Christian Milaster is a German-born, German-educated Diploma Engineer with a degree in Computer Systems Engineering who is proud of his German and Engineering heritage but very happy to live in the beautiful Bluff Country of south-eastern Minnesota. He has lived in the United States since 1998 and currently works at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as a Project Manager in the Division of Engineering where he and his colleagues design and build one-of-a-kind devices and solutions for Mayo’s physicians and researchers.
In August 2006—after two years of dreaming, researching, designing, and planning followed by 11 months of construction management and lots of sweat-equity—Christian moved into his “off-the-grid”, “off-the-well”, and “off-the-furnace” house. The Passive House, dubbed "Project Licht 'n Stein", uses 90% less electricity than the average American household yet offers "21st century comfort" in the form of a washing machine, dishwasher, garage door openers, wireless internet, a whole-house audio system and a (planned) home theater. Additionally the three heating systems of the four-bedroom, four-bathroom house are free from fossil fuels.
Since moving in, over 425 people have toured the house on “open house days” and Christian has given his engaging and entertaining presentations to over 750 people since November 2006.
In 2007, Christian incorporated Ingenium Excellentia, Inc., an Excellence Consultancy that "works with teams at organizations around the world guiding them to deliver products and services of excellence that delight customers and staff alike."
In 2008, Christian established The Because Group, Inc. as an umbrella organization for a collection of enterprises (Because! Consulting and The Because! Shop) aimed at helping families and companies to reduce their utility bills and carbon footprint.
Christian's entrepreneurial plans for 2009 include the establishment of The Thousandstar Foundation as a charitable 501(3)c not-for-profit charity to fund projects that
Christian is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a member of the Rochester Rotary Club in Rochester, MN.
Christian also serves as the Secretary on the board of directors at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, the Co-Vice President of the Lanesboro Art Council board and as the Chair of the Rochester Area Quality Council board.
Since 2007, Christian is a trained Prejudice Reduction Workshop Facilitator with the Rochester Diversity Council and, through Rotary, was a STRIVE mentor for the 2007/08 school year.
Christian enjoys biking, swimming, cooking, traveling, seafood, theater, music, playing his keyboard, as well as ballroom and salsa dancing.