To deepen my skills and commitment I enrolled at the North Bennet Street School in Boston - home to what I believe is the finest cabinet and furniture-making program in the United States. Under the guidance of master instructors Dan Faia, Lance Patterson, Matt Wajda, Jamey Pope, and Ryan Messier, I received a rigorous education in traditional joinery, fine hand tool work, and precision machine techniques. The two-year program laid the foundation for my practice and led to the creation of several juried and award-winning pieces.

Since graduating, I’ve continued to grow professionally by studying with leaders in the field, including Mary May, Peter Galbert, Michael Cullen, Barry Gross, Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, Blake Loree, Luke Barnett, and Chuck Bender. I’ve taken advanced courses at institutions such as the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute, and Peters Valley School of Craft. Today, I seve as a resident artist at MakerShop Boise, where I design and build original works and teach both hand tool skills and project-based woodworking classes.

My design style emphasizes proportion, composition, and function. I strive to create furniture that is both sculptural and practical - refined by hand, built to endure. While I use machinery for efficiency, I rely on hand tools for shaping joinery, and finishing, ensuring each detail is tuned by eye and touch. I work primarily with domestic hardwoods including black walnut, oak, cherry, mahogany, and maple - chosen for their beauty, stability, and heritage. I pair these with quality hardware from trusted makers like Horton Brasses, Whitechapel, Brusso, Rejuvenation, and Ball & Ball, believing great hardware - like jewelry - elevates the whole.

My work has been exhibited in the juried North Bennet Street School Summer Exhibits, including Tania’s Ambrosia (a figured maple plant stand), a 17th-century-style hand-carved white oak blanket chest, and a modern walnut side chair. I look forward to applying again next year and continuing to show my work alongside peers and mentors I greatly admire.

Teaching and mentoring are an integral part of my practice. It’s deeply rewarding to help others overcome challenges, develop their skills, and take pride in what they create. I’ve seen students light up when a technique finally clicks or when they feel the thrill of earning recognition in juried shows. My hope is that students and clients walk away with stronger skills, lasting pride in their work, and the inspiration to keep making and to teach others in turn.

My shop is located at MakerShop Boise, and has a bright, well-equipped community workspace with ample bench room, top-tier machinery, and a collaborative spirit. It’s where I build, teach, and continue learning alongside others who share a love for the craft.

I’ve lived in Idaho for nearly 40 years. Two of my three adult children live here in Boise, along with six of my eight wonderful grandchildren. I also have a daughter and two more grandchildren in Germany. Before becoming a full-time furniture maker, I was an engineer and co-founder of a successful engineering firm. That background instilled in me a respect for structure, precision, and long-term thinking - values I bring to every piece I build.