Team Category: BOA

Pepper is a CPA with 30+ years experience in the financial management of companies contracting with the Federal government in the non-profit public health space and the Defense Department technology industry.

Pepper’s interest in woodworking started when she took up fiddle playing a few years ago and became curious about the qualities of different woods used in stringed instruments. She has a deep interest in traditional joinery and the use of hand tools, but enjoys learning about a wide variety of design and construction methods.

Tim has over 10 years experience as a woodworker and enjoys building fine furniture (tables, desks, credenzas, boxes, chairs) as well as home improvement projects (cabinets, shelves, mantels, trim, doors, decks, garden furniture) and small gifts/useful household objects (picture frames, trays, cutting boards, knife holders, etc.). Prior to retiring in 2020, he spent over 35 years as a High Tech executive leading services organizations at companies such as Accenture, Dell Technologies, and Oracle. Tim is honored and grateful to serve as the non-profit Austin School of Furniture Board President as well as a Community Class volunteer instructor.

Maria Salmeron is an enthusiast of all things related to creating a beautiful home. Her love for architecture, construction, landscaping, and furniture design fuels her passion for enhancing living spaces. Although new to woodworking, Maria has a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship. With 11 years of experience in residential building, it’s a natural progression for her to delve into the art of woodworking.

Austin’s background is in creative digital marketing, operations, and management but his passion will always be woodworking. He has years of experience as a hobbyist furniture maker and hopes to utilize his business experience to create one of the best woodworking educational institutions.

Kim grew up around woodworking as her dad was a hobbyist and DIYer in their old house, so tools were not new to her by the early teenager years.  In college she might have left the wood shop window unlocked in order to carve bowls or do other projects that didn’t need power as those breakers were…

A serial entrepreneur and hobbyist woodworker, Dean Cruse advises the Austin School of Furniture and Design on its Marketing and Sales efforts.