About Me

I started my carpentry career as a laborer in 1999 on a crew building new construction homes in Central Illinois.

In 2005 I moved to Chicago where I worked as a hardware store associate before taking a position as a fabricator for a trade show exhibit manufacturer. This work ignited my passion for creative builds and I started to actively pursue scenic fabrication gigs.

In 2010 I began work as a carpenter at Ravenswood Studios in Chicago building sets and scenery for theater and museum productions.

My union affiliation started at Chicago Scenic Studios as a carpenter with I.A.T.S.E. Stagehands Local 2 in 2012. In 2014 I began work on motion picture productions at Cinespace Chicago as a Studio Mechanic with I.A.T.S.E. Local 476. I still proudly work for both of these locals fabricating sets and scenery for Chicago's most iconic events and productions.

In 2017 I founded Vagabond Scenic, as a way to fill any downtime during the off-season of television production.

In 2019 I moved Vagabond Scenic to San Diego and immediately started building sets and scenery for corporate events and theater as well as projects for SeaWorld, Legoland and other West Coast clients.

When COVID lock-downs decimated the entertainment industry in 2020, I was forced to call on my previous residential experience and pivoted into home improvement and handyman work around North County San Diego.

In an effort to get back to the more creative scenic builds, I moved Vagabond Scenic back to Chicago's thriving film industry in 2024.

I now operate Vagabond Scenic, with many added fabrication and printing capabilities at our new location in Old Irving Park.

I continue to work closely with Boomerang Exhibits fabricating trade show products and with the Carpenters Local 10 installing these exhibits at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

When I am not tethered to the work bench or computer, you will find me outdoors with my dogs, Harlot and Lela.

As a long time resident of Rogers Park in Chicago I really love the diversity, the food and the proximity to the lake this great neighborhood provides. I continue serving my community here working as The Vagabond Handyman.

I enjoy camping and canoeing and sometimes volunteer with the Friends of the Chicago River as a canoe guide, teaching river history, safety and paddling techniques to people of all ages.