Meet the people of Bensonwood
Administration | Building Systems | Design | Drafting | Engineering | IT | Marketing-Sales | Project Stewards | Timberframe | Woodworking |
Administration
Tedd Benson
Company Steward, basketball & bicycle enthusiast
Tedd is a rare combination of passion and precision, fueled by incredible energy, and tempered with a fine sense of humor. He literally wrote the book on timberframing, while reviving the craft and starting the business in the early 1970s. Tedd remains the core of the group, involved in every aspect of the operation. You won't meet another like him. Chevy Chase complains he is mistaken for Tedd wherever he goes. You might ask him about his recent attainment of a long-past (pre-high school?) weight.
Christine Benson
A BWC Founder, Now a grandmother
Christine’s roles at the company have been many and varied since she was a "kid" thirty-five years ago. She was there in the 70’s, living in a cabin with Tedd, helping him build a woodworking business that evolved into a timber frame design/build business in the 80’s. Her responsibilities have changed with the continued expansion of products, services, and facilities. She has a keen, ongoing interest in our evolving models of teamwork participation and management, open books, profit sharing models, ownership, informative group decision making, financial analysis, and more… There’s even more fun now that she is a Grammy to Karl. Play dates, showing him off around the office, plus knitting and sewing for him are high priorities. When not doting on Karl, you might find Christine chasing after Tedd on one bicycle or another.
Kate Nerrie
Office Manager, whip-cracker
Kate has been a crucial cog in the finely-tuned and lubricated machine which is Benson Woodworking since she took up residence at Tedd and Christine's kitchen table/office in 1970something. She manages the expanding paperwork empire, does the billing, keeps her eye on crews and costs, tends the fleet and organizes our celebrations. We don't do well when she's away. She and spouse Michael live in a beautiful solar-tempered, timberframe home they built themselves, surrounded by bountiful and lovely gardens and a charming pond. They nurture Guide Dogs for the Blind with their spare time, energy, and organizational abilities.
Virginia Smith
Reception and Administrative Support
Virginia grew up in New York but now resides in Alstead – along with several other Bensonwood employees, so she felt right at home when she first came to the company. We are lucky to have someone so organized at the front desk. Incoming calls, visitors, supply orders, shipping, etc. – she keeps lots of balls in the air. Virginia and her husband, Peter have two lovely grown daughters, Emily and Allison. Virginia loves to sew and meets weekly with fellow quilters.
Building Systems
Seth Ashworth
Building Systems/roof shop
Talk about a great attitude! Seth grew up in Acworth and now lives in Troy, NH with his girlfriend, Frannie and their three kittens. Seth and Frannie enjoy gardening together and Seth also likes to hunt and fish when he finds time. Seth considers coming to Bensonwood one of the best decisions he’s ever made with being “on the road” in South Dakota and Colorado his most memorable experience, so far. Some day? He'll get to Disneyland!
Paul Boa
Panel Designer, canoe builder
Paul found out about Bensonwood while living in Toronto with his wife, Kathryn. He signed up for one of our seminars in 1987 and liked it so much he never left. Paul has worn many hats at Bensonwood. He got his start in the timberframe shop where he worked as a job captain for four years. In Paul's former life in Canada, he owned a small cabinet shop so when our woodworking department was born, Paul moved on to this new department where he headed up the crew. The company continued to grow and when the Building Systems shop was conceived, Paul was up to the challenge. Most recently, Paul has taken on the development of a new facet of Building Systems – Mechanical Systems. Paul, Kathryn and their two beautiful daughters live in a timberframe home in Alstead that they built with the help of all of their friends.
Art Cable
Panel Constructor, in-line skater
Art came to our Building Systems department with an extensive carpentry background, and he constantly impresses the rest of the team with his "tricks of the trade." He recently purchased land in Newfane, Vermont, and plans to build a home for his wife, Amy Jo, himself, and their children, Theresa and Bobbi. Bensonwood keeps Art too busy to get away and practice his in-line skating: he considered doing laps around the shop instead (but 15 miles is how many laps?). Art's co-workers used to complain about his insistence on listening to "The Oldies" station while working but it seems he has converted a few of them to his side of the (music) tracks. Art is such a character that his wife borrowed his clothes and dressed up as him for Halloween.
Philip Henry
Timberframer, moved from Japan
Philip brings layers of international experience to our timber framing team. He grew up in Bolivia and studied architecture in college here in the U.S. Phil did some fine woodworking before heading to Japan where he spent five years studying joinery. He became interested in timber framing and found us through our website. Phil and his wife Alison live in Keene where they live with their two children, William and Megan.
Jay Lepple
Building Systems constructor, dirt bike rider
Jay joined our Building Systems department with previous panel building experience, and has taken a lead role in the panel shop and on-site installation. Jay is a great team player… on the job as well as on the volley ball court. Jay commutes from Marlborough, NH where he lives with his wife, Tina and their son, Sawyer.
John McElroy
Timberframer, philosophical weatherman
John is an aspiring job captain who came knocking after reading about us in the newspaper. He and his wife Mary, along with their dog Raven, currently live too far from work but we hear about goals to build his own timberframe. Perhaps it will be closer. In the meantime, if you're talking about the weather, the oceans, the planet and how it all fits together, you could do worse than looking for John's knowledge and opinions in your conversation. He's got both and is not afraid to share them.
Hans Porschitz
Panel designer, Oktoberfest host
Hans is a leading member of our Building Systems Team, working on both product and process development to improve the performance, efficiency and longevity of our Building Systems components. A native of southern Germany, he attended the University of Applied Sciences in Rosenheim and graduated with an Engineering Degree in wood technology. Hans joined the Beam Team in March of 2000 and helped to grow the Building Systems part of the operation. To prove his commitment to settling in New Hampshire he married his Emily and is now a permanent resident of the United States. While he enjoys life in New England, his roots are hard to deny with his penchant for VW's, Beamers and German tools. He loves the outdoors, skiing, biking and traveling, but is happiest when he's with Emily and their son, Karl.
Jeffrey Starratt
Procurement Agent, high-energy blues man!
Although his native hometown is Meridan, Connecticut, Jeff has lived in several states, including California, Arizona, Montana, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont before finally landing back in New Hampshire with his wife Debbie and his daughter Mazie Grace. They are a family that loves listening to and playing music, traveling, cooking, fishing, hiking and camping. Jeffrey said that a simple twist of fate brought him to Bensonwood; he can't explain it, but he's thankful that it did.
Kevin Stowell
Building Systems, "Working at Bensonwood is never boring."
Although Kevin grew up in Keene, NH, he spent about 12 years on the NH seacoast honing his carpentry skills. Kevin grew up with a couple of our associates which made him feel right at home when he began working here. Kevin enjoys mountain biking, going to the gym, riding his motorcycle, and working on his truck. He envisions owning his own home "with a garage that's bigger than the house."
Tobey Wandzy
Builder, NASCAR enthusiast
Tobey grew up in Connecticut, where he always knew he wanted to build and create things with his hands. After high school, Tobey took a job in the manufacturing field where he worked until his wife, Tristan, had their first child. Figuring it was now or never, Tobey used this period to begin realizing his dream of becoming a builder. After a 3-1/2 year stint working for a small, but successful, family-owned building company in Connecticut, he and his family decided to fulfill their other dream of moving up north. While on a visit to Vermont, a local timber framer recommended he check out Bensonwood—and the rest is history. Tobey enjoys watching NASCAR racing, fixing his truck, being outdoors, and playing with his kids, Payton, 5 and Lucy, 4-1/2 months. Recently, Tobey and Tristan bought a house in Westminster, Vermont where they plan on staying until they can build their own home from scratch.
Design
Chris Adams, RA
Architect, ex-VW bus owner
Chris was raised in this area, so taking his fresh architecture degree from Roger Williams University to Norway seemed to make sense to him. Subsequent jaunts included working in a schooner galley off Maryland's coast. When the mood finally hit Chris to use that degree, he decided to return to New Hampshire. Once on a "settling in" roll, Chris was tough to stop, so he went on to marry Laura Malinoski, and now they live with their daughter, Bryn in a charming antique home in Walpole.
Curtis Fanti
Designer, cyclist and surfer
While designing custom homes in Boston, Curtis heard of Bensonwood through contacts at a premium wood flooring supplier. Seven years in the big city seemed sufficient so he moved to New Hampshire with Lauren, his high school sweetheart, and their Labs Bailey and Beau. His surfboards are still dry, but he also has some serious bicycles which fit in nicely around here. Curtis figures the company culture is why he’s here, especially "the quality and integrity that our work represents." Curtis has a long commute from Francestown, NH where he lives with Lauren and their daughter, Lola.
Bill Holtz
Architect, prankster and trombone player
This suburban refugee now hangs his hat(s) at the Beamery. An architect and planner--be it cottage or manor--he strives to make dreams materialize. Bill also has a penchant for polygons and towers. He maintains an arsenal of potato launchers; and is prepared to show them to you. Bill is probably our most energetic prankster. He and Patty live in a landscaping project and gardening wonderland at the end of Pratt Road with the one-and-only Redheaded Rebecca (not W.P.H.VII). Bill has also showed up at our parties in lederhosen - and worse.
Doug Reitmeyer
Designer, sax player
Doug started reading about timber framing and Bensonwood while working as prototype designer and architectural model maker for Michael Graves & Associates. We are thrilled to have him on board as one of our designers. He grew up in wonderful Asbury Park, New Jersey, but left the Redbank area of New Jersey for an old farm in Vermont. He and his wife Krystina had home births for their beautiful daughters Aili Sage and Anika Lucia at that farm. Hanging out with his family is his favorite time-off activity, but Doug also loves listening to jazz and attempting to play the alto sax. He's very excited to be living so close within nature and to Vermont's three season (not mud) snowboarding wonderland.
Laura Taheny
Designer, California Girl
People find us and sometimes it clicks. Like Laura who drove by on her way to brunch. She saw the Bensonwood sign, checked out our website, and proceeded to convince us we needed someone from California who grew up in the redwood forest, studied Interior Design and worked for a small architecture firm before coming east. We're glad she did. Now that she and her new husband have settled in, they're building their menagerie. Anapamu and Miles, two kittens paroled from the local shelter, are first. A dog is next. And then ... well, if you had horses growing up and studied dressage for 12 years and now you own some land and work with people who could build a really cool barn, what might you think would be the next animal in that family?
Randall S. Walter, AIA
Architect. Hockey anyone?
Randall joined Bensonwood after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture and French from Carnegie Mellon University in 1992. Randall has spearheaded the development of a 3D design system for residential design and construction, which has been his focus during the last 10 years, resulting in the Open-Built design/build system to allow for rapid design exploration with predictable results. Randall's designs have appeared in This Old House Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, Architectural Digest, and American Bungalow, and he has served residential clients from California to the United Kingdom. Since 1997, Randall has been an adjunct professor of Architecture at Keene State College and has developed and taught design studios, architectural history, and a biennial design/build practicum. Randall lives with his wife, Marni and their two daughters, Carina and Natasha, in a beautiful Bensonwood home, which was cut, raised and finished with the help of our Bensonwood community of employees and friends. He enjoys skiing, auto restoration, carving, furniture design/build and is an avid ice hockey player.
Drafting
Keith Fiorey
Building Systems designer, drives cool cars
Keith, his wife Matora, and their daughters Victoria and Kyla live in Surry, NH. Surry is Keith's hometown, and he was ready to return after a decade in Boston. Keith joined our Building Systems with a great design background, and extensive knowledge of Autocad. He now is dedicating most of his time to Cadwork designs. His proficiency on the computer is impressive, but his killer instincts on the volleyball court and car collection are what really make his teammates jealous.
David Levasseur
Drafter, mountain biker and skier
A recent addition to the Beam Team, Dave came with an interest in timber framing and timber frame structures. Dave is married to his best friend Ellen. They met while they were both ski instructors at Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont. Now they live in nearby Keene with their daughter, Avery and a Yellow Labrador named Lhotse. Dave's personal and lifelong goal is to summit Denali (Mt. McKinley).
Engineering
Nate Black
Engineering, Structural Design Associate
Nate is from Erving, MA and currently lives in Gill, MA with his wife, Hilary. He attended the University of Maine and then stayed a while, working in Southwest Harbor and Brunswick. In his spare time Nate likes to fly-fish, wake board and kite board in the summer and go camping and ice fishing in the winter. "I like to travel and explore new terrain climbing and backpacking. In the next few years I'd like to climb in the Andes and snorkel in Belize."
Chris Carbone, PE
Engineer, fanatical hiker
Chris leads the team of engineers at BWC and as such keeps a careful eye over every project. Since Chris joined Bensonwood he has taken on bigger and more complex challenges each year. As an undergraduate at Dartmouth College he majored in engineering and minored in studio art. This well rounded training combined with his intuitive sense of design has served us well as exposed timber structures celebrate the material like no other. After working in the New Hampshire mountains for a number of years, he went on to pursue a Masters of Science in Building Technology at MIT. While there, his coursework focused on structures, energy, and construction. During his first few years here Chris apprenticed under Ben Brungraber, PhD, PE, and learned how to efficiently design beautiful structures using traditional wooden joinery to its fullest potential. At the same time he developed a great design relationship with BWC's in-house welding team; many recent steel/timber projects have benefited from this collaboration. He's worked on numerous truss jobs, many with large clear spans. His favorite project is the Barnard Big Top, a 12 sided great room employing steel and timber to vault nearly 50'. He was the lead engineer on the Huber Innovation Center, a project showcasing the many forms wood can take in modern construction. Chris is also his own guinea pig; he is building his own house in the nearby town of Langdon. His super-insulated, passive solar house employs a new wall system which is 99% bio-based. He heats his house with a Masonry Wood Heater, which burns cordwood (and not much of it) harvested from his own lot. Chris is always looking for the next challenge; give him a call if you think you have it.
Nino Jordan
CAD Software specialist, Malamute lover, and Adventurer
Nino lives in Alstead, NH with his two daughters and 4 huskies (Kayla, Kianna, Yukon, and Cheyanne). After studying mechanical engineering in school, Nino now designs software tools to increase efficiency, creates renderings for the Design and Marketing departments, and is our CAD software specialist & liaison. He’s also a man of many hobbies and a big heart. When he’s not in his garden, on his motorcycle/snowmobile, or jumping out of (mechanically) sound airplanes, Nino volunteers for a husky rescue group to help find good homes for those dogs in need.
Sam Sherrill
Engineering assistant, avid outdoors man
Growing up in Vermont Sam has always found time to hit the hills and discover new terrains to climb, ski, hike, and fish. He graduated from Vermont Technical College with a degree in Architectural Engineering. His interest in engineering and complex wood structures led him to Bensonwood and its engineering department. He lives in Bellows Falls and is a member of the BF fire department.
IT
Eric Gough
Doctor Database, city boy
For too many years, Eric left home in Connecticut by 6AM to get to Wall Street by 8AM. At 6:30PM, he would head back. Eventually, after searching for quality of life from Maine to North Carolina, he missed a train and stumbled across a Tedd book in a Grand Central Terminal bookstore. Awed by the wood, the joints and the sites, he dreamed of tapping mortises and dancing on the beams, but was finally convinced he would be more productive tapping keyboards and dancing through the databases. So now each morning, Eric wakes up later, dawdles over coffee with his wife Ting and rides his bike to work. Evenings are spent with The Movie Club, The Knitters, Ben the Cat and the lawn mower. Exactly the quality of life they were looking for.
Patrick Ziselberger
Webmaster, another happy city transplant
Our talented webmaster escaped "corporate" life to join us here at Bensonwood. He still spends his day in front of the computer, but the commute is easier, the building is funkier, and the co-workers are friendlier. Patrick has also had a chance to enjoy some road adventures, most recently at the Knight job where two 60 foot towers were constructed for his webcams that broadcast the raising live on our website. Patrick got a real workout running up and down those towers. Patrick is accustomed to life on the road, having pursued his passion for building theater sets for several years. Patrick and his girlfriend, Jen, divide their time between Saxtons River, VT and New York, NY where she works as a set and costume designer.
Marketing-Sales
Greg Boiles
Project Facilitator, former nuclear engineer
Greg fell in love with timberframing while growing up in the Midwest. This self-declared "upper-crust hillbilly" has re-invented himself from nuclear engineer, to corporate executive, to finally reaching the pinnacle as a timberframe job captain at Bensonwood. After decades of living and working in California, he moved to New England specifically to be in the timberframing industry and is in love with the craft. Willing to try just about anything at least once, he particularly enjoys a good red wine, people-watching, new experiences and travel.
Rick Reynolds
Marketing Steward
When Rick moved from the New York City suburbs to Walpole with his wife Martha, teenage daughter Sara, a Miata named Shadow and a bicycle misnamed Lightspeed, he wondered how his family would fit into the rural landscape. But Martha found a great house project, Sara found she could ride her own horse, and Rick discovered Bensonwood: a company swarming with Miata and bicycle enthusiasts. Becoming Marketing Steward, Rick was able to leverage the marketing and production skills honed over twenty five years of running his own marketing communications/corporate events firm, Media Dynamics.
Marilyn Taggart
Marketer and photographer
Marilyn operates one of the personable voices you might hear over our phones. She was born a Benson; one of the three lovely sisters who helped to civilize their eight raucous brothers. Not wanting to lose touch with all that guy energy, she married Tom; one of the best childhood friends of the Benson Boys. They live in a classic and charming Seattle craftsman bungalow, and feel lucky that their grown-up children Matt and Marta still live in the vicinity. The wonders of modern technology make her remote Bensonwood outpost feasible; the time zone difference makes it convenient. The Northwest climate explains Marilyn's Dorian Grayish complexion; the smile is all Marilyn. Marilyn is a talented amateur (for now) photographer, and is never without a couple of cameras slung around her neck.
Keith Zimmermann
Marketing & Sales, Project Facilitator
Keith grew up a corporate gypsy, moving every few years. Travel could be Keith’s middle name, and he particularly enjoys experiencing foreign cultures. Keith moved to New Hampshire from North Carolina and thinks of himself as Appalachian, both southern and northern. "There’s more in common south to north than many people would care to admit." His wife, Jeanne is a magazine editor and an avid walker. Their son, Ian is political, musical, and the lead man for his band, Modo Forte. Prior to joining Bensonwood, Keith spent many years managing industrial, business-to-business sales groups, selling in North America and Europe. He also started up a wire and cable company (NEI Systems) based in Keene, NH. Keith finds that he’s most content with guitar in hand, a good bottle of wine nearby and with friends – singing and "putting on a harmony."
Project Stewards
Jeff Coleman
Project Manager, Skier, Kayaker
Since walking in the door in 1981, Jeff has spearheaded many aspects of the BWC services. He was hired as a designer, but has taken frames through the shop, trained panel crews, leads our Project Stewardship team, and heads up our critical and delicate project scheduling efforts. He only recently retired as the sole member of our snowplowing team. Jeff, his wife Debi, and their two children, Caitlyn and Craig, live nearby in a home they built themselves.
Tom Olsen
Project Manager, former Peace Corps volunteer
Tom was building homes in Cape Cod, MA before coming to reside in Marlborough, New Hampshire and join our Project Manager team. Tom attended the University of Colorado, home of the Golden Buffalos, and graduated with a degree in Finance & Economics. After some years in Alaska, Tom headed for Western Samoa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Returning to Breckenridge, Colorado, Tom worked in the ski industry for several years before moving to Cape Cod to learn about the ocean. His wife Kathryn and two children, Scott and Kari, have convinced him to settle down a bit. Now, working on his house is his primary hobby, but he also likes to ski, sail, and fish.
Brian Petrovich
Project Manager
Originally from Connecticut, Brian comes from a family of builders and earned a degree in Civil Technology from the University of New Hampshire. His several years in construction followed by project management experience at an architectural firm make him a natural fit on our project management team. Brian married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and wooed her to the country. They live in Alstead, in a 1780's post and beam cape that they're restoring while raising their two small children, Luke and Emma. In his "spare time," when not playing with his kids, Brian enjoys fishing and skiing.
Erin Philbrick
Administrative Support, “Window Woman” and Jeep enthusiast
Erin grew up just a few towns away from Bensonwood. She provides administrative support to the Project Managers and is particularly adept at placing window orders and tackling any problems with our supplier – smoothing out any wrinkles for our clients (hence the above title). Erin is an aspiring over-achiever who also bartends on Saturdays. She enjoys hiking, rock climbing, skiing, muddin' up or cleaning her Jeep, and her two cats, Peanut and BearBear. Someday, somehow Erin will figure out how to swim with the Manatees without actually being in Florida. Until then, dreaming about it will have to do.
Tony Poanessa
Project Manager, ex-brewpub owner
Tony has owned and operated a variety of businesses including a general contracting company, a hot tub and sauna store and Southwest New Hampshire's first brewery. After selling the brewery and taking too much time off, Tony decided it was time to try working for someone else. Writing an appealing resume was challenging but his efforts did the trick and the rest is history. Still an avid hophead, Tony enjoys pretty much anything, including working on lofty aspirations like being serious for two consecutive hours. Outside of work he spends his nights and weekends building a new home with his wife Debbie.
Erik Walker
Millwork Coordinator, perambulator and musician
Erik grew up in Erie, PA -- home of the second best sunset on the planet (by National Geographic's estimation). He spent a lot of time on the water there, capsizing all manner of small boats out on Presque Isle Bay. He was an adequate sailor; but what he lacked in seamanship he made up for in piracy: Erik could unfailingly blindside an opposing skipper with a bailerful of baywater at 20 yards. Erik moved to Lempster, NH in 1997 and resides there to this day in a 19th century farmhouse with lovely daughter Lydia (11) and talented son Neville (16). Lydia is destined to be a best selling author; and Neville is equally destined to challenge Bob Marley for musical "household name" status. Either way, Erik's retirement is secure. In Lempster, he has held the elected positions of School Board Chair and Trustee of the Trust Funds, as well as the appointed positions of Cold River LAC Representative and Town Perambulator. The latter position may have been the second-best job ever since it entailed walking through the woods one day each autumn in exchange for $650. When not coordinating millwork, Erik can be found thumping the low E-string on an upright bass or twanging a melody out on an old National Steel Style-O resonator guitar. His current combo -- The Cold River Ranters -- is spreading its unique brand of hot-gonzo-primitive-folk-jive to burrito joints throughout Keene, NH. Beyond work and music, Erik is a devoted student of the bible, with a particular interest in the thirteen Pauline epistles and is currently enrolled in The Grace School of the Bible, an intensive 3-year program of study designed to edify bible believers.
Timberframe
Duane Beiler
Timberframer, former farmer and long-haul trucker
Duane grew up on a small farm near Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. After twelve years of farming on his own, and another seven driving trucks over the road, he was looking for something more challenging and rewarding. He was introduced to timberframing through watching an episode of "This Old House." He attended Heartwood Timber Framing School in Massachusetts. Duane is now living in Westmoreland and looking forward to all of the outdoor recreation that New England has to offer. One of the things he likes most about working here is the informal and friendly atmosphere.
C J Brehio
Timberframer
Another native son, C.J. grew up in Langdon, NH. C.J. came to Bensonwood on the recommendation of a friend, and feels that "road time" is the biggest opportunity, where he can directly experience how the houses go up. He enjoys skiing and snow boarding in the winter; dirt biking in the summer and aspires to some day live in Colorado.
David Chase
Hundegger honcho, windsurfer
David is a relative newcomer to timber framing. Dave followed his guiding light Anna, a podiatrist (that's feet, not babies), from Ohio to Keene, NH. Given our climate, he decided it was time to give up his career in air-conditioning and pursue a long-time dream of woodworking. Now he spends much of his day arm in arm with our tool/machine/muse, the Hundegger. Dave said that he and Anna rarely ever do things separately, but he still enjoys hiking, biking, windsurfing and other outdoor activities.
Jesse Gallagher
Timberframer
A New Hampshire native, Jesse came to Bensonwood in 2005. Having spent a few years in Colorado, he returned to this area to be closer to family (5 siblings and about 9 nieces and nephews) and friends. He enjoys the outdoors and finds time for camping, backpacking, golf and an occasional pick-up game of basketball.
Tom Hancock
Timberframer, very early riser
Tom is a sweet-looking, but worldly young fellow from these parts. He came to Bensonwood with an extraordinary amount of previous timber framing experience and an outrageous work ethic. He adapted quickly to Bensonwood methods and adopted our pursuit of excellence. "Getting an early start" means 4:00am to Tom. Tom took his family homestead, moved it back 38' (to the brink of a cliff), and added a timberframed room. Now that Tami has made an honest man of Tom he keeps busy rebuilding their own home.
Dennis Marcom
Timberframer, Greek translator
A timberframer since 1978, Dennis is a steward of the timberframe shop, the safety director of the company, and a timberframe job captain. We all depend on him. Dennis's preternatural calm makes him our premier crane liaison and is probably rooted in one of his past lifestyles, spent in a monastery. He is married to Krystyna, who firmly and thankfully grounds him in this world. Dennis quit smoking after 2.5 decades. We are thrilled that his lungs are good enough again to wear out his legs on a mountain bike. Dennis makes bow ties better than you will believe.
Chops Polcari
Timberframer and rock star
"Chops" has been building frames since 1975 and has been a manager of our biggest projects since 1985. A sometime rock musician and full-time treat, Chops is lucky enough to share a photovoltaic home and mini-farm of his own construction with wife Jenny and their beatific son Michael. An innate philosopher, he helps us all to cope. Chops and family host the "Crisis Cabin," the emergency (and temporary) housing in the woods for our more adventurous and rustic new co-workers. They are also avid vegetable gardeners and usually have a dog and a couple of cats at home.
Mark Roentsch
Timberframer, watch out when he's on his snowmobile
Mark is one of the Roentsch boys who, as a group, seem to hold the entire Alstead area together. Unlike most of our framers, Mark came to Bensonwood with considerable experience in the craft--which became apparent once he finally got some decent hand tools. Mark was the most consistent element of our fifteen home GreyHawk development in Colorado, and took a lead role in laying out the new Walpole facility. Playing golf and riding snowmobiles provide just some of the thrills in Mark's life. He keeps promising to combine the two into an intriguing new sport.
Joe Szuch
Wood Czar, our gentle giant
The nicest guy in the entire operation. Utterly unfazed by chaos in any form, this quiet giant has turned the laissez-faire jumble of our timber inventory into a predictable and confidence-inspiring timber delivery system. We haven't run out of timbers since Joe took over the yard. His son Joe promises to be even bigger than his dad, and better looking, too. An old, perhaps apocryphal, story about Joe concerns his remarkable grace on figure skates. The image of Joe, in a double axel, can bring tears to the steeliest eyes.
Doug Ward
Timberframer, carver
One of the more pleasant people in the Timberframe shop, Doug joined the Beam Team in Spring '05. He is the father of two teenage boys and makes his home in Peterborough, NH.
Rick Whitcomb
Timberframer, will ski water - liquid or solid
Rick decided he wanted to be a timberframer at Bensonwood, and has made this happen in his understated and absolutely inexorable way. He proved to be a natural, both to the craft and to the company ways. Rick is sweet, dedicated to the craft, and is just about the best skier (snow or water) in the company. His spouse, Trilby, is a much better volleyball player than Rick, and his two young sons are funnier and better-looking than Dad. As much as Rick enjoys working on his cars, he maintains the healthiest attitude toward them; they are ALL for sale.
Peter Wotowiec
Timberframer and kayaker
Peter has an oaken grip and the ruddiest red cheeks at January raisings. He is an organized project framer and a timberframe jack-of-all-trades. Peter can be found modeling a frame on the computer, designing joinery, selecting timbers, piloting the timber frame machine, wheeling the forklift, or managing a job in the shop or on the road. With a keen interest in supporting our combined efforts, he assists in the management of the timberframe shop, is a member of our Human Resources Continuous Improvement Team and a Company Steward. Peter spent his formative years in Central America, with the Peace Corps. Peter is in the process of building his own timberframe home. He enjoys spending time with his son, Steven, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking.
Woodworking
Kevin Bittenbender
Woodworker, avid "Two Planker"
After studying economics at Middlebury College, Kevin took a "sabbatical" to work on his MBA (Masters in Big Air) in Breckenridge, CO. When the mountain closed, he took a carpentry job and discovered his passion for building homes. Speaking of passion, he also met his wife, Peggy, during this four year ski bumming stint. The two of them have since co-authored Gus, Beatriz, and Georgia, the brightest-eyed trio we know. This sweet family has moved into the oldest timberframed home on Pratt Road. Kevin is retrofitting the home with the foundation it has been missing for more than two centuries. They are wicked busy, but never too busy to share a beer and a laugh.
Scott Bosworth (aka, Boz)
Woodworker, Cycloholic, Tinkerer
If it has 1 or 2 wheels and pedals he'll want to ride it, fix it or modify it. A passion for bicycles? Maybe....... Boz was born and raised in Keene, NH. After working in the automotive and machining industries, he decided he needed a change of pace. Coming to Bensonwood in September, 2007 was a great opportunity. The atmosphere, like a family, was a pleasant surprise. Boz now lives in Keene with his wife of 21 years, Tracy. Their son Art and his wife, Leah live in Nashua, NH If your bike isn't "FIXED" it's broken!!
Josh Conley
Woodworking
Josh is a craftsman (fancy for woodworker) and married to Faith, whom he has known since 2nd grade. Josh and Faith are the proud parents of three boys: Hunter, Liam and Mason. A native of Marlow, NH, Josh and his family settled on 15 acres there. Josh enjoys his family – especially playing with his kids, being outdoors, and hunting.
Scott Frazier
Woodworker, farmer
Scott worked in our timberframe shop for several months before joining our woodworking team. He is a trained mechanic and was doing auto body work in Keene before joining Bensonwood. Part-time carpentry work he was doing on the side gave him the woodworking bug and prompted his applying for a position at Bensonwood. Scott is quiet, but always gives 100% to his work
Mike Leblanc
Woodworker, Guitar/Banjo player
A woodworker by trade and a guitar/banjo player in his spare time, Mike's yearning for the country was realized when he moved from the city of Worcester, Mass. to the very rural town of South Acworth, NH. There, in the early eighties, with is wife, Lillie—herself a pianist, church organist, and teacher—they made music together while raising their daughter and son. Mike’s career has spanned a stint in the metalworking industry, and a long sojourn at The Woodstone Company, making windows and doors before coming on board at Bensonwood. Of Bensonwood, Mike says, "I've enjoyed the work; especially the challenging projects and friends I have made. The work day goes much better when you enjoy the people you’re working with." Mike has an Associates degree in mechanical engineering, and a Bachelors degree in industrial management.
Seth MacLean
Student, Woodworker, backpacker, rockstar.
Seth came to Bensonwood after 10 taxing years working in corporate business as a buyer and inventory analyst. Currently enrolled in Keene State College, Seth is studying architecture and product design to complement the skills he’s learning in Benson Wordworking on a daily basis. When he's not in school or at work, Seth spends as much time as he can hanging with his family —girlfriend, Tab, son, Tre (seven years old), and two dogs, Hexy and Barley. The five of them spend the majority of their time together hiking and backpacking. In his "spare time," Seth also plays in the Keene based funk/rock band Run to Earth.
Randy Roberts
Woodworking
Randy is a busy guy with a full-time job in the evenings in addition to his part-time work in our Woodworking department. His other full-time job is that of husband to Staci and dad to son Jordan and daughter Bailey. Jordan and Bailey are middle-schoolers and Randy enjoys helping coach their sports activities. Randy grew up in Keene and now lives in Walpole. He likes to golf but his favorite pastime is spending time with Staci and the kids.
Skip Singer
Woodworker and artist
Skip is a bonafide "machine wizard," and has proven to be an invaluable addition to our woodworking shop. He just seems to know how absolutely everything works and loves developing our processes and getting involved in finding creative solutions to obstacles. Skip was making pre-cast terra cotta molds for architectural decoration before joining us, and lives miles away in Hopkinton, NH with his wife Femn, and their two sons, Mattias and Jonas.