Jay Behm studied architecture at Hampton Institute College of Architecture in the 1970s and transferred to Seattle, WA completing his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University Of Washington.

Early in his career he worked as a technical drafter for Reid, Middleton and Assoc., civil engineering firm in Edmonds, WA and also taught architectural drafting at the local Edmonds Community College for several years. Then Jay worked as an industrial facilities designer for Boeing Co. Everett, WA, and Scott Paper Co.facilities group. In the early 1980s he worked for Parsons Brinckerhoff Quaid and Douglas in Seattle and San Francisco as designer and architectural intern focusing mostly on transportation facilities design.

In 1986 Jay designed a custom hillside home of modern design in Edmonds, WA for a friend and began his transition into residential design. By 1987 he left his PBQ&D position to open a design office specializing in custom home design. He also developed a series of stock plans for homes, vacation homes and garages for Knoll Lumber (regional chain) which sold successfully for several years.

In 1997 Jay established his presence on the internet with behmdesign.com and has sold stock plans for mostly garages. This has become his full time occupation and is now established as a leading provider of garage plans in the US.