After graduating from Michigan Technological University in Wood & Fiber Utilization with a marketing major, I went to work in a custom hardwood furniture store. A year later the owners wanted to move to Arizona to retire and asked if I wanted to purchase the company. I ran two retail stores and opened 3 more. Six years later I sold out and went to work for Metro Hardwoods. Retail was not my passion but building long term mutual beneficial business relationships was. Being able to do it in hardwood products was my goal since I graduated. I was able to get in on the ground floor of a small hardwood lumber company and to participate in the amazing transformation to one of the largest hardwood distribution companies in the country. The people I work with at Metro Hardwoods are the best in the business and the management team allows our staff to make the most of their talents. I have my own small wood shop which allows me to see, feel and work with the products that we sell. Putting together marketing materials for our products and selling them becomes second nature. Promoting and selling products that you know are the best available in the business makes the job very rewarding.