Mike literally lives at the intersection of soil, trees, and people. He is the Director of Regenerative Initiatives for The Works, Inc., was a founder and Vice President of the Tennessee chapter of the U.S. Composting Council, and is the Co-Owner and founder of The Compost Fairy. Mike is a veteran, a beekeeper, a vintage motorcycle enthusiast, and an avid outdoorsman and traveler having visited 61 countries, all 50 states, and nine Canadian provinces. Mike grew up on the family farm in New England, and those values — and eating habits — have never left him.

Mike is a wood sourcing master. He has worked extensively in wholesale hardwood distribution in both domestic and international markets and has deep expertise in wood for musical instrument clients including Fender, Leo Fender at G&L, Rickenbacker, and Taylor Guitar. At Fender, Mike was responsible for all legal and sustainable sourcing of guitar woods and contributed significantly to R&D, product design, manufacturing, wood handling and drying. His efforts resulted in a 30% savings in wood costs annually and continue to influence operations in the U.S. and overseas.

Mike develops kilns (solar, portable, on-site etc.), body blank laminating lines, and all things related to urban wood production. He is highly sought after on a wide range of urban wood technical consulting both here in the U.S. and abroad.

Mike is a graduate of Colorado State University in Wood Science and Technology and lives with his wife, in Southern California — and a collection of guitars. He is a regular speaker and panelist and serves as the Technical and Design Lead for Unified Wood Economy.

Patrick is passionate about living systems and deeply interested in the sustainable and regenerative practices that can be employed to better live in this world. He’s worked at a local family farm, living with the land as he joined with others to take things from seed to plant to fruit to market, season after season.

He’s also worked as a local composter, transforming materials destined for the landfill into the magical concoction that helps the earth turn seeds into food. He is dedicated to the Memphis Wood Upcycling Campus’s mission of turning downed trees into useful, valuable products like hardwood lumber, artisan wood, compost, mulch, and more.

I am a local artist, and have been doing art for my entire life. It’s important to me to do something that provides a counterbalance to the nightmare culture of over-consumption, planned obsolescence, and disposable commercial goods. I find it to be both beautiful and fulfilling.