STAFF
A Note About Safety: At the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute, student safety is our highest priority. To ensure a secure learning environment, all SBWI staff members are fully certified in CPR and first aid through the American Red Cross, equipping them to respond effectively to medical emergencies. Additionally, our team has completed disaster preparedness training with FEMA, enhancing our readiness to handle various emergency situations with skill and confidence. With this commitment to safety, we strive to provide a safe, supportive space where students can focus on their craft, knowing they are in capable, well-prepared hands.
PRESIDENT & INSTRUCTOR
LUKE A. BARNETT
Luke Barnett was born on May 6th, 1985 in Adrian, Michigan, where he currently resides. He is a woodworker that specializes in traditional American Windsor chairs. Luke has sold Windsor chairs since 2011 and has been a full-time chairmaker since December 2013. Barnett won “Top craftsman in North America” from the Directory of Traditional American Crafts and Early American Life Magazine in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He won “Best project” in the seating category through Popular Woodworking Magazine in 2016 and 2017. Barnett also had one of his handmade Birdcage Rocking Chairs selected to be a part of a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit in 2016. Mr. Barnett is a member of the Adrian Noon Rotary Club and was awarded “Rotarian of the Year 2020” and “Outstanding Honors 2018-2019” for his devotion to the Woodworking for Warriors Program. He was also selected to be a guest speaker at the International Woodworking Fair in 2018 and 2020. Barnett spoke at the 2018 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, Georgia. His speech titled “Be the Spark” focused on engaging students at younger ages through community outreach.
Barnett is also an Accredited Skills Evaluator (ASE) through the Woodworking Career Alliance of North America. Currently, Barnett is a Finalist for “Top Young Woodworking Professional in the World” through The Woodworking Network for 2021 and was recently awarded a honoree of the Woodworking Network “40 Under 40 Awards" Class of 2020.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
DENA KOEHN
Dena Koehn grew up in Rose City, a rural town in mid-Michigan, and moved to southern Michigan to attend Adrian College. She graduated in 2005 with a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in English. After school, she worked in marketing and sales. In 2016 Dena started teaching woodworking classes with Luke in a garage, which eventually became the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. She has served many roles at the SBWI, including Outreach Coordinator, Shaker Box Instructor, Secretary, Treasurer, Board Member, Bookkeeper, and now Director of Operations. She is also the Event Coordinator and Social Media Director of the Great Lakes Woodworking Festival, an annual event which brings together the best woodworkers from the Great Lakes region.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT HEAD
ZACK FEALK
Zack is from Detroit, Michigan and graduated from MSU with a BS in Natural Resource Management. He is also a graduate of the Wood Design: Furniture Making program at the SBWI. Outside of the woodshop, he facilitates historic home remodels in the city of Detroit and builds custom furniture pieces. Zack is dedicated to learning other woodworking disciplines, including traditional timber framing, chairmaking, and advanced joinery skills. Zack’s goal is to push himself through design and building techniques that will allow him to prosper as a maker. Woodworking is a constant learning process, and he is eager to be a lifelong student. He is the Lead Instructor of the Wood Design program and teaches several specialty courses at SBWI. Zack was recently awarded a honoree of the Woodworking Network “40 Under 40 Awards" Class of 2024.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
NOAH SMITH
Noah is from Salida, CO. During his senior year of high school he apprenticed to a furniture builder and the experience he had working there encouraged him to look for a woodworking school where he could continue learning. He joined the SBWI Wood Design: Furniture Making program in the fall of 2022 and started assisting at the school soon after. Noah enjoys spending time in the shop and helping out where he can. He looks forward to learning about different building styles and techniques, and applying them to the furniture he builds. On June 4th, 2023 he graduated from the Wood Design: Furniture Making program, winning the Red Seal Award for most outstanding student. He continues to expand his woodworking skills and has become Assistant Instructor to the Wood Design program. When he’s not in the shop, Noah can be found reading books, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.
FACILITIES MANAGER & INSTRUCTOR
STEVEN SKORNICKA
Steven J Skornicka, 69, married for 50 years to his wife. He has two children Nick age 37 and Anne age 29.
Steve has worked mostly in the automotive industry for the majority of his career. He worked heavily in engineering and project/operations management. He has extensive experience with the Lean Manufacturing principle and is excited to bring those processes and ideas to the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to help us create an orderly, organized, and well-sustained management program for shop functionality.
Steve is soon retiring and will be joining the SBWI Team as our new Facilities Manager.
Steve started out as a volunteer at the shop then proceeded to take multiple classes such as the knife making course, bandsaw box class, hand plane restoration, and more!
In his free time, he loves to do woodworking at home and use the knowledge he’s gained from his career and classes at SBWI to work on his own creations. He also enjoys spending lots of time with his wife, friends, and family.
He also is the owner & operator of the woodworking business “What Knots”.
DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT & INSTRUCTOR
STEVEN MCCARROLL
Steve is a SBWI Alumni and woodworking hobbyist, who has always had an interest in woodworking. It wasn't until about three years ago that he truly decided to jump into the craft after serving in the US Army for the previous 24 years. Since then, he has created McCarroll Custom Cutting Boards where he enjoys designing unique patterns with a mix of domestic and exotic wood species. In 2022 Steve joined the Wood Design: Furniture Making program, and graduated on June 4th, 2023 with a 4.0 GPA.
He is an avid sports fan who vigorously roots for all Detroit teams and the University of Michigan. He's a glutton for punishment! He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and outings with his fellow veterans.
Steve is a member of Woodworking for Warriors and his proudest moment in the wood shop is when his Woodworking Warrior peers voted him as both the Best Teacher and Most Helpful in 2021.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
LOGAN BALIS
Logan Balis is a recent graduate of the Wood Design program from Greenville, Michigan. He currently resides in his van here just south of Adrian in Fairfield with a family that has adopted him while he was in school. They influenced his life to be responsible and patient, which therefore influenced his work ethic in the shop. When he was 13, he started a small lawn/light landscaping business as the “Backyard Barber.” He began this business with a $50 push mower. After 7 years, the business grew and eventually Logan owned a full set up with all of the modern day equipment. With a few years of doing odd jobs with lawns and landscapes, he gained a deep interest in gardens but specifically sustainable gardens and agriculture. After graduating high school in 2022, Logan took a gap year. During that time, he found the Wood Design program and enrolled immediately after a visit. He is a curious student seeking hand skills and knowledge in all crafts fields.
GRADUATE INTERN
ARMANDO COVARRUBIAS JR.
Armando Covarrubias Jr is a furniture maker originally from Arrey, New Mexico. After many years working in the food science and agriculture industry with his family, he made the decision to change careers and attend the Wood Design: Furniture Making program at Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. He builds custom-made furniture by combining hand tools, craftsmanship, and modern machinery. He has always loved working with his hands. He spent most of his life working on his family farm in the chili fields or building and welding farm equipment for their manufacturing facilities. This lifestyle naturally accommodated to a strong sense of community, and Armando developed patience to watch a seed grow into a fully matured crop. An organic career transition for him was furniture making with a lot of the same principles he has always been so drawn towards. Moving forward, he aspires to design and build commission furniture.
DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S PROGRAMMING & INSTRUCTOR
SHERI K. SARATA
Sheri Sarata retired from a teaching career in 2017. While searching for a way to keep herself occupied in retirement, she discovered the SBWI. Sheri took one class and quickly developed a new passion for wood. Over the next few years, she completed several courses and enrolled in the long-term Wood Design course. Sheri built her skills and found a way to merge her passion for children’s education and woodworking. She offered her services to the SBWI and became the first Director of Youth Programming.
Sheri’s credentials include an MA in Education and Curriculum from Michigan State University, BA in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, Reading Recovery Certificate from Oakland University, and a Woodworking Certificate from Woodworking Career Alliance of North America. She has spent the past several years renovating homes for resale, and she especially enjoys spoon carving and veneer and marquetry. In addition to youth classes, Sheri also teaches classes specifically geared toward helping women become comfortable with tools, and is developing a woodworking women’s group. She is also a member of the Great Lakes Woodworking Festival Planning Committee, and leads the youth educational activities at the festival.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHAIRPERSON
BOB ARGUS
Bob Argus currently works for United Airlines and brings nearly 40 years of management experience to the SBWI Board. Bob has worked half of his career on the planning side of the airline business (Finance, Revenue Management/Resource Management, Continuous Improvement) and half on the operation side (Airport Operations, Cargo, Catering). Bob currently oversees the Safety/Security/Facilities programs for United’s Catering Operations, which has a network of nearly 150 kitchens across the globe.
Bob has more than 20 years in the non-profit sector and currently serves as Vice-President of the Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation. He also serves on the boards of the National Coalition for Home Repair and the Des Plaines Community Foundation. He is a long-time volunteer for Appalachia Service Project and Habitat for Humanity.
Bob was born in Chicago and lives with his wife Dina in the local suburb of Des Plaines, while their three grown children, Sadie, Fin, and Lacey all live out in Los Angeles. Bob has a passion for reading and traveling and makes it a point to read a new book and visit a different state or country at least once a month. He also enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, and of course, woodworking!
TREASURER
FRANK BAKER
Frank Bernard Baker, born in 1947, is renowned for engineering and sustainable building practices. Residing in Blissfield, Michigan, with his wife Brenda Gayle, whom he married in 1975, Frank is a family man with two sons and is a proud grandfather to three granddaughters and a grandson.
Frank's academic journey is marked by excellence. He graduated with honors from St. Francis De Sales High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1965. He furthered his education at Kettering University, earning a mechanical engineering degree with a plant engineering major and graduating with honors in 1970. His quest for knowledge continued with courses at the University of Toledo and the University of Wisconsin.
His professional life began at General Motors Corporation, where he worked from 1965 to 1982. During his 16-year tenure, he held various roles such as Mechanical/Electrical Engineer, Packaging Engineer, Architectural/Mechanical Engineer, and Supervisor in the Industrial Engineering Department.
In 1979, Frank embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by founding Riverbend Timber Framing Inc., becoming the owner of North America's largest custom timber frame/insulated panel building system fabricator. He served as CEO until July 2007. His ventures expanded with the founding of Midwest Panel Systems, also known as Great Lakes Insulspan, in 1990 and the co-founding of Insulspan Inc. in 1994. Frank's strategic vision led to the merger of Riverbend TF and Insulspan with PFB Corporation, Canada, in 2004. He retired from his presidency in 2007 and served on the PFB Corporation Board of Directors until 2018.
Frank's influence extends beyond his business ventures. He is a charter member and past president of the Structural Insulated Panel Association, the Timber Frame Business Council, and the Timber Framers Guild. His commitment to sustainable building practices is evident in his roles within various organizations, including the Net Zero Energy Coalition, the Building Systems Council of the National Association of Homebuilders, and the US Green Building Council.
His community involvement is equally impressive. Frank has contributed to the Blissfield Revitalization Committee, served as the chairman of the Blissfield Planning Commission, and been a board member of the Blissfield Historical Society. His passion for renewable energy is reflected in his membership in the Michigan Solar Energy Association and the Toledo Solar Opportunities League. A believer in giving back, he has been involved in local sports as a coach and supports Habitat for Humanity.
Frank's current community service includes roles in the Blissfield Rotary Club, Lakeside Wooden Boat Society, Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society, and the Lakeside Heritage Society. His dedication to community and environmental stewardship makes him a respected and inspirational figure in both professional and personal realms.
SECRETARY
DAN BUTLER
Dan is a twenty-year retired veteran of the Marine Corps and a commercial airline pilot, having logged over 10,000 flight hours in various military and civilian aircraft. Dan was introduced to the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute when he took the Woodworking Furniture Making & Wood Design Level I Course and began participating in Woodworking for Warriors.
Dan is married to the former Karri Holmes of Adrian, who is also a twenty-year retired Marine veteran and is a native of Adrian. They have lived in Adrian since retiring from the Marines and together have six children.
Dan holds an MBA from Tulane University as well as a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science. Dan enjoys woodworking in his free time and has completed several home woodworking projects.
TRUSTEE
NICKI SHARER
Nicki Sharer is co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Sharer Design Group, a custom cabinetry and remodeling company based in Plymouth, MI. Nicki also works full time as a Director of Development for the University of Michigan, assisting alumni with making lead gifts to support the University. Nicki and her husband, Justin, live in Chelsea, MI with their son. In her spare time, Nicki enjoys cooking and baking, and spending time with her family in Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan. As a new board member to SBWI, Nicki is excited to assist with recommendations for fundraising and marketing strategies, as well as strategic partnerships.