Alan has worked in the building industry for twenty-five years, mostly in the residential sector. For the last eight years he has been a self-employed builder in Dunedin. Alan started as a carpentry lecturer at Otago Polytechnic in November 2012. He teaches the pre-carpentry course to students working towards gaining a carpentry apprenticeship. His teaching involves a mix of theory and practical work, culminating in the construction of a 3-4 bedroom house.

David's academic field is in Construction Law and Procurement. He is currently conducting doctoral level research in early-contractor involvement (ECI). He has written a range of journal articles, and technical papers, presented at international conferences, and has advised on a number of projects, including a proposed $150 million re-development of Scott Base, Antarctica.
Beginning his career in construction as an apprentice carpenter, David then worked for six years as a Contracts Managers for a large construction company before beginning teaching in 2010. He progressed his studies, completing a National Diploma in Quantity Surveying, a Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying), and Masters of Construction (Construction Law).
David serves on the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) National Research Committee and is the Educational Representative on the NZIQS Dunedin Branch Board. He also acts as a construction degree monitor for NZQA.