Businesses don’t work in the rain, or care, or deliver a high (or poor) quality product, and a good (or bad) experience.
People do.
Eric Morley, Founder
Email: ekm@carolinatimberworks.com
Eric believes that a timber frame company by itself doesn’t deliver a high (or poor) quality timber frame and a good (or bad) experience. People do. Eric has lived in 5 countries: he was born in Monrovia Liberia, was kicked out of Tripoli Libya as a result of Colonel Gadhafi’s coup d’état in 1969, grew up in Switzerland & France, was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned his MBA (Honors) from Appalachian State University in 1992. Eric is a lifetime Timber Framer’s Guild member, served on the Timber Framers Guild Board of Directors as Vice President, has served on the Timber Frame Business Council Board of Directors, and teaches an AIA Continuing Education course on timber framing. He is a published photographer, FAA part 107 licensed commercial drone pilot, enjoys tinkering with (and from time-to-time riding) his antique BMW motorcycle, and has bicycled the complete Blue Ridge Parkway from Staunton, VA to Cherokee, NC (469 miles). His latest project? A film about our new shop!
return to top of pageCraig Kitson, Vice President of Operations
Email: craig@carolinatimberworks.com
It should tell you a lot about Craig that he started work in 2008 as a timber framer, and today manages the day-to-day operations for the entire company. He has the passion for quality that is part of Carolina Timberworks’ DNA, a wonderful (dry) sense of humor, and hands-on experience designing, planning, hand-cutting, problem-solving, and installing hundreds of timber frames.
I love the idea of: remote work. It’s a great idea, but I could never do it. But I like the thought of doing it–just wake up, make some eggs, go downstairs…
One downside of digital 21st century life is: I really feel like you grow apart from interactions with people. At least, that’s been my experience. Also, too much influence on what others think I should be interested in. It’s hard to have any original interests–now we’re just pushed one way or another.
The perfect vacation is: I would say two weeks long. Probably one week at home, one week somewhere else–though not in that order.
My favorite part of the job is: well, yesterday was really busy. In the morning I worked in estimating and sales, then we had a job site mistake occur, so I went out to the yard and picked out replacement timbers, resawed them to size on the Wood-Mizer, cut the joinery on the CNC machine, and then loaded them onto our trailer–kind of a full-circle kind of day. I don’t think I could handle just doing the same thing every day.
return to top of pageDerek Calhoun, Business Development
Email: derek@carolinatimberworks.com
Derek is obsessed with building cool stuff, high-quality power tools from Festool, and has been a NC licensed general contractor since 2009. After operating his own construction company, he stumbled upon Carolina Timberworks, where his brother-in-law worked. “I’ve always been intrigued by timber framing. I remember seeing Tedd Benson on This Old House and thinking how cool it was to install big pieces of wood really quickly with a crane”.
I never leave home without: chapstick, a lighter, and a pocket knife.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned on this job? give bad news early and be open and honest about mistakes.
If money was no object, I would buy: a Land Cruiser for my wife.
What does a salesperson at Carolina Timberworks do, exactly? Something I enjoy about my job is asking and answering a lot of questions so we can determine together if the project is a good fit. Not all projects, even some really good ones, are a good fit.
What’s your least favorite part of the job? when we lose a job we really wanted to build.
What’s a dream project you’d love to take on? a timber frame boathouse in Montana.
What are your ultimate goals? give my kids everything they ever need and see what they do with that.
return to top of pageJeren Holman, Design & Drafting Manager
Jeren Holman takes a very meticulous, demanding, and critical task–and makes it look effortless. Clients sometimes stand behind him and watch in fascination as he quietly and competently brings 2d plans to life on his screen as 3d models. Jeren is a native of the High Country, resides in Ashe County, NC, and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Design and minors in both Marketing and Physics. Working at Carolina Timberworks marries his passion for architecture, engineering, and design. Jeren has worked with many 3D modeling software programs and excels in cadwork, an industry-leading CAD specialized Swiss software for timber framing.
“A product, system, or design needs to be crafted well above all else, where form follows function, but not by much. Through hard work, determination, and authenticity I aim to design high-quality timber structures that do not sacrifice craftsmanship or durability for aesthetics and usability. My objective is to enhance and enrich each and every life the product comes in contact with.”
In his free time, Jeren enjoys spending time with his four golden retrievers, family, friends and being outdoors; from kayak fishing off the NC coast to backpacking around the local Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountain ranges. Girls…he’s single and the catch of a lifetime!
return to top of pageAlec Bryan, Drafting & Design, on How He Learned Not to Build and the One Thing He Can’t Live Without
Born and raised in Greenville, NC, Alec earned his BS in Industrial Design at Appalachian State University (Chancellor’s List). Upon graduation, COVID-19 was peaking, and unsure what to do next, he looked around…and discovered a timber frame company in his backyard.
The first thing I ever designed was: a bridge for my dog when I was five.
One thing I can’t live without is: Dr. Pepper. It’s my breakfast every day.
I drive/ride: a Honda Civic, Honda Grom, Yamaha MT-O7
Wearing a suit every day would be: exhausting.
What initially attracted you to Carolina Timberworks? good company, welcoming, family oriented, and they do really good work.
Something I learned from my father was: how not to build.
The most useful class I took in High School was: carpentry.
What do you think is the key to balancing home and work life? make time for weekend mini-trips with my wife–and don’t talk about work.
Gesche Morley, Co-owner
Technically, Gesche is the bookkeeper at Carolina Timberworks. She accepted the position before she found out that bookkeeping has nothing to do with off-track betting and high-stakes gambling, and everything to do with numbers and balance. Be that as it may, she much prefers the title Bringer of Joy and Happiness. As such, she eagerly undertakes any project that is deemed fun, different, or exciting, in order to balance out the methodical nature of bookkeeping.
Prior to marrying Eric Morley and coming to work at Carolina Timberworks, Gesche was a middle and high school teacher of diverse subjects including Theatre, Science, English, and Social Studies. She gets along exceedingly well with adolescents and other stubborn characters and loves the smell of freshly-cut wood.
(We acknowledge our Accounting Department, without whom we’d be flying blind and paycheck-less)
return to top of pageKevin Brucher, Timber Framer
Kevin’s bio is coming soon (it’s hard to catch Kevin in the shop lately).
Thomas Kitson, Timber Framer
Thomas Kitson was born in south Florida, then at the age of 14 he moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. After high school and some college, Thomas worked in the construction business for many years. He joined what was then a much smaller timber frame company in May of 2012. Thomas strives to provide good customer service while on job sites and deliver high quality work. During Thomas’ spare time you can find him riding his motorcycle down at the New River, or hanging out with his family and friends. He is married to Michelle and has three wonderful kids; Jaxon, Lana and Aiden.
Sage Miller, Timber Framer
Sage is a 2nd generation timber framer. He grew up in the mountains of North Carolina in Ashe County (also known as the “Coolest Corner”). An outdoorsman who enjoys most anything outside, Sage notes that this comes in handy when you live in a town located near the borders of Tennessee and Virginia and close to the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, mountain balds, and some of the country’s best small stream fly-fishing. Sage thinks timber framing is something he’ll always enjoy: “It’s always something different: different places, different homes, and different people.” Sage’s father, Chris Miller, co-founded a great timber frame company with Eric Morley, and we’re delighted Sage is part of our team.
Wynand Potgieter, Timber Framer
Wynand joined Carolina Timberworks in January 2019. He has enjoyed living and working in North Carolina for over 20 years. Originally from Kenya, East Africa, his previous work experience includes managing tented safari camps and Hollywood filming locations and owning a flooring company. Wynand is happy to be focused entirely on the art of timber farming now. In his free time he enjoys gardening, cooking and family.
Kevin Reed, Job Captain
Kevin Reed is a native of Western North Carolina. He received a degree in Fish and Wildlife Management in 2001. Kevin worked at Stone Mountain State Park after finishing college. While trying to find a full time position in the natural resources management field, he worked part time in the construction industry to make ends meet. North Carolina had initiated a hiring freeze for state parks and other forest and wildlife management positions, so Kevin proceeded to obtain a North Carolina General Contractors License and commit himself to the construction industry. Keven found his calling when he joined Carolina Timberworks in 2012, and enjoys the challenges and satisfaction derived from being part of a growing timber frame company. When Kevin is not involved with CTW, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, April, and two sons, Sam and Eli.
Larry Scarborough, Installation Manager, on his Secrets to Success and What Not to Buy
At the end of a project, don’t be surprised if Larry walks up to you, smiles, and asks his trademark question: “Is it everything you dreamed it would be?” (Hint: if you want to get on his good side, bring him a plate of homemade cookies.)
One of my secrets to success is: I’ve got a lot. Probably the biggest one is rock steady. Take care of your sh*t every day. Take care of the here and now. Rock steady and don’t panic.
The phrase I hate most is: “I feel.” Growing up, we knew or we thought. No one felt. Now it’s all about feeling.
The first time I left the country was: to go to Germany in the Army. For an 18-year old corn-fed boy from Nebraska, that was a big adventure.
What advice do you have for aspiring timber framers? monkey see, monkey do. Watch the old-timers.
I don’t buy: generic peanut butter. It sucks.
Certifications:
Licensed NC General Contractor | Timber Grading | Installation for SIP Professionals | Safe Aerial Lift Operation | Rough Terrain Forklifts | Safe Scaffold Operation | Safe Forklift & Telescoping Boom Lift Operation | Certified AIA Presenter | NABSEP Photovoltaic installation, Entry Level | American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED | Hundegger Cambium 1 Stab, Hundegger ROBOT-Drive Basis (at Hans Hundegger AG in Hawangen, Germany).
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