Growing up in Southeastern Pennsylvania, I spent much of my summer riding four-wheelers, playing sports, and building forts in the woods with scraps of wood and any nails I could get my hands on. That was a lot of fun, but my best memories come from spending time at my Grandfather’s house cutting out wooden parts and helping him make knick-knacks. We would prepare for the annual Fourth of July yard sale that was held at his shore house. At times, my brother would lend a hand; we would set up a small assembly line for building lawn and shore decorations along with desktop trinkets.

 

During high school I was introduced to CAD (Computer-Aided Design) where I attended a vocational technology school to familiarize myself with this program. Upon graduation, I continued my education at York Technical Institute where I focused on the mechanical end of design. There was something that always fascinated me about robotics and how they are used in product assembly. Unfortunately, about a year and a half into my education, I received a call that my grandfather was ill and soon after he passed away. It took a long time for me to regain my focus, but I never returned to YTI.

 

After leaving college, I landed a position in a precast concrete company as a draftsman. From there I worked my way up to a Project Manager. During my lunch breaks I would watch YouTube videos of Steve Ramsey, Jimmy Diresta, Jay Bates and many others. They truly inspired and motivated me to get back into woodworking. One day I went home and asked my dad if it would be okay to borrow his table saw. (Ya know, the cheap, plastic, base contractor type with the, out-of-square aluminum top and a vibration that would work its way off the table if not clamped down.) And so it began.

 

I slowly started saving money and investing to upgrade my tools. The more projects I took on and the more experience and insight I gained, the better I became. I spent a lot of time watching videos posted by fellow woodworkers for tips and tricks and new ideas of things to build. I started out building furniture and picture frames. I custom build wedding gifts for friends and family as well as signage for local businesses; and whatever else my girlfriend asks me to build. 

 

My goal is to continue to make bigger and better things; to grow from mistakes that I have made and the challenges that I set before myself.