OWNER

My father introduced me to creative craftsmanship. Helping him build the cordwood house I grew up in ignited in me a love for building one of a kind pieces. I am a creator; I thrive on personal expression through craftsmanship. In seeking direction for myself professionally I have been drawn to fine concrete for one main reason: the versatility it offers for creative expression.

I discovered concrete design and counters quite by accident. I was not looking for it; rather, it came to me. In 2002, I helped a friend build a house in Hawaii, and we tried our hand at our first concrete countertop project. We poured the countertop in place and on site and quickly learned firsthand some of the many challenges of DIY concrete counters. However, I fell for the fluid beauty of artistic concrete on this project. It encouraged me to learn all I could about this art form. From this challenging beginning I dove into self-study, received professional training, and started my company, Fluid Form. Now, with many years of experience under my belt, I have come to a deep understanding and appreciation for the art of fine concrete.

ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP TO CLIENTS AND CONCRETE

Working with concrete requires well thought-out design. This includes consideration of the overall space, the desired experience with that space, and the client’s unique personal expression.

A client once took me for a walk through the house and yard exploring their vast stone collection; each stone had a story connected to it. Now the client has stones and fossils from their collection inlayed into the surface of a vibrant blue concrete countertop. It is a story, it has history, it is alive.

Clients offer me much inspiration. Designing and transforming a space as a creative outlet and to meet the needs of a client can be quite challenging, yet extremely rewarding. I have found that the key to client satisfaction is to combine my ability to listen to the needs of the client together with my creative craftsmanship. I develop strong working relationships with each client. This leaves the client with a high quality product that is unique and beautiful while simultaneously meeting their taste and functional needs.

PROJECT MANAGER

I started in the concrete industry on a whim in the spring of 2005 in Charlevoix, Michigan. A friend needed help in the family’s precast facility. Together with one other person I worked long days, six days a week to make production. Over the years the company grew as did the product line and the building size, adding several additions over the years. Over the course of 13 years I went from laborer to foreman of the shop, and along the way I learned more about concrete than most people should know. Everything from color to mix designs to forming and mould building, welding, metal work, machine operation and maintenance, etc. One spring, my wife and I were here in Brevard, NC for a vacation and I saw the Fluid Form Concrete Design sign. I said to my wife "If we move here (haha) I would like to work there." Little did I know that in the winter of 2017-18 moving to our vacation spot would become a reality. Harvest gave me a shot to pursue a different avenue in the concrete business: quality and craftsmanship over volume and numbers. I have been with Fluid Form Concrete Design for just over three and a half years and enjoy learning and continuing to hone my skills in all things concrete. After 17 years experience, concrete is still a material I believe in.