Memphis Urban Wood

Meet the MUW Team

We built our team on a foundation of local, on-the-ground knowledge and national expertise.

Mike Larrivee

Chief of Operations, Memphis Urban Wood

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.

What’s your favorite thing about Memphis?

Along with the obvious — all the beautiful giant trees we take for granted and the abundance of open green space in Memphis — one person with drive and a little vision can really create impact. For instance, right now Memphis is throwing away money, jobs, and products into our landfills each day. We’re able to change that by diverting those resources back into the community.

Mike Born

Lead Technical Advisor & Unified Wood Economy Co-Founder

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.

Why did you get into this business? 
I love how much of a positive impact it has. The environment wins through carbon capture, and the larger Memphis community wins through new revenue channels and a green job-generating enterprise that can do good and do well at the same time.

Blake Barber

Site Manager

What do you think are the most important contributions the Upcycling Campus will provide to the people of Memphis?

Research shows upcycling facilities support communities in 4 prominent ways which are waste reduction,  the curtailing of greenhouse gases,  increased economic development, and improved skills training for high demand jobs.  All 4 are incredibly important to Memphis, but what I think is even more important to name is that upcycling requires us to look at waste with a different perspective.   Waste carries little worth.  Upcycling demands we see everything as something that has inherent value and in a city that has a history of great men and women demanding all be seen as significant, upcycling serves as a small reminder that from a felled tree to the men and women that create something new from it should be dignified. 

Robert Fortner

Heavy Equipment Operator

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.

“If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference.” —Buckminster Fuller

Rocky Jefferson

Green Chain Tech

“I get to work outdoors with real-world things and with people who care about doing things the right way. I like to work hard, and everyone does here too, so that helps when things are hard.”