Wayne is originally from Ohio and grew up with the Mahoning River in his backyard. He is also a Vietnam War veteran and served his country for 4 years. 

His woodworking journey started when he was just 13 years old. After plowing a neighbor's garden with his dad’s tractor, the man stiffed him the $5 he was promised for his work. Once Wayne returned home empty-handed, his father sent him back to the neighbor’s with the instructions to “come back with something!” This time, he returned with a funky table saw and a pile of lumber. With his new supplies, he built a boat and a dock since he lived right on the river. So, at only 13, Wayne had his own handmade boat with a motor attached and a handmade dock to store his boat underneath. 

Following his time in the military, Wayne worked as a tech rep at Boeing. But one day, he realized he no longer enjoyed the job, so he decided to retire and take on his woodworking passion full-time. He started by only selling boats and canoes he’d made, but that eventually progressed to much more. 

After eyeing some homemade paddles at a St. Charles canoe race, Wayne figured he could craft better—so he did! He not only discovered that Sassafras is one of the best types of wood for making paddles but that he had found a new passion as well. His favorite part about making paddles is bringing out the wood; he goes looking for a unique quality in each piece and works to bring it out. 

As a self-proclaimed Tree Whisperer, Wayne carries this sentiment through all of his woodworking projects, looking for images and special characteristics in each piece of wood, “I want the wood to speak for itself. There’s art in wood.”