E-7 Master Sergeant Larry Gochenour not only devoted 20 years of his life to the Air National Guard, he also served as Shenandoah County's very first Fire Marshall. Following a life of public service, Larry has "retired" to take over the family business after the passing of his father, Ralph.
"Back in 1968, I began helping my dad on his Frick sawmill at a very young age which included the harvesting of the logs, off bearing, stacking, loading the kiln, cutting firewood to length, etc. I have always enjoyed the lumber and sawmill business, so after ending my fulltime career I became more involved and bought a Lucas Slab Mill in 2018 and a Wood Mizer mill in 2020. I also now have two, fully operational lumber kilns".
For more details, check out the website >>
Matt Shorrock - Urban Wood Artisan
Virginia Beach, VA
After a career-ending injury in 2018 and being medically discharged from the Navy SEALS, E-7 Matthew Shorrock knew woodworking was in his future after he and fellow SEALS had to build out an entire camp in Afghanistan.
“As soon as I got home, I got my first table saw and started watching a lot of YouTube. I learned my skills as woodworking became a serious hobby for a decade. I took a chance on starting a custom furniture and cabinetry business and I haven’t looked back. We use locally milled urban lumber as much as we can.”
Matt’s business, American Figure LLC, is continually growing, spurring the need to expand into a new 4,000 square foot facility with a yard for logs and lumber. “We are also raising money to purchase a Woodmizer LX250 sawmill and a dehumidifier kiln in order to expand our urban milling operation. We’ve also entered into a partnership with a local nonprofit, Lynnhaven River Now, to ensure we are putting to good use as many felled trees as possible”.
More details about Matt’s business can be found by visiting his web page >>
Jeff Tidd - Sawmiller & Urban
Wood Artisan
Jeff Tidd has dedicated his life to serving, first his country, with more than 40 years of Army service! Jeff retired in February 2020 with a final rank of Command Sergeant Major(CSM) for the Provost Marshal's Office of the Military District of Washington.
Jeff is now serving clients with his urban/local wood business known as Tidd's Timberworks which offers portable sawmilling services, and a wide variety of products including rough-cut lumber, furniture, wooden crafts, BBQ smoking wood and sawdust. Jeff’s goal is to “be engaged in sustainable woodworking, turning wood otherwise wasted by rotting or burning, into usable items such as tables, chairs, usable lumber”
Jeff has also provided several sawmill demonstrations at events sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry at various locations including Alexandria, Woodstock and Boyce.
Additional information about Jeff and his business can be found on their Facebook page >>
