with a B.A. in English Literature. She was a stay-at-home mom for 28 years. When she is not enjoying her son and daughter and beloved Frenchie, Wendy likes to read crochet and travel.
Sherry Hamilton
Office Assistant
Sherry is originally from Florence, Alabama though she called Knoxville, Tennessee home for 20+ years. She previously lived in Round Rock for 10 years and has recently moved back to Texas to be with her children. She has a varied background including prior Air Force, security, truck driver and owner-operator pilot car driver for oversized transportation. She is a musician, playing piano, keyboard, and bass, and was lead singer in a country & western band in Okinawa, Japan. She also enjoys riding her motorcycle, and listening to praise and worship music in her spare time.
