ABOUT US
(left to right) Chris, Luke, Thom, and Joan.

Thom grew up in Chatham, New Jersey. His love of all kinds of music led to studying theory and composition at Manhattan School of Music and graduate school at the University of Toronto. Fascinated by North Indian music, he began playing sitar and enrolled in the doctoral program at Wesleyan University to study world music.

A few teaching gigs later, he ended up in the Berkshires, working at Simon’s Rock College of Bard in Great Barrington. He found teaching rewarding, but after twelve years, he was ready for a change.

He had always enjoyed woodworking and had built classical guitars and dulcimers. So he began working as a carpenter for a local builder and in 1986 started his own business. What began as fine carpentry grew into general contracting and design work as well as custom cabinetry.

His original workshop, on an unheated porch in his nineteenth-century farmhouse, first moved inside the house and then into a remodeled barn on the property. In 1998 he doubled the size of the shop, so it is now fully equipped for any size project.

 
Musical instruments
built by Thom, c. 1978.
 
 

Thom loves his second career, although the hours are long. He especially likes working with his clients to realize their projects. When he takes a break, he enjoys cooking, movies, stargazing with his new telescope, meditating with a local Zen group, and (believe it or not) working up remodeling ideas with his wife Anne for their own home.


When you call us, Thom’s wife, Anne Lesser, will probably answer the phone. She does our marketing and our books as well as making the initial contact with new clients. Her own business, Anne Lesser Communications, offers editorial and marketing services.


Chris Keefner has been working with us for almost four years. He really enjoys all aspects of the job and next fall is planning to study for the construction supervisor’s license. Chris grew up in the Berkshires and currently lives in Pittsfield. His young son, Christopher Jr., loves his occasional visits to the job site.


Luke Marciano joined us two and a half years ago. He grew up in New York City. A former Marine, he is interested in philosophy and comparative religion. He taught Chris how to play chess, and they sometimes enjoy a quick game during the lunch break.


Joan Phillips, the newest addition to our crew, grew up in the Berkshires and has two children, Lilly and Walker. She is also a professional baker and makes special occasion cakes. On the weekends, Joan enjoys gardening and working on her own house.

 

 
 



West Stockbridge, Mass.
(413) 232-8577

thom@buildwiththom.com

Mass. Construction Supervisor License: 055115
Home Improvement Contractor Registration: 107390

Website and design: Anne Lesser Communications and www.jasonhouston.com