OUR STORY

Growing up in the beautiful Ohio River Valley, in Northern Appalachia, I was fortunate to have some incredible mentors in my life, but my Grandfather and my Father standout above all. From a young age, I was immersed in their world of mechanical wonders and hands-on projects. Whether it was fixing a leaky pipe, making a car repair, or replacing a broken light switch, they always encouraged me to dive in and learn. Their lessons weren’t just about tools and techniques; they were about taking pride in creating something from scratch.

One of my favorite memories is working alongside my father to build our first print shop. We didn't just hire a crew; money was tight, that was never an option. We built that shop entirely by hand. After long hours at our day jobs, and during every weekend we dug footers, set blocks, installed trusses, and completed the roofing. It was exhausting, but seeing our hard work come to life was incredibly rewarding. That experience wasn’t just about constructing a building; it was about building a foundation for my future.

Over the years, my career path took me into graphic design, art, and photography. The first few years, my Mother helped in our small print shop and a few years later we expanded into a larger market where my wife, Mary, and I eventually built the printing company up. The printing company was where my artistic side and Mary's analytical side thrived. Our team designed & created literally millions of printed pieces over the years. We were the very first, fully digital printer in our local area. 

However, the digital age also eventually brought significant changes. The demand for printed materials dwindled after 9-11 as more people embraced virtual solutions. I could see the writing on the wall, so as employees left and equipment was paid-off we let nature take its course and eventually closed the doors.

As that business was phasing out, I found myself learning much more about a complimentary skill, photography. I loved capturing portraits, photographing people often times from childhood to their senior portraits, their weddings, and eventually the birth of their children. What an honor it has been! Each photo was a story, and every project was a testament to the craft I had honed over the years. I truly enjoyed the craft and worked and even became friends with some of the world's top photographers. Many friends to this day.

Eventually even my photography career was impacted as smartphones with built-in cameras became ubiquitous. The final blow came with the Covid-19 pandemic. When lockdowns hit, my studio phone went silent, and my business ground to a halt. It was a tough time, and I had to pivot quickly to provide for my family.

During this period, I found myself working for others, which, while providing stability, left me with some unexpected free time. I chose to use this time to explore an interest of mine: fine woodworking. The more I worked with wood, the more I realized that it was a perfect blend of my mechanical skills and artistic inclinations.

After some time, Appalachian Craftsman was born! This new venture allowed me to merge my love for craftsmanship with my artistic background. I have embraced both traditional and modern woodworking techniques, creating both small and large projects. Each creation is a fusion of the skills I’ve developed over a lifetime—an ode to the lessons from my grandfather and father, and a reflection of my artistic journey.

Appalachian Craftsman represents more than just a business to my wife and I; it’s a culmination of years of learning, adapting, and reinventing ourselves. Life has taught us that change is the only constant, and each reinvention has only strengthened our resolve.

Here’s to creating beautiful things from fine Appalachian hardwoods and to embracing whatever the future may bring.