About Zambano & Sons

Zambano and Sons is owned and operated by Ian Miller. Ian grew up in a 200-year old stone house in Irwin, PA, built in 1792 by Colonel John Irwin. Through observation, and perhaps osmosis, a love and appreciation of historic homes grew. And, through watching and helping his father, Don, single-handedly tackle the tasks of restoring the home, a desire to “fix up” old houses was born.

Ian came into the world of building and restoration in a rather round about manner. He graduated from Penn State University in 1996 with degrees in history and philosophy.

After graduation, Ian promptly boarded a Greyhound bus for Fort Wayne, Indiana to fulfill a childhood ambition of being a truck driver. He became valedictorian of his truck driving class, and was awarded a $25 gift certificate to the company store and a free steak. He then spent the next six-months at the helm of Francine – a 57-foot long Ford 18-wheeler – passing through 37 states, driving over 25,000 miles and sampling chicken-fried steaks at the country’s truck stops.

In May 1997, Ian left for the next two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Kazakhstan. While living in the northern city of Rudny, he taught English, learned to speak (passable) Russian, and may have had a shot or two of vodka with the locals while enduring temperatures frequently dropping to -40 degrees.

Returning to the US, Ian worked for a short while as a Congressional staffer before becoming a reporter for The Hill newspaper. At The Hill, Ian covered both the House and Senate leadership. He’s most proud of his interview with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, frequent private lunches with congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, and angering Sen. Hillary Clinton over an article raising questions over certain financial matters.

Ian has also been a bicycle messenger, residential counselor for mentally challenged individuals, director of operations for an internet marketing firm and executive director of a non-profit dealing with growth and development issues.

In his free time (which has grown increasingly rare), Ian enjoys cooking, reading and mountain biking. He is also in constant search of a soccer game.

Ian, his wife, Carla, and their dog, Olive, live in the Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh. After 15 years away from the area, both are thrilled to return home to Pittsburgh. After living abroad, in Washington, DC, and most recently, Raleigh, NC, both find Pittsburgh to be a fantastic city of spectacular architecture, cultural amenities and wonderful people…n’at. Go Steelers.