Education:

Benzie County Public Schools: K-11

Interlochen Arts Academy, graduate, 1974

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan: 1974-76
Music Major

Northwestern Michigan College,
Non-credit Electronics Program

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan: 1996-2000
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Music Composition


Work Experience:


1977-84 United Geophysical and Syscom Delta, United:
Oil Field Survey Crew
Head Driller, 60 hours per week
Salary: $7.00/hr


1985-91 Paul Maurer, General Contracting
Cherry Bend Road, Traverse City
General carpentry, lead carpenter,
Salary: $8-10.00/hour

Paul Maurer
10167 E. Cherry Bend Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
231-941-1448


1992-1996 Heartwood Custom Builders
470 Pine Tree Lane
Beulah, Michigan 49617

40 hours per week, $9-11/hour
lead carpenter

Ray and Molly Franks
470 Pine Tree Lane
Beulah, Michigan 49617
231-882-4073/231-882-4207


1997-2000, self-employed in the city of Kalamazoo while attending WMU
Home improvement sub-contractor
Salary: $800/week (part-time)


2000- 2007, Heartwood Custom Builders
470 Pine Tree Lane
Beulah, Michigan 49617


40 hours per week, $17-22/hour
lead carpenter and project supervisor


Ray and Molly Franks
470 Pine Tree Lane
Beulah, Michigan 49617
231-882-4073/231-882-4207


2008 - present, self employed
Residential Builder/subcontractor

John Papineau Builder
Elm Street, Frankfort Michigan
231-651-0554

Betsie Bay Furniture
Main Street Frankfort Michigan
Jeff and Janet Hessler
231-352-4202
231-882-4304


Other Qualifications:
Michigan Residential Builders license (ID # 2101153012)
Currently pianist/arranger/composer in a jazz Nuevo Tango quartet called Barefoot Tango.

Job Elements:

I have worked in the building trades for 22 years. I have led carpentry crews for 15 years. This has included everything from site layout to finish trim carpentry. I have supervised new custom homes and numerous remodeling projects. My main supervisory experience has been in framing, roofing and siding. I have always received regular raises and bonuses for my job performances. I have a strong, unique ability to engineer and organize construction projection projects from beginning to end. Many of the remodeling projects are challenging, requiring in-depth knowledge of organization and keeping the project on task.

I have strong abilities in roof framing, design, custom stairs, also experience in remodeling, and adding second floors on to existing buildings. I am good at communicating and getting people to do complicated tasks. For example, one project at Crystal Downs was to build a screen-in gazebo with a bell-shaped roof, a plan based only on photographs. I personally designed the hip- and valley-rafter patterns, and designed the steel-connecting plate, where the rafters converged.


I have worked with blueprints on every level from design, to the field, to bidding the work. I take responsibility for the orders of lumber and other building materials, on most jobs that I supervise. Typically I am asked to review and make suggestions on complex projects and to estimate construction time and degree of difficulty. My knowledge of National building codes is limited however I am familiar with the basic codes and requirements in Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Benzie Counties.

I have installed custom kitchen cabinets, and custom bath furniture vanities. I have also done custom tile and stone work.

My safety record is good. I have never been seriously injured on the job. I have always informed people on my job of safe tool use practices. I have acquired a good deal of hand tools in my career and have become acquainted with the use of larger production tools such as shapers, planers, band saws, disk sanders and presses. I have the ability to work with all of the tools of the building trades from masonry to finish trim. I also am and able mechanic who has a creative imagination for adaptation and thinking outside the box when it comes to making adjustments and adapting tools to restore and remodel.

I am confidently familiar with most all available residential building materials and practices. Selecting proper materials requires knowledge of wood and its qualities for strength when framing, longevity and endurance for exterior application, and finishing quality when doing interior trim.


I have done little masonry block work. I am able to do flatwork with some skill. I am able to both basic electric and plumbing. I have done basic wiring and plumbing in two homes. Both homes passed inspection. I built my family home, including recent two additions.