How long have you been in Summit County?

I moved to Breck in 2000. I didn’t plan on staying.  Had a ride with my brother to visit a friend.  He was talking about a job with a guy named Tony Harris who needed a drywaller. I knew how to do dry wall, so I asked what do they pay?  He told me and “Wow!” is what I said when he told me. I was making $8 in Michigan and here $14.  I asked if they needed help and he said “yes, they had just lost our drywaller.”  My brother left on a Sunday; on Monday I met Tony and went to work with him for 12 years.

Where do you hail from?

I am from Michigan originally.  I’ve been married for 5 years this August 10. We have two kids, one 4 years and the other 9-1/2 months old.  That’s Suzie. 

What led you to start your own business?

Tony was gearing down a little bit. I was 12 years in with one individual, so a little bit of change was in order.  I did a little free-lancing.  Then I finally pulled the trigger and got the business going.  It’s been non-stop since then.  I was very fortunate—I don’t want to give him too much credit--but working for Tony, I got to meet a lot of people, got them to know me, and when I broke away it wasn’t too difficult to find things to do.

What do you do for fun?

Not a whole lot – mostly trying to build a business.  I’m really focused on the business, and with the family and kids.  My brother and I had a “tight-budget” upbringing (I have 8 brothers and sisters), so I’m trying to have it a lot easier for my own kids. 

However, I do archery for elk, that’s definitely something I enjoy.  I don’t go for the trophy, just the adventure.  That’s been proven since I haven’t shot one yet.

Did mountain activities draw you to the area?

Definitely being on the mountain was something that kept me around.  I never grew up skiing or snowboarding, so when I moved here it was the first time I went snowboarding. I had skied a handful of times back home but it wasn’t something people did.

I like to get out in the backcountry on snowmobiles and ATVs. Truth be told: the only thing I have done for fun in the last few years is go golfing. That’s about the only thing I can break away and go do.

Also in the wintertime, I have a snow removal business as well.  We went from 2 accounts, now I have over 60 and I do them by myself.  I do that early morning, then about 10:30am I’m on the phone with the guys.  When I’m done plowing I get back into the construction part of things.

What can you tell us about your crew?

We’ve got Corey Schmidt, 8 years in town, worked with me for the last two years.  Good guy, hot-head sometimes; you need to have one of those on every crew.  Kind of keeps everyone else in line. He’s a great carpenter, good friend, good employee.

Then there’s Justin Mitchell: he’s been in town 14 or 15 years.  I met him the first week he moved to town.  He’s actually the first employee I hired sometime in the first 3 months of the business.  A great trim carpenter, tile guy.

All the guys are great, all love being on the mountain. Probably most unique member of the crew is my brother.  He has been coming back and forth from Michigan for two and a half years now.  We’re trying to get him to take the leap and make a permanent move.  He’ll come for three months and go home for a week.  But he’s starting to get involved in activities around here, so we’ll see.