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.
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.
