When Joel Oscarson first crossed paths with Aspen Insulation founder Stu Bogart more than a decade ago, he never imagined that one day he’d be leading one of the most successful insulation and energy testing companies in southern Nevada. But after years in construction, energy auditing, and even military service, Oscarson saw an opportunity—not only to build a business, but to improve how homes were built in Pahrump and beyond.
Aspen Insulation first took root in 2010 under Bogart, a Minnesota native who brought his trade west to Nevada. The company started modestly, earning around $40,000 a year in revenue while handling small insulation jobs throughout the Pahrump Valley. By 2013, Bogart and his wife were ready to retire and enjoy their time traveling. He planned to close the business, with no buyer lined up—until Oscarson stepped in.
Having worked intermittently with Bogart and seeing potential in the local construction market, Oscarson decided to take the leap. “The market was still kind of crazy back then,” he recalled. “Not a lot of houses were being sold or built, but I saw something worth saving.” After Bogart closed the business, Oscarson purchased all of Aspen’s equipment, secured his own contractor’s license, and officially relaunched the company in January 2014 with his wife, Vanessa, as co-owner.
Long before taking over Aspen, Oscarson had already built a strong foundation in construction and energy science. He started his career in construction at just 18, performing energy audits and inspections for major residential builders like Pardee, Lennar, and Pulte. Later, he spent several years working with DuPont before the 2008 housing crash halted most construction activity across the country. When the economy collapsed, Oscarson adapted, joining the U.S. Army in 2009 and later working at the Nye County Detention Center. But his entrepreneurial drive and deep understanding of building efficiency eventually led him back to the trades—and to Aspen Insulation.
Alongside his business success, Oscarson has also dedicated nearly two decades of service to the Nevada National Guard. “I’ve been in the Nevada National Guard since 2009, so coming up on 17 years now,” he shared. “It’s been kind of my fallback and safety net, and it’s been really good for career progression—especially flying helicopters. I was a ground medic before, and pairing that with what I do here has kept me grounded in humility and hard work.” He added that his experience in the Guard has not only supported his professional growth but given him perspective he shares with local youth. “I always recommend the Guard to kids, especially here in Pahrump,” he said. “It’s been a driver for healthcare, benefits, and retirement—and a lot of kids overlook that. It’s been really good for me and I can’t recommend it enough.”
Since taking the reins in 2014, Oscarson has expanded Aspen’s scope far beyond standard insulation. The company not only handles insulation installation for residential and commercial projects but also offers specialized energy testing and spray foam services. “We’ve been doing energy audits since before it was required by code,” he explained. “Back then, it was just the proactive homeowners who wanted to lower their power bills or make their homes more comfortable. Now it’s part of the building code—and the culture. People expect it.”
That forward-thinking approach has kept Aspen at the forefront of changing building standards. In 2020, the company added spray foam insulation to its list of services, investing in its first spray foam rig and quickly making it a cornerstone of the business. The technology, Oscarson said, reflects the new direction of construction—one that prioritizes efficiency and sustainability. “The goal is to seal homes tighter, to keep the air you’re paying to cool inside your house,” he said. “Spray foam does that. It’s the future of our industry.”
Aspen’s adaptability has also made it a trusted partner in both new construction and retrofit projects. While many clients are building new homes, others call Aspen to modernize older ones—sometimes with dramatic results. Oscarson shared one striking example: a homeowner in the Las Vegas Scotch 80s neighborhood who cut her monthly power bill nearly in half after Aspen upgraded her 1960s-era home. “Her bill went from about $1,200 to $680—and that’s including the power to charge her Tesla,” he said. “Seeing that difference, month to month, in similar weather conditions, is really rewarding.”
While energy efficiency remains the core of Aspen’s work, Oscarson said homeowners are increasingly looking at insulation for more than just savings—comfort and sound control have become major priorities as well. “People are realizing that interior wall insulation isn’t just about temperature,” he said. “It’s about creating quiet, comfortable spaces within your home. If someone wants to sleep in while another room’s TV is on, insulation makes that possible.” The shift reflects broader trends in modern housing, where families seek customizable comfort and multiple climate zones throughout their home.
Looking at the bigger picture, Oscarson sees a dynamic construction market in Pahrump that’s evolving with changing demographics. “We’re seeing a lot more multifamily builds—duplexes and fourplexes—which we’ve needed here for a long time,” he said. “Younger people can’t find affordable places to live, and this gives them that opportunity.” Meanwhile, many older residents are downsizing. “Instead of those huge 3,000-square-foot homes, they’re going smaller—1,200 to 1,700 square feet—but with a big shop out back. That’s kind of the sweet spot right now.”
For Aspen Insulation, those trends translate into steady business and new possibilities. In addition to residential projects, the company has also expanded into light commercial work, completing insulation and energy testing for facilities like the VA Clinic and the new surgery center near Desert View Hospital. “That was a big feather in our hat,” Oscarson said proudly. “We’re not doing massive Amazon warehouses, but we’re building what our community needs—medical facilities, restaurants, and retail spaces. That’s the kind of work that matters to Pahrump.”
Despite competition from larger, publicly traded companies out of Las Vegas, Aspen Insulation has carved out its own loyal base through reliability, expertise, and personal service. “We’re not just another contractor,” Oscarson said. “We’re certified through Owens Corning as a Certified Energy Expert company, which means we get audited by a third party every year to make sure our work meets national standards. That keeps us accountable and sharp.”
That commitment extends to Aspen’s team, many of whom have been with the company for years—a rarity in construction. “We don’t have much turnover,” Oscarson said. “Our general manager, Caroline Thacker, has been here almost four years. Jonathan Bush, my production manager, has been with me since 2015. Some of our guys—Elijah, Matthew, and Logan—have been here between five and nine years. Eric’s been with us off and on and four years, Tanner has been with us over a year and we brought on Ty Hanks, a recent local graduate almost a year ago. It’s a solid, loyal team.”
Every employee receives OSHA-10 training, and many go on to earn Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification or progress through the Owens Corning Certified Energy Expert program, which includes multi-level online courses and testing. “It’s not just throwing pink insulation into a wall,” Oscarson said with a smile. “We put our guys through real training. We want them to understand building science—how air moves, how heat transfers, how to make a home as efficient as possible. They take pride in their work, and that pride shows.”
As for the future, Oscarson envisions Aspen continuing to evolve alongside Pahrump’s growth, with an emphasis on sustainable building practices and community-driven development. “We’ve been really blessed to grow with this town,” he said. “Pahrump’s changing—more jobs, more young families, more opportunity. I think our role is to make sure the homes and businesses being built are as efficient, durable, and comfortable as they can be.”
And for those who dream of starting their own business, Oscarson has simple but wise advice: “You can’t do it all yourself. Hire professionals—accountants, bookkeepers, insurance experts—and let them do what they’re good at so you can focus on what you’re good at. That’s how you grow.” He also encourages would-be entrepreneurs to look beyond online retail. “If you can buy it on Amazon, don’t start that business,” he said with a laugh. “Get into a service industry—something that can’t be replaced by robots or AI. People still need builders, welders, landscapers, firefighters, and law enforcement. Those are the careers that last.”
After more than a decade at the helm, Oscarson remains grounded in what started it all—hard work, innovation, and a genuine commitment to helping people make their homes better. “At the end of the day, I’m an insulator,” he said. “That’s who I am. And as long as there are homes to make more comfortable and efficient, that’s what I’ll keep doing.”
